Bruce Willis diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, family says

Willis, well-known for movies like Die Exhausting, retired from performing in 2022 after affected by the language dysfunction aphasia.

Actor Bruce Willis is famend for movies together with The Sixth Sense, Pulp Fiction and Die Exhausting [File: Carlo Allegri/Reuters]

Almost a 12 months after it was introduced that Bruce Willis would step away from filmmaking following being identified with aphasia, the American actor’s household says his “situation has progressed”.

In a press release posted on Thursday, the 67-year-old’s household mentioned Willis has obtained a extra particular prognosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

“Whereas that is painful, it's a aid to lastly have a transparent prognosis,” the assertion learn. “FTD is a merciless illness that many people have by no means heard of and may strike anybody.”

Final March, Willis’s household mentioned his aphasia had affected his cognitive skills. The situation causes the lack of capability to know or categorical speech.

In Thursday’s assertion, his household mentioned communication challenges have been only one symptom of frontotemporal dementia.

The Affiliation for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a bunch of mind problems brought on by degeneration of the frontal or temporal lobes of the mind that impacts behaviour, language and motion.

Aphasia could be a symptom of it. The affiliation describes frontotemporal degeneration as “an inevitable decline in functioning”, with a mean life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of signs.

“Right this moment there aren't any remedies for the illness, a actuality that we hope can change within the years forward,” the household’s assertion learn, including that it will possibly take years to get a correct prognosis.

“As Bruce’s situation advances, we hope that any media consideration will be centered on shining a lightweight on this illness that wants way more consciousness and analysis.”

The assertion was posted on the web site of the Affiliation for Frontotemporal Degeneration and signed by Willis’s spouse, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore and his 5 youngsters, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

Over a 40-year profession, Willis’s films earned greater than $5bn on the worldwide field workplace. Whereas beloved for hits like Die Exhausting and The Sixth Sense, the prolific actor had lately primarily featured in direct-to-video thrillers.

“Bruce has at all times discovered pleasure in life — and has helped everybody he is aware of to do the identical,” the household mentioned Thursday.

“It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed again to him and to all of us. We have now been so moved by the love you've all shared for our pricey husband, father, and buddy throughout this troublesome time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will allow us to assist Bruce dwell as full a life as attainable.”