Friends, Family Say Bruce Willis Is Still Himself But ‘Not Totally Verbal’ Amidst Dementia Diagnosis

Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron spoke to The New York Post about Bruce Willis’ condition and how he tries to check in on him every month. In February, Willis had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, and reports from friends and family claim his condition has partially deteriorated. Glenn, 69, commented that although the Die Hard actor cannot communicate and “now sees life through a screen door,” he recognizes him whenever he visits.

“All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce,” Glenn remarked. He and Bruce have been good friends, and he is making more effort to be present through this challenging period. “I’m not always quite that good, but I try and I do talk to him and his wife. I have tried very hard to stay in his life,” he added.

A lot has changed for Bruce

Glenn noted that one of Bruce’s unique qualities was his joyous outlook on life, which he no longer expresses. In his words, Bruce “loved life and just adored waking up every morning and trying to live life to its fullest.”

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He continued, “When you’re with him, you know that he’s Bruce, and you’re grateful that he’s there…but the joie de vivre is gone.”

Glenn also revealed that his friend was a “voracious” reader and mostly kept that part of him private. “He’s not reading now. All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce,” he said.

On the Today show last month, Susan Dickinson, head of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration — who was interviewed alongside Bruce’s wife, Emma — pointed out that self-insight is one of the first things people with FTD lose, meaning they may not be aware of their changes.

Coming to terms with Bruce’s present state

Willis going from the sharp, cheerful actor fans knew and enjoyed to struggling with frontotemporal dementia has been challenging not only for the actor but also for his loved ones. His wife Emma opened up on the Today show last month about the impact of Bruce’s health on their marriage and family.

“What I’m learning is that dementia is hard. It’s hard on the person diagnosed. It’s also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say that this is a family disease, it really is,” she said. However, she believes coming to terms with her husband’s diagnosis has helped her cope. “It doesn’t make it any less painful,” she added. “Just being in the acceptance is, and just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce, just makes it a little bit easier.”