Bruce Willis has stepped away from the spotlight, fully retiring from acting after his 2022 aphasia diagnosis, followed in February 2023 with the announcement that his condition had progressed into frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recently, Willis made a rare public appearance, in which he appeared confused as his condition continued to impact his ability to communicate.
Willis, 68, has been keeping a low profile with his family, which is comprised of Emma Heming and their two daughters Mabel and Evelyn. They live in Brentwood Park, Los Angeles, where loved ones have been supporting Willis through this unprecedented time, while also keeping long-time fans updated on the beloved star’s health. Here’s the latest on the Die Hard actor.
Bruce Willis appeared confused in a recent rare public sighting
I find this terribly sad… Bruce Willis is no longer able to communicate verbally.
Glenn Gordon Caron, who helped launch Willis' career, told the New York Post: "He's not totally verbal; he used to be a voracious reader – he didn't want anyone to know that – and he's not reading… pic.twitter.com/1vaB4khrOH— GH HILL (@GHHILL1911) October 24, 2023
OK! Magazine reported on a recent appearance Willis made while being driven around Studio City in Los Angeles by his security guard on October 29. Willis was seated in the passenger seat of a black Range Rover. Images taken reportedly show him appearing disoriented.
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However, by time of writing, photos are not circulating of this vulnerable appearance. On Twitter, images like this have been condemned, with one user asserting, “Not linking to it but it’s absolutely disgusting for any news outlet to post photos of Bruce Willis out in public looking ‘confused,'” adding, “Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve decency.”
Willis continues to get support from family and friends
Willis began acting in 1980 and secured national acclaim with his work on Moonlighting, the influential dramedy that saw him star opposite Cybill Shepherd from ’85 to ’89, which is finally available to stream after decades in litigation limbo. It came as a surprise to many when comedy man Willis turned out to be the perfect iconic lead for the Die Hard franchise; no one was more surprised than the studio and Willis himself.
“I think I was the 50th choice,” Willis once shared of the process to cast John McClane. “They went to everybody. All of those guys probably would have been great John McClanes.”
Since then, Willis has been an action film icon to millions who continue to send well wishes through this new phase of his life. Wife Emma has been protective of Willis, admonishing paparazzi who crowd Willis, while trying to make each day a comfortable experience for Willis and their two daughters. Recently, Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron confirmed that he is “not totally verbal; he used to be a voracious reader — he didn’t want anyone to know that — and he’s not reading now.”
However, he also said, “I know he’s really happy that the show is going to be available for people, even though he can’t tell me that,” adding, “When I got to spend time with him we talked about it and I know he’s excited.”
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