Actor Bruce Willis is diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia | The World | D.W.

American actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family reported this Thursday (02.16.2023), less than a year after he announced his retirement due to cognitive problems.

The 67-year-old action actor had been diagnosed in March of last year with aphasia, a language disorder.

“His condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia,” his five daughters, his wife Emma Heming Willis and his ex-wife Demi Moore announced Thursday in a statement.

Lack of communication is just one of the symptoms

“Unfortunately, communication challenges are one of the symptoms of the disease that Bruce faces.”

“Although this is painful, it is a relief for us to have a clear diagnosis,” the family wrote, noting that it was important for the “Die Hard” actor to use his voice to draw attention to important causes.

“We know in our hearts that if he could today, he would want to respond by bringing global attention to those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families,” the statement said, accompanied by a photo of the actor. on the beach.

an incurable disease

Frontotemporal dementia encompasses “a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain,” areas associated with personality, behavior and language, according to the Mayo Clinic.

This incurable disease can start between the ages of 40 and 60, with no known causes. Patients may display dramatic personality changes, emotional indifference, impulsive actions, or an inability to use language appropriately.

Entertainment figures reacted to the news on the family’s social media.

“I love you so much my friend! (…) Your dad is a legend and so much,” actor Aaron Paul wrote to Rumer Willis, one of his daughters with Demi Moore. Wilmer Valderrama of “That 70’s Show” commented: “Sending all my love.”

Michael J. Fox’s wife, Tracy Pollan, posted a line of hearts, while Haley Joel Osment, who split screen with Willis on “Sixth Sense,” left another heart emoji.

Bruce Willis stood out on television with Cybill Shepherd in the series “Moonlight”, with which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe in 1987.

cult figure

He became an immediate cult figure thanks to his portrayal of the fearless cop John McClane in “Die Hard” (1988), which led to a blockbuster franchise.

He was the voice of baby Mikey in the popular comedy “Look who’s talking” (1989 and 1990) starring John Travolta, with whom he would split the screen again in 1994 in the renowned “Pulp Fiction” by Quentin Tarantino.

He furthered a prolific career as an action hero with titles like “12 Monkeys,” “Armageddon” and “The Fifth Element.”

In 1999, he took a turn by playing a child psychologist in the critically acclaimed thriller “Sixth Sense.”

Born on March 19, 1955, he and fellow actress Demi Moore formed one of the best-known couples in the industry in the 1990s, and, together for 13 years, they had three daughters (Rumer, Tallulah and Scout).

Since 2009 he has been married to Emma Heming, with whom he has two other daughters, Evelyn and Mabel.

jc (afp, Reuters)