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Ariana Baio
Feb 16, 2023
Bruce Willis: Meet His Wonderful Family!
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Bruce Willis, known for his roles in Die Hard and The Sixth Sense has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
On Thursday, Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, shared a photo of Willis, 67, to Instagram announcing they received the formal diagnosis after Willis experienced aphasia last year.
"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis," Emma Heming Willis wrote.
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Last year, Willis' family announced he had been diagnosed with aphasia and would be "stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him."
Willis' ex-wife, actress Demi Moore, shared the same message on her Instagram.
Fans sent love to Willis on Instagram and Twitter, wishing the family well.
\u201cWhat a horrible, cruel thing dementia is. Horribly unfair and devastating for everyone affected. I love Bruce Willis. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Sali Hughes (@Sali Hughes) 1676578112
\u201cThe family of Bruce Willis have announced that he has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia.\n\nMy thoughts are with Bruce and his family.\n\nThis terrible disease took my grandmother away, so I know its pain all too well.\u201d— Travis Akers (@Travis Akers) 1676576527
\u201cWishing all the best for Bruce Willis and his family. For so many people around my age he is THE movie star\u201d— juice thousand (@juice thousand) 1676576127
\u201cGutted to hear that Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia this guy will always be my all time Action Hero my thoughts are with his family \ud83d\ude22\ud83d\ude22\ud83d\ude22\ud83d\ude22 #brucewillis\u201d— Lee Hood (@Lee Hood) 1676577853
According to the Alzheimers Association, FTD refers to "a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes."
FTD is different from Alzheimer's. FTD affects people's behavior and language more than their memory although advanced FTD can cause memory loss.
Additionally, those diagnosed with FTD are typically in their 40s or early 60s.
There is no treatment for the disease.
Celebrities sent their love to Willis and his family including Maria Shiver and Jake Tapper.
\u201cMy heart goes out to Bruce Willis and his family, & also my gratitude for shining a much needed light on this disease. When people step forward it helps all of us. When people get a diagnosis it\u2019s extremely difficult, but also for most a relief to get a diagnosis.\u201d— Maria Shriver (@Maria Shriver) 1676578583
"Sending love to all of you," Sophia Bush wrote on Instagram.
"Sending love," Selma Blair commented.
Aaron Paul wrote, "Love you so much my friend! Sending hugs to you and that beautiful family of yours. Your pops is such a damn legend."
\u201cBruce Willis has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia, his family says. FTD is a profoundly cruel disease, my beloved father in law Tom suffered from it for years before he died. Sending all my love and prayers to their family\u201d— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1676576364
Willis is known for his role as David Addison Jr the 80's comedy-drama Moonlighting as well as his roles in movies like Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, Pulp Fiction, Moonrise Kingdom, Die Hard, and more.
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