'My heart goes out to Bruce Willis and his family, and also my gratitude for shining a much-needed light on this disease'
Tributes, love and support are pouring in for
Bruce Willis after his family announced he has
frontotemporal dementia (FTD) following his earlier diagnosis of aphasia.
The Pulp Fiction and Fifth Element actor was diagnosed in March 2022 with aphasia, a condition affecting the brain which causes difficulty with language and speech, and stepped back from acting.
The 67-year-old's family - his current wife, Emma Heming Willis, and his former wife Demi Moore, as well as his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn - shared an update on the progression of his condition on Thursday, revealing that Bruce now has a more "specific diagnosis".
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They said: "Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).
"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."
Celebrities and movie fans have since flooded social media with messages of love and support for the Hollywood icon.
Michelle Pfeiffer wrote under the Instagram post: "Thank you. Sending love."
Supermodel Supermodel Naomi Campbell added: "Sending my love to you all."
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Supernatural actor Jim Beaver tweeted: "The news of Bruce Willis's diagnosis of dementia is sad. I got my first real break as an actor playing his buddy Earl in IN COUNTRY, Norman Jewison's moving drama about Vietnam veterans, and it was a transformative experience for me."
Actor Rita Wilson, who is married to Tom Hanks, shared: "Thank you for sharing this with us. Sending Bruce and all the families love."
Journalist and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver re-posted the family's statement on Twitter and spoke of her "gratitude" for them raising awareness about frontotemporal dementia.
"My heart goes out to Bruce Willis and his family, & also my gratitude for shining a much needed light on this disease," she tweeted. "When people step forward it helps all of us. When people get a diagnosis it’s extremely difficult, but also for most a relief to get a diagnosis."
Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul responded to the post with: "Love you so much my friend! Sending hugs to you and that beautiful family of yours. Your pops is such a damn legend."
According to the
NHS, FTD causes changes to personality, behaviour, language and movement, due to the areas of the brain that it affects, the front and sides of the brain. The onset of the disease, as with other forms of dementia, is slow to begin with but gradually gets worse.
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In their statement, Bruce's family expressed their "deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love" they had received since his asphasia's diagnosis.
"Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it", the statement reads.
The family hopes that by publicising Bruce's condition it will bring public attention to FTD, which there are currently no treatments for: "As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research."
The family hope the understanding and respect shown by the public would "enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible".
"Bruce has always found joy in life - and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us," they said.
Bruce rose to national attention alongside Cybill Shepherd in the 1980s TV hit Moonlighting. Over four decades he starred in more than 100 films, which have amassed over $5bn (£4.17bn) at the box office worldwide.
Read the full statement from Bruce's family
here.
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