Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family has announced.
The news comes almost a year after it was announced that the action star would step away from acting because of being diagnosed with aphasia.
In their new statement, Willis’ family said that since that time “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.”
The statement, posted on the website of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, added: “Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. 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.”
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” the statement went on. “We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
The statement was attributed to Emma Hemming Willis, the actor’s wife, his ex-wife Demi Moore and his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
Willis is best known for the Die Hard and Look Who’s Talking franchises as well as films including The Fifth Element, The Sixth Sense, Pulp Fiction and Armageddon.
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