Bruce Willis is an iconic actor known for his roles in Die Hard, Armageddon, The Sixth Sense and many more. On Thursday, the Willis family announced that the 67-year-old actor has been officially diagnosed with a form of dementia, specifically frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
FTD is a cruel disease that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in behavior, language, and emotions. It is the most common form of dementia for those under 60 and it can take years to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, there are currently no treatments for FTD.
In a statement released by the Willis family, they said that Bruce’s condition has worsened since he was diagnosed with aphasia last year. Aphasia is a condition where a person loses the ability to communicate.
The Willis family decided to come forward with Bruce’s diagnosis in order to shed light on FTD and spread awareness of the disease. They said, “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.”
The Willis family also said that this is a difficult time for them, but they are grateful to have a clear diagnosis. They also shared that Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and to raise awareness about important issues.
In addition to Bruce’s diagnosis, the Willis family also shared that Bruce’s eldest daughter, Rumer Willis, is pregnant with her first child.
Though Bruce Willis is no longer able to act, his family hopes that his diagnosis will help bring more attention and research to FTD. They want to use Bruce’s platform to spread awareness of the disease in the hopes of finding a treatment in the future.
