Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family announced in a statement Thursday.
The 67-year-old “Die Hard” star was diagnosed with the disease, also known as FTD, after his previous diagnosis of aphasia progressed, his family said.
“Unfortunately, communication difficulties are only a symptom of the illness Bruce is dealing with. Although this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” said the statement shared by his ex-wife, Demi Moore, and posted on a website of the Frontotemporal Degeneration Association.
The statement was attributed to Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis; Moore; and Willis Rumer’s daughters, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and it can affect anyone,” the family’s statement continued. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because it can take years to be diagnosed, FTD is probably much more common than we know.”
The progression of the disease ranges from two to more than 20 years, and the average life expectancy after the onset of symptoms is seven to 13 years. There is no treatment or cure currently available, according to the AFTD website.
Willis’ family said that by sharing his story, they hope they can bring more awareness to the disease and push for research to find cures.
via the Associated Press
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and raise awareness of important issues both publicly and privately,” the family said. “We know in our hearts that – if they could today – they would respond by bringing global attention and a connection to those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it affects so many people and their families.
Willis retired from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia.
Aphasia usually comes on suddenly after a stroke, head injury, or sometimes a slow-growing tumor. It can affect a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The actor’s former co-stars told the Los Angeles Times last year that he had struggled on set for years.
