Die Hard actor Bruce Willis took retirement from acting after he was diagnosed with Aphasia in the year 2022, his family announced. Later, this year, on Thursday, a statement was passed by his family saying that he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal Dementia.
Bruce Willis, an 80’s Hollywood superstar who retired in the year 2022 has been diagnosed with untreatable Dementia, his family stated. The 67-year-old actor famously known for his role in the Hollywood action and thriller movie Die Hard retired from acting last year in March and has been away from the limelight since. The family stated that since they announced Willis’s diagnosis of Aphasia in 2022, his condition has progressed and they now have a more specific diagnosis: Frontotemporal Dementia.
Bruce Willis’s family’s statement
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is an umbrella term used for disorders affecting that area of the brain that is used to deal with personality, behavior, reading, writing, etc. “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one of the many symptom of the disease Willis faces. While this is painful, it’s still a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for FTD, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. FTD is a cruel disease that many of us might have never heard of and can happen to anyone.” Last year in March, his family stated that Aphasis has affected his cognitive abilities. This condition causes a loss of understating, expressing, and communicating in general.
The family also stated that, as Bruce’s condition will advance, they’ll hope that any media attention will be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. This statement was posted on the website of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and was signed by Bruce Willis’s wife, Emma Hemming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore and his children, Rumer Willis, Scout LaRue Willis, Evelyn Penn Willis, Tallulah Willis, Mabel Ray Willis.
What is Frontotemporal Dementia?
Doctors say that the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrinks of the patient going through Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). What causes FTD is yet to be known but it can result in personality changes and behavioral modification which can make a person socially awkward and inappropriate, and uncaring and unbothered toward others. Some suffer a loss of ability to communicate and use language adequately.
The Mayo Clinic stated that FTD can happen to anyone between the age of 40 and 65 and is the cause of one-fifth of all Dementia cases. FTD is a progressive disease which means it gets worse with time. In the early stages, people may have just one symptom but with time the symptoms increases with an increase in the intensity of it as more parts of the brain get affected.
Its difficult to predict of how long a person with FTD will live as some live upto 10 years while some die in 2 years after being diagnosed with FTD. There are currently no particular treatment or cure for the disease as the disease progresses with but there are still ways and medications to manage the symptoms.
Bruce Willis’s Career
Walter Bruce Willis first achieved fame with a leading role in the comedy-drama series, ‘Moonlighting’ after which he appeared in over 100 movies in his career before retiring in 2022. Death becomes her, Armageddon, Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys and Red franchise are some of his great works in the industry. He gain recognition as an action hero after his portrayal in the action packed ‘Die Hard’ film franchise as John McClane.
He also released his music album ‘The Return of Bruno’ in the year 1987 followed by two more albums in the year 1989 and 2001. Bruce has received many accolades throughout his career including a Golden Globe award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and two People Choice awards.
