(CNN Spanish) — The announcement by Bruce Willis’ family that the actor has a form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may spell the end of the Hollywood star’s acting career. Willis joins a list of actors who have taken a break due to illness.
In the Willis case, his daughter Rumer Willis had already announced on Instagram on March 30, 2022 that the “Die Hard” star had been diagnosed with aphasia “which affects his cognitive abilities”. And he added that the actor is “leaving behind the career that meant so much to him.”
The diagnosis didn’t stop the name Willis, 67, from appearing in 11 feature films in 2022 and the January 20 release of Detective Knight: Independence, a film in which the actor has a brief role, direct to the web.
Like Willis, these are other movie stars who have fully or partially retired from acting:
Christina Applegate
The 51-year-old actress – who was nominated for a 2019 and 2020 Emmy for Best Comedy Actress for Dead to Me – announced in August 2021 that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It reduces the quality of life of those affected and can lead to disabilities.
Applegate received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 14, 2022, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce designated that November date as Christina Applegate Day.
Michael J Fox
The actor, best known for starring in the Back to the Future saga, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 when he was just 29 years old. Since then, Fox has appeared on shows like The Good Wife, Boston Legal, Rescue Me, and Designated Survivor, among others.
Fox revealed in his memoir No Time Like the Future in 2022 that he would no longer be involved in projects that required memorizing pages of dialogue and long hours of work. The actor caused a stir in October 2022 when he starred in a reunion with actor Christopher Lloyd, his Back to the Future partner, at New York Comic Con.
Selma Blair
Hellboy and Cruel Intentions star Blair publicized her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2018, the one who recounts the process of adjusting to his new illness.
“They told me to make plans to die,” the actress explains in the trailer. “Not because I have multiple sclerosis, but because I’m battling multiple sclerosis.”
Gene Hackman
Two Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 93, retired in 2004 at the age of 74 due to a heart condition. Although he didn’t announce his official retirement, the last film the actor starred in was ‘Welcome to Moosport’ that year.
Additionally, on January 10, 2012, Hackman was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in Islamorada, Florida, from which he promptly recovered.
– With reports from Sandee LaMotte, Kristen Rogers, Lisa Respers France, Jack Guy from CNN.