NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a year after Bruce Willis’ family announced he was retiring from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, his family say his “condition is advanced.”
In a statement released Thursday, the 67-year-old actor’s family said Willis has a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” the statement said. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can affect anyone.”
Last March, Willis’ family said his aphasia had affected his cognitive abilities. The condition results in the loss of the ability to understand or express language.
In Thursday’s statement, his family said communication problems were just one symptom of frontotemporal dementia.
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, affecting behavior, language, and movement. Aphasia can be a symptom of this. The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as “an inevitable decline in function” with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms.
“Today, there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope will change in the years to come,” the family statement said, adding that it can be years before a proper diagnosis is made is provided. “As Bruce’s condition progresses, we hope media attention can focus on shedding light on this disease, which requires much more awareness and research.”
The statement was published on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website and was signed by Willis’ wife Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore and their five children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
During his four-decade career, Willis’s films have grossed more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office. Despite being popular for hits like ‘Die Hard’ and ‘The Sixth Sense,’ the prolific actor has mostly been starring in direct-to-video thrillers in recent years.
“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows do the same,” the family said Thursday. “It meant the world to see that sense of caring radiate back to him and all of us. We were so moved by the love you all shared for our dear husband, father and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding and respect will allow us to help Bruce live the fullest life possible.”