Bruce Willis: What’s the health condition that has forced him to retire from acting?

The family of Hollywood actor, Bruce Willis announced his retirement from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia in March 2023. This is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate.

Retirement

In a joint statement on Instagram, family members of the ‘Die Hard’ star, said the condition is ‘impacting his cognitive abilities’. The statement made by Rummer Willis reads:

To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.

Willis begun his acting career in the early 1980s, but rose to fame later that decade with his role in ‘Moonlighting’ and his performance as John McClane in the 1988 hit action film, ‘Die Hard’. His films have raked in over $5 billion across the world over the course of his four decade acting career.

Willis has been nominated for five Golden Globes, winning one for ‘Moonlighting’. He also received three Emmys nominations, winning one for his guest appearance on ‘Friends’.

What is aphasia?

According to the National Health Service, aphasia is when a person has difficulty with language or speech.

It's usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain (for example, after a stroke).

Other common causes include:

• Severe head injury
• A brain tumour
• progressive neurological conditions that cause the brain and nervous system to become damaged over time, such as dementia

It can affect people of all ages, but is most common among people above the age of 65. The most obvious symptom of this condition is difficulty speaking as they may choose the wrong word or putting words together incorrectly.

People diagnosed with aphasia often have trouble with reading, listening and typing/writing as well. However, a person suffering from this condition will still have their intelligence intact.

Read more:

⋙ Experts show link between lockdown and memory loss

⋙ Dementia: Where you live could be linked to cognitive decline

⋙ Dementia: Commonly prescribed drug has been linked to cognitive decline