12 October 2023 , 12:30
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Bruce Willis can barely speak and is "not totally verbal" after his heartbreaking dementia diagnosis.
The beloved Die Hard actor, 68, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (better known as FTD) earlier this year. His health battle was first unveiled last year though, when Bruce's family revealed that he was suffering from a language disorder called aphasia.
And now Bruce's declining health and dementia battle has been hinted at by a film creator who worked with Bruce in the 80s. Glenn Gordon Caron, who created Moonlighting, which is a sitcom that helped Bruce shoot to fame, has now revealed that the iconic star is "not totally verbal" any longer.
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Bruce Willis' dementia diagnosis was revealed in February (VCG via Getty Images)Speaking to Page Six, Glenn revealed: "My sense is the first one to three minutes he knows who I am. He’s not totally verbal; he used to be a voracious reader - he didn’t want anyone to know that - and he’s not reading now." Glenn then went on to add: "All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce."
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"When you’re with him you know that he’s Bruce and you’re grateful that he’s there, but the joie de vivre is gone," he added.
In the original announcement which was made in March 2022 regarding Bruce's then-diagnosed aphasia, his family said: "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."
Bruce is married to Emma Heming Willis, who now campaigns for dementia (Getty Images for Film at Lincoln Center)
Bruce shares children, including Rumer, with ex-wife Demi Moore (Instagram/rumerwillis)But then in February this year, Bruce's family revealed an updated diagnosis. At the time, the actor's wife Emma Heming Willis; Demi Moore; and his five daughters, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn, shared a statement alongside the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, with them revealing the diagnosis alongside heartbreaking details
"Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD)," the statement read, it then continued: "Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."