Bruce Willis is not totally verbal and 'sees life through a screen door' after dementia diagnosis
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bruce Willis’ life has reportedly come to a standstill after his dementia diagnosis.
The 'Die Hard' star announced retirement from acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022. His health issue worsened and he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023.
At the time, his family said via a statement, "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."
"We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible," they added.
Glenn Gordon Caron says Bruce Willis' 'joie de vivre is gone'
Glenn Gordon Caron, creator of 'Moonlighting' and a good friend of Bruce Willis, told the New York Post, "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."
"All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce. 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.
The director also stated that 'The Sixth Sense' star is "seeing life through a screen door," as per Page Six.
Bruce Willis now has more bad days than good ones
Besides, a mole revealed to US Weekly, "Bruce has good days and bad days, but in the last two months, there are many more bad days than good."
"This experience has brought the whole family even closer together. No one knows how much time Bruce has left, so they’re soaking up every moment they get with him," they noted.
Another source claimed that "when Bruce is around his kids, it can sometimes be easy to forget that there’s anything wrong with him. The smiles and funny faces and laughs come easy. He jokes around in his ‘funny dad’ way."
Bruce is the father of five daughters. He shares Rumer Glenn Willis, 36, Scout LaRue Willis, 33, and Tallulah Belle Willis, 30, with his first wife, Demi Moore.
He welcomed Mabel Ray Willis, 12, and Evelyn Penn Willis, 10, with his current wife, Emma Heming.
The source further shared, "There’s a part of him that will always be a big kid at heart. Everyone has come together for Bruce. They’re thankful they have each other."
