Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed his admiration for Bruce Willis in a recent interview, paying homage to the action hero’s remarkable career. When asked about Willis’ retirement, Schwarzenegger shared heartfelt sentiments.
“I think he’s absolutely fantastic,” Schwarzenegger praised his co-star from The Expendables. “He has been a huge star for many years and will always be remembered as a great icon. He’s also a kind-hearted person. I understand that due to his health circumstances, he had to step back. However, in general, action heroes never truly retire. They always find a way to recharge.”
Last year, Willis, 68, decided to take a step away from the public eye due to his battle with aphasia, a condition that affects cognitive abilities. His family later revealed that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which they described as a cruel disease, in a joint statement.
“We want to express our gratitude for the overwhelming love and support shown to Bruce over the past ten months,” the statement read. “Your kindness has meant the world to us.”
FTD is a group of disorders characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in behavioral changes, personality deterioration, and difficulties with language production and comprehension, as explained by the Alzheimer’s Association.
According to a source, Willis had been facing health challenges for quite some time before his aphasia diagnosis and subsequent retirement. The source revealed that Willis had planned to work on several projects and build a substantial career before retiring to prioritize his family’s well-being.
Schwarzenegger’s words reflect the admiration and respect that action heroes have for one another, acknowledging that their passion for their craft never truly fades away, even in the face of challenges.
In a heartwarming Instagram post, Emma Heming Willis, the wife of Bruce Willis, shared a touching story about their 9-year-old daughter, Evelyn, and her support during her father’s health struggle.
Emma, who is also the mother of 11-year-old Mabel Willis, disclosed that Evelyn approached her with a question about dehydration in people with dementia. Astonished, Emma asked how Evelyn knew about this issue, and Evelyn revealed that she had taken the initiative to research “fun facts about dementia” during her free time at school.
Emma shared this anecdote, noting, “Now, it’s not funny, but it’s kind of funny.” She also mentioned the shared love for random facts between Evelyn and Bruce, highlighting their unique connection. Emma expressed her gratitude to Evelyn, emphasizing that being curious and educating oneself about her dad’s disease was the most loving and compassionate thing she could do.
Apart from Evelyn and Mabel, Bruce Willis is also a father to three adult children, Rumer Willis (34), Scout Willis (31), and Tallulah Willis (29), from his previous marriage to Demi Moore. Additionally, he recently became a proud grandfather when Rumer welcomed her first child the previous month.