Bruce Willis will stop acting, his family announced on social media on Wednesday . The 67-year-old actor has been diagnosed with the brain disorder aphasia, which affects a person’s ability to speak, write and understand.
“Bruce has recently been experiencing health issues and was diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” the family wrote in a statement.
Due to the illness, Willis has made the decision to retire from his career “which has meant so much to him”. He was active in the industry for over forty years.
Aphasia is a medical condition that often occurs after a stroke or head injury. Patients with aphasia often pronounce different words than they mean, or it is difficult or impossible for the interlocutor to understand because there is little coherence between the words.
According to the statement, it is “a very challenging time” for the family. “We are grateful for your love, compassion and support. As Bruce always says, ‘Seize the day.’ As a family, we intend to do that.” The statement was signed by his wife Emma, his ex Demi Moore and his five children.
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Willis broke through worldwide as John McClane in Die Hard
Willis started acting in the 1980s, but only broke through worldwide after a decade as John McClane in the Die Hard films. He is best known for his roles in action movies. He has also starred in such classics as Pulp Fiction , Last Man Standing, Sin City and 12 Monkeys . In 2018, he starred in the action movie Death Wish .
He is one of the greatest film actors of his generation and has won multiple film awards, including a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Awards. In 2006, he received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In addition to being an actor, Willis was also a singer and released several albums. In 2015, he made his Broadway debut in the play Misery .
What is Aphasia:
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension. Aphasia leaves a person unable to communicate effectively with others. Many people have aphasia as a result of stroke.