Bruce Willis to retire from acting due to aphasia diagnosis

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Link: Bruce Willis to retire from acting due to aphasia diagnosis | Bruce Willis | The Guardian

 

Bruce Willis, the actor best known for his work on the Die Hard films, is to retire from the industry after being diagnosed with aphasia.

 

A joint statement was posted on his family’s social media accounts, explaining that Willis had 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.”

 

The statement continued: “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.

 

“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”

 

Willis, 67, rose to fame on the TV show Moonlighting, before establishing himself as prolific action star known for his wry delivery. Aside from the Die Hard films, he also won plaudits for his roles in films such as Pulp Fiction, The Fifth Element, The Last Boy Scout, Twelve Monkeys, The Sixth Sense, Looper and Moonrise Kingdom.

 

One of the most bankable stars of the 1980s and 1990s, Willis also carved out a substantial niche in family comedies, most notably voicing a baby on Look Who’s Talking and its sequel.

 

He has also made three albums as a singer – his cover of Under the Boardwalk got to No 2 in the UK singles chart – and starred in multiple stage productions, making his Broadway debut in 2015 with a revival of Misery.

 

Willis was married to the actor Demi Moore for 23 years; they share three daughters. He also has two daughters with his second wife, Emma Heming Willis.

 

In recent years, Willis had both continued his action career while simultaneously lightly satirising it in films such as Reds and The Expendables. He appeared in seven films released in 2021, and three films starring Willis have already been released this year.

 

A further eight completed Willis films are currently set for release in 2022 and 2023.

 

Aphasia is characterised by difficulty with language or speech and is usually caused by damage to the left hand side of the brain, which is responsible for understanding and producing language.

 

Its most common causes are a stroke, severe head injury, a brain tumour and progressive neurological conditions such as dementia and it is most common in people over 65.

 

More to follow …

[elsiegee40]

Aphasia is an inability to comprehend or formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions. The major causes are stroke or head trauma. Aphasia can also be the result of brain tumors, brain infections, or neurodegenerative diseases, but the latter are far less prevalent.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphasia

 

Doesn’t sound good at all

[mikes]

Makes me wonder if RedLetterMedia and the other youtube review sites might feel a bit bad now, recently they have put out youtube videos slating Bruce Willis's latest movies - he would do 3 or 4 of these low budget, rubbishy action/sci-fi movies - they had speculated medical issues might be to blame as Bruce would apparently turn up on set for 2 or 3 days during the entire film shoot, he would only do single takes, and it got to the stage where he had to be fed his lines through an earpiece - he couldn't even remember single lines. That was why in his recent films his acting comes of as, well, reading lines from a script - or just repeating what comes through an earpeace. It got to the stage where you would blatantly have a stand in running, jumping, shooting and fighting all shot in camera from behind - then it would cut to a frontal shot of an old Bruce, standing or sitting totally still, reading lines slowly like an old man at an eye exam.

 

He'd get paid a large percentage of the budget, then the rest of the unknown new actors would finish the film proper. I guess the name was still a box office draw and Bruce really did work right up until he physically can't any more. Personally I think he should have retired a few years ago but that is just my opinion. Coming from someone who probably has Bruce in 2 or 3 of his top 10 films, I especially loved the Fifth Element. Really goes to show what time can do to a man.

[elsiegee40]

Bruce Willis Razzie’s award rescinded following aphasia diagnosis and news of retirement

 

https://news.sky.com/story/bruce-willis-die-hard-actors-razzie-award-rescinded-following-aphasia-diagnosis-and-news-of-retirement-12579809

[Arthur]

Bruce Willis Sells Deepfake Likeness Rights So His 'Twin' Can Star in Future Movies

 

Bruce Willis has become the first Hollywood star to sell his rights to allow a “digital twin” of himself to be created for use on screen.

 

Using deepfake technology, the actor appeared in a phone advert without ever being on set, after his face was digitally transplanted onto another performer.

 

Willis allowed US firm Deepcake, which makes “digital twins”, to use his face.

 

In a statement on its website, Willis said: “I liked the precision with which my character turned out. It’s a mini-movie in my usual action-comedy genre. For me, it is a great opportunity to go back in time.

 

“With the advent of modern technology, even when I was on another continent, I was able to communicate, work and participate in the filming. It’s a very new and interesting experience, and I thank our entire team.”

 

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** UPDATE **

 

Link: Bruce Willis has dementia, family announces - BBC News

 

Actor Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia, his family has announced.

 

In a statement on social media, they said it was a "relief to finally have a clear diagnosis".

 

The 67-year-old was diagnosed with aphasia - which causes difficulties with speech - in spring last year, but this has progressed and he has been given a more specific diagnosis, the family said.

 

They expressed their "deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love".

 

The family went on to say frontotemporal dementia is the most common form of dementia in people under 60.

 

The statement said: "Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead."

 

Willis became a household name in the 1980s and 90s after starring in blockbuster films such as Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, Armageddon and Pulp Fiction.

 

He has also been nominated for five Golden Globes - winning one for Moonlighting - and also three Emmys, where he won two.