Silenced Hero: Bruce Willis’ Battle with Aphasia and Dementia
The iconic “Die Hard” actor, whose life took a tragic turn when he was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, followed by the devastating revelation of frontotemporal dementia earlier this year, has been rendered “not totally verbal,” as disclosed by his close friend Glenn Gordon Caron, the mastermind behind the ’80s TV classic “Moonlighting,” in which Willis shared the screen with Cybill Shepherd.
Caron, speaking to the New York Post in a heart-wrenching article dated October 12, shared his painful observations, “My sense is the first one to three minutes he knows who I am.” He added, “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.”
In the midst of this relentless ordeal, Caron emphasizes, “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.”
According to Caron, who sporadically communicates with Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, and his older children, the fact that “Moonlighting” has been made available for streaming online holds profound significance for the ailing star. “It means a lot to him,” Caron affirmed, “even though he can’t tell me that.”
This move to bring the cherished show to the digital realm had been in the works for some time, and Caron managed to discuss it with Willis before his condition deteriorated further. “I know he’s excited,” Caron shared. “I was able to communicate with him, before the disease rendered him as incommunicative as he is now, about hoping to get the show back in front of people.”
Caron went on to pay tribute to the legendary “Pulp Fiction” actor, who retired from Hollywood due to his ailing health last year. Willis, he noted, was an “extraordinary” individual who had an unquenchable love for life. The “Medium” producer recalled, “He just adored waking up every morning and trying to live life to its fullest.” The notion that Willis now views life through a dimmed screen door, Caron lamented, “makes very little sense. He’s really an amazing guy.”
In a joint statement released in February, Willis’ wife, Emma, ex-wife Demi Moore, and their children, Rumer Willis, Scout Willis, Tallulah Willis, Mabel Willis, and Evelyn Willis, shared a painful update on the patriarch’s deteriorating condition. “Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support, and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis,” their statement read. “In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father, and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.”
They revealed that Bruce had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a condition known for its debilitating effects on communication and mobility, among other symptoms. “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.”
