Bruce Willis Diagnosed With Frontotemporal Dementia, Family Says

Topline

Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a disease that causes functional decline, his family announced in a statement Thursday, saying his “condition has progressed” since they first revealed Willis was diagnosed with aphasia last year.

Key Facts

In a statement shared on by the Association For Frontotemporal Degeneration, Willis’ family—his wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn—said Willis’ aphasia, or problems communicating, “are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces.”

FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under the age of 60, the diagnosis can take years and there is no treatment for the disease, the statement read; Willis is 67.

His family said FTD is a “cruel disease,” though “it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”

The family said fans’ “compassion, understanding and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”

Crucial Quote

“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” the statement read. “We know in our hearts that—if he could today—he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”

Tangent

FTD causes between 10% and 20% of all dementia cases, according to the Mayo Clinic. The disease occurs when frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrink, and it is not known what causes it. Symptoms include behavioral changes, speech and language issues and motor disorders. People who have the disease can live with it, though it makes them more susceptible to other issues that can be deadly, like pneumonia, infections and injuries from falling, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Average life expectancy ranges from 7 to 13 years after the onset of symptoms, according to the AFTD.

Key Background

In March of last year, Willis’ family announced he was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder that causes communication issues—but does not affect intelligence—and can be caused by an injury to the brain from head trauma, stroke or infection. In their initial statement, the family said he “has been experiencing some health issues,” which were “impacting his cognitive abilities.” Willis is best known for appearing in the Die Hard series, The Sixth Sense and Pulp Fiction.

Further Reading

Bruce Willis Stepping Away From Acting After Aphasia Diagnosis, Family Says (Forbes)