In a heartfelt revelation last March, Bruce Willis’s family announced the retirement of the iconic actor due to an initial diagnosis of aphasia. Almost a year later, a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) shed light on the challenges the actor and his loved ones were facing. Throughout this difficult journey, Willis’s family has been sharing updates on his life and health, offering a glimpse into their world.
The actor’s family celebrated his 68th birthday earlier this year, where Willis was joined by his ex-wife, Demi Moore, and their three children, Scout, Rumer, and Tallulah. His current wife, Emma Heming Willis, and their two children, Mabel and Evelyn, were also part of the heartwarming celebration.
Recently, a glimmer of nostalgia and joy was brought into Willis’s life as his late-1980s ABC series, “Moonlighting,” became available for streaming on Hulu. The series, which starred Willis and Cybill Shepherd, played a pivotal role in shaping the “will-they-or-won’t-they” couple dynamic on television.
“Moonlighting” creator Glenn Gordon Caron shared that Bruce Willis was keen to see the show available for streaming again. Caron stated, “The process [of getting ‘Moonlighting’ onto Hulu] has taken quite a while, and Bruce’s disease is a progressive disease. So 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. I know it means a lot to him.”
Caron, who has been a steadfast presence in Willis’s life, has maintained contact with the actor’s wife and children, especially after colleagues on film sets expressed concerns about his health even before the official diagnosis. Caron shared, “I have tried very hard to stay in his life.”
Frontotemporal dementia has brought significant challenges to Willis’s life, making it increasingly difficult for him to communicate. Caron explained that it’s as if “he now sees life through a screen door.” However, Caron believes that there are moments when Willis recognizes him. “My sense is the first one to three minutes he knows who I am,” he said. While Willis’s verbal communication has been limited, he continues to be the same Bruce, as Caron expressed, “he’s still Bruce.”
Emma Heming Willis, who has been married to the actor since 2009, shared her perspective during World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness week last month. She acknowledged the challenges her family faces due to Willis’s condition but also emphasized the importance of finding joy in life’s beautiful moments. “Bruce would really want us to be in the joy of what is. He would really want that for me and our family.”
The Willis family’s journey is a testament to the strength of love and support that sustains them during challenging times. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there are moments of love, nostalgia, and cherished family gatherings that continue to provide solace and hope.
