Veteran actor, Bruce Willis, is quitting his acting career after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that impedes a person’s ability to speak and write.
The 67-year-old actor’s family, including his wife Emma Heming-Willis and ex-wife Demi Moore, announced his condition on Instagram on Wednesday.
Aphasia is “impacting his cognitive abilities”, the statement said.
Willis is best known for playing John McClane in the Die Hard films, which made him a star.
In a joint statement released today, his family wrote: “With much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.”
Willis has five daughters, three of which came from actress, Demi Moore and two with Emma Heming-Willis.
Aphasia is a brain disorder where a person has difficulty with their language or speech. This condition is usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain, like a stroke or head injury. The effects of this condition include hampered reading, listening, speaking, typing or writing. Speaking problems are most common and can involve putting words together incorrectly.
His acting career began in the early 1980s but he did not become a household name until later in that decade – first after starring opposite Cybill Shepherd in the ABC TV series Moonlighting and then in his 1988 performance as John McClane in the first Die Hard film.
Since then, his films including The Sixth Sense, Armageddon and Pulp Fiction have grossed more than $5bn worldwide, according to Variety. He’s been nominated for five Golden Globes, winning one for Moonlighting, and three Emmys, winning two.
