• Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard', which was so successful it became a franchise. Photo: IMDB
    Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard', which was so successful it became a franchise. Photo: IMDB
  • Bruce Willis stars as the original GI Joe. Photo: Paramount Pictures
    Bruce Willis stars as the original GI Joe. Photo: Paramount Pictures
  • Bruce Willis as John McClane in 'A Good Day to Die Hard', one of the 'Die Hard' sequels. Photo: Twentieth Century Fox
    Bruce Willis as John McClane in 'A Good Day to Die Hard', one of the 'Die Hard' sequels. Photo: Twentieth Century Fox
  • Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd in the hit television series 'Moonlighting'. Photo: ABC Photo Archives
    Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd in the hit television series 'Moonlighting'. Photo: ABC Photo Archives
  • Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson in 'Unbreakable'. Photo: Touchstone Pictures
    Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson in 'Unbreakable'. Photo: Touchstone Pictures
  • Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt in 'Twelve Monkeys'. Photo: Universal Studios
    Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt in 'Twelve Monkeys'. Photo: Universal Studios
  • Bruce Willis (C) in Michael Bay's 'Armageddon'. Photo: Touchstone Pictures
    Bruce Willis (C) in Michael Bay's 'Armageddon'. Photo: Touchstone Pictures
  • Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis in 'The Whole Nine Yards'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis in 'The Whole Nine Yards'. Photo: Warner Bros.
  • Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard with a Vengeance'. Photo: IMDB
    Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard with a Vengeance'. Photo: IMDB
  • Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis star as Paul and Jimmy, a pair of wisecracking Brooklyn police officers facing a month's suspension in the lightweight but enjoyable Kevin Smith crime caper 'Cop Out'.
    Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis star as Paul and Jimmy, a pair of wisecracking Brooklyn police officers facing a month's suspension in the lightweight but enjoyable Kevin Smith crime caper 'Cop Out'.
  • Detective John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, fights off cyber-terrorists in 'Die Hard 4.0'. AP / Fox
    Detective John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, fights off cyber-terrorists in 'Die Hard 4.0'. AP / Fox
  • Bruce Willis plays a lonely, sad, insecure police officer in a relationship with Frances McDormand in Wes Anderson's film 'Moonrise Kingdom'. Photo: Focus Features
    Bruce Willis plays a lonely, sad, insecure police officer in a relationship with Frances McDormand in Wes Anderson's film 'Moonrise Kingdom'. Photo: Focus Features
  • Actors Jason Schwartzman and Bruce Willis with director Wes Anderson at the 'Moonrise Kingdom' photoshoot during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Getty Images
    Actors Jason Schwartzman and Bruce Willis with director Wes Anderson at the 'Moonrise Kingdom' photoshoot during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Getty Images
  • Bruce Willis with a gun in a sequence of 'Die Hard'. Photo: Newscom
    Bruce Willis with a gun in a sequence of 'Die Hard'. Photo: Newscom
  • Bruce Willis and Sybil Shepherd in 'Moonlighting'. ABC / Getty Images
    Bruce Willis and Sybil Shepherd in 'Moonlighting'. ABC / Getty Images

Bruce Willis retiring after aphasia diagnosis


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Action hero Bruce Willis, 67, star of the Die Hard franchise, is retiring from acting due to illness, his family announced on Wednesday.

"We wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities," an Instagram post from his daughter Rumer Willis read.

"As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him."

Willis is known for his celebrated performances in many films, including Pulp Fiction and The Sixth Sense among others.

He has won a Golden Globe, two Primetime Emmy Awards and appeared on an unforgettable episode of Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.

Aphasia is a language disorder that is caused by brain damage — where it makes it difficult for an individual to communicate with others either through writing or speech. It also makes it hard to understand people, or comprehend written language.

The disorder is incurable but can be treated with speech therapy.

The Instagram post was signed by all members of his family, including his five children and former wife Demi Moore.

"This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support," Rumer Willis wrote.

"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. Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that."

Updated: June 20, 2023, 12:13 PM