Bruce Willis, diagnosed with aphasia, steps away from acting

NEW YORK — Bruce Wills is stepping away from acting after a diagnosis of aphasia, the loss of the ability to understand or express speech, his family announced Wednesday.

In a statement posted on Willis' Instagram page, the 67-year-old actor's family said Willis was recently diagnosed with aphasia and that it is impacting his cognitive abilities.

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“As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him," read the statement signed by Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five children, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

“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,” they said. “As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”

Willis grew up in Penns Grove in Salem County, N.J. and has had long relationship with Philadelphia-based director M. Night Shyamalan. Willis starred in Shyamalan’s Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Split and Glass. All of those movies were shot in the Philadelphia area. Willis also shot 12 Monkeys, released in 1995, in the city.

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Aphasia typically occurs after a stroke or head injury, but can also develop gradually due to a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes degenerative damage. It is treated primarily with speech therapy and learning non-verbal means of communication.

The news about Willis, one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, immediately spread online as fans reacted. His four-decade career has amassed more than $5 billion in box office worldwide,

Willis had been working steadily and frequently. He has shot numerous action thrillers that are due out in 2022, including Gasoline Alley, A Day to Die and Fortress: Sniper’s Eye.