Bruce Willis’ Family Cares for Him as Dementia Progresses

Bruce Willis has experienced substantial mental decline as he lives with frontotemporal dementia, a source familiar with his condition said. The source described the actor as increasingly mellow and said he seems aware that his life has changed but does not fully understand how much. At times, the source said, he watches objects with curiosity, while appearing physically healthy.

Willis’ family first announced in March 2022 that he had aphasia, a disorder affecting speech and understanding. Doctors later identified primary progressive aphasia, a form of frontotemporal dementia that affects language and personality. His family announced his retirement from acting after the initial diagnosis and has thanked supporters for their compassion.

His wife, Emma Heming Willis, has spoken about the strain of caring for him and the grief of seeing the illness gradually change a loved one. She has also corrected assumptions about his condition, explaining that FTD affects a different part of the brain from Alzheimer’s disease.

Willis has five daughters: two with Heming Willis and three with his former wife, Demi Moore. His family noticed changes before his diagnosis, including his reduced engagement during their weekly dinners. Former colleagues have also described difficulties on film sets in his later working years, including trouble remembering lines. The family has said its support is intended to help him live as full a life as possible.