Cal Gaunt
Sylvester Stallone has provided a worrying update on his friend and fellow actor Bruce Willis.
Willis, 69, has gained recognition as one of the U.S.’s finest action film talents, having appeared in more than 100 movies.
He first shot to fame with his portrayal of David Addison Jr. in the comedy-drama series Moonlighting between 1985 and 1989, for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in the television series category.
He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor on the show, but arguably, he is best known for playing John McClane in the iconic Die Hard franchise.
Sadly, in March of 2022, the Pulp Fiction actor’s family released a statement confirming that he would be ‘stepping away’ from acting.
And now, his friend Sylvester Stallone has offered a heartbreaking update.
Stallone’s comments on his former co-star have left the internet feeling emotional, with one fan penning: “Let’s hope Bruce’s condition brings it more attention, which will attract research and charitable donations.”
A second adds: “So sad to hear this, he has given us all endless happy hours watching his films. Prayers to him and his family and friends.”
“It hurts my heart knowing he’s going through so much pain and suffering,” agrees a third.
This followed news that the actor had been diagnosed with aphasia, a devastating brain condition that affects people’s ability to communicate.
The statement read at the time: “To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family, we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues.
“As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”
Aphasia is a condition that can affect a person’s ability to speak, write, and understand language, with treatment including speech and language therapies, per the Mayo Clinic.
The latest updates on Willis show that he continues to battle frontotemporal dementia (FTD), with his family remaining deeply involved in his care.
Demi Moore, his ex-wife, shared that Bruce is ‘in a stable place,’ and emphasized the importance of embracing him as he is now, per Entertainment Weekly. His daughters also post heartfelt photos on social media, expressing love and gratitude.
Despite the challenges, his family finds joy in spending time with him and celebrating small moments of connection.
His wife, Emma Heming Willis, added in an Instagram story: “There is grief and sadness. There’s all of that. But you start a new chapter. That chapter is filled… with love. It’s filled with connection. It’s filled with joy. It’s filled with happiness. That’s where we are.”
Willis’ fans also received an update on the star from Rocky legend Stallone – and sadly, it isn’t a positive one.
The duo have enjoyed a strong friendship for many years, solidifying their bond while filming The Expendables movies.
But when Willis didn’t return to his Mr. Church role in the third film, Stallone jibed at his co-star, writing: “Willis out… Harrison Ford in! Great news! Been waiting years for this.”
Stallone responded to a concerned fan who asked if they had fallen out, saying: “It’s nothing personal. It’s not like it got personal, and I’m sorry it did sound that way.
“But it was just actors talking, and things move on. I think Bruce Willis is a great guy, and he does fantastically entertaining films.”
Stallone had previously taken to social media to wish the Armageddon star well.
Alongside some Instagram images of Willis, Stallone wrote: “We go back a long way. Praying for the best for you and your wonderful family.”
Stallone also told The Hollywood Reporter: “Bruce is going through some really, really difficult times. So he’s been sort of incommunicado. That kills me.
“It’s so sad.”
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