At the recent Jhpiego Laughter Is the Best Medicine Gala, Rumer Willis, the oldest daughter of actor Bruce Willis, provided an update on her father’s health. Bruce Willis, renowned for his roles in films such as “Die Hard” and “Pulp Fiction,” is reportedly faring well despite his ongoing health issues.
In 2022, the actor, who is now 69, received a diagnosis of aphasia, which subsequently advanced into frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This condition, according to the National Institute on Aging, is marked by emotional changes, unusual behaviors, and challenges in communication. Initially, Willis’s aphasia diagnosis led him to retire from acting. However, the progression of his condition has sparked more public dialogue and awareness from his family.
In an interview with Extra, Rumer Willis expressed her family’s appreciation for the ongoing love and support her father has received. “As a family, especially my sisters and I, we’re just so grateful for the love that comes at him,” she stated, attributing the positive public response to her father’s character.
Rumer, who recently posted a photo on Instagram of her father with her one-year-old daughter Louetta, emphasized the importance of their family’s openness about their experiences. She told Fox News Digital, “What’s been so incredible is my dad is so beloved. I think if there’s any way sharing our experience brings hope — whatever comes forward as a family — that can have an effect and bring any sort of hope, comfort to someone else experiencing that, then to me, that’s … everything.”
Rumer also discussed the lessons she learned from her parents, both of whom are well-known in Hollywood. She cited the example set by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in treating everyone on a film set with equal respect, regardless of their role, as a major influence. “I feel like what I learned from them was just by watching,” she said. “Being on set, one of the biggest things I would say, just by proxy, you treat everyone with the same amount of respect, whether you’re in front of the camera, behind the camera, from the littlest job. Like, it doesn’t matter.”
The Willis family’s frankness about Bruce Willis’ health condition seems to be focused on increasing understanding and dialogue about frontotemporal dementia, a form of dementia that is less well-known than others. The Willis family aims to offer comfort and support to others dealing with similar situations by sharing their personal experiences.
