Bruce Willis’ family followed up in February 2023 with an official statement via the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia. “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed, and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia,” it said. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Emma Heming Willis and the rest of the family noted that while people are unfamiliar with frontotemporal dementia, it’s common among people under 60 years old … and there’s no treatment as of this writing. “As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”
This revelation brought tragic details to the forefront, including the fact that while Willis was filming one of his final movies — “Midnight in the Switchgrass” — he was verbally abused by now-disgraced producer and director Randall Emmett. This was because the actor’s condition was already setting in, and he was often unaware of where he was. Those who worked on the film said that during scenes shot in a diner, Willis believed he was in an actual dining establishment and refused coffee refills.
