Arnold Schwarzenegger recently shared heartfelt words about his longtime friend Bruce Willis, who recently retired from acting.
Willis, known for his roles in movies like “Die Hard” and “The Sixth Sense,” announced last year that he was stepping away from his acting career due to a diagnosis of aphasia.
Aphasia is a condition that affects language abilities, including speaking, writing, and understanding. Treatment typically involves speech and language therapies.
In February 2023, Willis’ family revealed that his condition had worsened, and he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
During an interview with CinemaBlend about his new Netflix series “FUBAR,” Schwarzenegger expressed admiration for Willis, describing him as a kind man.
He acknowledged Willis’ status as a huge star throughout the years and believes he will always be remembered as a great actor.
While recognizing Willis’ retirement due to health circumstances, Schwarzenegger emphasized that action heroes never truly retire but rather “reload.”
As the star of the “Terminator” franchise, Schwarzenegger knows the enduring spirit of action heroes.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis, two iconic figures in the film industry, have a longstanding connection that dates back to their involvement in Planet Hollywood in 1991.
Their friendship continued over the years, and in 2010, they shared the screen in the successful film “The Expendables.”
Unfortunately, in February 2022, Willis’ family released a heartfelt message to his fans, revealing that his cognitive abilities had been impacted by his condition.
This unfortunate development forced him to retire from acting. The news saddened many who had followed Willis’ illustrious career.
The announcement served as a reminder of the challenges individuals may face due to health conditions, even those as accomplished as Bruce Willis.
Despite his retirement, his contributions to the film industry and the memories he created through his performances will continue to be cherished by fans worldwide.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” his family wrote.
“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”
“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion, and support,” said the statement signed by his wife, Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore and his other four children.
“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. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
