Ailing star Willis is diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia

The family of actor Bruce Willis released a statement Thursday announcing that the actor’s aphasia condition has progressed into frontotemporal dementia.

Willis’ family had announced in March 2022 that the 67-year-old actor (photo) was diagnosed with aphasia, a neurological condition that affects one’s ability to express or understand speech, and would be forced to retire from acting as a result.

The family’s update on his condition was released on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s website.

“As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months,” the statement began.

“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 (known as FTD),” the family’s statement continued.

Willis’ family also shared that, while this type of dementia is the most common form for people under 60, there are currently no treatments. They hope in the coming years this fact changes and that “any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research,” Variety reports. “Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD,” they said.

The statement was signed by Willis’ current wife, Emma Heming Willis; his ex-wife, Demi Moore; and his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

His daughter Rumer also took to Instagram to share part of the message along with a picture of her father.

Many celebrities posted their support in the comments, including actor Aaron Paul, who commented on Rumer’s post, “Love you so much my friend! Sending hugs to you and that beautiful family of yours. Your pops is such a damn legend.”