Bruce Willis stepping away from acting due to aphasia diagnosis

Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images - Getty Images

Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person's cognitive skills.

The Die Hard star's eldest daughter Rumer Willis shared a statement on her social media today (March 30), explaining that her father has been experiencing "health issues" as of late.

Describing her dad as "our beloved Bruce", the actress explained that he's "been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities".

She continued: "As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him."

Related: Die Hard, Pulp Fiction: What's your favourite Bruce Willis movie?

Rumer also wrote that they "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", adding: "As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that."

The statement was posted on behalf of the Armageddon actor's extended family: his ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters, Rumer and her sisters Scout and Tallulah, as well as his wife Emma Heming and their daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.

According to the NHS, aphasia can impact a person's language or speech and is usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain, often as a consequence of a stroke.

Photo credit: 20th Century Studios
Photo credit: 20th Century Studios

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The actor has portrayed many iconic roles throughout his prolific career, from John McClane in the classic action movie Die Hard and its sequels, to Dr Malcolm Crowe in The Sixth Sense. He received three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nods for his role in the 1980s dramedy series Moonlighting.

The star was most recently seen opposite Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly in the thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass, released last summer.

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