Unveiling the Unbreakable: Bruce Willis Remains a Force to Reckon with, Even in Silent Struggle with Dementia

Unveiling the Unbreakable: Bruce Willis Remains a Force to Reckon with, Even in Silent Struggle with Dementia

‘Moonlighting’ creator Glenn Gordon Caron opens up about his heart-wrenching visits with Bruce Willis, shedding light on the actor's ongoing battle with dementia as his condition continues to deteriorate

Unveiling the Unbreakable: Bruce Willis Remains a Force to Reckon with, Even in Silent Struggle with Dementia

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Glenn Gordon Caron, the creator of Moonlighting, has been purposely making regular visits to Bruce Willis as his frontotemporal dementia gradually advances.

According to Caron, 69, Willis, 68, can sense who she is within the first one to three minutes of her visit. He used to be an avid reader but is now no longer able to read or communicate as effectively. However, Caron still sees traces of the actor she knew from their time working together on Moonlighting from 1985 to 1989. Willis portrayed the character David Addison Jr., while Cybill Shepherd played Maddie Hayes on the award-winning show.

"When you're in his presence, you recognize him as Bruce and appreciate his companionship," Caron expressed, elaborating, "however, the zest for life has disappeared."

In March 2022, Willis' family made a public statement declaring his withdrawal from acting due to his diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder. In February, Willis' former spouse, Demi Moore, disclosed that the actor from The Sixth Sense had received a revised diagnosis which now includes frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD), a condition with no known cure.

Throughout her battle with health issues, Moore, who was married to Willis from 1987 to 1998, has openly expressed her support for him. Their three daughters, Rumer (35), Scout (32), and Tallulah Willis (29), have also been actively involved in helping their father during this challenging time.

Bruce's close circle of loved ones includes his wife, Emma Heming Willis, whom he married in 2009, and their two daughters, Mabel (11) and Evelyn (9). In a recent update during World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week, Heming Willis (45) provided fans with information about her husband's condition.

Dementia proves to be a difficult journey, as revealed on the September 25 episode of the Today show. Sharing her perspective, she acknowledged the challenges faced by the diagnosed individual and the entire family, including herself, Bruce, and their daughters. The notion that dementia is a disease that affects the entire family holds true. Emphasizing the mixed emotions that come with Bruce's official diagnosis, she describes it as both a blessing and a curse. It has provided her with an explanation, allowing her to comprehend the situation and come to terms with it.

Despite his declining health, Bruce is considered a constant source of happiness for his loved ones, according to Heming Willis. She emphasized the importance of looking beyond grief and sadness to appreciate the positive things happening in their lives. Heming Willis believed that Bruce would want her and her family to embrace joy and focus on the present moments. Caron, on the other hand, revealed that he has been keeping Bruce informed about the progress of getting Moonlight on Hulu. Although Bruce couldn't express his excitement, Caron mentioned that they had discussed it during their time together.

The filmmaker expressed his ongoing efforts to maintain a presence in Bruce's life, emphasizing that this commitment has remained steadfast.

Describing Bruce as an exceptional individual, the filmmaker noted the striking aspect of his illness. According to the filmmaker, spending time with Bruce Willis would reveal that he possessed an unparalleled zest for life. He reveled in waking up each day and actively pursuing a fulfilling life. Therefore, the filmmaker finds it difficult to comprehend that Bruce now experiences life through a limited perspective, comparing it to seeing life through a screen door. Ultimately, the filmmaker emphasizes Bruce's incredible character.

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Unveiling the Unbreakable: Bruce Willis Remains a Force to Reckon with, Even in Silent Struggle with Dementia

Bruce Willis