June 30, 2022
Many of Willis’ final films were direct-to-video action movies, and he frequently worked with the producer/director Randall Emmett. In late June 2022, the Los Angeles Times published an extensive report about Emmett’s crumbling direct-to-video empire, detailing a growing pile of lawsuits from financiers as well as allegations of abuse and inappropriate behavior (Emmett has denied any wrongdoing). The piece also offered some additional insight into Willis’ cognitive struggles as he worked on some of the last films of his career. Additionally, there was a quote from Willis’ lawyer, Martin Singer, who spoke about why the actor continued to act even after he was diagnosed with aphasia.
“My client continued working after his medical diagnosis because he wanted to work and was able to do so, just like many others diagnosed with aphasia who are capable of continuing to work,” Singer said. “Because Mr. Willis appeared in those films, they could get financed. That resulted in literally thousands of people having jobs, many during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
June 13, 2022
In the months after revealing Willis’ diagnosis, Heming Willis shared a few photos and videos on social media that offered a glimpse into this new phase of their life: Walks in the woods, even a little pick-up basketball. She offered a more substantial update in June, sharing an old video of Willis performing with the Temptations.
In the caption, she wrote: “My motto is don’t let the fear stop you. Why? Because fear constantly stops me. Which is another reason I fell for my husband, fear has never stopped him. I mean what kind of next level confidence does it take to sing lead with The Temptations? You can say what you want (and boy have they) but this guy has always been led by his passion and has never let naysayers stop him from, well, anything. And I have so much respect, love and admiration for that man because of it. Enjoy this little ditty that warms my heart.”
June 19, 2022
Last year on Father’s Day, Rumer Willis marked the occasion with some throwback photos of her and her father, writing, “Daddio. What a privilege it is every day to be your daughter. I love you so much. You are the coolest cat in town.”
Rumer’s sister, Tallulah Willis, also shared a Father’s Day post, writing, “You showed me how to love people from a smile, that strength resides in the self possessed goofball, taught me this neat way to make your arms grow and lengthen to hold as many people as possible close and cozy. You are by far my coolest friend.”
July 17, 2022
Even though Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie, it was released as a summer blockbuster in July 1988. Thirty-four years after the film’s release, Heming Willis shared a video of Willis returning to the roof of Nakatomi Plaza (which is actually just the Fox Plaza in Los Angeles), pairing the footage with clips from the original film and aptly syncing it to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Aug. 16, 2022
One of the more unique paths Willis pursued at the height of his powers was music, releasing a pair of blues rock albums in the late Eighties (The Return of Bruno in 1987 and If It Don’t Kill You, It Just Makes You Stronger in 1989). Though he didn’t release any more albums after that, music has remained a big part of his life, even amidst his diagnosis (music has been shown to have a positive impact on people battling dementia). Late last summer, Willis showed off his harmonica chops as he jammed with musician Derek Richard Thomas (whom, it later turned out, was dating Rumer Willis), in an Instagram video shared by Heming Willis. “Their talent is speaking for itself. I’ll just leave this here,” Heming Willis wrote in the caption.
Aug. 30 and 31, 2022
Six months after Willis’ family announced his aphasia diagnosis, Heming Willis opened up about learning to “live alongside” grief on Instagram. “This was the summer of self discovery — finding new hobbies, going out of my comfort zone and staying active,” she wrote. “My grief can be paralyzing but I’m learning how to live along side it. As my step-daughter @scoutlaruewillis told me, grief is the deepest and purest form of love. I hope you find some comfort in that too.”
While Heming Willis got plenty of support in return, being that the internet is generally a terrible place, there were a few obnoxious critics in her comments. In a follow-up post on Instagram Stories, Heming Willis responded to the hate, writing, “When you’re not allowed to talk grief, self-care or being human in the world on grief awareness day… My gawd.” She then added, “But in the words of the great, philosophical, insightful Bruce Willis … ‘Ah, fuck em.’”
Nov. 10, 2022
Sylvester Stallone and Willis first linked up in the Eighties when they, along with Arnold Schwarzenegger connected to help promote the new restaurant chain Planet Hollywood. A few decades later, they reunited for The Expendables franchise. When asked if he’d been in touch with Willis at all in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Stallone admitted they hadn’t spoken lately, but expressed his empathy and support: “Bruce is going through some really, really difficult times. So he’s been sort of incommunicado. That kills me. It’s so sad.”
Dec. 13, 2022
Just before Christmas last year, the extended, blended Willis-Heming-More family gathered to celebrate the holidays. Moore documented the occasion on Instagram with a handful of photos, writing, “We are FAMILY!! Getting into the holiday spirit!”
Feb. 16, 2023
Just under a year after Willis’ family first announced his aphasia diagnosis, they shared an update on the ailing actor, saying he is suffering from frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Willis’ family shared the note on their social media pages, and the website for the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia, saying it was likely FTD That was causing Willis’ aphasia.
“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” Willis’ family wrote. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.”
The family went on to note that there are “no treatments for” FTD, though they hoped that would change in the years ahead. They added that they hope any media attention Willis receives in the coming years “can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” Willis’ family said. “We know in our hearts that – if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
After the statement was shared, Scout Willis thanked fans again for the support on her Instagram Story, writing: “Feeling emotionally tired and a bit overwhelmed, yet also very in awe of the love so many people have for my papa.” Both Rumer and Tellulah re-posted the note with messages of their own.
Sept. 25, 2023
In her first on-camera interview since Willis was diagnosed, the actor’s wife Emma Heming Willis appeared on TODAY to share an update on his condition. “Dementia is hard,” she shared. “It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say this is a family disease, it really is.”