Bruce Willis, the iconic Die Hard actor, is currently facing a challenging battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare form of disease that progressively affects one’s personality, behavior, and language. Glenn Gordon Caron, a close friend of the star, has recently opened up about how this ongoing health struggle has profoundly impacted Willis, causing him to lose his zest for life.
In a candid interview with the New York Post, Caron expressed his concern, stating, “My sense is the first one to three minutes he knows who I am. He’s not totally verbal.” He went on to reveal that Willis, a former avid reader who kept his literary interests private, has sadly lost his ability to engage with books.
All of these language skills that were once second nature to him have now slipped away. Despite these distressing changes, Caron emphasized that Bruce Willis is still very much himself, and those close to him are grateful for his presence. However, the unmistakable “joie de vivre” that once defined him seems to have vanished.
Caron, who is a 69-year-old director known for creating the 1980s hit comedy-drama Moonlighting, where Willis starred alongside Cybill Shepherd as private detectives, recounted how the actor used to embrace life to the fullest. He added, “The thing that makes [his disease] so mind-blowing is [that] if you’ve ever spent time with Bruce Willis, there is no one who had any more joie de vivre than he.” Willis cherished each day and embraced life’s opportunities with enthusiasm, embodying a profound love for living.
Caron has made a heartfelt effort to stay connected with his friend, visiting him almost every month since the diagnosis of aphasia, a common symptom of FTD. He noted, “I’m not always quite that good, but I try, and I do talk to him and his wife, Emma Heming Willis. I have a casual relationship with his three older children. I have tried very hard to stay in his life.”
The news of Bruce Willis’s ongoing health battle serves as a reminder of the impact that neurological diseases can have on even the most vibrant and dynamic individuals. The unwavering support of friends like Glenn Gordon Caron demonstrates the importance of companionship and understanding in these challenging times.