Bruce Willis reportedly struggled with cognitive impairments on film sets for years, even using an earpiece to feed him lines, before his family revealed on Wednesday that the renowned actor had been diagnosed with a brain ailment.

Willis’ family announced on social media that he has been diagnosed with aphasia, which limits his capacity to grasp language. As a result, he will no longer perform.

An unnamed source informed Page Six that the actor’s decreasing cognitive abilities was a well-known truth in Hollywood, since he struggled to act in his films.

‘Everyone knew, the cast and crew,’ the unnamed insider stated, adding that Willis was ‘using earpieces, hearing things, for them to feed him the lines,’ and it ‘was more difficult to have him on screen.’

He stated that films had to be made closer to Willis’ home with his family, who, according to the source, have been caring for the 67-year-old actor, in order to make production easier.

According to the source, in certain productions, Willis’ screen time was increased by hiring a body double, while in others, his time on set was limited to three days.

The source stated, ‘It was evident he was having problems… he could not act anymore.’

The famous actor can even be seen using an earpiece in a scene from his upcoming film, American Siege, which was shot in 2020. This was two years before the family revealed that Willis has aphasia.

Sources say acclaimed actor Bruce Willis, 67, has been having trouble on the sets of his recent movies, and was even pictured wearing an earpiece to feed him lines on the set of American Siege in 2020

 

He was also seen apparently needing assistance on the set of his film Paradise City last May

On Wednesday, Willis’ family shared this photo of the 67-year-old actor to announce he has been diagnosed with a brain condition called aphasia, which affects one’s ability to comprehend both verbal and written language

 

On Wednesday, his family announced his illness on social media and stated that he will be’stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him’.

An alleged insider claimed OK! Magazine that Willis used an earpiece to read lines during his Broadway debut in Misery in 2015.

He also reportedly struggled during the production of M. Night Shyamalan’s 2019 picture Glass.

“While filming Glass, staffers worked around him by cutting and editing, and having him overdub lines because he struggled to remember and/or deliver them,” they told the publication, according to the New Zealand Herald.

‘In the majority of Glass scenes, he is hooded, and he is replaced by stand-ins and body doubles. On set, he refused to smile and was always accompanied by an assistant who guided him while walking.

According to a source, Willis sold his New York house to spend more time with his family in Los Angeles. His wife and ex-wife Demi Moore are working together to care for him.

‘His wife Emma has helped Demi Moore and the children Bruce has with his ex-wife make peace because they realize he’s fading,’ the unnamed source told the magazine in January 2021.

‘Between Demi and Emma, the family has always ensured Bruce receives the support and attention he may require at any given time,’ the insider stated.

They continued, ‘The good news is that, while there is serious concern about dementia, it has mainly not hindered his ability to perform in Hollywood – and in true super hero spirit, he will not slow down because new technology like earpieces allows actors of his caliber not to miss a beat.’

But in recent years, the New Zealand Herald reports, die hard fans of the actor have noticed he was taking more roles in straight-to-video releases.

According to Page Six, Willis was granted his own category at the Razzies – a mock award presentation commemorating the worst of cinematic underachievements – for the ‘worst movies of 2021’ after appearing in eight critically criticized films.

Out of Death, one of his films, has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 0%.

The mock awards show apologized to the actor for his diagnosis on Wednesday, tweeting, ‘The Razzies are very sorry for #BruceWillis’ diagnosed ailment.

Perhaps this explains why he wants to go out with a bang in 2021? Our best wishes for Bruce and his family.

Willis is perhaps best known for his role in the Die Hard series as John McClane

The announcement comes after years of speculation over Willis’ cognitive issues as he continued to appear in critically-panned action movies, like Survive the Game with Chad Michael Murray

His most recent films, like Cosmic Sun, have been panned by critics, and the actor has now won the award for ‘worst films of 2021’ at the Razzies

On Wednesday, his family announced his illness on social media and stated that he will be’stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him’.

An alleged insider claimed OK! Magazine that Willis used an earpiece to read lines during his Broadway debut in Misery in 2015.

He also reportedly struggled during the production of M. Night Shyamalan’s 2019 picture Glass.

“While filming Glass, staffers worked around him by cutting and editing, and having him overdub lines because he struggled to remember and/or deliver them,” they told the publication, according to the New Zealand Herald.

‘In the majority of Glass scenes, he is hooded, and he is replaced by stand-ins and body doubles. On set, he refused to smile and was always accompanied by an assistant who guided him while walking.

According to a source, Willis sold his New York house to spend more time with his family in Los Angeles. His wife and ex-wife Demi Moore are working together to care for him.

‘His wife Emma has helped Demi Moore and the children Bruce has with his ex-wife make peace because they realize he’s fading,’ the unnamed source told the magazine in January 2021.

‘Between Demi and Emma, the family has always ensured Bruce receives the support and attention he may require at any given time,’ the insider stated.

They continued, ‘The good news is that, while there is serious concern about dementia, it has mainly not hindered his ability to perform in Hollywood – and in true super hero spirit, he will not slow down because new technology like earpieces allows actors of his caliber not to miss a beat.’

According to the New Zealand Herald, the actor’s admirers have noted a shift towards straight-to-video releases in recent years.

According to Page Six, Willis was granted his own category at the Razzies – a mock award presentation commemorating the worst of cinematic underachievements – for the ‘worst movies of 2021’ after appearing in eight critically criticized films.

Out of Death, one of his films, has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 0%.

The mock awards show apologized to the actor for his diagnosis on Wednesday, tweeting, ‘The Razzies are very sorry for #BruceWillis’ diagnosed ailment.

Perhaps this explains why he wants to go out with a bang in 2021? Our best wishes for Bruce and his family.

 

Spotted: Bruce Willis’ daughters Rumer and Scout Willis were captured out in Los Angeles on Wednesday after revealing their famous father has been diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition aphasia

The statement was signed by his wife, Emma (pictured) and his ex-wife Demi Moore as well as all of his children

 

The family has reportedly known his mental state has been deteriorating before issuing the statement on Wednesday

Willis had reportedly sold his New York pad to spend more time with his family. He is pictured here with ex-wife Demi Moore and their children in matching pajamas in 2020