"Our beloved Bruce has experienced some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. Therefore, and after careful consideration, Bruce is stepping down from this career that meant so much to him," writes his family on Instagram.
The message is signed by the actor's wife, Emma Heming Willis, as well as his ex-wife Demi Moore and his daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.
According to specialists from the American Mayo Clinic, aphasia often occurs after a stroke or head trauma and prevents the patient from communicating normally.
"It can affect your ability to speak, write, and understand language, both spoken and written," they explain.
Bruce Willis first distinguished himself in the 1980s with a recurring role in the "Moonlight" series alongside Cybill Shepherd, but it was the action film "Die Hard" in 1988 that made him an international star as the invincible John McClane.
The saga had two sequels in the 1990s, confirming the notoriety of Bruce Willis who had become one of the references of the genre.
After a series of successes until the 2000s, the actor's star had faded and he had no longer had the same commercial success.
© 2022 AFP