Bruce Willis Has Been Diagnosed With Aphasia And Will Be "Stepping Away" From Acting, His Family Said

Aphasia is a medical condition in which a person loses the ability to speak or communicate, and Bruce will be stepping back from his acting career.

The family of Bruce said in a statement that he has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities.

Aphasia is a condition that happens suddenly after a medical incident like a stroke, or gradually as part of a neurological disorder or injury. After she was shot in the head during a mass shooting, former US Representative Gabby Giffords was diagnosed with aphasia. Aphasia limits a person's ability to read and write. About 2 million people in the US are affected by aphasia, which is more common than Parkinson's disease. 180,000 Americans are diagnosed with aphasia every year.

The statement was posted on their social media accounts by several family members, including the actor's wife and ex-wife.

This is a challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you.