Doctors have revealed a health update on Bruce Willis after his family shared rare photos to celebrate his 70th birthday as he battles a debilitating condition.
America’s favorite action star announced two years ago he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia that causes a gradual decline in the areas of the brain linked to personality and language abilities.
While the star has mostly stayed out of the spotlight since his diagnosis, photos posted by his ex wife Demi Moore and his five children in honor of his birthday revealed Willis smiling and surrounded by family.
Viewing the photos, posted on March 19, physicians — who are not involved in the actor’s care — noted he appeared to have a ‘masked expression’ and had a ‘little less emotion,’ both features attributable to his disease.
Doctors also said he appeared to be constantly looking away from the camera and off to the side, another symptom of FTD.
Comparing the latest images to those from his 69th birthday, they saw only minor changes — which may show his treatment regimen is helping to ease symptoms of the disease — but doctors pointed out that they would expect to see few physical changes in someone with this form of dementia, saying its impact occurs inside the body, not visibly on the outside.
Dr Stuart Fischer, an emergency medicine physician in New York City, told DailyMail.com: ‘The tragic thing to me is that these Instagram photos are deceptively normal. That is the real tragedy of Bruce’s situation.
‘This illness, it really doesn’t effect the outside of the body. It is what’s going on inside the body that is causing it.’
The doctors did not examine Willis in person, and said they were only relying on a few photos — which could paint an incomplete picture of the situation.
Frontotemporal dementia is one of the less common forms of the disease, with about 50,000 to 60,000 sufferers in the US.
Overall, more than 7million people nationwide are estimated to have some form of dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal lobe of the brain, crucial for high-level cognitive functions like planning, decision-making and personality and expressive language, and the temporal lobes, crucial for processing sounds and memories.
Symptoms start as a loss of empathy, difficulty understanding others and trouble with language, but can progress to being unresponsive to loved ones, becoming mute and having trouble with movement and swallowing.
There is no cure for the disease, but some drugs and therapies may be prescribed that can help to ease symptoms by boosting chemicals like dopamine in the brain.
The doctors said it was possible he was receiving regular therapy to help with his speech and cognition. However, on average, patients die about seven years after their diagnosis.
The latest photos of Willis were shared by ex-wife Demi Moore, who wrote in the caption: ‘Happy birthday, BW! We love you.’
The post has been liked more than 760,000 times and has been flooded with comments from well-wishers.
Assessing Willis’ health in the photos, Dr W Chris Winter, a neurologist from Virginia, said: ‘He… appears to have a bit of a masked face that has a little less expression.
‘He looks good, and it is good to see him surrounded by his family, but he is kind of frozen a little bit.’
Bruce Willis is pictured above in another post the following day. America’s favorite action hero is suffering from frontotemporal dementia
He added: ‘I had a family member with this condition, and all the pictures that we took with him he too was looking off to the side.
‘He wasn’t engaged in the photo-taking process, so he was just a little bit more disconnected.’
Dr Ozan Toy, a psychiatrist in New Jersey, added: ‘It is very challenging to ascertain how well a patient is doing from photos or video clips alone.
‘[But] there are ups and downs in patients with FTD, some days can be better than others.’
Willis’ diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia was first revealed in February 2023, and followed it being revealed he had aphasia, a condition that affects language, in March 2022.
Experts later said aphasia can be a symptom of his form of dementia, rather than a cause of the disease.
In an interview about his health in December, Demi Moore said: ‘He’s in a very stable place at the moment.
‘I’ve shared this before, but I really mean this so sincerely — it’s so important for anybody who’s dealing with this to really meet them where they’re at.’
His daughter Tallulah added in September: ‘He’s doing stable, which, in this situation, is good and is hard.
‘There’s painful days, but there’s so much love.’
She added: ‘It’s really shown me to not take any moment for granted, and I really do think that we’d be best friends. I think he’s very proud of me. You have to be in the moment. You have to be present.’
Asked in the same interview if Willis was aware of what was going on, his current wife Heming Willis said: ‘It’s hard to know.’
Lucky Items for Each Zodiac Sign When Leaving the House
Each zodiac sign has unique traits, and carrying the right lucky item can help enhance confidence, attract positivity, and ward off negative energy. Here’s a detailed guide to the best lucky item for each zodiac sign, along with its estimated luck-boosting percentage when stepping out of the house!
♈ Aries (March 21 – April 19) – Red Bracelet (Luck: 85%)
Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of energy and action. A red bracelet enhances Aries’ natural confidence and drive, helping them stay focused and fearless. Red symbolizes power, passion, and determination, giving Aries an extra push to succeed in their daily ventures.
🔮 Why it works: Red is Aries’ power color, and a bracelet worn on the dominant hand acts as a talisman for success and courage.
♉ Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Small Jade Stone (Luck: 80%)
Taurus is an earth sign ruled by Venus, which governs beauty, stability, and wealth. A jade stone is a powerful amulet for attracting prosperity and grounding energy.
🔮 Why it works: Jade is known to bring financial luck and emotional balance, keeping Taurus calm and focused throughout the day.
♊ Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – Silver Keychain (Luck: 75%)
Gemini thrives on communication and new experiences. A silver keychain symbolizes opportunities and open doors, attracting luck in networking, career, and personal encounters.
🔮 Why it works: Silver is a protective metal that enhances clarity and intuition, while a key symbolizes unlocking possibilities.
♋ Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – Moon-Shaped Pendant (Luck: 90%)
Cancer is deeply connected to the Moon, which governs emotions and intuition. Wearing a moon-shaped pendant offers emotional balance, protection, and luck in decision-making.
🔮 Why it works: The Moon influences Cancer’s energy, and a pendant amplifies their intuition, helping them navigate daily challenges with ease.
♌ Leo (July 23 – August 22) – Gold Accessory (Luck: 88%)
Leos are ruled by the Sun, radiating confidence and charisma. A gold accessory (ring, necklace, or bracelet) amplifies their natural glow, attracting admiration and success.
🔮 Why it works: Gold represents strength, royalty, and power, making Leo shine even brighter in social and professional settings.
♍ Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – Neatly Folded Handkerchief (Luck: 70%)
Virgos are meticulous and value order. Carrying a neatly folded handkerchief ensures they feel prepared and composed, reducing anxiety and inviting good fortune.
🔮 Why it works: A handkerchief symbolizes cleanliness and organization, which helps Virgos maintain control over their surroundings.
♎ Libra (September 23 – October 22) – Rose Quartz Crystal (Luck: 85%)
Libras seek harmony and love, and a rose quartz crystal enhances their ability to attract positive relationships and avoid conflicts.
🔮 Why it works: Rose quartz emits a gentle, loving energy that helps Libras maintain balance and charm in their interactions.
♏ Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – Black Obsidian Stone (Luck: 92%)
Scorpios have intense energy and need protection from negativity. A black obsidian stone shields them from harmful influences while boosting their personal power.
🔮 Why it works: Black obsidian absorbs negative energy and strengthens Scorpios’ natural resilience and intuition.
♐ Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – Feather Charm (Luck: 78%)
Sagittarius is adventurous and always seeking new experiences. A feather charm symbolizes freedom, luck, and spiritual guidance, ensuring a smooth journey ahead.
🔮 Why it works: Feathers represent travel, wisdom, and divine protection, keeping Sagittarius safe and inspired.
♑ Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – Lucky Coin (Luck: 88%)
Capricorns are ambitious and hardworking. Carrying a lucky coin attracts wealth, success, and stability in their professional and personal lives.
🔮 Why it works: A coin is a universal symbol of prosperity and financial growth, aligning with Capricorn’s disciplined nature.
♒ Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – Blue Pendant (Luck: 82%)
Aquarius is innovative and intuitive. A blue pendant enhances their creativity, wisdom, and ability to make good decisions.
🔮 Why it works: Blue represents clarity and intelligence, helping Aquarius navigate daily encounters with ease.
♓ Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – Seashell or Pearl (Luck: 90%)
Pisces is deeply connected to the ocean, and a seashell or pearl provides emotional calmness, inspiration, and protection.
🔮 Why it works: Water elements soothe Pisces’ sensitive soul, keeping them in tune with their intuition and creativity.
Carrying a small lucky item that resonates with your zodiac sign can subtly influence your day in positive ways. While luck is never guaranteed, these items serve as symbols of encouragement, motivation, and protection.