Bruce Willis’ co-star and director from one of his biggest (and most surprising) hits, The Sixth Sense, are showing their support for the actor on social media.
The 67-year-old actor announced on Wednesday, through his daughter Rumer’s Instagram, that he was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition which affects his cognitive functions, and that he is retiring.
Both Willis’ co-star Haley Joel Osment, who was just 11 when The Sixth Sense was released in 1999, and director M. Night Shyamalan, took to social media to pay tribute to the actor.
Tribute: Both Willis’ co-star Haley Joel Osment, who was just 11 when The Sixth Sense was released in 1999, and director M. Night Shyamalan, took to social media to pay tribute to the actor
Osment took to Instagram on Thursday, sharing a throwback photo of Willis along with a heartfelt message in tribute to his co-star.
‘It’s been difficult to find the right words for someone I’ve always looked up to—first on the big screen, and then by some wild stroke of luck, in person,’ Osment began.
‘He’s a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century,’ Osment continued.
Legend: ‘He’s a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century,’ Osment continued
‘I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come,’ the 33-year-old actor said.
‘I just wanted to express the respect and deep admiration I have for Bruce and his family as they move forward with the courage and high spirits that have always defined them,’ he concluded.
M. Night Shyamalan showed his support for his ‘big brother’ Bruce Willis on Wednesday evening, stating the actor will always be ‘that hero on that poster on my wall’ as he sent his ‘love and respect’ to Willis on Twitter.
‘All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis,’ he tweeted on Wednesday. ‘I know his wonderful family is surrounding him with support and strength. He will always be that hero on that poster on my wall as kid,’ the 51-year-old director said.
Grateful: ‘I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come,’ the 33-year-old actor said
‘All my love and respect’: M. Night Shyamalan showed his support for his ‘big brother’ Bruce Willis following news the actor had been diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition aphasia and will step away from acting; pictured 2017
Shyamalan famously directed Willis in the 1999 thriller The Sixth Sense, which garnered six Oscar nominations including one for Best Picture.
Their working relationship has continued over the years with the films Unbreakable, Split, and Glass.
Shyamalan’s tweet echoed statements he made about the actor during an interview with the Indian Express in 2020, where he said Willis had had a brotherly presence in his life since he was a child.
‘Bruce and I have actually stayed in touch and our families have stayed close. So, we’ve stayed in touch and he’s always been the big brother in my life for since I was a little kid, you know. He’s the one that took the big risk on me and protected me,’ he said.
Sweet message: Shyamalan, 51, said the actor will always be ‘that hero on that poster on my wall’ as he sent his ‘love and respect’ to Willis on Twitter
Numerous stars have sent Willis their love on Twitter in the wake of the diagnosis, including Sylvester Stallone, Sarah Paulson, director Len Wiseman, and Jenna Dewan.
Willis’ devastating diagnosis was revealed in a statement posted by his family, including ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters, to Instagram on Wednesday.
‘To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,’ they wrote.
‘He’s the one that took the big risk on me’: Shyamalan previously said Willis had a brotherly presence in his life since he was a child
‘As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.’
The statement added: ‘This is a really 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, as you do to him.
‘As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that,’ the statement, which was signed by his wife, model Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi and all of his children, concluded.
According to the National Aphasia Association, aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write.
The association reports the condition is always due to injury to the brain, most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals.
Head trauma, brain tumors or from infections can also cause aphasia.
Heartbreaking: Willis’ devastating diagnosis was revealed in a statement posted by his family, including ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters, to Instagram on Wednesday
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