M. Night Shyamalan is confident that Bruce Willis’ family is the actor’s rock and safe place while he battles frontotemporal dementia.
The Oscar-nominated director recently attended a PR event for his upcoming film, Trap, which premieres on August 9. While talking to People, he shared kind words for his close friend and former collaborator, Bruce Willis.
“He has a very loving family,” M. Night said.
Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022, following his diagnosis with aphasia. Ten months later, his wife, Emma Hemming Willis, and ex-wife, Demi Moore, announced that Bruce was also suffering from frontotemporal degeneration.
Since his symptoms began, Bruce’s blended family has been caring for him, advocating for him, and protecting him from excessive media attention. Bruce not only has Emma and Demi by his side, but he also has his adult daughters, Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout, and his young daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
“They’re doing the best they can.” M. Night Shyamalan continued.
Bruce Willis Was M. Night Shyamalan’s Childhood “Hero”
Bruce and M. Night became close during the filming of M. Night’s breakout movie The Sixth Sense. Having Bruce star in the film was a dream come true for the director who once admitted that Bruce was his childhood hero.
“When I was a kid, I had his posters up on my wall, and only he could play that character in Pulp Fiction or Die Hard,” he told the Hollywood Reporter in 2023.
Over the years, Bruce Willis has starred in several of M. Night Shyamalan’s movies, and their families became “very close.”
When Bruce’s family announced his exit from Hollywood, M. Night posted an emotional message on Twitter that perfectly summed up his feelings for the legendary actor.
“All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis,” he wrote. “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 a kid.”
This story’s featured image is by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images.
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