By Mark Gray
6:59am PDT, Apr 2, 2022
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Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting because of a medical condition, the "Die Hard" star's family announced on social media on March 30. "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. 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 led by current wife Emma Heming and ex-wife Demi Moore, and their children, said. After the announcement, many in Hollywood publicly reacted to the news and threw their support behind the on-screen icon and his family. "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. He's a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century," Haley Joel Osment, the former child actor who co-starred with Bruce in "The Sixth Sense," wrote on Instagram. "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. 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."
Keep reading to see how more in the entertainment world are reacting to Bruce's health-related retirement…
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"Bruce and I became good friends when we shared 2 of our biggest hits together, Pulp Fiction and Look Who's Talking," John Travolta shared on Instagram. "Years later he said to me, 'John, I just want you to know that when something good happens to you, I feel like it's happening to me.' That's how generous a soul he is. I love you Bruce."
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"Dear Bruce Willis, I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through, but you're still the coolest man I've met in my entire life. You will remain in my prayers for a long long time. Maybe we should get together and watch the whole 10 yards and get a couple of hours of sleep." –Bruce's "The Whole Nine Yards" co-star Matthew Perry
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"We go back a long way, praying for the best for you and your wonderful family…," friend and co-star Sylvester Stallone wrote on Instagram alongside photos of himself with Bruce through the years.
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"All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. 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." –filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan
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"Long before any of the Cop Out stuff, I was a big Bruce Willis fan – so this is really heartbreaking to read. He loved to act and sing and the loss of that has to be devastating for him. I feel like an a****** for my petty complaints from 2010. So sorry to BW and his family." –filmmaker Kevin Smith, who directed Bruce in the 2010 comedy "Cop Out" and made headlines when he previously complained in a Marc Maron podcast that it was "f****** soul crushing" to work with him
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"Grace and guts! Love to you all!" –Jamie Lee Curtis
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"My heart goes out to Bruce, and all of the family. So thankful you shared this with us. Keeping you all in our prayers." –Rita Wilson
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"Sending love to you and your beautiful family." –Jenna Dewan
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"Sending so much love and strength to your beautiful family" –Helena Christensen
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"He was such an incredible acting partner to me, and is the loveliest, most gentle and hilarious man. he reigns supreme in my book" –Sarah Paulson
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"Love you so very much, angel wings all around you and this beautiful family" –Soleil Moon Frye
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"Love you and your family girl ❤️ send you all my love." –Eiza Gonzalez
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Kelly Ripa commented with a praying hands and heart emoji.
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"Sending you big hugs, babe. Xoxoxo" –Hilarie Burton
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"Sending love to you all" –Maria Shriver
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"Sending lots of love and healing to you all!" –Katie Couric
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"We love Bruce so much. Sending love to him and your family. Bruce has given us sooo much! What an amazing career.May he rest and recover" –Debi Mazar
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"I love this man. Always so darn good to me. The good old days. Love to you all and anything I can do please call." –Billy Bush
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"Sending so much love to you, your dad and your entire family." –Jaimie Alexander
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"I love you. Sending so much love and strength your beautiful family's way." –Sailor Brinkley Cook
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"Sending you all lots of love Demi" –Brad Goreski
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"I am so sorry and sending all the love and healing to you" –Rachel Zoe
