“He looks me dead in the eyes”: Bruce Willis Showed His Dementia Signs After Pouring Hot Coffee on His Hands While Filming That Left Crew Heartbroken
Bruce Willis known for his exciting action-packed thrillers and captivating performances, has strongly established himself as one of the industry’s most enduring and beloved actors. However, past events had cast a shadow over his career, as Willis has shown signs of dementia on the set of his project Midnight in the Switchgrass, leaving the film crew devastated.
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For the experienced actor, dementia is a condition carried on by damage to his brain’s neurons and has become a painful reality. Remarkably, before this sad event, Willis had openly addressed his struggles with the disease and the impact it has had on his life and work.
Heart-Wrenching Signs Of Dementia Were Observed By Bruce Willis’ Film Crew
In a deeply affecting turn of events, the film crew of Midnight in the Switchgrass witnessed heart-wrenching signs of dementia in the Hollywood icon.
The crime thriller, released in 2020, became a backdrop for Bruce Willis’ battle with aphasia, a symptom of his underlying condition. Shocking reports from the set shed light on the extent of his struggles, as he wrestled with confusion and memory loss, sometimes forgetting he was on a movie set.
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Alicia Haverland revealed her encounters with Willis during the filming of a scene set in a diner. She said,
“I go over to repour the coffee, and we’re probably doing take number seven or eight, and he puts his hand on the coffee, looks me dead in the eye, and goes, ‘Oh no, ma’am, I don’t want anymore.”
Even when she attempted to explain the situation, Willis remained caught in the depths of his condition, causing Haverland to play along, pretending to be a waitress to help him continue the scene.
These heartrending incidents unfolded against a backdrop of growing concern among the film crew. Multiple individuals, including the stunt coordinator and the first assistant director, noticed his struggling with his lines and directions.
Tragically, Willis’ condition has worsened over time, evolving into frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which now hampers his ability to speak and communicate effectively.
His family confirms the transformation, providing an update on his ongoing battle with the disease. Willis himself acknowledges his situation in the past during a Comedy Central roast, bravely addressing the challenges he faces.
Bruce Willis Addressed His Dementia Diagnosis
The 68-year-old praised for his magnetic performances, has fearlessly opened up about his battle with dementia, unveiling a deeply personal and courageous journey.
His candid remarks were captured during a memorable Comedy Central Roast held in 2018, where he faced a barrage of jokes from celebrities, including his ex-wife Demi Moore and Martha Stewart.
As the event reached its conclusion, the actor stepped onto the stage to deliver a resolute response. He declared,
“Nothing can keep me down. I’ve been attacked by terrorists, asteroids, film critics, music critics, divorce lawyers, and male pattern baldness, and none of it stopped me because I’m still Bruce f***ing Willis.”
The audience erupted in a standing ovation, with the heartwarming sight of Willis’ three eldest daughters—Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout—cheering fervently.
Shortly after the event, the video clip spread like wildfire on Twitter, gaining widespread admiration and support. Fans hailed him as a true legend, applauding his unwavering spirit.
Further, Dr. Allison B. Reiss from NYU Long Island School of Medicine explained the disease by saying,
“Actually a group of brain disorders that cause progressive degeneration of the neurons in the brain.”
Willis’ aphasia, a symptom of FTD, also led him to retire from acting early last year due to communication impairments.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
