Bruce Willis displayed cognitive issues, memory loss on movie sets prior to aphasia announcement: filmmakers

Bruce Willis displayed signs of cognitive issues, such as memory loss and confusion, on movie sets in the recent years leading up to his aphasia diagnosis and retirement from acting, filmmakers and co-stars say.

"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 family statement, signed by wife, Emma, ex-wife Demi Moore, and daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn, read.

Now, directors, producers and former co-stars who worked with Willis on various movies in recent years are recalling the concerns they expressed over what they viewed as an obvious decline in his ability to perform at his best. Directors, such as Mike Burns ("Out of Death") and Jesse V. Johnson ("White Elephant") said his lines and monologues had to be reduced as he had difficulty remembering them and even understanding why he was on set.