Demi Moore Says Bruce Willis Is in a ‘Stable Place’ Amid Dementia Battle

The actress gave an update on her ex-husband’s health and how their family is coping during an appearance on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show.’
Demi Moore Says Bruce Willis Is in a ‘Stable Place’ Amid Dementia Battle
(L-R) Emma Hemming, Bruce Willis, his daughter Tallulah Belle Willis, and Demi Moore attend the after party for the screening of "Flawless" in New York City on March 24, 2008. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Elma Aksalic
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Actress Demi Moore is giving fans an update on her ex-husband Bruce Willis’ health amid his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

The 61-year-old was asked about Willis’ current condition during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” on Sept. 13, to which she noted he’s in “a stable place.”

Moore and television host Drew Barrymore, went on to look back on their time working together on the 2003 movie “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” where Willis made a cameo.

“When we did Charlie’s Angels, Bruce came and played on it, and he opens up the film, and we got to work with him,” Barrymore said.

“I mean, I used to know him when he was a bartender at Cafe Central!” she added. “I’ve known him my whole life, too.”

“The Substance” star and Willis were married from 1987 to 2000 and are parents to their daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Talullah, 30.

Since their divorce, the two have remained close, blending their families after Willis married his second wife, Emma Heming Willis, with whom he shares two daughters.

Following Willis’s initial diagnosis with aphasia in March of 2022 and later FTD, Moore said the family’s approach to his condition has changed but together, they’re finding beauty and joy along the way.

“What I say to my kids is, you meet them where they’re at. You don’t hold on to who they were or what you want them to be, but who they are in this moment,” she said.

“And from that, there is such beauty and joy and loving and sweetness,” Moore added. “When I’m in L.A., I go over every week, and I really treasure the time that we all share.”

In a statement at the time, the Willis family announced that the actor would be taking a break from his career as a result of his diagnosis, which was impacting his “cognitive abilities.”
“With much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” read the Instagram post.

“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.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, FTD is one of the less common types of dementia that affects the neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

The condition can lead to deterioration in “behavior, personality and/or difficulty with producing or comprehending language.”

It affects roughly 50,000 to 60,000 people in the United States, with the majority of whom between the ages of 45 and 65 years old.

The family has continued to update the public throughout separate interviews and appearances about the “Die Hard” star’s health status.

Back in May, Rumer told Fox News that her father was “doing OK” and has found comfort in speaking out about his condition and hopefully helping others along the way.

“I think, for me, through this experience, what’s been so incredible is my dad is so beloved, and that’s been so evident in the transparency with which we’ve been sharing,” she said.

“And I think if there’s any way sharing our experience brings hope—whatever comes forward as a family—that can have an effect and bring any sort of hope, comfort to someone else experiencing that, then to me, that’s … everything.”

Meanwhile, during an appearance of her own on “The Drew Barrymore Show” last year, Tallulah told Barrymore that her father’s FTD progression is the same but given the circumstances, she’s learned that’s “the best thing you can ask for.”

“I see love when I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is really special,” she said.

Elma Aksalic
Elma Aksalic
Freelance Reporter
Elma Aksalic is a freelance entertainment reporter for The Epoch Times and an experienced TV news anchor and journalist covering original content for Newsmax magazine.
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