Home US Bruce Willis, 69, thanks first responders amid LA fires in heartbreaking rare video as he battles dementia

Bruce Willis, 69, thanks first responders amid LA fires in heartbreaking rare video as he battles dementia

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Bruce Willis thanked first responders tackling the ongoing LA fires in heartbreaking, rare video captured as he battles dementia

Bruce Willis thanked the first responders who tackled the ongoing fires in LA in a heartbreaking, rare video captured as he battled dementia.

The retired actor, 69, who has a brain disorder, aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), was filmed warmly greeting LAPD officers in a clip shared by his proud wife Emma Heming, 46, on Thursday.

The video showed the Die Hard star shaking hands with first responders and posing for photos with them while dressed in a baseball cap, jacket and jeans.

Heming wrote, “Bruce saw a first responder and never missed an opportunity to show his gratitude with a heartfelt handshake and a ‘thank you for your service.’ Yesterday was no different.’

Willis’ daughter Tallulah, 30, said: “This makes my heart so full.”

Others praised the Hollywood icon, writing: ‘He is truly an amazing human being, nothing can take that away from him.

Bruce Willis thanked first responders tackling the ongoing LA fires in heartbreaking, rare video captured as he battles dementia

Willis' wife Emma Heming proudly shared the star's video

Willis’ wife Emma Heming proudly shared the star’s video

‘Bruce looks so good!!!!! This makes my heart happy

‘This brought tears to my eyes! My father (who was a retired police officer and also suffered from FTD) would do the same. Even as things progressed, his eyes lit up with familiarity and recognition whenever he saw someone in uniform. Thanks for sharing!

‘Always friendly and always grateful. Your man is one of a kind! ‘

Willis is a proud father of five daughters Rumer, 36; Scout, 32; and Tallulah with his ex-wife Moore, 61, as well as Mabel Ray, 12; and Evelyn, 10, with wife Heming.

Moore, who was married to Bruce from 1987 to 2000, recently shared an emotional update about his health.

She confirmed that the Die Hard star was “in a very stable place right now” in an interview with CNN.

‘I’ve shared this before, but I really mean this so sincerely. It’s so important for anyone dealing with this to really meet them where they’re at, and from that place there’s so much love and joy,” she added.

While she admits the journey has been “very difficult,” Demi also reflected on the unexpected lessons: “There is great loss, but great beauty and gifts can also come from it.”

The retired actor, 69, who suffers from brain aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), was filmed warmly greeting LAPD officers in a clip shared by his proud wife Emma Heming, 46

The retired actor, 69, who suffers from brain aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), was filmed warmly greeting LAPD officers in a clip shared by his proud wife Emma Heming, 46

The video showed the Die Hard star shaking hands with first responders and posing for a photo with them while dressed in a baseball cap, jacket and jeans.

The video showed the Die Hard star shaking hands with first responders and posing for a photo with them while dressed in a baseball cap, jacket and jeans.

1737051940 502 Bruce Willis 69 thanks first responders amid LA fires in

Willis' daughter Tallulah, 30, said: 'This makes my heart so full'

Willis’ daughter Tallulah, 30, said: ‘This makes my heart so full’

It comes after Bruce was spotted in a rare photo celebrating Thanksgiving with his family (pictured with Tallulah and Scout)

It comes after Bruce was spotted in a rare photo celebrating Thanksgiving with his family (pictured with Tallulah and Scout)

Willis’ family first announced his FTD diagnosis in February 2023, after he retired from acting due to aphasia, a brain disorder that affects speech and language comprehension.

Since then, the Hollywood icon has been showered with love and unwavering support from his family.

Last month, Emma opened up about their journey, stressing that she is not “protecting” their young daughters from the reality of Bruce’s condition.

During an interview with City and country magazineHeming explained, “This disease is misdiagnosed, overlooked, misunderstood.

“So finally getting a diagnosis was crucial so I could learn what frontotemporal dementia is and I could raise our children,” she admitted.

Emma added: “I never tried to soften anything for them. They grew up while Bruce deteriorated over the years. I’m not trying to protect them from it.’

The Die Hard star's family announced his diagnosis (FTD) in February 2023, shortly after he retired from acting due to his struggles with a brain condition known as aphasia.

The Die Hard star’s family announced his diagnosis (FTD) in February 2023, shortly after he retired from acting due to his struggle with a brain condition known as aphasia – which affects speech and language comprehension.

The actor's family revealed on Instagram in March 2022 that he retired from acting after his aphasia diagnosis

The actor’s family revealed on Instagram in March 2022 that he retired from acting after his aphasia diagnosis

In October, Heming opened up about his battle with dementia, saying she isn't

In October, Heming opened up about his battle with dementia, saying she isn’t “protecting” their two daughters from the diagnosis.

Scout Willis, Tallulah Willis, Demi and Rumer at the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Substance' on September 16, 2024 in Los Angeles

Scout Willis, Tallulah Willis, Demi and Rumer at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Substance’ on September 16, 2024 in Los Angeles

“What I learned from our therapist is that when children ask questions, they are willing to know the answer. If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would discuss it with the children so they could understand, but this disease is chronic, progressive and terminal.”

Heming told the outlet that their children don’t tend “to talk to them about the terminal side of this, nor have they asked about it.”

However, she said Mabel and Evelyn “know daddy isn’t going to get better.”

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