Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia

Bruce Willis, one of Hollywood's biggest stars and most versatile actors, is stepping away from acting due to a medical condition. The 67-year-old actor's daughter broke the news in an Instagram post citing medical issues. "Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities," wrote the actor's eldest daughter, Rumer Willis, reported NBC News. "As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion, and support." While Bruce Willis is celebrated as an action movie star, his performances across various genres have shown what an incredible actor he is. Some of his stellar performances include "Die Hard," "The Sixth Sense," "Death Becomes Her" and "Moonrise Kingdom." 

Randall Emmett, a producer who worked with Willis on more than 20 films, praised the actor and showed his support for him during this difficult time. "I fully support Bruce and his family during this challenging time and admire him for his courage in battling this incredibly difficult medical condition," said Emmett. "Bruce will always be part of our family." Many others from the film industry wished him well. "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," tweeted M. Night Shyamalan.

According to Mayo Clinic, "Aphasia is a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written. Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative). The main treatment for aphasia is speech and language therapy. The person with aphasia relearns and practices language skills and learns to use other ways to communicate. Family members often participate in the process, helping the person communicate." Bruce Willis' ex-wife posted about his condition on Instagram. "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. As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that," read a statement from the family.

Those present on the sets of Bruce Willis' recent movies suspected something was off, according to the LA Times. Days before Willis was set to return to the set of one of his action films, director Mike Burns reportedly sent an email to the film's screenwriter asking them to make his dialogues short and sweet. “We also need to abbreviate his dialogue a bit so that there are no monologues, etc,” the email from Burns read. “After the first day of working with Bruce, I could see it firsthand and I realized that there was a bigger issue at stake here and why I had been asked to shorten his lines,” said Burns. "I am relieved that he is taking time off.”

Bruce got his breakthrough when he starred opposite Cybill Shepherd in ABC's "Moonlighting" in 1985. It was his star turn in "Die Hard" in 1988 that propelled him to movie star status. He played John McClane, the weary New York City detective who takes on terrorists inside Nakatomi Plaza. It still remains one of the best action movies of all time. Robert Daniels, a film critic wrote, "When Bruce Willis was on it, there were few who were better. An under-appreciated dramatic force, an unlikely comedic presence, a sterling leading man. He could do anything and did everything in the movies. I’m going to miss seeing him on the silver screen."

Bruce Willis is married to Emma Heming Willis. The couple tied the knot in 2009 and they have two children together—Mabel Ray, born in April 2012, and Evelyn Penn, born in May 2014. Heming Willis is also stepmom to the actor's three daughters with ex-wife Moore, reported PEOPLE.