Bruce Willis is a name that just feels like Hollywood. For decades, he was the guy. The guy who saved the Nakatomi Plaza, the guy who saw dead people, and the guy who defined what it meant to be a gritty, sarcastic hero. But today, the conversation around the 70-year-old icon has shifted from box office numbers to something much more personal and, frankly, much quieter.
If you're wondering how is Bruce Willis doing right now in early 2026, the answer is a mix of heartbreaking reality and incredible family strength.
The Reality of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Last year was a big one for the Willis family in terms of transparency. We’ve moved past the initial shock of the 2022 aphasia announcement and the 2023 FTD diagnosis. Now, the family is living the day-to-day reality of a "cruel disease" that has no cure.
Emma Heming Willis, Bruce’s wife, has been remarkably open. She’s basically become the face of FTD awareness. In late 2025, she released her memoir, The Unexpected Journey, which didn't pull any punches about what it's like to watch your partner's "brain fail him" while his body stays relatively strong.
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- Mobility: As of recent updates, Bruce is still physically mobile. He’s not bedridden.
- Communication: This is the hard part. The language is mostly gone. FTD specifically attacks the parts of the brain that handle speech and personality.
- The "Twinkle": Emma often mentions that while the "Die Hard" spark isn't there every day, there are still moments—fleeting seconds—where she sees that old twinkle in his eyes.
Why He Moved to a "Second Home"
One of the biggest headlines recently involved Bruce moving into a separate, one-story house. This sparked a lot of internet chatter, some of it pretty judgmental. Honestly, people on social media can be brutal.
But Emma clarified this decision in a high-profile interview. The move wasn't about "sending him away." It was about creating a specialized environment tailored to his 24-hour care needs while protecting the childhoods of their younger daughters, Mabel (13) and Evelyn (11).
Basically, the "main house" was becoming a place where kids had to tiptoe. By setting up a dedicated space nearby, Bruce gets professional care 100% of the time, and the girls can have sleepovers and be kids again. The family still sees him constantly for breakfast and dinner. It's a "blended" approach that includes Demi Moore and the older daughters—Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah—who are all deeply involved.
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Rumer Willis and the "Hard Question"
Rumer Willis recently took to Instagram to answer the question everyone keeps asking: "How's your dad?" Her response was probably the most honest thing I've read in a while. She admitted that "anybody with FTD is not doing great," but in the context of the disease, he’s doing "OK."
It’s a weird middle ground to live in.
She talked about how the old "parameters" of doing well don't really apply anymore. Success isn't a new movie role; success is a hug where he can "feel the love," even if the cognitive recognition isn't fully there.
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What most people get wrong about FTD
People often confuse this with Alzheimer’s. It’s not the same. While Alzheimer’s usually starts with memory loss, FTD often starts with behavior and language changes. That’s why Bruce seemed "quieter" on movie sets years before the public knew anything was wrong.
The Caregiver’s Burden
Emma has been very vocal about the "privileged position" they are in. She knows most families can’t afford 24-hour care or separate homes. She’s used her platform to highlight that caregiving is isolating and exhausting.
At the End Well 2025 conference, she noted that they still find joy. They still laugh. They still watch Die Hard during the holidays because, let's be real, it is a Christmas movie. They aren't living in a constant state of mourning; they are "learning and adapting."
Actionable Steps for Families Facing Similar Battles
If you or someone you know is navigating a dementia diagnosis, the Willis family’s journey offers a few practical takeaways:
- Seek a Specific Diagnosis: "Aphasia" is often just a symptom. Getting the specific FTD diagnosis allowed the Willis family to understand the trajectory of the disease.
- Build a Care Team Early: Whether it’s family or professionals, you cannot do this alone. Emma relies heavily on Demi Moore and the older daughters.
- Adapt the Environment: Don't be afraid to change your living situation to meet the patient’s safety needs. A one-story layout or professional assistance isn't a failure; it's a tool.
- Prioritize the "Spark": Focus on sensory experiences—music, touch, and presence—rather than trying to force conversation that may no longer be possible.
Bruce Willis will turn 71 in March 2026. While the world remembers him as the invincible John McClane, his family sees him as a man who is still teaching them about strength, just in a much different, much more quiet way.