Emma Heming Willis recently shed light on how her husband, Bruce Willis, viewed his illustrious acting career before his unfortunate dementia diagnosis. Bruce, a celebrated figure in Hollywood, retired from the silver screen in 2022 after a storied career that spanned several decades, beginning in the 1980s.

Bruce Willis, now 70, has left an indelible mark on the film industry with iconic roles in blockbuster films such as “Die Hard” (1988), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “The Sixth Sense” (1999), and “Moonrise Kingdom” (2012). His performances not only garnered numerous awards and nominations but also solidified his status as a versatile and beloved actor.

During a recent appearance at the End Well 2025 conference held in Los Angeles, Emma shared with People that Bruce rarely dwelled on his legacy. “I don’t think he’s ever really reflected deeply on who he is or what he’s achieved,” she mentioned. “He simply enjoyed being an actor and bringing entertainment to audiences.”

‘I don’t know that he ever has [reflected on his legacy],’ Emma told People during the End Well 2025 conference in Los Angeles this week.

‘I don’t think that he’s ever harped or thought long and hard about who he is, what he’s done. I think he’s just always enjoyed being an actor, entertaining people.’ 

Emma expressed that he ‘loved’ acting and it had also been ‘a passion of his.’ 

Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming Willis revealed how the star felt about his acting career before he was diagnosed with dementia; seen in 2019 in NYC 

The 70-year-old Emmy winner – who retired from acting in 2022 – is known for his successful decades-long run in the industry which began in the 80s; seen above in Die Hard (1988)

She sweetly continued, ‘That’s why I love him. He’s just always so humble. You would never know.’ 

Emma tied the knot with Bruce in 2009 and the pair share two daughters: Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. 

The star is also father to three other daughters he welcomed during his previous marriage to Demi Moore: Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31. 

Bruce stepped away from acting completely in 2022 after he was diagnosed with aphasia. The following year, his family announced that it had progressed to FTD (frontotemporal dementia). 

Alongside a photo of the star on Instagram, his loved ones shared ‘gratitude’ for the love and support from fans over his health in a statement. 

‘In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.’

They added, ‘Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).

‘Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.’

‘I don’t think that he’s ever harped or thought long and hard about who he is, what he’s done. I think he’s just always enjoyed being an actor, entertaining people,’ Emma said; Bruce seen in 2019 in NYC 

Emma tied the knot with Bruce in 2009 and the pair share two daughters: Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11

The star is also father to three other daughters he welcomed during his previous marriage to Demi Moore: Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31; seen in 2015 with Demi Moore, their three daughters and wife Emma

Bruce’s family labeled FTD as a ‘cruel disease’ while adding that ‘there are no treatments for the disease.’

The statement later concluded with, ‘Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us.

‘We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.’

Bruce has 147 acting credits to his name, according to his official IMDB page. 

He began appearing in movies and episodes of shows such as Miami Vice before landing a leading role in the series Moonlighting (1985-1989). 

Based on his performance in Moonlighting, Bruce garnered various award nominations – and eventually won a Golden Globe in 1987.

He also starred in the Die Hard movie franchise, with the first film releasing in theaters in 1988 followed by a sequel two years later. 

In the 90s, the actor continued to keep busy by appearing in other movies including Death Becomes Her (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995) and Last Man Standing (1996). 

Bruce’s family labeled FTD as a ‘cruel disease’ while adding that ‘there are no treatments for the disease’

Based on his performance in Moonlighting, Bruce garnered various award nominations – and eventually won a Golden Globe in 1987; seen with Cybill Shepherd in Moonlighting 

Other notable projects he took on roles in are The Sixth Sense (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Sin City (2005), and The Expendables 2 (2012). 

His final movie credit was the 2023 action thriller Assassin. 

Emma’s latest comments come shortly after Bruce’s daughter Rumer shared that her famous father doesn’t always recognize her when she visits him, amid his battle with dementia.

She gave fans an update on her father’s health via her Instagram Stories earlier this week on Thursday. 

The Hollywood icon retired from acting in 2022 due to his worsening health, and has been moved out of his family home to a separate one-story house where he has a 24/7 care team. 

Rumer shared that though Bruce – who was recently seen holding a carer’s hand during a rare outing – might not always recognize her, she knows that he can feel her love and that there’s a ‘spark’ in him.

The mom-of-one revealed that she is ‘so happy’ and ‘so grateful’ that she can ‘still get to go and hug him.’

‘I’m so grateful that when I go over there, and I give him a hug, whether he recognizes me or not, that he can feel the love I’ve given him, and I can feel it back from him. That I still see a spark of him, and he can feel the love that I’m giving.’

In the 90s, the actor continued to keep busy by appearing in other movies including Death Becomes Her (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995) and Last Man Standing (1996); seen above in Pulp Fiction 

Rumer gave fans an update on her father’s health via her Instagram Stories earlier this week on Thursday

‘So that feels really nice,’ she added.

Rumer shared that she brings her 23-month-old daughter Louetta along for the visits.

‘I just feel grateful that I get to go over there with Luetta and we get to spend time with him, and I get to feel the love that he has for me, and that I can love him and be with him.’

After a fan inquired about her dad’s health, Rumer replied, ‘People always ask me this question, and I think it’s kind of a hard one to answer, because the truth is that anybody with FTD (frontotemporal dementia) is not doing great.

‘He’s doing okay, in terms of somebody who is dealing with frontotemporal dementia.’

‘The only way that I feel like I could answer that in a way that was like “He’s doing great!” – you know, it’s like, those parameters don’t really work anymore I guess, in my mind.’

In June, Rumer shared heartwarming snaps of her with Bruce throughout the years in a pensive Father’s Day tribute post.

Rumer also previously shared that she ‘misses’ her dad, and shared photos of him and his granddaughter back in 2023.

Rumer, her siblings, her mother, and Bruce’s wife have all delivered periodic updates on the Pulp Fiction star, ever since he stepped away from the spotlight. 

Earlier this month, the retired actor was pictured holding his carer’s hand during a rare public outing.

‘He’s doing okay, in terms of somebody who is dealing with frontotemporal dementia,’ she added

Bruce has an estimated $250million in the bank, which his wife is reportedly now in charge of, as his FTD is too advanced for him to manage it with his team

During one moment, an unsteady Bruce reached his other hand for the railing, appearing to use it for support.

Bruce has an estimated $250million in the bank, which his wife is reportedly now in charge of, as his FTD is too advanced for him to manage it with his team.

FTD eats away at the parts of the brain that control language, behavior and personality. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, patients don’t lose their memory immediately but instead undergo personality changes.

The disease also attacks areas of the brain responsible for judgment, impulse control and decision-making, leading patients vulnerable to mismanaging their finances, which adds an extra burden on to caregivers.