Bruce Willis attends a 2013 photo call for the film "A Good Day to Die Hard."
In pictures: Actor Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis attends a 2013 photo call for the film "A Good Day to Die Hard."
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Updated 6:26 PM EST, Fri February 17, 2023

By Brook Joyner and Kyle Almond, CNN

The family of actor Bruce Willis shared an update on his health and a new diagnosis on Thursday, February 16.

Willis, 67, has a form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia, or FTD for short. According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an "umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language."

Willis' family announced last year that he was suffering from a medical condition and would be taking a break from acting.

Willis rose to prominence in the late 1980s, starting with his leading role on the TV series "Moonlighting." He then became an action hero with the "Die Hard" movie franchise.

CNN's Lisa Respers France contributed to this report.

Willis starred with Cybill Shepherd in the TV series "Moonlighting" from 1985 to 1989. They played private detectives in the comedy-drama, aka a "dramedy."
Willis starred with Cybill Shepherd in the TV series "Moonlighting" from 1985 to 1989. They played private detectives in the comedy-drama, aka a "dramedy."
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Willis accepts a best actor Emmy Award for "Moonlighting" in 1987.
Willis accepts a best actor Emmy Award for "Moonlighting" in 1987.
Nick Ut/AP
Willis puts his arm around musician Billy Joel as they sing together in New York in 1987. Willis released his own debut album that year, "The Return of Bruno."
Willis puts his arm around musician Billy Joel as they sing together in New York in 1987. Willis released his own debut album that year, "The Return of Bruno."
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Willis put a new spin on the action hero archetype when he starred in the 1988 film "Die Hard." Many action movies in the '80s involved muscle-bound protagonists that seemed nearly invincible. Willis' John McClane was more vulnerable but also more relatable.
Willis put a new spin on the action hero archetype when he starred in the 1988 film "Die Hard." Many action movies in the '80s involved muscle-bound protagonists that seemed nearly invincible. Willis' John McClane was more vulnerable but also more relatable.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Willis married another major movie star, Demi Moore, in 1987. The two have three daughters — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. They divorced in 2000.
Willis married another major movie star, Demi Moore, in 1987. The two have three daughters — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. They divorced in 2000.
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Willis, left, appears on a Wayne's World skit during an episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1989.
Willis, left, appears on a Wayne's World skit during an episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1989.
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Willis is seen with his young daughters Scout, left, and Rumer, in this photo that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb0rLqCPsC6/?hl=en" target="_blank" target="_blank">Rumer posted to her Instagram account</a> in 2022. "Thank you for teaching me to be so silly," she wrote.
Willis is seen with his young daughters Scout, left, and Rumer, in this photo that Rumer posted to her Instagram account in 2022. "Thank you for teaching me to be so silly," she wrote.
From Rumer Willis/Instagram
Willis and Meryl Streep appear together in the 1992 film "Death Becomes Her."
Willis and Meryl Streep appear together in the 1992 film "Death Becomes Her."
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Willis, third from right, poses with some of his "Pulp Fiction" co-stars in 1994. With Willis, from left, are Samuel L. Jackson, Maria de Medeiros, Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman and John Travolta. Tarantino also directed the film.
Willis, third from right, poses with some of his "Pulp Fiction" co-stars in 1994. With Willis, from left, are Samuel L. Jackson, Maria de Medeiros, Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman and John Travolta. Tarantino also directed the film.
Eric Robert/Sygma/Getty Images
Willis appears with Brad Pitt in a scene from the 1995 film "12 Monkeys."
Willis appears with Brad Pitt in a scene from the 1995 film "12 Monkeys."
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Willis leaves his handprints outside Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1995.
Willis leaves his handprints outside Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1995.
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Willis and his family — from left, Scout, Rumer and Moore — attend the premiere of Moore's new movie "Striptease" in 1996.
Willis and his family — from left, Scout, Rumer and Moore — attend the premiere of Moore's new movie "Striptease" in 1996.
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Willis performs at a concert in Berlin in 1996. Willis was born in West Germany in 1955. His dad, David, was an American soldier, and his mom, Marlene, was German. Willis grew up in New Jersey after his father was discharged from the military.
Willis performs at a concert in Berlin in 1996. Willis was born in West Germany in 1955. His dad, David, was an American soldier, and his mom, Marlene, was German. Willis grew up in New Jersey after his father was discharged from the military.
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Willis appears on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno in 1997.
Willis appears on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno in 1997.
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Willis and Milla Jovovich star in the 1997 sci-fi movie "The Fifth Element."
Willis and Milla Jovovich star in the 1997 sci-fi movie "The Fifth Element."
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Willis led a team of oil drillers that helped save the world in the 1998 film "Armageddon."
Willis led a team of oil drillers that helped save the world in the 1998 film "Armageddon."
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Willis and Haley Joel Osment appear in "The Sixth Sense" in 1999.
Willis and Haley Joel Osment appear in "The Sixth Sense" in 1999.
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Willis acts opposite David Schwimmer in an episode of "Friends" in 2000.
Willis acts opposite David Schwimmer in an episode of "Friends" in 2000.
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Willis, as a national spokesman for Children in Foster Care, watches Danita Strauss kiss her son Tyler after his adoption was finalized in 2002.
Willis, as a national spokesman for Children in Foster Care, watches Danita Strauss kiss her son Tyler after his adoption was finalized in 2002.
Rene Macura/AP
Willis visits US troops in Kuwait in 2003.
Willis visits US troops in Kuwait in 2003.
Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP/Getty Images
Willis appears in a "Sin City" scene with Michael Madsen in 2005.
Willis appears in a "Sin City" scene with Michael Madsen in 2005.
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Willis walks the red carpet at the "Sin City" premiere in Los Angeles in 2005.
Willis walks the red carpet at the "Sin City" premiere in Los Angeles in 2005.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Willis and his daughter Rumer appear together in the 2005 film "Hostage."
Willis and his daughter Rumer appear together in the 2005 film "Hostage."
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Willis poses with the animal character RJ, who he voices in the 2006 animated film "Over the Hedge."
Willis poses with the animal character RJ, who he voices in the 2006 animated film "Over the Hedge."
Eric Gaillard/Reuters
Willis shows his support for the Chicago Bears as he attends the Super Bowl in 2007. He is joined by his daughters Tallulah and Rumer, his ex-wife Moore and Moore's husband, actor Ashton Kutcher.
Willis shows his support for the Chicago Bears as he attends the Super Bowl in 2007. He is joined by his daughters Tallulah and Rumer, his ex-wife Moore and Moore's husband, actor Ashton Kutcher.
Amy Sancetta/AP
Willis and fellow actors Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson listen to a boy give thanks during the curtain call for a staged reading of "The World of Nick Adams" in 2008. The event benefited the Painted Turtle, a camp and family care center founded by actor Paul Newman for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Willis and fellow actors Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson listen to a boy give thanks during the curtain call for a staged reading of "The World of Nick Adams" in 2008. The event benefited the Painted Turtle, a camp and family care center founded by actor Paul Newman for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Eric Risberg/AP
Willis looks at Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who was playing a younger version of Willis' character in the time-travel film "Looper" in 2012. Gordon-Levitt wore prosthetic makeup to look more like Willis, and he even adopted some of Willis' speech patterns and mannerisms.
Willis looks at Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who was playing a younger version of Willis' character in the time-travel film "Looper" in 2012. Gordon-Levitt wore prosthetic makeup to look more like Willis, and he even adopted some of Willis' speech patterns and mannerisms.
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Willis, center, stars in "Moonrise Kingdom" in 2012.
Willis, center, stars in "Moonrise Kingdom" in 2012.
Niko Tavernise/Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection
Willis attends the Berlin premiere of his latest "Die Hard" sequel in 2013. There have been five "Die Hard" movies, including the first one in 1988.
Willis attends the Berlin premiere of his latest "Die Hard" sequel in 2013. There have been five "Die Hard" movies, including the first one in 1988.
Franziska Krug/German Select/Getty Images
Willis and his second wife, model Emma Heming Willis, attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2014. The two were married in 2009, and they have two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
Willis and his second wife, model Emma Heming Willis, attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2014. The two were married in 2009, and they have two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
Leon Addison Brown, Willis and Laurie Metcalf attend the opening night of the Broadway play "Misery" in 2015.
Leon Addison Brown, Willis and Laurie Metcalf attend the opening night of the Broadway play "Misery" in 2015.
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Willis attends his Comedy Central roast in 2018.
Willis attends his Comedy Central roast in 2018.
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Willis throws out the first pitch before a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game in 2019.
Willis throws out the first pitch before a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game in 2019.
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Willis attends Moore's book party in 2019 with their daughters and his second wife, Emma Heming Willis. From left are Rumer Willis, Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis.
Willis attends Moore's book party in 2019 with their daughters and his second wife, Emma Heming Willis. From left are Rumer Willis, Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis.
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Willis is directed by M. Night Shyamalan in the 2019 film "Glass."
Willis is directed by M. Night Shyamalan in the 2019 film "Glass."
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