LOS ANGELES: Bruce Willis, star of the “Die Hard” trilogy, has declared his retirement from acting due to a mental ailment, his family revealed on Wednesday.

Willis had developed aphasia, a linguistic ailment that causes people to lose their capacity to communicate, according to a statement on Instagram signed by his family.

“Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” read the post.

“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”

Aphasia is most commonly caused by a stroke or a brain injury, however it can also develop gradually and gradually in rare situations.

The disorder impacts a person’s ability to read and write as well as talk and interpret verbal communication.

Since the 1980s, Willis has been a regular on both the small and big screens, rising to notoriety with the TV series “Moonlighting.”

But it was as the hardened hero John McClane in “Die Hard” that he established himself as a bankable major film star, launching a career that has grossed billions of dollars at the box office.

Willis, who recently turned 67, voiced the baby in the hit animated film “Look Who’s Talking” and acted in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.”

However, one of his most well-known appearances in recent decades was as the deceased person seen by child actor Haley Joel Osment in “The Sixth Sense.”

Willis has won a Golden Globe and two Emmys in his career, but he was recently honoured with the Razzie Award for “Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie,” a newly created category.

Willis’ current wife, Emma Heming Willis, as well as his former wife, actress Demi Moore, and his children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn, all signed the Instagram post.

“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support,” it adds.

“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.”

Fellow celebrities reacted quickly to the tweet.

Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “grace and guts! Love to you all”, while Cindy Crawford posted an emoji of praying hands.

Actress and former co-star Elizabeth Perkins wrote: “Sending so much love to you all.”

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