What is aphasia? Bruce Willis is 'stepping away from acting after diagnosis

Written by sidhanta

Bruce Willis' decision to end his acting career of more than four decades after a recent aphasia diagnosis has put a spotlight on the somewhat rare disorder.

Aphasia describes a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate verbally or through writing. 

 It affects an estimated 2 million people in the U.S., and nearly 180,000 acquire it every year, according to the National Aphasia Association.

Willis' daughter Rumer Willis posted Wednesday on Instagram that the condition has affected her father's "cognitive abilities."

"As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him," the post said.

The most common cause of aphasia is brain damage from a stroke. It can also arise as a result of a head injury, a brain tumor, an infection or a degenerative disease like Alzheimer's.

Willis, an Emmy-winning actor and the star of hit movies like "Die Hard" and "The Sixth Sense," turned 67 this month.

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