Sylvester Stallone Reveals Bruce Willis Is Going Through ‘Really, Really Difficult Times’ After Devastating Diagnosis

Earlier this year, we reported that the Hollywood legend Bruce Willis had retired from acting after being diagnosed with the debilitating brain condition aphasia. Now, the Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone is giving an update about Willis’ health, and it does not sound good.

‘It’s So Sad’

Stallone, who has been friends with Willis for decades, told the Hollywood Reporter earlier this week that the former Die Hard star has been struggling since his diagnosis. 

“Bruce is going through some really, really difficult times,” Stallone said. “So he’s been sort of incommunicado. That kills me. It’s so sad.”

After Willis’ family announced his diagnosis back in March, Stallone took to Instagram to offer his support. 

“We go back a long way, praying for the best for you and your wonderful family,” Stallone wrote alongside some photos of himself with Willis.

Related: James Woods Pays Touching Tribute To Bruce Willis After Learning Of His Career-Ending Diagnosis

Willis’ Diagnosis

This came after Willis’ family announced his diagnosis with aphasia, which they said is”impacting his cognitive abilities.” The Mayo Clinic defines aphasia as a disorder “that affects how you communicate. It can impact your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language.”

“Aphasia usually happens suddenly after a stroke or a head injury,” the clinic continues. “But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative). The severity of aphasia depends on a number of things, including the cause and the extent of the brain damage.”

Willis’ family revealed his diagnosis to the world in an Instagram post back in March. 

“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” Willis’ family said in a statement, according to E! News. “As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”

Though Willis is indeed retiring from acting, he has three films that were already completed at the time of his diagnosis that are set to be released in the future. 

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

Related: Bruce Willis Retires From Acting After Devastating Diagnosis

Stallone And Willis’ History

Page Six reported that Stallone and Willis have been friends for decades, and they both became involved in the restaurant Planet Hollywood together back in 1991.

The pair would later star onscreen together in the 2010 movie The Expendables, an experience that unfortunately sparked a feud between them that resulted in Willis pulling out of the third installment of the film series. Harrison Ford was ultimately cast to replace Willis in the third movie in 2013, something that Stallone celebrated on Twitter at the time.

“WILLIS OUT…HARRISON FORD IN  !!!! GREAT NEWS !!!!!  Been waiting years for this!!!!!” Stallone wrote.

Thankfully, Stallone and Willis were able to make amends a few years later, and they have been friends ever since.

This has obviously been an incredibly difficult time for Willis, as well as for his family and friends. Please join in saying a prayer for Willis as he continues on this grueling health battle.