Bruce Willis’ The Sixth Sense co-star Haley Joel Osment and director M. Night Shyamalan both took to social media to praise the actor after he announced on March 30 that he was being diagnosed with aphasia resigns from the profession. Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage that impairs a person’s ability to communicate. Osment’s acting breakthrough came in 1999’s supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense, which grossed $672 million worldwide and earned six Oscar nominations. Osment was nominated for an Academy Award for Supporting Actor.
“It was difficult to find the right words for someone I’ve always looked up to — first on the big screen and then through a wild stroke of luck in person,” Osment wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “He is a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a unique career spanning almost half a century. I’m so grateful for what I got to witness first hand and for the tremendous body of work he created for us to enjoy for years to come.”
Osment added, “I just wanted to express the respect and deep admiration I have for Bruce and his family as they move forward with the courage and good humor that have always characterized them.”
Shyamalan directed Willis not only in The Sixth Sense, but also in Unbreakable and Glass. The filmmaker wrote on Twitter: “All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know that his wonderful family surrounds him with support and strength. As a kid he will always be the hero of the poster on my wall.”
John Travolta was another former Willis co-star who took to social media to praise the actor. The two actors both appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, while Willis provided the baby’s voice in the Travolta comedy Look Who’s Talking.
“Bruce and I became good friends when we shared two of our biggest hits together,” Travolta wrote. “Years later he said to me, ‘John, I just want you to know that when something good happens to you, I feel like it will happen to me.’ He’s that generous. I love you Bruce.”
Willis’ family revealed his aphasia diagnosis and retirement in a joint statement. “This is a truly challenging time for our family and we are so grateful for your continued love, compassion and support,” the family said. “We’re going through this as a strong family unit and wanted to include his fans because we know how much he means to you, just as you mean to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up,’ and together we plan to do just that.”
All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know that his wonderful family surrounds him with support and strength. He will always be the hero of the poster on my wall as a kid.
— M. Night Shyamalan ⌛ (@MNightShyamalan) March 31, 2022
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