Arnold Schwarzenegger shares touching tribute to Bruce Willis
Arnold Schwarzenegger has shared a tribute to his The Expendables co-star Bruce Willis after Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
Willis' family announced the news earlier this year in February, which followed the news last year that he was stepping away from acting following a diagnosis of aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person's cognitive skills.
In a new interview with Cinema Blend to promote his new Netflix show FUBAR, Schwarzenegger took a moment to pay tribute to Willis.
Related: Bruce Willis' family provides health update as he is diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia
"I think that he's fantastic. He was, always for years and years, is a huge, huge star. And I think that he will always be remembered as a great, great star. And a kind man," Schwarzenegger said.
He continued: "I understand that under his circumstances, health-wise, that he had to retire. But in general, you know, we never really retire. Action heroes, they reload."
Schwarzenegger co-starred with Willis in the film series The Expendables. This followed a stellar career in which Willis starred in multiple iconic pictures including Pulp Fiction, the Die Hard series, and The Sixth Sense.
Related: Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting following aphasia diagnosis
Willis was forced to retire from acting last year following that aforementioned aphasia diagnosis. At the time, Willis' daughter Rumer took to Instagram to share the news.
"Our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his 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," Rumer wrote.
The condition progressed, however, and he was later re-diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, explained the news on Instagram.
Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger open to Marvel movie role
"Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis," she wrote.
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