Sylvester Stallone has released a heartbreaking update on his longtime friend and co-star Bruce Willis.
The ‘Die Hard star’s family announced his diagnosis of aphasia earlier this year, forcing him to quit acting.
Speaking about Willis’ condition, Stallone, 75, a friend of decades with the 67-year-old ‘Armageddon’ actor, said he has been “in isolation” since the diagnosis.
“Bruce is going through a very, very difficult time. So it was kind of an incommunicado. That kills me. It’s very sad, “Sly told The Hollywood Reporter.
According to the Mayo Clinic, aphasia is a condition that can affect a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language, with treatment that includes speech and language therapies.
When the actor’s diagnosis was revealed in March, Stallone shared a heartfelt post on Instagram as he sent good wishes to his friend.
“We have lived a long time, praying for the best for you and your wonderful family,” he wrote, along with several snapshots of the couple.
The silver screen legends met years ago and soon became involved with Planet Hollywood in 1991. The restaurant was also endorsed by Willis’ ex-wives, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Sly and Willis then starred in the 2010 blockbuster franchise film “The Expendables.” The couple’s involvement in the film caused a major feud between them, which eventually led Willis to withdraw from the third installment of the film.
Harrison Ford was cast to replace Willis in the film, and Stallone apparently celebrated the news, tweeting in 2013: “WILLIS OUT … HARRISON FORD IN !!!! GREAT NEWS !!!!! I have been waiting for this for years !!!!!!
The couple managed to overcome their problem years later and have been good friends ever since.
In March, the actor’s wife, Emma Heming, along with his ex-wife, Moore, and their children, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah, released a joint statement revealing Willis would be retiring due to ill health.
“Bruce’s amazing fans, as a family, we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and was recently diagnosed with aphasia which is affecting his cognitive abilities,” they wrote on Instagram.
“As a result of this and with a lot of consideration, Bruce is moving away from the career that has meant so much to him,” they continued. “As Bruce always says, ‘Live up to it, and together we plan to do just that.”
