Arnold Schwarzenegger Comments on Bruce Willis retirement In an interview with CinemaBlend
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As the renowned action star Bruce Willis announces his retirement, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who stood side by side with him in the movie franchise "The Expendables," is showcasing his deep respect and admiration.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, the "FUBAR" actor said he thinks Willis is "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," Schwarzenegger said.
He added that the "Die Hard" star is "a kind man."
As the dominant action stars of the '80's and '90's, Schwarzenegger and Willis, along with "Rambo" actor Sylvester Stallone, were considered to be rivals in the acting world and part of a "holy trinity" in the action genre.
In 1991, the trio formed a renowned friendship and collectively supported the establishment of the restaurant franchise, Planet Hollywood. Their association became widely recognized and celebrated.
When asked about Willis' legacy, Schwarzenegger added, "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."
In March 2022, the family of Willis, including his wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore, and their three daughters, made an announcement. They revealed that the actor had decided to retire from acting due to his diagnosis of aphasia, a condition resulting from brain damage affecting language functions. Willis' final film appearance was in "Assassin," which premiered this past March.
More recently, earlier this year, the family disclosed that his condition had further developed, leading to a more precise diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are affected by this neurodegenerative illness, which impairs individuals' ability to communicate and engage socially.
In a statement signed "Ladies of Willis/Moore," the family acknowledged that communication difficulties were just one of the symptoms Bruce faced. While this news brought pain, they found relief in obtaining a clear diagnosis.
Following the announcement of Willis' retirement, numerous actors paid tribute to their former co-star and friend. John Travolta, who shared the screen with Willis in "Pulp Fiction," took to Instagram in April to share two throwback photos of their time together.
Travolta's caption conveyed their strong friendship, quoting Willis as saying, "John, I just want you to know that when something good happens to you, I feel like it’s happening to me." He highlighted Willis' generous nature and expressed his love for him.
Haley Joel Osment, who portrayed Cole in the 1999 thriller "The Sixth Sense," expressed his gratitude for Willis in an Instagram post. He described the difficulty in finding words for someone he had always admired, both onscreen and in person. Osment praised Willis as a true legend and acknowledged the profound impact he had on their lives throughout his remarkable career spanning almost five decades