Sylvester Stallone reveals heartbreaking update on Bruce Willis

Sylvester Stallone has given heartbreaking insight into the health battle facing his longtime friend and silver screen co-star, Bruce Willis.

Sylvester Stallone has issued a heartbreaking update on his longtime friend and co-star, Bruce Willis.

The Die Hard star’s family revealed the actor had received an aphasia diagnosis earlier this year, which forced him to retire from acting.

Speaking about Willis’ condition, Stallone – who has been friends with the actor for more than three decades – said he’s been “incommunicado” ever since the diagnosis.

Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone pictured in 2011. Picture: Getty Images

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

According to the Mayo Clinic in the US, aphasia is a condition that can affect a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language, with treatment including speech and language therapies.

When Willis’ diagnosis was revealed in March, Stallone posted an emotional tribute in support of his friend.

“We go back a long way, praying for the best for you and your wonderful family,” he wrote alongside several photos of the pair.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Sylvester Stallone at the launch of Planet Hollywood in 1991. Picture: Supplied

The two Hollywood legends even became business partners in 1991 when they launched the Planet Hollywood restaurant franchise alongside Willis’ wife, Demi Moore, and fellow action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Stallone and Willis later starred in the hit 2010 film franchise, The Expendables, with the sequel premiering just two years later in 2012.

Willis, who played CIA operative Mr Church, was set to star in the third instalment but quit the film after a reported “money demand” was not met.

Harrison Ford soon signed on as Willis’ replacement, prompting Stallone to post a furious tweet at his estranged mate.

Bruce Willis with his wife Emma Heming in 2009. The couple has two daughters. Picture: Getty Images

“WILLIS OUT … HARRISON FORD IN! GREAT NEWS! Been waiting years for this!!!!!

“GREEDY AND LAZY … … A SURE FORMULA FOR CAREER FAILURE,” he added.

Despite the very public criticism, Stallone insisted in an interview around the same time as the explosive tweets that he still considered Willis a “lifelong friend” and that his tweet came out of “frustration”.

Years later, the pair managed to patch things up and have remained close friends ever since.

In March, Willis’ wife Emma Heming (with whom he has two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn), along with his ex-wife, Demi Moore, and their kids, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah, released a joint statement revealing the star was retiring from the big screen due to his ongoing health struggles.

Bruce Willis remains close to ex-wife Demi Moore, and the two families spent lockdown together. Picture: Instagram

“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,” they wrote on Instagram.

“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” they continued.

“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”

Originally published as Sylvester Stallone reveals heartbreaking update on Bruce Willis