Arnold Schwarzenegger pays special tribute to Bruce Willis after he was forced to retire

Arnold Schwarzenegger has addressed Bruce Willis' retirement with a touching tribute.

Early last year, Willis' family publicly announced the actor had been diagnosed with aphasia - a condition caused by brain damage which affects a person's language or ability to speak - and so would be stepping away from his career in the film and TV industry.

In February 2023, it was revealed Willis had since been given a 'more specific diagnosis' of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

And his co-star from action movie, The Expendables, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has since reflected on his friend's retirement from acting.

Schwarzenegger and Willis came together as action icons on the first and second Expendables movies (2010 and 2012).

Willis took on the role of Mr Church, an undercover agent for the CIA posing as a man who does business deals inside a (you guessed it) church.

And Schwarzenegger plays the character of Trench Mauser - a rival mercenary and former teammate of Expendables leader Barney Ross.

Alamy Stock Photo/ AFF

In a recent interview, Schwarzenegger applauded his Expendables co-star as 'fantastic'.

He told Cinema Blend: "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.

"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."

Lionsgate

In a post to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's (AFTD) website, Willis' family thanked all fans and friends of the star for their ongoing support.

The statement reads: "As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months. Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it.

"[...] Bruce has always found joy in life - and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us.

"We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time.

"Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible."

REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo

Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, has been open online about the Die Hard star's journey with the condition and how the family are helping him with his diagnosis.

Recently, she spoke about the incredible way young Evelyn is helping out her dad, which left the proud mom an ‘absolute puddle’.

Evelyn told her that she had been 'looking up facts' about her father's condition during her free time at school, which Emma called the most ‘loving and compassionate thing you can do’.