Like many people, I was shocked and saddened at the announcement that Bruce Willis has retired from acting due to being diagnosed with aphasia. It is a cognitive disorder which inhibits one from speaking and or speaking coherently. It is not clear what caused Willis' condition though aphasia can be caused by a stroke, a brain tumor or infection, head trauma or Alzheimer's,
In recent years, Willis had trouble remembering lines and even allegedly fired a prop gun ahead of cue. Yet when I saw the photo daughter Rumer Willis posed on Instagram, there appeared something of a devilish, mischievous grin.
That grin made me think of David Addison, his breakout role in the 1980's ABC dramedy Moonlighting which he co-starred with Cybil Shepherd. In his early days of stardom, Willis was considered a comedic actor. When most people think of Willis they think of John McClane in the Die Hard movies and other action-adventure roles. Perhaps his greatest acting role was that of boxer Butch Coolidge in Pulp Fiction which saw a more existentialist and introspective Willis which perhaps only Quentin Taratino could bring out.
While it has been more than 30 years since I've seen an episode of Moonlighting, his fast talking charm and silliness is what I will always remember best about Bruce Willis. I have inserted a video of Willis' screen test and it is very clear that he just had it. Bruce Willis might no longer have what he used to have but there is still a glimmer of it in his eyes and in his smile. So long as that remains then so long shall he live.
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