Demi Moore and her daughters have intensified efforts to secure an honorary Oscar for Bruce Willis, whose acting career has been halted by a debilitating neurological condition. Moore, the former spouse of the "Die Hard" star, is reportedly leading a behind-the-scenes campaign to gain recognition for Willis' decades-long contribution to Hollywood, as his health continues to decline.
"She and his daughters feel Bruce's contribution to modern cinema is undeniable," a source told the Globe. "Everybody knows Bruce is overdue, and at some point, it will be too late."
Willis, 69, stepped away from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder affecting communication. In 2023, his family disclosed that the condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a degenerative brain disorder. Reports now indicate his condition has worsened; he is largely non-verbal and struggling with both reading and writing, making day-to-day communication increasingly difficult.
Despite his illness, Willis' cinematic legacy remains prominent. His iconic roles in Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, and numerous action hits have made him a household name and a box-office staple over decades. Yet, unlike peers such as Tom Cruise and Samuel L. Jackson-both recipients of honorary Oscars-Willis has not received similar formal recognition from the Academy.
"It seems like the Academy got it wrong this year by recognizing Tom over Bruce, but it only puts more pressure on Bruce's family to do something for him sooner rather than later," said one insider.
Moore, 61, who was recently nominated for her own work in The Substance, is said to be determined. "Demi has made getting Bruce an honorary Oscar her mission," the source added. "But the Academy is a huge organization with its own agenda. But she is not going to let them forget about Bruce and his legacy."
The actor's family celebrated his 70th birthday in March as a tribute to his career and personal resilience. Despite the festivities, the occasion was marked by a growing sense of urgency. "Time is running out," the source noted.
Willis' last credited role was in the 2023 action film Assassin, where he played a military corporation chief. His career, spanning more than four decades, includes performances that helped define the modern action genre.
