Bruce Willis (L); Liam Neeson.Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Liam Neeson is keepingBruce Willisat the forefront of his thoughts.
Speaking with theNew York Postahead of the release ofhis filmMemory— in which Neeson, 69, plays a hitman struggling with memory loss — the actor said of Willis, 67, “My heart goes out to him.”
“I think about him every day,” said Neeson of his fellow action-film star.
Willis' family shared last month thathe is retiring from actingafter beingdiagnosed with aphasia. According toMayo Clinic, aphasia “robs you of the ability to communicate” and “can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written.”
Of the condition affecting an actor like Willis, Neeson told thePost, “It’s particularly poignant, isn’t it? I wish him all the best.”
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Willis' family revealed on social media that he is “stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him” after “experiencing some health issues,” including a recent diagnosis with aphasia that is “impacting his cognitive abilities.”
TheDie Hardactor’s wifeEmma Heming Willis,with whom he shares two young daughters — Mabel, 10, andEvelyn, 7, plus ex-wifeDemi Mooreand their adult daughtersRumer Willis, 33,Scout Willis, 30, andTallulah Willis, 38 — all signed the message that also read in part, “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.”
A source told PEOPLE in a cover story earlier this month that Willis' loved ones are more grateful than ever for joyful family times, includingcelebrating Mabel’s 10th birthdaytwo days after announcing his retirement.
“Emma is especially grateful for the daughters she shares with Bruce,” the insider said. “Everyone is focused on all thehappy moments they are able to share.”
The star’s family is “doing whatever they can [to support him],” a source close to Willis added. “They have rallied around him in a big way to help Bruce cope with what is to come.”
RELATED VIDEO: Bruce Willis' Heartbreaking Diagnosis: Family Is “Focused on All the Happy Moments They Are Able to Share”
InMemory, Neeson plays an assassin-for-hire who is tasked with crossing his own personal moral code when he’s assigned to take out a child.
While seeking revenge and going against those who put him up to the mission, he’s alsostruggling with memory lossafter being diagnosed with a condition, complicating his process.
Memoryis in theaters April 29.
source: people.com
