Matthew Perry says Bruce Willis ‘will be in my prayers for a long time’
Friends actor Matthew Perry says Bruce Willis will “remain in my prayers for a long time” after announcing the 67-year-old is retiring from his acting career.
The actor, who was recently diagnosed with cognitive aphasia, has had cameo appearances in three episodes of the hit US sitcom.
Willis has acted in hit films including the Die Hard series, Pulp Fiction, Armageddon, Moonrise Kingdom, 12 Monkeys and Looper.
According to the NHS, aphasia is more common in people over the age of 65.
Perry wrote on Twitter that Willis is “still the coolest man I’ve met in my entire life.”
“Dear Bruce Willis, I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through, but you’re still the coolest man I’ve met in my entire life.
“You will be in my prayers for a long time. Maybe we should sit down and watch the whole 10 yards and get a few hours sleep,” Perry said, referring to the couple’s critically planned 2004 comedy.
Dear Bruce Willis, I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through, but you’re still the coolest man I’ve met in my entire life. You will remain in my prayers for a long time. Maybe we should sit down and watch the whole 10 meters and get a few hours sleep.
— Matthew Perry (@MatthewPerry) March 31, 2022
Willis’ Friends cameos included The One Where Ross Meets Elizabeth’s Dad, in which he played overprotective father Paul Stevens, whose daughter is dating David Schwimmer’s hapless Ross Geller.
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Willis’ character eventually ends up in a relationship with Rachel, played by Jennifer Aniston.
Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars also sent messages of support for the “awesome badass” actor following the announcement.
Director M Night Shyamalan, Breaking Bad star Dean Norris, Seth Green and Jamie Lee Curtis were among the famous faces to flock to the Willis family.
Shyamalan, who directed the actor in the 2019 superhero thriller Glass, credited Willis as “the hero of that poster on my wall as a kid.”
“All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis,” he said.
“I know his wonderful family surrounds him with support and strength.
“He will always be the hero of the poster on my wall as a kid.”
Announcing the news on social media on Wednesday, Willis’ family said it had been a “really challenging time” for them and thanked fans for their “enduring love, compassion and support.”
Willis married actress Demi Moore in 1987 and had their three eldest children, Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.
I am very proud to have worked with the great Bruce Willis in one of his recent films. That’s very sad.
Legend. https://t.co/ucxWKyQljW
— Matthew Marsden (@matthewdmarsden) March 30, 2022
The couple separated in 2000 but remained amicable and Willis married actress Emma Heming in 2009.
Willis and Heming also share two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/matthew-perry-says-bruce-willis-will-remain-in-my-prayers-for-a-long-time-41509359.html Matthew Perry says Bruce Willis ‘will be in my prayers for a long time’
