Bruce Willis’ Costar Pays Tribute to Actor With DWTS Performance
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actor Reginald VelJohnson paid tribute to his friend and costar Bruce Willis in a recent performance on DANCING WITH THE STARS.
For the performance, VelJohnson and his dancing partner, Emma Slater, performed the Paso Doble to “Ode to Joy.” The performance began with VelJohnson dressed as an officer and saying “I need backup” into a radio before Slater entered the stage. The duo danced around a police car as a tribute to his role in the 1988 film DIE HARD, which he starred in alongside Willis.
In an interview with ET, VelJohnson said, “It made me bring back memories of when I first did that film and I kind of enjoyed it.”
Most of all, he hoped his performance brought joy to his old friend.
“I hope he liked it. I hope he, you know, he’s a very particular kind of man…I want to thank you, Bruce, I love you,” he said.
Willis is currently battling dementia, which has been progressing over the last few years. Movieguide® reported:
In 2022, Willis’ family shared that he had been diagnosed with aphasia. The following year, they announced that his diagnosis had been changed to frontotemporal dementia.
Heming Willis has been an outspoken advocate for caregivers, sharing her journey on social media. She said being “open and honest” with the couple’s daughters about Willis’ condition has been very important.
“The most important thing was to be able, for us, to say what the disease was, explain what it is, because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint it sort of all makes sense,” she told TODAY. “It was important that we let [our daughters] know what it is because I don’t want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad’s diagnosis or any form of dementia.”
Last month, Willis’ daughter Tallulah Willis opened up about her dad’s condition.
“He’s doing stable, which, in this situation is good and is hard,” the 30-year-old said. “There’s painful days, but there’s so much love.”
“It’s really shown me to not take any moment for granted, and I really do think that we’d be best friends,” she continued. “I think he’s very proud of me. You have to be in the moment. You have to be present.”
Tallulah shared a few photos of her with her dad on Instagram earlier this week. “Hey I love this guy so much and feeling feelings is tough stuff, but I’m so grateful to let them flow through me now instead of disconnecting from it! From the forever archives,” she wrote.
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