Aussie director lobbying for Bruce Willis to receive an Oscar following his dementia diagnosis

An Australian director is lobbying for Hollywood actor Bruce Willis to receive an honorary Oscar after he continued to act in blockbuster movies with a neurological condition.  

Edward Drake, who made nine movies with Willis – including the Detective Knight series and American Siege – wants Willis to be acknowledged as he has never won an Academy Award before.

Last month, the star’s family announced that his acting career was sadly coming to an end after they announced he had frontotemporal dementia.

Before this, the 67-year-old was diagnosed with aphasia – a disorder that can affect someone’s ability to understand and express speech – but, he continued acting and giving it his all. 

Drake, who worked on nine films with the A-list actor, said giving Willis an honorary Oscar is ‘the least we can do’.

An Australian director is lobbying for Hollywood actor Bruce Willis to receive an honorary Oscar after he continued to act in blockbuster movies with a neurological condition

Edward Drake (right) who made nine movies with Willis – including the Detective Knight series and American Siege – wants the star to be acknowledged as he has never won an Academy Award

‘We have so many great memories about his movies and I really believe that should be honoured,’ he said.

Speaking to The Herald Sun, Drake said that he was conscious of Willis’ worsening condition while structuring his filming schedule.

‘Everyone was definitely aware of what was going on, and we wanted to honour the man and his wishes and create this incredibly safe and supportive environment along with his team,’ he said.

‘That meant adjusting some of the roles that he played,’ he added.

The 32-year-old director said Willis was a joy to work with, and despite his condition his mantra was to always ‘live it up’.

Last month, the star’s family announced that his acting career was sadly coming to an end after they announced he had frontotemporal dementia 

The 32-year-old director said Willis was a joy to work with, and despite his condition his mantra was to always ‘live it up’

Detective Knight: Independence, which was released in January of this year, was the last movie they worked on together. 

Their first was Anti-Life, which was released in 2020, and the Melbourne director said he instantly got on with the star as he appreciated his ‘Australian cheekiness’. 

Meanwhile, the Die Hard star’s wife Emma Heming Willis is using her voice to ‘raise awareness’ of frontotemporal dementia following her husband’s diagnosis with the disorder.

In video posted to her Instagram last week, Willis, 44, talked channeling her pain into ‘something good’ and using her platform to spread awareness of the ailment.

‘I just saw something about me getting my five minutes, which is great. Which means that you’re listening. So I’m going to take my five minutes and I’m going to turn it into 10 because I’m always going to advocate for my husband,’ she began.

‘And, while I’m at it, I’m going to raise awareness around FTD and for caregivers, who are unsung heroes out there. And then, and then, I am going to turn my grief and my anger and my sadness and do something good around something that feels less than. So, watch this space, because I didn’t come to play.’

It has been a year since Willis’ family announced the actor, 67, would be stepping away from his career after he was diagnosed with aphasia. Last month, his family said the illness had progressed to frontotemporal dementia.

The post was captioned: ‘Just over here turning my 5 mins into 10. I’ve sat around quietly for too long and I’m so ready to be embraced by this solid and loving community my family and I find ourselves in while trying to lift them up in return. Let’s go. #ftdawareness #dementiaawareness #caregiversupport’. 

Detective Knight: Independence, which was released in January of this year, was the last movie they worked on together