What happened between Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd on the set of Moonlighting?

Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd reportedly "hated each other" and were "very hard to be around" while co-starring on the 1980s TV series Moonlighting.

How did Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd's relationship change before his retirement?

Despite their past issues, Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd were able to reconcile and become "real open-hearted with each other" in the years leading up to Willis's retirement from acting.

What health condition was Bruce Willis diagnosed with?

Bruce Willis was first diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder, in 2022, which later progressed to frontotemporal dementia.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd Reconnect Before His Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis

Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd Reconnect Before His Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis

29 Oct

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Summary

Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022 due to aphasia diagnosis
His condition progressed to frontotemporal dementia
Cybill Shepherd and Willis mended their relationship before his health struggles
They had a tumultuous past while co-starring on Moonlighting in the 1980s

Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd Reconnect Before His Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis

In October 2025, it was reported that iconic actor Bruce Willis had retired from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder affecting communication. Nearly a year later, his family shared that his condition had worsened, progressing into frontotemporal dementia.

While Willis, known for his roles in Die Hard and The Sixth Sense, has stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight, it seems he and his former Moonlighting co-star Cybill Shepherd were able to mend their relationship before his health struggles became public. Back in 2000, Shepherd had characterized Willis as a "jerk" and claimed they "hated each other" while working together on the 1980s TV series.