M. Night Shyamalan Says He Considers Bruce Willis as a 'Big Brother': 'He Protected Me'

Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Bruce Willis and M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night Shyamalan is praising frequent collaborator Bruce Willis for his talent — and for making him feel "protected."

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker, 52, previously worked with Willis, 67, on multiple films including 1999's The Sixth Sense and 2000's Unbreakable, in which he played David Dunn. He reprised his role as Dunn in two of Shyamalan's later films: 2016's Split and 2019's Glass.

Asked by The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview what he remembers about "the first time you felt the power of Bruce Willis in person," Shyamalan said in part, "When I was a kid, I had his posters up on my wall, and only he could play that character in Pulp Fiction or Die Hard."

"And for him to be so pivotal in my life and start my career means so much," he added. "Our families are also very close, and I will always think of him as a big brother and remember how much he protected me."

"So the things that are happening with him are happening to a family member," said the Servant showrunner, referring to Willis' aphasia diagnosis, which his family revealed last year.

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Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Bruce Willis and M. Night Shyamalan

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Shyamalan also praised Willis as "a true movie star": "I'm not being self-deprecating here, but I'm a nerdy, boring dude most of the time. But when I first got to hang out with him, I felt the electric charm of this blue-collar, great-looking guy."

"He could take over a room with his humor and his charm, and that's what he could imbue into his characters," Shyamalan added.

The filmmaker previously said in a 2020 interview with The New Indian Express that he and Willis have remained friends over the years, telling the outlet, "Bruce and I have actually stayed in touch and our families have stayed close. So, we've stayed in touch and he's always been the big brother in my life … since I was a little kid, you know."

Shyamalan added, "He's the one that took the big risk on me and protected me."

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Following Willis' family's March 2022 announcement of his aphasia diagnosis and decision to step away from acting, Shyamalan shared a tweet sending support.

"All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know his wonderful family is surrounding him with support and strength," he wrote. "He will always be that hero on that poster on my wall as [a] kid."

Willis' Sixth Sense costar Haley Joel Osment also sent well wishes, writing alongside a dapper black-and-white throwback snapshot of Willis, "It's been difficult to find the right words for someone I've always looked up to — first on the big screen, and then by some wild stroke of luck, in person."

The Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile actor, 34, went on to say he considers Willis "a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century."

"I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come," Osment added. "I just wanted to express the respect and deep admiration I have for Bruce and his family as they move forward with the courage and high spirits that have always defined them."