Razzie Awards rescind Bruce Willis 'honour' after aphasia diagnosis

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
·2 min read
File photo dated 07/02/13 of Bruce Willis arriving for the UK film premiere of A Good Day To Die Hard. People debate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not as much as whether to have Brussels sprouts for Christmas dinner, a survey has found.
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The Razzies have rescinded Bruce Willis' recent award after it was announced that the actor is suffering from aphasia.

The Die Hard star’s family shared this week that he was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with the brain condition, which can affect a person's speech and ability to write.

It came just days after the Golden Raspberry Awards – or Razzies – ‘honoured’ Willis.

Read more: Director Kevin Smith feels like 'an asshole' for past Bruce Willis comments

The show rewards the worst in films and this year featured a special category entitled Worst Performance By Bruce Willis In A 2021 Movie.

Willis, 67, went up against himself eight times within the category for films including American Siege, Apex, Deadlock and Out Of Death and “won” for his performance in Cosmic Sin.

Megan Fox and Bruce Willis in Midnight in the Switchgrass (Lionsgate UK)
Megan Fox and Bruce Willis in Midnight in the Switchgrass (Lionsgate UK)

The Razzies have now said that it was “not appropriate” to award gongs to those whose medical conditions may have affected their performances.

“After much thought and consideration, the Razzies have made the decision to rescind the Razzie Award given to Bruce Willis, due to his recently disclosed diagnosis,” organisers said in a statement.

“If someone’s medical condition is a factor in their decision making and/or their performance, we acknowledge that it is not appropriate to give them a Razzie.”

The awards show initially took a lighter approach when news of Willis’ health issues emerged.

“The Razzies are truly sorry for #BruceWillis diagnosed condition,” they tweeted.

“Perhaps this explains why he wanted to go out with a bang in 2021.

“The stupid plot, dismal dialogue, moral turpitude and dispiriting torpor of this movie makes watching it utterly pointless,” the Toronto Sun said about this by-the-numbers Bruce Willis action flick.
Bruce Willis in Precious Cargo which was also savaged by critics. (Lionsgate)

“Our best wishes to Bruce and family.”

They added: “To clarify, we heard about Willis’ diagnosis at the same time everyone else did…just this morning.”

Organisers have also said they are rescinding their nomination of Shelley Duvall, who was nominated at the first Razzies for her performance in The Shining.

Read more: Celebrities react to Bruce Willis stepping away from acting amid aphasia battle

“We have since discovered that Duvall’s performance was impacted by Stanley Kubrick’s treatment of her throughout the production,” they said.

“We would like to take this opportunity to rescind that nomination as well.”

Additional reporting from PA.

Watch: Channing Tatum reacts to Bruce Willis diagnosis