Bill Murray Gets Choked Up Talking About ‘Good Friend’ Bruce Willis’ Brave Battle with Dementia

In a heartfelt moment during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Bill Murray choked up as he recalled his “good friend” Bruce Willis, particularly reflecting on their time working together in Wes Anderson’s 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom. The actor, 74, became visibly emotional as he spoke about Willis, who is currently battling dementia, and their enduring friendship.

Murray was on the show to promote his new movie The Friend, but host Andy Cohen steered the conversation toward Murray’s extensive collaborations with director Wes Anderson. When asked to rank some of Anderson’s films, including Moonrise Kingdom, Murray praised the 2012 romcom for its “beautiful and lovely” qualities, reminiscing about the time spent working alongside Willis on the project.

“I got to work with, and I got to have a wonderful time with Bruce Willis, [who] we should remember today. He just had a birthday,” Murray said, before adding with a smile, “Bruce Willis is a good guy. He’s a good f***ing guy. And he was a good friend.”

The mention of Willis’ birthday was especially poignant, as the Die Hard star had recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Murray’s comments were filled with warmth and admiration for his friend, who is currently living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition that led to Willis stepping away from acting in 2022.

Murray also shared a personal anecdote about the early days of their friendship, recalling how they crossed paths long before Moonrise Kingdom. “Bruce Willis was a page at NBC when I was on Saturday Night Live,” Murray remembered. “His job was to go around to the dressing rooms and refill snacks.” He noted that when they later worked together, Willis recalled their earlier meeting. “He said, ‘You and Gilda [Radner] were nice to me,’ and I always thought, ‘OK, I’m good with this guy.’”

In 2023, Willis’ family publicly shared that he had been diagnosed with FTD, following his earlier diagnosis of aphasia, which had already prompted him to step away from acting. The news brought widespread support from fans and the entertainment community, including Murray, who spoke with great affection for the actor.

On March 19, 2023, Willis celebrated his 70th birthday with his wife, Emma Heming Willis, who honored him on Instagram, further highlighting the actor’s strength and the love surrounding him during this challenging time.

Murray’s emotional reflection on Willis serves as a touching reminder of the bond between the two men, spanning from their early days in the industry to their shared experiences on set. As Willis continues to face health challenges, Murray’s words not only celebrate their friendship but also show the deep respect he has for his longtime colleague.