Bruce Willis displayed signs of cognitive issues, such as memory loss and confusion, on movie sets in the recent years leading up to his aphasia diagnosis and retirement from acting, filmmakers and co-stars say.

“Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” the family statement, signed by wife, Emma, ex-wife Demi Moore, and daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn, read. Now, directors, producers and former co-stars who worked with Willis on various movies in recent years are recalling the concerns they expressed over what they viewed as an obvious decline in his ability to perform at his best.

“After we finished, I said: ‘I’m done. I’m not going to do any other Bruce Willis movies.’ I am relieved that he is taking time off.”

A LOOK AT BRUCE WILLIS’ UPCOMING ACTING ROLE IN ‘PARADISE CITY,’ HIS STORIED HOLLYWOOD CAREER. Almost two dozen people who worked with Willis in some capacity on movies in recent years told the LA Times that they voiced their concerns.

BRUCE WILLIS DIAGNOSED WITH APHASIA, ‘STEPPING AWAY’ FROM ACTING, FAMILY REVEALS. Actress Kent, whose back was to Willis in the scene, recalled being unaware of “What was happening behind me.” Willis was expected to deliver the line before shooting the gun, but it appeared the gun fired before he delivered the line.

Johnson, who directed “White Elephant,” said it was clear last spring on set in Georgia that Willis “Was not the Bruce I remembered.”

Matthew Marsden tweeted, “I’m very proud to have worked opposite the great Bruce Willis in one of his last movies. This is very sad. Legend.”