Don Johnson 'Sends Love' to Bruce Willis as He Opens Up About Their Lifelong Friendship

Mar. 15, 2025

Don Johnson and Bruce Willis in West Hollywood, California, on June 2, 2987.Photo:Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Don Johnsonis sending kind words to his longtime friendBruce Willis.

In an interview withEntertainment Tonightsurrounding the midseason premiere of his hit ABC medical dramaDoctor Odyssey, Johnson briefly touched on his relationship with Willis and the current state of the retired actor’s health.

“We’re best of friends and he’s having a little bit of a struggle right now, and I take this moment to send him love,” Johnson, 75, said of theDie Hardstar.

Willis' family shared in February 2023 that the actor, who turns 70 later this month, was diagnosed withfrontotemporal dementia, after revealing anaphasia diagnosisthe previous year.

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Bruce Willis and Don Johnson.Chris Weeks/WireImage

Chris Weeks/WireImage

In his interview withET, Johnson also recalled advocating for Willis to land a role on the first season of his ’80s seriesMiami Vice, prior to Willis' breakoutMoonlightingdays — and it worked!

“So I called our casting director onMiami Viceand I said, ‘You know, there’s a guy over there and I think he’s a struggling actor, and you should bring him in and read him because he’s really funny and Ithink he’d be good,’ " Johnson continued.

“She brought him in and she read him and she cast him for the wife-beater,” he recalled, joking that sticking his neck out for his talented friend “wasn’t that far” of a stretch.

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Bruce Willis onMiami Vicein 1984.Miami Vice/Youtube

Miami Vice/Youtube

While appearing on the U.K. talk showLoose Womenon Feb. 3, Rumer, 36, said that her dad was “doing really well” as of late.

“He’sdoing great,” she saidvia video link on the show.

“I think what’s so beautiful is the way that we rally around each other is so lovely becausewe really are a unit,” she added of her family, which includes momDemi Moore, 62, and sistersScout Willis, 33, andTallulah Willis, 31.

source: people.com