Shyamalan tearfully reflects on Willis' dementia diagnosis

M. Night Shyamalan and Bruce Willis have made four movies together. The director treats the star as a family member. He admitted that when he found out about Willis' diagnosis, he couldn't stop crying. On the occasion of the premiere of his latest film, he spoke about the actor's current situation.

M. Night Shyamalan began his career in the early 90s with two films funded by family and friends. His breakthrough opportunity came only at the end of the decade when he was offered to direct a moody horror about a boy who talks to the dead and his caring psychologist. Initially, Shyamalan was one of several candidates to direct "The Sixth Sense", but he gained a significant backer in the form of Bruce Willis, who was then a mega-star.

- I think when you have this kind of relationship between art and commerce that the movie industry is, you need someone to be a champion for you that has the ability to protect you as you move through the process. And for me, at 25, 26, Bruce was that person. He used his power, his clout, and just said, ‘I believe in this guy. I believe in this kid, and I believe in this movie - Shyamalan recalled in an online statement that Willis' support was pivotal for his breakthrough, enabling him to maintain artistic freedom.

Bruce Willis was an idol for M. Night Shyamalan, who, since "Die Hard," has constantly wallpapered his room with the actor's posters. Privately, both came from different walks of life.

- 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 said in "The Hollywood Reporter".

"The Sixth Sense" took the world by storm, earning almost a billion pounds. Then Willis appeared in "Unbreakable", "Split", and "Glass" with Shyamalan. Three years after that last film, the actor announced that he suffers from aphasia and ended his career.

- I had a lot of tears about it. My father is also suffering from similar kinds of things, so [I'm] having it on both fronts - the director confessed.

M. Night Shyamalan is currently promoting his latest movie, "Trap"; in August, he will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the premiere of "The Sixth Sense" with fans. At a recent press conference, he was asked if he knew anything about the current state of Bruce Willis, whom doctors have finally diagnosed with a type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia.

- He has a very loving family. They're doing the best they can - stated the director as quoted by "People".