Emma Heming Willis has provided a definitive perspective in the ongoing Bruce Willis Christmas movie debate by declaring that Die Hard is, in her view, a Christmas movie. This statement was made as she discussed changes in her family’s holiday traditions following Bruce Willis’ frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, emphasizing both celebration and adaptation during this season.
Emma Heming Willis Shares Insights on Family Holidays
Emma Heming Willis, speaking at a Los Angeles conference, revealed how the Willis family approaches Christmas in light of Bruce Willis’ health condition. She told PEOPLE about maintaining festivities and adapting traditions after his diagnosis.
“Bruce loved Christmas and we love celebrating it with him. It just looks different, so we’ve kind of adapted to that.”
– Emma Heming Willis, British model and actress
Stating Her Position on the Die Hard Holiday Debate
In a conversation with PEOPLE, Heming Willis directly addressed the Bruce Willis Christmas movie debate.
“I think it’s important to put Die Hard on because it’s a Christmas movie.”
– Emma Heming Willis, British model and actress
With this straightforward declaration, Emma Heming Willis’s comment provides a clear answer where many fans and families have long debated whether the action classic should be considered a holiday film. Her statement settles the matter from the Willis household’s perspective, reinforcing Die Hard’s place in their seasonal movie lineup.
Coping with Change and Celebrating Amidst Dementia
During the End Well 2025 event, Heming Willis touched on how caregivers and families of dementia patients can find ways to keep holiday celebrations meaningful.
“You have to learn and adapt and make new memories, bring in the same traditions that you had before. Life goes on. It just goes on,”
she said, underlining the necessity of adaptation in challenging circumstances.
“Dementia is hard, but there is still joy in it. I think it’s important that we don’t paint such a negative picture around dementia. We are still laughing. There is still joy. It just looks different,”
she added, encouraging positivity for others on similar journeys.
Advocacy and Finding Hope Amid Challenges
Since Bruce Willis’s diagnosis with aphasia and later frontotemporal dementia in 2022, Emma Heming Willis has focused on raising awareness and sharing vital information about dementia and cognitive wellness. Speaking alongside Yvette Nicole Brown at End Well 2025, she highlighted the challenges and the possibility of hope during the holiday season for families facing dementia. Her book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, further emphasizes her dedication to supporting others in this caregiving community.
Emma Heming Willis’s openness and advocacy during this holiday season not only provide clarity on the Bruce Willis Christmas movie debate but also offer a message of resilience and joy for families navigating dementia, reminding many that traditions, laughter, and hope can continue even as life changes.
