Actor Bruce Willis gave director M. Night Shyamalan his breakthrough with the 1999 film The Sixth Sense. The psychological thriller put Shyamalan on the map in Hollywood and would be the film from which his directorial style and modus operandi would be recognized. The utilization of bizarre and suspenseful narratives mixed with mind-bending twist endings would become Shyamalan’s staple for his movies.
The Sixth Sense is his most recognized movie and the iconic twist of the film is one of the best movie endings in film history. Shyamalan and Willis became very close during the making of the film and would work together again in Unbreakable (2000) and Glass (2019). Shyamalan recently reflected on his career and how Willis played a huge part in cementing his name and place in the industry.
M. Night Shyamalan is Incredibly Grateful to Bruce Willis for Launching his Career
In a recent interview with Hollywood Reporter, Director M. Night Shyamalan reflected on his unique and diverse career and his works. When asked about the impact that actor Bruce Willis had on his life and his career, Shyamalan expressed his gratitude for the amount of love and support that the actor gave him during the initial days of his career. He also expressed his sadness in learning about Willis’ diagnosis with aphasia and retirement from acting, saying,
“Yeah, he obviously means the world to me. I would do anything for him and his family, and it’s been super tough for everybody involved. I had a lot of tears about it, and my father is also suffering from similar kinds of things. So having it on both fronts, it’s profound to realize how precious everything is. So I’m just grateful for what he did because he didn’t micromanage at all. He protected me from the system early, so I’m forever grateful to him”
Seeing a good friend and selfless person be stricken with such a damaging illness must be devastating for Shyamalan. His way of relating and connecting to Willis’ illness since his father suffers from similar conditions is a way for him to acknowledge that he does understand the damage and suffering that Willis must be going through.
Bruce Willis’ Legacy will Always be Remembered
Bruce Willis’ illustrious acting career and his works will always be remembered and celebrated by fans. His charismatic on-screen persona and his iconic performances in some of his films will forever remain in film history. His 30-35-year-long career filled with incredibly diverse and accomplished works cemented him as a versatile actor, one who is not afraid to experiment and explore a variety of genres and he has found success in many of them.
As Willis’ health and mental state continue to deteriorate, fans and loved ones hope that he finds peace and harmony in the trying times and lives the remaining days of his life with happiness and contentment. Afterall, he has left a lasting impact and legacy as an actor and to his craft.
M. Night Shyamalan’s filmography on the other hand is filled with mind-bending thrillers that are original, and executed with impressive creativity and wit. His acclaimed works include The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable (2000), Signs (2002), The Village (2004), The Visit (2015), Split (2016), Glass (2019), Old (2021) and Knock at the Cabin (2023).
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
