Haley Joel Osment reacts to the news of his 'Sixth Sense' costar Bruce Willis' aphasia diagnosis and retirement from acting

• Haley Joel Osment shared a statement about his "Sixth Sense" costar Bruce Willis to social media.
• "He's a true legend who has enriched all of our lives," Osment said of his "Sixth Sense" costar.

Haley Joel Osment spoke out in support of his "Sixth Sense" costar Bruce Willis amid news of Willis' aphasia diagnosis and retirement from acting.

"It's been difficult to find the right words for someone I've always looked up to — first on the big screen, and then by some wild stroke of luck, in person," Osment wrote on Instagram.

"He's a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century," Osment continued. "I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come."

The actor concluded his statement by expressing the "respect and deep admiration I have for Bruce and his family as they move forward with the courage and high spirits that have always defined them."

Osment played a troubled young boy named Cole in the 1999 thriller "The Sixth Sense." Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the film also stars Willis as a child psychologist who helps Cole come to terms with his ability to communicate with dead people.

Willis' family recently announced that the "Die Hard" star was "stepping away" from acting after being diagnosed with the language and communication disorder aphasia.

"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," said an Instagram post by Rumer Willis, one of Willis' daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore. "As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him."

The post concluded: "As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that," and was signed by the entire family: Emma Heming Willis, Willis' current wife, and their two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, as well as Moore and their three daughters, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah.