The Sixth Sense Bond That Lasted Decades—Bruce Willis’s Heartwarming Friendship with Haley Joel Osment

When you think of iconic movie duos, the pairing of Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense is one that undoubtedly comes to mind. In M. Night Shyamalan’s groundbreaking 1999 thriller, Willis played a troubled psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe, opposite 10-year-old Osment, who portrayed the now-famous character of Cole Sear, a young boy who sees dead people. This role catapulted Osment into stardom, earning him an Academy Award nomination and setting the stage for a lifelong connection with Willis.

In a September 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Osment reflected on the lasting impact that working alongside Willis had on him, both professionally and personally. “He did everything in such a cool way, and had such charisma,” Osment recalled. “He was the person that you want on set setting the tone for the sort of movie we were making, because things usually revolve around the No. 1 on the call sheet.” Willis, ever the seasoned professional, made a lasting impression on Osment, who was just beginning his journey in Hollywood. But their connection didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling.

Bruce Willis’s Check-Ins Left a Lasting Impact

One of the most touching aspects of their relationship was Willis’s thoughtful gestures in the years following the success of The Sixth Sense. Osment, who faced the challenges of child stardom, shared that Willis would regularly reach out to check in on him. “He’d leave voicemails at the house from time to time, just checking in,” Osment said. “We went to Japan together twice, if I remember correctly, to open The Sixth Sense in different cities. So he would call ahead of that, and then sometimes I would just come home from school and the answering machine would be blinking and it’d be him going like, ‘Hey, Haley Joel. Just saying hi.'”

This consistent support from Willis served as a comforting reminder to Osment during his transition from child star to adult actor. These voicemails and calls, where the action movie icon simply took the time to check in, meant the world to Osment, who fondly recalls the moments he received them.

The Bond That Endured Beyond the Screen

The connection between the two stars endured long after The Sixth Sense wrapped, with Willis continuing to reach out to Osment throughout the years. However, Osment admitted that he hadn’t heard from Willis since the news of the actor’s health struggles. Willis, who was diagnosed with aphasia and later frontotemporal dementia, has faced immense challenges in recent years. “I know his daughters a little bit, but I have not spoken to him since the news of his health in recent years,” Osment shared.

In the wake of Willis’s diagnosis, Osment has spoken publicly about how meaningful his experiences with the actor were, both on and off set. On Instagram in March 2022, he posted a heartfelt message, writing, “I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand.” The love and gratitude Osment has for Willis are evident, not just in his words, but in the deep bond they shared over the years.

A Heartwarming Legacy

What’s clear from Osment’s reflections is that his relationship with Bruce Willis has always been more than just a mentor-mentee dynamic. It has evolved into a heartfelt, lasting friendship built on mutual respect and genuine care. Willis’s efforts to check in with Osment, even in the midst of his own rising fame, show the actor’s kindness and generosity.

As Osment continues his career, the memories of working with Willis—both on-screen and in their off-screen interactions—remain a cherished part of his journey. For Osment, Bruce Willis isn’t just an iconic action star; he’s a figure of personal importance, a mentor, and a friend whose influence has shaped him in ways that go far beyond their time together on The Sixth Sense.