Haley Joel Osment fondly remembers his time working with Bruce Willis on the 1999 hit film “The Sixth Sense.” Osment, now 35, played the role of Cole Sear and received an Oscar nomination for his performance. In a recent interview, Osment opened up about the experience of acting alongside Willis at a young age and the friendship that developed between them in the years after filming.
At just 11 years old during production, Osment was in awe of working with such a well-known actor as Willis. “I had seen many of his movies before, so it was exciting to act alongside someone so famous,” Osment explained. He said Willis “led by example” on set and created a welcoming environment for the cast and crew through his calm demeanor and professionalism.
Even after the movie’s release, Willis made efforts to stay connected with Osment. “He would sometimes leave messages on our answering machine at home just to check in,” Osment recalled. Willis also invited Osment to accompany him on trips to Japan for film promotions, demonstrating his kindness towards his young costar. “Getting those unexpected calls from him really meant a lot,” Osment added.
Sadly, Willis’s family announced in 2022 that the actor would retire from his career due to health issues including aphasia and dementia. Though Osment has not spoken with Willis recently, he fondly remembers their collaboration on “The Sixth Sense” and expressed care for Willis and his family. Osment believes Willis’s guidance during filming helped make the movie, which received six Oscar nominations including for Osment’s performance, into the success it became known as.
Through this interview, Osment shares how the magic of “The Sixth Sense” went beyond its storyline and created a touching bond between a legendary actor and a young talent—a reminder of the lasting impact cinema can have.
