Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955) is a retired American actor. He achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama seriesMoonlighting (1985–1989) and has appeared in over one hundred films, gaining recognition as an action hero for his portrayal ofJohn McClane in theDie Hard franchise (1988–2013).[1][2]
Walter Bruce Willis was born on March 19, 1955, inIdar-Oberstein,West Germany;[4] his mother, Marlene,[5] was fromKassel, Germany,[6] and his father, David Willis (1929–2009), was an American soldier.[7] He has a younger sister, Florence, and two younger brothers, Robert (1959–2001) and David.[8] After being discharged from the military in 1957, his father relocated the family to his hometown ofCarneys Point, New Jersey. Willis has described his background as a "long line ofblue-collar people".[9] His mother worked in a bank and his father was a welder, master mechanic and factory worker.[10]
Willis spoke with astutter.[9] He attendedPenns Grove High School inCarneys Point Township, where his schoolmates nicknamed him "Buck-Buck".[11][12] Willis joined the drama club, and found that acting on stage reduced his stutter. He was eventually elected student council president. He graduated from Penns Grove in 1973.[10]
Willis enrolled in the drama program atMontclair State University,[16] where he was cast in a production ofCat on a Hot Tin Roof. He left the school in 1977, and moved to New York City, where he supported himself in the early 1980s as a bartender at various nightspots in Manhattan including Kamikaze, Cafe Central & Chelsea Central,[17][18] while living in theHell's Kitchen neighborhood.[19]
1990s:Die Hard sequels,Pulp Fiction and dramatic roles
Having acquired major personal success and pop culture influence playing John McClane inDie Hard, Willis reprised his role in the sequelsDie Hard 2 (1990) andDie Hard with a Vengeance (1995).[9] These first three installments in theDie Hard series grossed over US$700 million internationally[29] and propelled Willis to the first rank of Hollywood action stars.[citation needed] At one point,Die Hard 2 andGhost, starring Willis's then wifeDemi Moore, would occupy the number one and number two spots at the box office, a feat that would not be accomplished again for a married Hollywood couple until 2024.[30][31]
In the early 1990s, Willis's career suffered a moderate slump, as he starred inflops such asThe Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) andHudson Hawk (1991), although he did find box office success withThe Last Boy Scout (1991). He gained more success withStriking Distance (1993) but flopped again withColor of Night (1994): it was savaged by critics but did well in thehome video market and became one of the Top 20 most-rented films in the United States in 1995.[32]Maxim also ranked his sex scene in the film as the best in film history.[33]
In 1994, Willis also had a leading role in one part ofQuentin Tarantino's acclaimedPulp Fiction;[9] the film's success gave a boost to his career, and he starred alongside hisLook Who's Talking co-starJohn Travolta.[34] In 1996, he was the executive producer and star of the cartoonBruno the Kid which featured aCGI representation of himself. That same year, he starred inMike Judge's animated filmBeavis and Butt-head Do America with his then-wifeDemi Moore. In the movie, he plays a drunken criminal named "Muddy Grimes", who mistakenly sends Judge's titular characters to kill his wife, Dallas (voiced by Moore). He then played the lead roles in12 Monkeys (1995) andThe Fifth Element (1997). However, by the end of the 1990s his career had fallen into another slump with critically panned films likeThe Jackal (which despite negative reviews was a box office hit),Mercury Rising, andBreakfast of Champions, as well as the implosion of the production ofBroadway Brawler, a debacle salvaged only by the success of theMichael Bay-directedArmageddon, which Willis had agreed to star in as compensation for the failed production, and which turned out to be the highest-grossing film of 1998 worldwide.[35][36] The same year his voice and likeness were featured in thePlayStation video gameApocalypse.[37] In 1999, Willis played the starring role inM. Night Shyamalan's filmThe Sixth Sense, which was both a commercial and critical success.[9]
2000s
Willis in 2002 after being named Hasty Pudding Theatrical's Man of the YearWillis in June 2007 in the premiere ofLive Free or Die Hard
Willis appeared on theLate Show with David Letterman several times throughout his career. He filled in for an illDavid Letterman on his show on February 26, 2003, when he was supposed to be a guest.[43] On many of his appearances on the show, Willis staged elaborate jokes, such as wearing a day-glo orange suit in honor of theCentral Park gates, having one side of his face made up with simulatedbirdshot wounds after theHarry Whittington shooting, or trying to break a record (a parody ofDavid Blaine) of staying underwater for only twenty seconds.
On April 12, 2007, he appeared again, this time wearing aSanjaya Malakar wig.[44] On his June 25, 2007, appearance, he wore a mini-wind turbine on his head to accompany a joke about his own fictional documentary titledAn Unappealing Hunch (a wordplay onAn Inconvenient Truth).[45] Willis also appeared in JapaneseSubaru Legacy television commercials.[46] Tying in with this, Subaru did a limited run of Legacys, badged "Subaru Legacy Touring Bruce", in honor of Willis.
As of 2010, Willis was the eighth highest-grossing actor in a leading role and 12th-highest including supporting roles.[50][51] Willis starred withTracy Morgan in the 2010 comedyCop Out, directed byKevin Smith, about two police detectives investigating the theft of a baseball card.[52] Willis appeared in the music video for the song "Stylo" byGorillaz.[53] Also in 2010, he appeared in a cameo with the formerPlanet Hollywood co-owners and 80s action starsSylvester Stallone andArnold Schwarzenegger in the filmThe Expendables. Willis played the role of CIA agent "Mr. Church". It was the first time the three action stars had appeared on screen together. Although the scene featuring the three was short, it was one of the most highly anticipated scenes in the film. The trio filmed their scene in an empty church on October 24, 2009.[54] Willis next starred inRed, an adaptation of the comic book mini-seriesof the same name, in which he portrayed Frank Moses. The film was released on October 15, 2010.[55]
Willis reprised his most famous role, John McClane, for a fifth time, starring inA Good Day to Die Hard, which was released on February 14, 2013.[60] In an interview, Willis said, "I have a warm spot in my heart forDie Hard..... it's just the sheer novelty of being able to play the same character over 25 years and still be asked back is fun. It's much more challenging to have to do a film again and try to compete with myself, which is what I do inDie Hard. I try to improve my work every time."[61] That same year, Willis reprised his role as Frank Moses inRed 2.[62]
2020s: Critical decline, health problems and retirement
In the final years of his career, Willis starred in many low-budgetindependent thrillers and science fiction films.[67] He worked primarily with the production companiesEmmett/Furla Oasis (which produced 20 films starring Willis) and 308 Entertainment Inc.[68] Most of the films were releaseddirect-to-video and were widely panned.[67] TheGolden Raspberry Awards, an annual award for the year's worst films and performances, created a dedicated category, theWorst Bruce Willis Performance in a 2021 Movie, for Willis's roles in eight films released that year.[69]Chris Nashawaty ofEsquire described the direct-to-video films as "a profitable safe harbor" for older actors, similar toThe Expendables.[67] Willis would often earn US$2 million for two days' work, with an average of 15 minutes' screentime per film.[70] He nonetheless featured heavily in the films' promotional materials, earning them the derogatory nickname "geezer teasers".[71][72]
Those working on the films later said Willis appeared confused, did not understand why he was there and had to be fed lines through anearpiece.[68] Days before Willis was scheduled to arrive on set forOut of Death (2021), the screenwriter, Bill Lawrence, was instructed to reduce his role and abbreviate his dialogue. The director,Mike Burns, was told to complete all of Willis's scenes in a single day of filming.[68]
On March 30, 2022, Willis's family announced that he was retiring because he had been diagnosed withaphasia, a disorder typically caused by damage to the area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension.[73][74] The Golden Raspberry Awards retracted its Willis category, deeming it inappropriate to give a Razzie to someone whose performance was affected by a medical condition.[75] At the time of his retirement, Willis had completed 11 films awaiting release.[73][76][77]
In 2009, Willis signed a contract to become the international face ofBelvedere SA'sSobieski Vodka in exchange for 3.3% ownership in the company.[83] In 2018, Willis became the brand ambassador of the Hungarian brandHell Energy Drink.[84][85]
On November 21, 1987, Willis marriedDemi Moore at theGolden Nugget Las Vegas.[89] On December 20, the couple held a second reception for about 450 guests on a soundstage atWarner Bros. Studios Burbank.[90] They have three daughters:Rumer (b. 1988),[91] Scout (b. 1991),[92] and Tallulah (b. 1994).[93] Willis and Moore announced their separation on June 24, 1998.[94] They filed for divorce on October 18, 2000,[95] and the divorce was finalized later that day.[96][97] Regarding the divorce, Willis stated, "I felt I had failed as a father and a husband by not being able to make it work." He credited actorWill Smith for helping him cope with the situation.[21] He has maintained a close friendship with both Moore and her subsequent husband, actorAshton Kutcher, and attended their wedding.[98]
Willis was engaged to actressBrooke Burns until they broke up in 2004 after ten months together.[20] He married modelEmma Heming inTurks and Caicos on March 21, 2009;[99] guests included his three daughters, as well as Moore and Kutcher. The ceremony was not legally binding, so the couple wed again in a civil ceremony inBeverly Hills six days later. The couple has two daughters, one born in 2012[100] and another born in 2014.[101]
In August 2025, Emma revealed that she and Willis were now living in separate homes.[102][103] Emma said that this was due to Willis' declining health, with his new, separate one-story home being better suited to accommodate his progressingfrontotemporal dementia.[103][102]
Health
On February 16, 2023, Willis's family announced that he had been diagnosed withfrontotemporal dementia.[104] According to Gregg Day, a neurologist at theMayo Clinic'sFlorida campus, the symptoms include difficulties with language and comprehension, and misinterpretation of instructions.[105] In a statement, the family said that Willis's condition had progressed and that "challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease".[106] They expressed hope that media attention on Willis would raise awareness about the disease.[107] Emma Willis's memoirThe Unexpected Journey, which focuses on her experience as her husband's caregiver, was published in September 2025.[108]
According to Heming, as his condition progressed, Willis's family made the decision to have him live in a separate, one-story home designed to accommodate his needs and provide a calm environment.[102][109][103] This arrangement was intended to prioritize the well-being of their two daughters, Mabel Ray and Evelyn Penn, ensuring they have a stable home life while still maintaining close contact with their father.[103][110] Willis resides in this home with a full-time care team, and his family visits him regularly, often for meals and quality time.[111][102] Despite the separation, the family emphasizes that the home remains filled with love, care, and laughter, reflecting their commitment to supporting Willis through his health challenges.[102][112]
Throughout his film career, Willis has depicted several military characters in films such asIn Country,The Siege,Hart's War,Tears of the Sun,Grindhouse, andG.I. Joe: Retaliation. Willis grew up in amilitary family. Willis has donatedGirl Scout cookies to the United States armed forces. In 2002, Willis's then 8-year-old daughter, Tallulah, suggested that he purchase Girl Scout cookies to send to troops. Willis purchased 12,000 boxes of cookies, and they were distributed to sailors aboardUSSJohn F. Kennedy and other troops stationed throughout the Middle East at the time.[113]
In 2003, Willis visitedIraq as part of theUSO tour, singing to the troops with his band, The Accelerators.[114] Willis considered joining the military to help fight the secondIraq War, but was deterred by his age.[115] It was believed he offered US$1 million to any noncombatant who turned in terrorist leadersOsama bin Laden,Ayman al-Zawahiri, orAbu Musab al-Zarqawi; in the June 2007 issue ofVanity Fair, however, he clarified that the statement was made hypothetically and not meant to be taken literally. Willis has also criticized the media for its coverage of the war, complaining that the press was more likely to focus on the negative aspects of the war:
I went to Iraq because what I saw when I was over there was soldiers—young kids for the most part—helping people in Iraq; helping getting the power turned back on, helping get hospitals open, helping get the water turned back on and you don't hear any of that on the news. You hear, "X number of people were killed today," which I think does a huge disservice. It's like spitting on these young men and women who are over there fighting to help this country.[116]
Religious beliefs
Willis was aLutheran,[117] but says he no longer practices. In a July 1998 interview withGeorge magazine, he said, "Organized religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms. They were all very important when we didn't know why the sun moved, why weather changed, why hurricanes occurred, or volcanoes happened. Modern religion is the end trail of modern mythology. But there are people who interpret the Bible literally. Literally! I choose not to believe that's the way. And that's what makes America cool, you know?"[118]
When asked by aHollywood.tv reporter how he stays grounded inHollywood, Willis said, "I just thank God every day for...everything great that's come my way."[119]
In 2006, Willis said that the United States should intervene more extensively inColombia to end drug trafficking from that nation.[122] In several interviews Willis has said that he supports increased salaries for teachers and police officers, and that he is disappointed in the United Statesfoster care system and its treatment ofNative Americans.[120][123] Willis has supportedgun rights, saying, "Everyone has a right to bear arms. If you take guns away from legal gun owners, then the only people who have guns are the bad guys."[124]
In February 2006, when Willis was inManhattan to promote his film16 Blocks, he was asked his opinion on theBush administration. Willis responded: "I'm sick of answering this fucking question. I'm a Republican only as far as I want asmaller government, I want less government intrusion. I want them to stop shitting on my money and your money and tax dollars that we give 50 percent of every year. I want them to be fiscally responsible and I want these goddamn lobbyists out of Washington. Do that and I'll say I'm a Republican. I hate the government, OK? I'mapolitical. Write that down. I'm not a Republican."[125] Willis did not make any contributions or public endorsements in the2008 presidential campaign. In several June 2007 interviews, he said that he maintains some beliefs aligned with Republican ideas.[21]
2000:American Cinematheque Gala Tribute honored Willis with theAmerican Cinematheque Award for an extraordinary artist in the entertainment industry who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion pictures.
2002:The Hasty Pudding Man of the Year award from Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals – given to performers who give a lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment[144]
2002: Appointed as national spokesman for Children in Foster Care by PresidentGeorge W. Bush;[145] Willis wrote online: "I saw Foster Care as a way for me to serve my country in a system by which shining a little bit of light could benefit a great deal by helping kids who were literally wards of the government."[146]
2006: Honored byFrench government for his contributions to the film industry; appointed an Officer of the FrenchOrder of Arts and Letters in a ceremony in Paris; the French Prime Minister stated, "This is France's way of paying tribute to an actor who epitomizes the strength of American cinema, the power of the emotions that he invites us to share on the world's screens and the sturdy personalities of his legendary characters."[148]
2006: Honored with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame on October 16; located at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard and it was the 2,321st star awarded in its history; at the reception, he stated, "I used to come down here and look at these stars and I could never quite figure out what you were supposed to do to get one...time has passed and now here I am doing this, and I'm still excited. I'm still excited to be an actor."[149]
^"Surprise German visit from Willis". BBC. August 8, 2005.Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. RetrievedMay 9, 2009.His mother Marlene was born in the nearby town of Kassel.
^Heckerling, Amy (December 14, 1990),Look Who's Talking Too (Comedy, Family, Romance), John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Olympia Dukakis, TriStar Pictures, Big Mouth Production, Hollywood Licensing Group,archived from the original on May 29, 2023, retrievedJune 13, 2023
^Goldstein, Patrick (July 5, 2000)."Keeping Company With Disney".Los Angeles Times.Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. RetrievedDecember 13, 2024.
^"Film starring Bruce Willis to be shot in RI".The Boston Globe. Providence, R.I.Associated Press. March 24, 2011.Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. RetrievedApril 6, 2011.Steven Feinberg, executive director for the Rhode Island Film and Television Office, says on-site work on the film, 'Moonrise Kingdom,' is scheduled to begin this spring. Feinberg says the film will be shot in several locations in Rhode Island.
^Davis, Simon (October 26, 2000)."Moore and Willis are divorced".Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. RetrievedApril 8, 2020 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
^Oldenburg, Ann (September 27, 2006)."Changing of the 'Guardian'".USA Today.Archived from the original on May 22, 2010. RetrievedSeptember 30, 2006.
Steve Baker,Ricky Blitt, Will Carlough, Tobias Carlson, Jacob Fleisher, Patrik Forsberg, Will Graham,James Gunn, Claes Kjellstrom, Jack Kukoda,Bob Odenkirk, Bill O'Malley, Matthew Alec Portenoy,Greg Pritikin, Rocky Russo,Olle Sarri, Elizabeth Wright Shapiro,Jeremy Sosenko, Jonathan van Tulleken, and Jonas Wittenmark (2013)
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