Bruce Willis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bruce Willis
Willis in 2018
Born	Walter Bruce Willis (1955-03-19) March 19, 1955 (age 70) Idar-Oberstein, West Germany
Citizenship	United States
Occupation	Actor singer
Years active	1980–2022
Works	Filmography
Spouse(s)	Demi Moore ​ ​ (m. 1987; div. 2000)​ Emma Heming ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	5, including Rumer
Awards	Full list

Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955) is a famous American actor who is now retired. He became well-known for his main role in the TV show Moonlighting (1985–1989). He has acted in over one hundred movies. Many people know him as an action hero for playing John McClane in the exciting Die Hard movie series (1988–2013).

Bruce Willis also starred in many other popular films. These include The Last Boy Scout (1991), Pulp Fiction (1994), 12 Monkeys (1995), The Fifth Element (1997), and Armageddon (1998). He was also in The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable, and The Whole Nine Yards (both 2000). Later films include Sin City (2005), The Expendables (2010), and Looper (2012). In his last few years of acting, he appeared in many movies that went straight to video. Willis stopped acting in 2022 because he was diagnosed with aphasia. This is a condition that affects how a person communicates. In 2023, he was also diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, which is a brain disease.

Besides acting, Willis also sang. He released his first album, The Return of Bruno, in 1987. He released two more albums in 1989 and 2001. He also performed on Broadway in the play Misery in 2015. Bruce Willis has won many awards during his career. These include a Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since 2006. His movies have earned billions of dollars at the box office. This made him one of the highest-earning leading actors in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Walter Bruce Willis was born on March 19, 1955. He was born in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany. His mother, Marlene, was German, and his father, David Willis, was an American soldier. He has a younger sister named Florence. He also had two younger brothers, Robert and David. In 1957, his father left the military. The family then moved to his father's hometown in Carneys Point, New Jersey.

Willis had a stutter when he was young. He went to Penns Grove High School in Carneys Point Township. His school friends called him "Buck-Buck." He joined the drama club there. He found that acting on stage helped him with his stutter. He even became the student council president. He finished high school in 1973.

After high school, Willis worked as a security guard. He also drove crew members at a factory. He later became a private investigator. This job helped him prepare for roles he would play later. He played a private investigator in Moonlighting and The Last Boy Scout.

Willis then studied drama at Montclair State University. He was in a play called Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He left college in 1977 and moved to New York City. In the early 1980s, he worked as a bartender in Manhattan. He lived in the Hell's Kitchen area.

Acting Career

Becoming a Star in the 1980s

Willis at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989

Bruce Willis got the role of David Addison Jr. in the TV series Moonlighting (1985–1989). He was chosen from 3,000 other actors. His role in Moonlighting with Cybill Shepherd made him famous as a funny actor. During the show's five seasons, he won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

In 1987, Willis got his first main movie role in Blind Date. He starred with Kim Basinger. He also played a real-life cowboy actor, Tom Mix, in Sunset (1988). In the same year, he took on an action role in Die Hard (1988). He played John McClane. He did many of his own stunts in the movie. Die Hard earned a lot of money worldwide. After Die Hard, Willis starred in the drama In Country. He also voiced a talking baby in Look Who's Talking (1989) and its sequel Look Who's Talking Too (1990).

In the late 1980s, Willis also had some success as a singer. He released a pop-blues album called The Return of Bruno. It included the hit song "Respect Yourself". He also released a song called "Under the Boardwalk". This song reached number 2 on the UK music charts.

Action Hero and Dramatic Roles in the 1990s

Willis became very popular as John McClane in Die Hard. He played the role again in Die Hard 2 (1990) and Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995). These first three Die Hard movies earned over $700 million around the world. This made Willis a top Hollywood action star.

In the early 1990s, some of Willis's movies did not do as well. These included The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) and Hudson Hawk (1991). However, he had success with The Last Boy Scout (1991). He also did well with Striking Distance (1993).

In 1994, Willis had a main role in Quentin Tarantino's famous movie Pulp Fiction. This movie's success helped his career. He starred alongside John Travolta in it. In 1996, he was a producer and star of the cartoon Bruno the Kid. He also voiced a character in the animated film Beavis and Butt-head Do America. He then played main roles in 12 Monkeys (1995) and The Fifth Element (1997).

Towards the end of the 1990s, some of his movies were not liked by critics. These included The Jackal, Mercury Rising, and Breakfast of Champions. However, he had a huge success with Armageddon. This movie was the highest-earning film of 1998 worldwide. In 1999, Willis starred in M. Night Shyamalan's movie The Sixth Sense. This film was very successful with both audiences and critics.

2000s: Continued Success

Willis in 2002 after being named Hasty Pudding Theatrical's Man of the Year

Willis in June 2007 at the premiere of Live Free or Die Hard

In 2000, Willis won an Emmy Award for his guest role on the TV show Friends. He played the father of one of the main characters' girlfriends. Also in 2000, Willis played Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski in The Whole Nine Yards. He also starred in Disney's The Kid. In 2005, he appeared in the movie Sin City. In 2006, he voiced RJ the Raccoon in Over the Hedge. In 2007, he was in the movie Planet Terror, part of the Grindhouse double feature.

Willis often appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. He sometimes filled in for David Letterman when he was sick. He also did funny skits on the show. For example, he wore a bright orange suit or a mini-wind turbine on his head. Willis also appeared in Japanese commercials for Subaru cars.

Willis has acted in five movies with Samuel L. Jackson. These include Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and Unbreakable. He also worked with his oldest daughter, Rumer, in the 2005 movie Hostage. In 2006, he was in the movie Alpha Dog. In 2007, he starred in the thriller Perfect Stranger. He also played John McClane again in Live Free or Die Hard. Later, he appeared in What Just Happened (2008) and Surrogates (2009).

2010s: More Action and Comedy

Willis in 2010 with The Expendables co-star Sylvester Stallone

By 2010, Bruce Willis was one of the highest-earning actors. He starred with Tracy Morgan in the 2010 comedy Cop Out. He also made a cameo appearance in the music video for "Stylo" by Gorillaz. In 2010, he had a cameo with action stars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Expendables. Willis played a CIA agent named "Mr. Church." This was the first time these three action stars appeared on screen together. Willis then starred in Red, a movie based on a comic book. He played Frank Moses.

Willis starred with Bill Murray and Edward Norton in Moonrise Kingdom (2012). He also returned for an expanded role in The Expendables 2 (2012). He appeared with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the sci-fi action movie Looper (2012). He played the older version of Gordon-Levitt's character.

Willis worked with 50 Cent in the movie Fire with Fire. He also joined Vince Vaughn and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Lay the Favorite.

Willis played John McClane for the fifth time in A Good Day to Die Hard, released in 2013. He said he loves playing John McClane. He also said it's fun to play the same character for over 25 years.

On October 12, 2013, Willis hosted Saturday Night Live. In 2015, Willis made his Broadway debut in the play Misery. He played himself in a cameo in the 2019 movie The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

2020s: Health Challenges and Retirement

In his last few years of acting, Willis appeared in many independent thrillers and science fiction films. Most of these movies were released directly to video. People often criticized them. The Golden Raspberry Awards, which recognize the worst films, even created a special category for Willis's performances in 2021.

People who worked on these films later said Willis seemed confused. They said he sometimes did not understand why he was there. He often had to have his lines given to him through an earpiece. His roles were sometimes made smaller, and his dialogue shortened.

On March 30, 2022, Willis's family announced his retirement. He was diagnosed with aphasia. This is a disorder that affects language and communication. The Golden Raspberry Awards then took back their special category for him. They felt it was not right to give an award to someone whose performance was affected by a medical condition. When he retired, Willis had 11 movies that were still waiting to be released.

Business Ventures

Bruce Willis owns homes in Los Angeles and Penns Grove, New Jersey. He also has apartments in New York City. In 2000, Willis and his business partner started a movie production company. He later left the company in 2007. He also owns some small businesses in Hailey, Idaho. He was one of the first people to promote Planet Hollywood, along with actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.

In 2009, Willis signed a contract to be the international face of Sobieski Vodka. In 2018, he became a brand ambassador for the Hungarian company Hell Energy Drink.

Personal Life

Willis in June 2006

Willis looks up to actors like Gary Cooper, Robert De Niro, and John Wayne. He is left-handed. He lives in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles with his family.

On November 21, 1987, Willis married Demi Moore. They have three daughters: Rumer (born 1988), Scout (born 1991), and Tallulah (born 1994). Willis and Moore announced their separation in 1998. They divorced on October 18, 2000. Willis said he felt he had failed as a father and husband. He remained good friends with Moore and her later husband, Ashton Kutcher.

Willis was engaged to actress Brooke Burns for a short time. He then married model Emma Heming on March 21, 2009. His three daughters, Demi Moore, and Ashton Kutcher were guests at the wedding. They had another civil ceremony in Beverly Hills a few days later. The couple has two daughters, born in 2012 and 2014.

Health Updates

On February 16, 2023, Willis's family shared that he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. This condition can cause problems with language and understanding instructions. His family hopes that sharing his story will help raise awareness about the disease. Emma Heming Willis is writing a book about her experience as a caregiver for her husband.

Military Interests

Willis meeting Brigadier General Albert Bryant Jr. and deployed soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division, in Tikrit, Iraq, during his USO tour in September 2003

Bruce Willis has played many military characters in his movies. These include films like In Country, The Siege, and Tears of the Sun. Willis grew up in a military family. He has also supported the United States armed forces. In 2002, his daughter Tallulah suggested he send Girl Scout cookies to troops. Willis bought 12,000 boxes of cookies. They were sent to sailors and other troops in the Middle East.

In 2003, Willis visited Iraq as part of a USO tour. He sang to the troops with his band. Willis thought about joining the military to help in the Iraq War. However, he was too old. He has also said that the media often focuses only on the negative parts of the war. He believes they should also show the positive things soldiers do.

Music Albums

Studio Albums

Other Music Appearances

• 1986: Moonlighting soundtrack; song "Good Lovin'"
• 1991: Hudson Hawk soundtrack; songs "Swinging on a Star" and "Side by Side" (duets with Danny Aiello)
• 2000: The Whole Nine Yards soundtrack; song "Tenth Avenue Tango"
• 2001: Classic Bruce Willis: The Universal Masters Collection
• 2003: Rugrats Go Wild soundtrack; "Big Bad Cat" with Chrissie Hynde and "Lust for Life"
• 2008: North Hollywood Shootout, Blues Traveler; song "Free Willis (Ruminations from Behind Uncle Bob's Machine Shop)"

Singles

Awards and Honors

Willis's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Willis's hands and footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Bruce Willis has received many awards and honors for his work in TV and movies.

• 2000: The American Cinematheque Gala Tribute honored Willis. They recognized him as an amazing artist who has made a big impact on movies.
• 2002: He received the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year award from Harvard University. This award is for performers who make a lasting contribution to entertainment.
• 2002: President George W. Bush named him a national spokesman for Children in Foster Care. Willis wanted to help kids who were in the government's care.
• 2005: He won the Golden Camera Award for Best International Actor.
• 2006: The French government honored him for his contributions to film. He was named an Officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters.
• 2006: He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 16. It was the 2,321st star given out.
• 2011: He was added to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
• 2013: He was promoted to Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture.

See also

In Spanish: Bruce Willis para niños