Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis - Film & Theater Personalities, Family and Personal Life

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Bruce Willis Biography Stories 

Bruce Willis's Personal Details

Bruce Willis is a Hollywood star best known for his performances in movies like the ‘Die Hard’ series and ‘Pulp Fiction’

InformationDetail
BirthdayMarch 19, 1955
NationalityAmerican
FamousBald, College Dropouts, Left Handed, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, ISFJ
SpousesDemi Moore, Emma Heming
SiblingsDavid Willis, Flo Willis, Robert Willis
Known asWalter Bruce Willis
ChildrensRumer Willis
Universities
  • Penns Grove High School
  • ontclair State University
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Planet Hollywood
Birth PlaceIdar-Oberstein, Germany
ReligionProtestant
Height183
GenderMale
FatherDavid Willis
MotherMarlene K
Net Worth$180 million as of Apr 17,2017
Sun SignPisces
Born inIdar-Oberstein, Germany
Famous asActor

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Bruce Willis's photo

Who is Bruce Willis?

Walter Bruce Willis, better known as Bruce Willis, is a talented television and movie actor famous for portraying versatile roles. While he shot to fame with his portrayal of David Addison in the television series ‘Moonlighting’, he is better known for his action and dramatic roles in films like ‘Die Hard’ and ‘The Sixth Sense’. As a youngster he had a stuttering problem and took to stage performances in order to overcome this issue. Coming from a family of blue collar workers, he worked at a number of menial jobs before foraying into professional acting. After struggling to find acting work he finally landed his first gig at an off-Broadway production of ‘Heaven and Earth’. He made his entry into television by winning the role of David Addison in the series ‘Moonlighting’ by competing against 3000 other contenders. Soon the ambitious actor made his film debut with ‘Blind Date’. However it was his portrayal of John McClane in ‘Die Hard’ that catapulted him into superstardom and there was no looking back. Today the multiple-award winning actor is not just one of the highest-grossing performers in Hollywood, but also one of the much sought after. The actor had also tried his hand at singing and had released a pop-blues album called ‘The Return of Bruno’ which enjoyed moderate success.

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Childhood & Early Life

Bruce Willis was born to David Willis and Marlene K. His father was an American soldier and his mother Marlene was German. He had three younger siblings: two brothers, one sister.

After being discharged from the army in 1957, his father settled in New Jersey, and worked as a welder and mechanic while his mother worked in a bank.

He went to Penns Grove High School. He had a stuttering problem which he overcame by performing on the stage. A popular student, he was elected the student council president.

Career

He took up menial jobs after high school which included a stint as a security guard at the Salem Nuclear Power Plant and as a private investigator.

He enrolled at Montclair State University to study drama. However, he left during his junior year to pursue his acting career in New York City.

After struggling to find work, he finally got a chance to perform in the off-Broadway production ‘Heaven and Earth’ in 1977. More stage appearances followed, including a lead role in ‘Bullpen’.

Following his stage success he auditioned for the role of David Addison in the television series ‘Moonlighting’. He beat 3000 other contenders to bag the role. The series ran from 1985 to 1989 and made Willis a star.

He made his movie debut in 1987 in the romantic comedy ‘Blind Date’. The movie was a financial success even though it got mostly negative reviews.

He found his big break with the movie ‘Die Hard’ in 1988. He played police officer John McClane in the film which went on to become a huge hit and established him as an action hero.

He reprised the role of John McClane in the 1990 movie ‘Die Hard 2’ which was such a smash hit that it outdid its predecessor in terms of commercial as well as critical success.

His career saw a slight slump when he starred in a string of flops in the early 1990s including ‘The Bonfire of the Vanities’ (1990), ‘Hudson Hawk’ (1991), and ‘Color of Night’ (1994).

He bounced back with the black comedy and crime film ‘Pulp Fiction’ in 1994. His portrayal of Butch Coolidge brought the struggling star new respect.

He starred in ‘Armageddon’ released in 1998 which became the highest-grossing film of the year. Along with Willis, the film’s cast included Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson and Keith David.

In 2000, he appeared as Paul Stevens in three episodes of the television sitcom ‘Friends’, a role that earned him much appreciation and an Emmy Award.

Over the decade he acted in a number of films of which the major ones were ‘Unbreakable’ (2000), ‘Hostage’ (2005), ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ (2007), and ‘Surrogates’ (2009).

His recent movies include ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (2012), ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ (2013) and ‘RED 2’ (2013).

Major Works

He played a private detective in the television comedy drama ‘Moonlighting’ which not only showcased his acting calibre to the world but also won him numerous awards and nominations.

His role of police officer John McClane in ‘Die Hard’ , which established him as an action hero and made the actor highly popular. The movie was a super hit and spawned four sequels—all of which had Willis reprising the same role.

Awards & Achievements

He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1987 for his role in the television series ‘Moonlighting’. He also won The Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Comedy for the same role.

He was given the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000 for his role of Paul Stevens which he played in three episodes of the sitcom ‘Friends’.

Personal Life & Legacy

Willis and Demi Moore got married in 1987 and had three daughters before divorcing in 2000.

He married model Emma Heming in 2009. He has one daughter with his second wife.

Trivia

He was a frequent guest on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’.

He wears his watch upside down, a trend that can be noted in some of his films too.

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Bruce Willis's awards

YearNameAward

Golden Globe Awards

1987Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalMoonlighting (1985)

Primetime Emmy Awards

2000Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy SeriesFriends (1994)
1987Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesMoonlighting (1985)

People's Choice Awards

2000Favorite Motion Picture Star in a DramaWinner
1986Favorite Male Performer in a New TV ProgramWinner

Bruce Willis biography timelines

  • // 19th Mar 1955
    Bruce Willis was born to David Willis and Marlene K. His father was an American soldier and his mother Marlene was German. He had three younger siblings: two brothers, one sister.
  • // 1957
    After being discharged from the army in 1957, his father settled in New Jersey, and worked as a welder and mechanic while his mother worked in a bank.
  • // 1977
    After struggling to find work, he finally got a chance to perform in the off-Broadway production ‘Heaven and Earth’ in 1977. More stage appearances followed, including a lead role in ‘Bullpen’.
  • // 1985 To 1989
    Following his stage success he auditioned for the role of David Addison in the television series ‘Moonlighting’. He beat 3000 other contenders to bag the role. The series ran from 1985 to 1989 and made Willis a star.
  • // 1987
    He made his movie debut in 1987 in the romantic comedy ‘Blind Date’. The movie was a financial success even though it got mostly negative reviews.
  • // 1987
    He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1987 for his role in the television series ‘Moonlighting’. He also won The Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Comedy for the same role.
  • // 1987 To 2000
    Willis and Demi Moore got married in 1987 and had three daughters before divorcing in 2000.
  • // 1988
    He found his big break with the movie ‘Die Hard’ in 1988. He played police officer John McClane in the film which went on to become a huge hit and established him as an action hero.
  • // 1990
    He reprised the role of John McClane in the 1990 movie ‘Die Hard 2’ which was such a smash hit that it outdid its predecessor in terms of commercial as well as critical success.
  • // 1990 To 1994
    His career saw a slight slump when he starred in a string of flops in the early 1990s including ‘The Bonfire of the Vanities’ (1990), ‘Hudson Hawk’ (1991), and ‘Color of Night’ (1994).
  • // 1994
    He bounced back with the black comedy and crime film ‘Pulp Fiction’ in 1994. His portrayal of Butch Coolidge brought the struggling star new respect.
  • // 1998
    He starred in ‘Armageddon’ released in 1998 which became the highest-grossing film of the year. Along with Willis, the film’s cast included Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson and Keith David.
  • // 2000
    In 2000, he appeared as Paul Stevens in three episodes of the television sitcom ‘Friends’, a role that earned him much appreciation and an Emmy Award.
  • // 2000 To 2009
    Over the decade he acted in a number of films of which the major ones were ‘Unbreakable’ (2000), ‘Hostage’ (2005), ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ (2007), and ‘Surrogates’ (2009).
  • // 2000
    He was given the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000 for his role of Paul Stevens which he played in three episodes of the sitcom ‘Friends’.
  • // 2009
    He married model Emma Heming in 2009. He has one daughter with his second wife.
  • // 2012 To 2013
    His recent movies include ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (2012), ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ (2013) and ‘RED 2’ (2013).

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Bruce Willis's FAQ

  • What is Bruce Willis birthday?

    Bruce Willis was born at 1955-03-19

  • Where is Bruce Willis's birth place?

    Bruce Willis was born in Idar-Oberstein, Germany

  • What is Bruce Willis nationalities?

    Bruce Willis's nationalities is American

  • Who is Bruce Willis spouses?

    Bruce Willis's spouses is Demi Moore, Emma Heming

  • Who is Bruce Willis siblings?

    Bruce Willis's siblings is David Willis, Flo Willis, Robert Willis

  • Who is Bruce Willis childrens?

    Bruce Willis's childrens is Rumer Willis

  • What was Bruce Willis universities?

    Bruce Willis studied at Penns Grove High School, ontclair State University

  • Which company or organization was founded by Bruce Willis?

    Bruce Willis was the founder/co-founder of Planet Hollywood

  • What is Bruce Willis's religion?

    Bruce Willis's religion is Protestant

  • How tall is Bruce Willis?

    Bruce Willis's height is 183

  • Who is Bruce Willis's father?

    Bruce Willis's father is David Willis

  • Who is Bruce Willis's mother?

    Bruce Willis's mother is Marlene K

  • What is Bruce Willis's sun sign?

    Bruce Willis is Pisces

  • How famous is Bruce Willis?

    Bruce Willis is famouse as Actor