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Bruce Willis (born Walter Bruce Willis on March 19, 1955) is an American actor and singer. He came to fame in the late 1980s and has since retained a career as both a Hollywood leading man and a supporting actor.
Early life
Willis was born in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany to an American father, David Willis, and a Kassel-born German mother, Marlene, who worked in a bank. After being discharged from the military in 1957, Willis's father took his family back to Penns Grove, New Jersey, and he worked as a welder and factory worker. Willis was the oldest of four children. He was always an outgoing youngster, although he grew up with a stutter. Finding it easy to express himself on stage, Willis began performing on stage and his high school memberships were marked by such things as the drama club and school council president.
Rather than go to college after graduation, Willis farmed sheep in a mining village in Alabama, transporting work crews at the DuPont Chambers Works factory in Deepwater, New Jersey. He decided to quit after a colleague was killed on the job, and thereafter became a regular at several bars. Willis also discovered an innate knack for playing harmonica, and did so for an R&B group, Loose Goose. After a stint as a bodyguard (which he actually plays in his 1991 movie, The Last Boy Scout), Willis returned to his original passion of acting. He enrolled in the drama program at Montclair State College, where he was cast as Brick in the class production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Jack Prince as Big Daddy, William Applegate as the doctor and Kevin J. Lynch as the Rev. Tooker. The ambitious junior finally decided to leave school in pursuit of more lucrative movie roles by heading for New York City.
Willis returned to the bar scene, only this time for a part-time job and as a way to meet New York celebrities. He is rumored to have been 'discovered' while working at the Museum Cafe on New York's Upper West Side. After countless auditions, Willis finally made his theater debut in the off-Broadway production of Heaven and Earth. He gained more experience and exposure in Fool for Love, a stint on television's Miami Vice, and a Levi's campaign.
Career
Willis first found fame with his starring role in the hit TV series Moonlighting (1985–89) establishing himself as a comedic actor. However, it was his then-unexpected turn in the Die Hard series that catapulted him to fame. He also was successful in his turn as the voice of little Mikey in the Look Who's Talking series.
In the late-1980s, Willis enjoyed moderate success as a recording artist, recording an album of pop-blues entitled The Return of Bruno, which included the hit single "Respect Yourself", promoted by a Spinal Tap-like rockumentary parody featuring scenes of him performing at famous events including Woodstock. Follow-up recordings were not as successful, though Willis does return to the recording studio from time to time.
In the early 1990s, Willis' career suffered a moderate slump starring in flops such as The Bonfire of the Vanities and Hudson Hawk, among others. However, in 1994 he had a supporting role in Quentin Tarantino's acclaimed Pulp Fiction, which gave a new boost to his career. In 1996, he produced the cartoon Bruno the Kid which featured a CGI representation of himself. He went on to play the lead roles in Twelve Monkeys and The Fifth Element. However, by the end of the '90s, his career had fallen into another slump with critically panned films like The Jackal, Mercury Rising and Breakfast of Champions, saved only by the success of the Michael Bay-directed Armageddon which was the highest grossing film of 1998 in the US.
In 1999, Willis achieved what could be considered the biggest success of his career with his starring role in M. Night Shyamalan's film, The Sixth Sense. The film was both a commercial and critical success and launched Willis' career to a new level of stardom. He once had to appear in the hit sitcom Friends without pay, because he lost a bet to Matthew Perry, his co-star in The Whole Nine Yards and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards. He won a 2000 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Friends (in which he played the father of Ross Geller's much-younger girlfriend). He was also nominated for a 2001 American Comedy Award (in the Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series category) for his work on Friends. Willis was originally cast as Terry Benedict in Ocean's Eleven (2001) but dropped out. In Ocean's Twelve (2003), he makes a cameo appearance as himself.
Willis also appeared on Japanese Subaru Legacy television commercials, optimising the car for sale, with the backing music of Jade from Sweetbox, "Addicted" and "Hate Without Frontiers". Tying in with this, Subaru did a limited run of Legacys, badged "Subaru Legacy Touring Bruce", in honor of Willis.
Willis has appeared in four movies with Samuel L. Jackson (Unbreakable, Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1). He is also currently working on the film Black Water Transit alongside Jackson due in 2007.
He has finished filming the thriller Perfect Stranger, opposite Halle Berry, and will appear as a corrupt farmer in the film version of Fast Food Nation. He is now filming his return to the role of John McClane in Live Free or Die Hard which is being directed by Len Wiseman.
On October 16, 2006, Willis was honored with a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard and it is the 2321st Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal life
Willis was married to actress Demi Moore from November 21, 1987 to October 18, 2000. The couple gave no public reason for their breakup. Willis and Moore had three daughters during their thirteen-year union: Rumer Glenn Willis (born 1988), Scout LaRue Willis (1991) and Tallulah Belle Willis (1994). Since their breakup, rumors persisted that the couple planned to re-marry, but Moore has since married Ashton Kutcher. He and Moore have maintained a close relationship.
Bruce was, at one point, Lutheran (specifically Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod); however, he is believed by some to now be an atheist or an agnostic. This is mostly because of a statement he made in the July 1998 issue of George magazine:
"Organized religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms", he says. "They were all very important when we didn't know why the sun moved, why weather changed, why hurricanes occurred, or volcanoes happened", he continues. "Modern religion is the end trail of modern mythology. But there are people who interpret the Bible literally. Literally!" he says incredulously. "I choose not to believe that's the way. And that's what makes America cool, you know?"
Some reports from military officials suggest that Willis tried to enlist in the military to help fight the second Iraq war, but he was turned away because of his age. He has offered $1 million to any civilian who turns in terrorist leaders Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri or (now the late) Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Willis has said that he wants to "make a pro-war film in which American soldiers will be depicted as brave fighters for freedom and democracy". The film will follow members of Deuce Four, the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry, who spent considerable time in Mosul and were decorated heavily for it. The film is to be based on the writings of blogger Michael Yon, a former United States Army Special Forces Green Beret who was embedded with Deuce Four and sent regular dispatches about their heroics.
Willis was one of few Hollywood celebrities to publicly support the Iraq War in 2003. He has endorsed every Republican presidential candidate except Bob Dole in 1996, because Dole had criticized Demi Moore for her role in the movie Striptease. Willis has attempted to play down his status as one of Hollywood's most outspoken Republicans, although he continues to vocally support the Iraq war and gun ownership. In February 2006, Willis appeared in Manhattan to talk about his new movie 16 Blocks with reporters. One reporter attempted to ask Willis about his opinion on current events but was interrupted by Willis in mid-sentence:
"I'm sick of answering this fucking question. I'm a Republican only as far as I want a smaller 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'm apolitical. Write that down. I'm not a Republican".
In a July 2006 interview with Alex Jones, film director Richard Linklater -- who believes that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were perpetrated by the United States government to erect a police state -- said he gave one of Jones's documentaries to Willis. Linklater said Willis had told him in an e-mail that the video had changed his entire political paradigm. "He said it put him in such a head space that he will be quiet on issues of national policy," Linklater said. However, Michael Yon, a close friend of Willis confirmed that this was not true. After contacting him about the issue, Yon claimed:
Bruce got back to me this morning saying the press has misconstrued his statements and that this is untrue. Bruce said in part, “…the Linklater statements have been completely misconstrued, as usual by the media.” It’s clear that some media are just attaching Bruce’s name to gain traction. I will not talk about private communications so will keep this very brief by saying I know Bruce’s support for the troops is ongoing and, if anything, increasing. Bruce does not believe this conspiracy theory.
In early 2006, Willis, who usually lives in Los Angeles, moved into an apartment located in the Trump Tower in New York City. Willis also has a home in Malibu, CA, a ranch in Montana and multiple properties in Sun Valley, Idaho.
He filled in for an ill David Letterman on his show February 26, 2003, when he was supposed to be a guest. He interviewed Dan Rather in what he would later call "the most serious conversation of my entire life". On many of his appearances on the Letterman show, Willis stages elaborate jokes, such as wearing a day-glo orange suit in honor of the Central Park gates, or having one side of his face made up with simulated buckshot wounds after the Harry Whittington shooting. Also on The Late Show with David Letterman, Willis was seen trying to break the holding your breath under water record (parody of David Blaine) staying under for only 20 seconds.
Willis signed his name on an ad in the Los Angeles Times in support of Israel, along with Nicole Kidman and numerous other Hollywood elites. In 2006, he proposed that the United States should invade Colombia in order to end the drug trafficking.
Willis owns his own motion picture production company called Cheyenne Enterprises, as well as The Mint Bar and The Liberty Theater in Hailey, Idaho. He is also a co-founder of Planet Hollywood.
| Latest news about Bruce Willis |
Kevin Smith vs. Bruce Willis: 'A Lion in Winter' - Thompson on ...Kevin Smith has been open about his difficulties directing Bruce Willis on the set of his new comedy co-starring Tracy Morgan, A Couple of Cops. 'He's undirectable,' he said. At the New Moon premiere Smith kidded producer James Jacks, ... Continue reading
Pete Wentz wishes son spoke like Bruce Willis | The SkinnyPete Wentz wishes son spoke like Bruce Willis. Posted by Cover Media, Mon 16 Nov 2009. Pete Wentz wishes his son spoke like Bruce Willis. The Fall Out Boy rocker spent the weekend looking after 11-month-old Bronx Mowgli, his child with ... Continue reading
The Showcase Blog : SATURDAY MOVIE INTERVIEW: Bruce Willis and ...The stars of Live Free or Die Hard reminisce about this most unexpected of sequels. Continue reading
Four More for Bruce Willis' Red | BeyondHollywood.com | Movie News ...Based on the Warren Ellis comic book mini-series, “Red†stars Bruce Willis is an ex-CIA agent who has retired to green pastures, when young high-tech assassins come after him. It's a nifty idea for a movie, and one that Willis should be ... Continue reading
Who Do Britney Spears, Bruce Willis, Chris Rock, Michael Jackson ...Tom is a renowned Body Guard for individuals like Chris Rock Chuck Norris Bruce Willis Britney Spears and a host of others world famous individuals. He wanted to make the connection that kids need to see themselves an s their own ... Continue reading
Bruce Willis Says No Plastic Surgery » Celebrity Plastic Surgery ...Bruce Willis, Plastic Surgery. Bruce reportedly says, “Cosmetic stuff, I am not a fan of it and I know a lot of people are. It's a big business and anytime you can make a lot of money off something it is going to stick around. ... Continue reading
Perez Hilton: Bruce Willis Thinks He Is Still A-ListBruce Willis is one of the reason the whole A-List concept exists! Go fuck yourself, then again, this all coming from a guy who constantly hates on Kristen Stewart because he wants to suck Robert Pattinson's cock, who thinks Lady Gaga ... Continue reading
In Case You Didn't Know » Blog Archive » Bruce Willis won't have ...Bruce Willis won't have cosmetic surgery. Bruce Willis & Emma Heming. Bruce Willis will never resort to cosmetic surgery to retain his good looks – because he “really doesn't care†about his appearance. The Die Hard star, whose ex-wife ... Continue reading
Bruce Willis Says “No†To Plastic SurgeryBruce Willis just says no to cosmetic surgery. The Die Hard star has revealed that he is not a fan of cosmetic surgery and will never resort to going under. Continue reading
Times Square Gossip: BRUCE WILLIS TALKS ABOUT PLASTIC SURGERYActor Bruce Willis will never resort to cosmetic surgery to keep his very good looks, because the star "really doesn't care" about his appearance. The ex. Hubby of beautiful Demi Moore, is admitting he doesn't indulge in a skin care ... Continue reading
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