Bruce Willis Biography Walter Bruce Willis born March 19, 1955 is a retired American actor, best known for his role as John McClane in the Die Hard franchise (1988–2013), which solidified his status as an action hero. Willis initially gained fame through his leading role on the comedy-drama series Moonlighting (1985–1989) and went on to appear in over one hundred films. His other notable works include The Last Boy Scout (1991), Pulp Fiction (1994), 12 Monkeys (1995), The Fifth Element (1997), Armageddon (1998), The Sixth Sense (1999), Unbreakable, The Whole Nine Yards (both 2000), Tears of the Sun (2003), Sin City (2005), The Expendables and Red (both 2010), Looper (2012), and Glass (2019). In the later years of his career, Willis starred in several low-budget, direct-to-video films that were poorly received. He retired in 2022 due to aphasia and was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023.
Bruce Willis Biography
Actor and musician Bruce Willis is renowned for his portrayal of tough, wisecracking characters, particularly in high-octane action films. Throughout his career, his movies have collectively grossed over $2.5 billion USD. Willis was born Walter Bruce Willis on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, to a German mother, Marlene Kassel, and an American father, David Andrew Willis, who was stationed at a U.S. military base at the time. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to the U.S., and he was raised in Penns Grove, New Jersey, where his mother worked at a bank and his father worked as a welder and factory worker. In high school, Willis developed an interest in the dramatic arts. His big break came when he was noticed while working as a bartender in New York City; a casting director saw his charisma and offered him a small role in a film.
Bruce Willis Biography Details
Born | Walter Bruce Willis March 19, 1955 (age 69) Idar-Oberstein, West Germany |
Citizenship | United States |
Occupations | Actor singer |
Years active | 1980–2022 |
Works | Filmography |
Spouses | Demi Moore (m. 1987; div. 2000) Emma Heming (m. 2009) |
Children | 5, including Rumer |
Category | Biography |
About Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis is a retired American actor. He achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama series Moonlighting and has appeared in over one hundred films, gaining recognition as an action hero for his portrayal of John McClane in the Die Hard franchise.
- Born: 19 March 1955 (age 69 years), Idar-Oberstein, Germany
- Children: Rumer Willis, Tallulah Willis, Scout LaRue Willis
- Spouse: Emma Heming Willis (m. 2009), Demi Moore (m. 1987–2000)
- Height: 83 m
- Parents: Marlene Willis, David Willis
- Siblings: David Willis, Florence Willis, Robert Willis
Early Life and Education
Bruce Willis was born in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, on March 19, 1955. His mother, Marlene, was German, and his father, David, was an American soldier. The family relocated to Carneys Point, New Jersey, after David Willis was discharged from the military in 1957. Willis has described his background as stemming from “a long line of blue-collar people.” His mother worked at a bank, while his father was a welder, master mechanic, and factory worker. Willis struggled with a stutter as a child but found that acting on stage helped reduce it. He attended Penns Grove High School in Carneys Point, where his peers nicknamed him “Buck-Buck.” He joined the drama club and was eventually elected student council president.
How did Bruce Willis begin his career?
Willis, born in 1955, struggled with a stutter during his childhood but overcame it through acting. After studying drama at Montclair State University in New Jersey, he worked odd jobs in New York while auditioning for acting roles. Eventually, he landed the role of private investigator David Addison on Moonlighting (1985-1989), which catapulted him to fame.
How much did Bruce Willis earn for Die Hard?
Willis made $5 million for his first Die Hard film in 1988, which was a record at the time for an actor’s salary on a single project. His earnings from the sequels continued to rise, with $7.5 million for Die Hard 2 (1990), $15 million for Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and $25 million for Live Free or Die Hard (2007), with similar compensation for A Good Day to Die Hard (2013).
What did Bruce Willis earn from The Sixth Sense?
In 1999, Willis starred in The Sixth Sense, which grossed over $670 million worldwide. While he typically earned around $20 million per film, Willis took a lower salary of $14 million for this project in exchange for a percentage of the film’s profits. This deal proved lucrative, reportedly netting him an additional $100 million from the film’s success.
Did Bruce Willis make money from Friends?
It’s widely believed that Willis didn’t accept payment for his guest appearance on Friends, as he agreed to the role due to a bet with his The Whole Nine Yards co-star Matthew Perry. While the specifics remain unclear, Willis is said to have donated the money he would’ve earned to charity, supporting causes like AIDS research and children’s welfare.
How much did Bruce Willis make for Pulp Fiction?
For his role in Pulp Fiction (1994), Willis reportedly took a pay cut, earning only $800,000 upfront. However, his contract included a cut of the film’s profits, which ultimately made him several million dollars, as Pulp Fiction became a cultural phenomenon.
What did Bruce Willis earn for Look Who’s Talking?
Willis earned $10 million for his voice work as Mikey the baby in the 1989 film Look Who’s Talking. This deal, which included a percentage of the film’s box office earnings, turned out to be highly favorable, as the film grossed over $140 million.
How much does Bruce Willis make per movie?
Willis was known for earning $20 million per film during his peak years, a rate shared by other A-list actors like Tom Cruise and Julia Roberts. His ability to negotiate back-end deals on top of his salaries helped boost his earnings significantly throughout his career.
What is Bruce Willis’ net worth in 2025?
Bruce Willis has a net worth of $250 million as of 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth.