American actor who became an international action star as John McClane in Die Hard and built a varied career across action, drama, and comedy.
Background
Born Walter Bruce Willis in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, to an American serviceman and a German mother, he was raised in Penns Grove, New Jersey, after the family returned to the United States.
Career
He starred opposite Cybill Shepherd in the ABC series “Moonlighting” before his film breakthrough as NYPD detective John McClane in “Die Hard.” He led four sequels and worked with Quentin Tarantino, M. Night Shyamalan, Robert Zemeckis, and Wes Anderson. He retired from acting in 2022 due to aphasia.
Style
Willis built his action persona around wry, off-handed wit and a willingness to take punishment, then alternated such roles with darker thrillers and ensemble dramas.