“Thank you for everything”: Bruce leaves the screens
Bruce Willis doesn’t need any introduction. Most of us grew up with him playing on our TVs, in some action movie that we just couldn’t stop watching. Recently, Bruce’s close family publicly announced that he is retiring, due to a condition called aphasia — and we wanted to delve a bit deeper into the actors’ impressive career and life story.
Bright Side believes actors are a priceless part of our lives and the impression they make on us is immeasurable — let’s find out some cool facts about the man behind the name — Bruce Willis.
Bruce Willis — from TV shows to blockbusters
Fun fact: Bruce Willis — 67 years old — American actor, singer, and film producer — an iconic figure in pop culture, was born in West Germany, in 1955.
His acting career began off-Broadway in the ’70s and Bruce first rose to fame thanks to the TV show Moonlighting, in 1985. More than 30 years later, he managed to be a part of around 100 films and has multiple awards under his belt.
During the actor’s Moonlighting chapter, the Die Hard franchise began in 1988 and Mr. Willis starred in all 5 parts, with the last one coming out in 2013. Bruce Willis will be forever known as John McClane, the quick-witted detective that saves the day — but we won’t spoil it for you — this is the perfect time to rewatch the good old classics.
Interesting facts we didn’t know about Bruce Willis
In his first 20 years of life, Bruce struggled with stuttering, he said: “I could hardly talk. It took me 3 minutes to complete a sentence. It was crushing for anyone who wanted to express themselves, who wanted to be heard and couldn’t. It was frightening. Yet, when I became another character, in a play, I lost the stutter. It was phenomenal.”
Bruce Willis is also a singer, his debut album, The Return of Bruno, was released in 1987, and 2 others followed in 1989 and 2001 — the lead single — Respect Yourself, was a hit.
Willis forever changed salaries in Hollywood. In 1987, when actors like Tom Cruise and Michael J. Fox were getting around $3 million for a movie, 20th Century Fox agreed to pay Willis $5 million for his first role in Die Hard. Other stars took notice and “the day after I signed the deal, every actor in Hollywood’s salary went up to $5 million,” stated Willis.
