Family of Hollywood action hero Bruce Willis post tribute for 35th anniversary of Die Hard
Source: 20th Century Studios
When 20th Century Fox bought the rights to cult action classic Die Hard, there was only ever one actor suited to play the New York cop who defeats a pack of terrorists in a rampage through Los Angeles’ Nakatomi Tower.
No, it wasn’t one of the big four suggested – Frank Sinatra (he had to be asked first under a contractual arrangement spin-off), Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere or Al Pacino.
It was the star of 1980s comedy classic, Moonlighting, Bruce Willis.
He scored the lead, was paid a record-breaking $US5 million ($7.3 million) and went on to become one of the most beloved, diverse and respected actors in Hollywood.
On Monday, Willis’s wife Emma Heming Willis took to Instagram and posted a short video of the family to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the film’s release.
Officially retired and living with dementia, Willis, 68, shares three daughters, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah with ex-wife, Demi Moore and two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, with Heming.
“Back in 2018 (when these videos and pictures were taken), we took Mabel and Evelyn to the Fox lot to peek at the archives as well as see the larger-than-life mural of their dad,” she wrote.
“This mural was unveiled in front of Bruce back in 2013 to commemorate Die Hard’s 25th anniversary.
“Today marks Die Hard’s 35th anniversary when it hit the screens and the rest is history.
“What Bruce has been able to accomplish in his career will never be lost on us. We are so proud of him.
‘Sharing bits of Bruce with us’
Willis went on to make Die Hard 2 in 1990, Die Hard with a Vengeance in 1995, Live Free or Die Hard in 2007 and A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013.
The action movie hero, who made more than 100 films (The Sixth Sense, Armageddon), officially retired from acting last year after being diagnosed with aphasia, which causes loss of the ability to understand or express speech.
His blended family, which has remained close over the years, revealed in February he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
He has kept a low profile since but his wife has lovingly shared videos of the family together, celebrating milestone birthdays, posting discussions with experts on brain health, visits to theme parks and Father’s Day.
Two weeks ago, she posted a flashback to Mabel and Evelyn visiting their father’s pink terrazzo star (added in 2006) on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
In the same video, the girls visit a Bruce Willis exhibit and hug a life size model of Willis dressed as John McClane.
Bruce Willis’ extended family enjoy Christmas celebrations in December last year. Photo: Instagram/DemiMoore
Four weeks ago, Heming posted a photo of Willis at home sitting with one of his daughters and kissing her on the forehead to celebrate Father’s Day.
“Father’s Day is a time I get to reflect on my deep appreciation and respect I have for Bruce as I watch him father our little ones.
“Where it might not be “conventional,” what he’s teaching them will span generations. Unconditional love, kindness, strength, compassion, patience, generosity, resilience.
“Happy Father’s Day to the greatest dad I know, who will forever be the gift that keeps giving within our family,” she wrote.
His huge and loyal fanbase have been sending well wishes and praise for Heming.
“Good job Mrs Willis you are in control of Bruce’s dementia. It takes fun times and lots of work,” wrote one fan.
Another said: “I hope people are respecting your wishes to leave your family be”
“With that being said, thank you for sharing bits of Bruce with us.”
Die Hard: All action, great script and that famous quote
Screen Rant describes Die Hard as “one of the greatest action movies of all time”.
Willis starred alongside British actor Alan Rickman [who died in 2016], who played the lead terrorist and murderous thief Hans Gruber.
Together, with his band of bad guys, they try to take over the LA tower on Christmas Eve. It doesn’t go to plan thanks to Willis’ edgy McClane.
Of all the great action sequences – think walking across glass and crawling through vents, falling from building ledges, shooting up an auditorium, ringing 911 – the one-liners from Willis remain unforgettable.
“Yippee-ki-yay, motherf–ker,” McClane wisecracks to Gruber after suggesting he was just some wannabe cowboy [the expressions seems to be a reference back to the 1930s Bing Crosby song, I’m An Old Cowhand].
“It is such a beautiful and badass line that makes fans want to cheer. Though the line has been shoe-horned into every Die Hard sequel, nothing can take away from the perfect use of it in the original,” says SR.
“It is a line that has helped the movie become so iconic.”
