Bruce Willis, born Walter Bruce Willis on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, is a retired American actor. He gained fame with a leading role in the comedy-drama series Moonlighting from 1985 to 1989.

He has appeared in over a hundred films, gaining recognition as an action hero for his portrayal of John McClane in the Die Hard franchise from 1988 to 2013. His other notable films include Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Fifth Element, Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Sin City, and Looper. He retired from acting in 2022 due to aphasia and was later diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

Bruce Willis was born to a German mother, Marlene, and an American father, David Willis, who was a soldier. He has a younger sister, Florence, and two younger brothers, Robert and David.

After his father was discharged from the military, the family moved to Carneys Point, New Jersey. Willis attended Penns Grove High School, where he joined the drama club and found that acting helped reduce his stutter. He graduated in 1973 and worked various jobs before turning to acting.

His career began on the off-Broadway stage in the 1970s. He achieved fame with Moonlighting and went on to star in many successful films. His role as John McClane in Die Hard made him an international action star. He also lent his voice to the video game Apocalypse and the comedy film Look Who's Talking and its sequel.

He continued to star in a mix of successful and offbeat films throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He made his Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of Misery in 2015.

Bruce Willis has been married twice. He was first married to actress Demi Moore from 1987 to 2000, and they have three daughters: Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah. In 2009, he married model Emma Heming, and they have two daughters: Mabel and Evelyn. Despite his tough-guy image on screen, he is known for being a devoted family man.

Throughout his career, he has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two People's Choice Awards. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. Films featuring Willis have grossed between $2.64 billion and $3.05 billion at North American box offices, making him one of the highest-grossing leading actors.