Bruce Willis might be one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars, but he’s also got plenty of tales to tell from his life away from the screen.
The heroic on-screen hunk, 66, is famed for fighting villains as rogue cop John McLane in the globally-loved Die Hard films – but Bruce first shot onto the scene in the comedy-drama series Moonlighting.
The American action-hero has racked up a whopping 70 film roles during his hugely successful film career, working with fellow A-Listers like John Travolta, Uma Thurman and Samuel L Jackson in iconic flicks like Pulp Fiction (1994).
To celebrate his 67th birthday today (March 19), Daily Star have taken a deep dive into Bruce’s blockbuster life.
Demi Moore marriage
(Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Bruce had a high-profile marriage with fellow Hollywood actor Demi Moore, and the pair met in a glam showbiz setting.
Although Bruce and Demi met at the film premiere for the film Stakeout in 1987, Demi was actually with her former fiancé Emilio Esteves at the time, who starred in the buddy cop film.
Looking back in Inside Out, Demi wrote that she initially thought Bruce was “cocky, dark, and handsome”.
In a whirlwind romance, the Die Hard star started dating Demi soon afterwards and they tied the knot on November 21 of that year after Bruce popped the question on their trip to Las Vegas.
(Image: FilmMagic)
Bruce and Demi went on to welcome three daughters, Rumer, Scout and Tallulah whilst juggling parenthood and film careers.
It wasn’t to last, though, because they publicly separated in 1998 before divorcing in October 2000 – after 13 years together.
Looking back on the divorce, Bruce admitted he felt he had failed as a husband and father.
He said: “I felt I had failed as a father and a husband by not being able to make it work.”
However, Bruce has remained close friends with Demi and her now-ex hubby Ashton Kutcher – and even attended their wedding.
When Will Smith ‘saved Bruce’s life’
(Image: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Splash News / SplashNews.com)
Bruce said he was rescued by his fellow actor pal Will Smith after his devastating divorce.
In fact, Willis said the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star ‘saved his life’ after giving him life-changing advice about his kids.
He said: “I kept blaming myself. I couldn’t believe it had happened to us. I started talking to Will who is a very close personal friend, and he saved my life.
“He told me that you have to put the kids first, and even if it’s awkward you have to get together with the new girlfriend or spouse –whoever it is. It was just great advice.”
Finding love with a model
(Image: Getty Images for Film at Lincoln Center)
The film star later became smitten with stunning model and actress Brooke Burns.
They even got engaged, but they broke up in 2004 after a 10 month relationship.
However, Bruce finally found love again with another glamorous model, Emma Heming, when they met at their mutual trainer’s gym.
The pair tied the knot in Turks and Caicos in March 2009, and ex-wife Demi came to the event with her then-hubby Ashton.
Bruce and Emma made their marriage official in a civil ceremony in Beverly Hills six days later, and went on to welcome their two daughters Mabel and Evelyn.
Military interests
(Image: FilmMagic)
At one point, Bruce considered ditching movie fights for real life combat in the middle east.
That’s because he considered signing up to the military to help fight in the second Iraq War, which ran between 2003 and 2011.
An avid singer, Bruce had visited Iraq in 2003 during the USO tour (United Service Organisations) and sang to the troops.
However, he was later put off joining the forces in combat due to his age.
Despite this, the actor has shown his support for the army in other ways, such as publicly selling Girl Scout cookies to send to troops.
His daughter Tallulah was only 8-years-old when she suggested he send the Girl Scout cookies to the army, and dad Bruce bought 12,000 boxes of the cookies.
The sweet treats were later sent to sailors aboard the USS John F. Kennedy, as well as troops across the Middle East.
Religion
(Image: WireImage)
The Die Hard legend used to be an avid Christian, but he no longer practices.
Willis used to be a Lutheran, which is a Protestant branch of Christianity harking back to the beliefs of 16th-century monk Martin Luther.
Speaking on religion during a chat with George magazine, Bruce said: “Organised religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms. They were all very important when we didn’t know why the sun moved, why weather changed, why hurricanes occurred, or volcanoes happened.
“Modern religion is the end trail of modern mythology. But there are people who interpret the Bible literally. Literally! I choose not to believe that’s the way. And that’s what makes America cool, you know?”
Planet Hollywood
(Image: Katielee Arrowsmith/ HEMEDIA SWNS)
The actor and singer is a man of many talents, because he also occupies a number of businesses.
The A-Lister co-founded the famous restaurant chain Planet Hollywood – along with fellow Hollywood action heroes Sylvestor Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with ex Demi Moore also backing the project.
The chain, which sees restaurants kitted out with Hollywood memorabilia, was launched in New York City back in 1991.
For more of the latest showbiz news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
