History of Bruce Willis in Timeline

Walter Bruce Willis, a retired American actor, gained prominence for his role in the television series Moonlighting and solidified his status as an action hero through his portrayal of John McClane in the Die Hard film series. He has starred in over a hundred films, becoming a recognizable figure in the entertainment industry. Willis retired from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

November 21, 1987: Marriage to Demi Moore

On November 21, 1987, Bruce Willis married Demi Moore at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas.

1988: Birth of Daughter Rumer

In 1988, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Rumer was born.

1988: Campaigning for Michael Dukakis

In 1988, Bruce Willis and then-wife Demi Moore campaigned for then Democratic Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign in the 1988 presidential elections.

1991: Birth of Daughter Scout

In 1991, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Scout was born.

1992: Support for George H. W. Bush

In the 1992 presidential election, Bruce Willis supported President George H. W. Bush for reelection and was an outspoken critic of Bill Clinton.

1994: Birth of Daughter Tallulah

In 1994, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Tallulah was born.

1996: Declining to Endorse Bob Dole

In 1996, Bruce Willis declined to endorse Clinton's Republican opponent Bob Dole because Dole criticized Demi Moore for her role in the film Striptease.

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June 24, 1998: Separation from Demi Moore

On June 24, 1998, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore announced their separation.

July 1998: Views on Organized Religion

In a July 1998 interview with George magazine, Bruce Willis shared his views on organized religion, stating they are dying forms.

October 18, 2000: Divorce from Demi Moore Finalized

On October 18, 2000, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore filed for divorce, and it was finalized later that day.

2000: Cheyenne Enterprises Started

In 2000, Bruce Willis and Arnold Rifkin started a motion picture production company called Cheyenne Enterprises.

2000: Speaking at Republican National Convention

In 2000, Bruce Willis was an invited speaker at the Republican National Convention and supported George W. Bush that year.

2002: Donation of Girl Scout Cookies to Troops

In 2002, Bruce Willis purchased 12,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies at the suggestion of his daughter Tallulah, and donated them to sailors aboard USS John F. Kennedy and other troops stationed throughout the Middle East.

2003: USO Tour in Iraq

In 2003, Bruce Willis visited Iraq as part of the USO tour, singing to the troops with his band, The Accelerators.

2004: Breakup with Brooke Burns

In 2004, Bruce Willis and Brooke Burns broke up after ten months together.

February 2006: Views on the Bush Administration

In February 2006, Bruce Willis expressed frustration with questions about the Bush administration, stating he wants a smaller government, less government intrusion, and fiscal responsibility.

August 17, 2006: Condemnation of Hamas and Hezbollah

On August 17, 2006, Bruce Willis was named in a Los Angeles Times advertisement that condemned Hamas and Hezbollah and supported Israel in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

2006: Views on U.S. Intervention in Colombia

In 2006, Bruce Willis stated that the United States should intervene more extensively in Colombia to end drug trafficking and expressed support for increased salaries for teachers and police officers, and disappointment in the United States foster care system and its treatment of Native Americans. He also supported gun rights.

June 2007: Republican-aligned beliefs

In several June 2007 interviews, Bruce Willis said that he maintains some beliefs aligned with Republican ideas.

June 2007: Clarification on Terrorist Bounty

In the June 2007 issue of Vanity Fair, Bruce Willis clarified that his statement about offering US$1 million for terrorist leaders was made hypothetically and not meant to be taken literally.

2007: Departure from Cheyenne Enterprises

In 2007, Bruce Willis left Cheyenne Enterprises, his motion picture production company, to be run solely by Arnold Rifkin after Live Free or Die Hard.

2008: No Endorsements in Presidential Campaign

In 2008, Bruce Willis did not make any contributions or public endorsements in the presidential campaign.

March 21, 2009: Marriage to Emma Heming

On March 21, 2009, Bruce Willis married Emma Heming in Turks and Caicos.

2009: Face of Sobieski Vodka

In 2009, Bruce Willis signed a contract to become the international face of Belvedere SA's Sobieski Vodka in exchange for 3.3% ownership in the company.

2012: Birth of Daughter

In 2012, Bruce Willis and Emma Heming had a daughter.

2012: Negative Opinion of Mitt Romney

In the 2012 presidential election, Bruce Willis said that he had a negative opinion of Mitt Romney.

October 12, 2013: Hosting Saturday Night Live

On October 12, 2013, Bruce Willis hosted Saturday Night Live with Katy Perry as the musical guest.

2014: Birth of Second Daughter

In 2014, Bruce Willis and Emma Heming had another daughter.

July 29, 2018: Comedy Central Roast

On July 29, 2018, Bruce Willis was the subject of a roast by Comedy Central.

2018: Brand ambassador of Hell Energy Drink

In 2018, Bruce Willis became the brand ambassador of the Hungarian brand Hell Energy Drink.

2021: Worst Bruce Willis Performance in a 2021 Movie

In 2021, The Golden Raspberry Awards created a dedicated category, the Worst Bruce Willis Performance in a 2021 Movie, for Willis's roles in eight films released that year, due to the number of low-budget films he starred in.