Early Life and Education of Bruce Willis: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Bruce Willis, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Walter Bruce Willis is a retired American actor renowned for his leading role in the comedy-drama series *Moonlighting* (1985-1989). He solidified his status as an action hero through his portrayal of John McClane in the *Die Hard* franchise (1988-2013) and has appeared in over one hundred films throughout his career. Willis's work spans various genres, but he is particularly known for his action roles.

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: Campaigning for Michael Dukakis

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

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.

1996: Declined Endorsement of Bob Dole

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

June 24, 1998: Separation Announcement

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 expressed his opinion that organized religions are dying forms.

October 18, 2000: Divorce Finalized

On October 18, 2000, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's divorce was finalized.

2000: Cheyenne Enterprises Founded

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

2000: Republican National Convention Speaker

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

2002: Girl Scout Cookie Donation

In 2002, Bruce Willis purchased 12,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, suggested by his daughter Tallulah, and distributed 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.

February 2006: Views on the Bush Administration

In February 2006, while in Manhattan to promote his film 16 Blocks, Bruce Willis expressed his frustration with questions about the Bush administration and his desire for smaller government and fiscal responsibility.

August 17, 2006: Support for Israel in Los Angeles Times Advertisement

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 Intervention in Colombia

In 2006, Bruce Willis stated that the United States should intervene more extensively in Colombia to end drug trafficking.

June 2007: Republican-Aligned Beliefs

In several June 2007 interviews, Bruce Willis noted 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.

2012: Negative Opinion of Mitt Romney

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

March 30, 2022: Retirement Announcement

On March 30, 2022, Bruce Willis's family announced his retirement due to being diagnosed with aphasia.

February 16, 2023: Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis

On February 16, 2023, Bruce Willis's family announced his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

September 2025: Emma Heming Willis's Book Release

In September 2025, Emma Heming Willis will release her book, Unexpected Journey, focusing on her experience as a caregiver for her husband, Bruce Willis.