In a deeply inside interview on the TODAY show, action star Bruce Willis opened up about his time shooting classic action thriller “Die Hard.” The shocking conversation, which aired on July 13, 1988, with journalist Bryant Gumbel conducting the interview. The discussion brought to the fore some of Willis’ breathtaking chutzpah in the film. It explored his personal life as he prepared to be a father.
During the interview, Willis shared insights about his role as John McClane, the resourceful New York City police officer who finds himself battling terrorists in a Los Angeles skyscraper. The actor even went as far to say that he did most of his own stunts, an indication of his desire for a more grounded approach to action. It was his trained athleticism and open-mindedness to take physical risks that helped the film capture its raw, realistic and thrilling aura.
Die Hard truly was an important point in Willis’ career, turning him into a top action star in all of Hollywood. He shared honestly about how the movie got him opportunities and improved his value in the community as an artist. Willis shared his appreciation for the opportunities that came thereafter and said he wanted to make sure he was still growing and developing as an actor.
The discussion became more personal when Gumbel began to ask Willis about his upcoming fatherhood. The actor revealed that he was expecting his first child, reflecting on the joy and responsibility that accompany this new chapter in his life. This surprising habit brought the Hollywood superstar down to earth. She’s most often associated with blockbuster action roles and exciting narratives.
As a father-to-be, Willis admitted the struggle he wanted to strike with his high-powered career and home life. For starters, he expressed a clear aspiration to be there for his son, but balanced that with the whirlwind that comes with fame. This dedication to family reinforced a more empathetic side of the action hero persona, which he embodied on and off the screen.
During the entirety of the interview, Willis was nothing but reverent when it came to portraying his art and complicated personal relationships. He told a powerful story about what his future could look like. He went on to say that he was looking for opportunities to branch out from the action genre. His personal insights uncovered an incredibly ironic, brilliant actor who is deliberate about his impact on the entertainment industry. Fortune and fame are fleeting.
That open conversation showed a more vulnerable side of Bruce Willis. We witnessed him reflect on his career path and the highs and lows of fatherhood. Yet the interview offered an inside, immersive view of a major celebrity’s path to global fame. It chronicled their journey as they moved from being an upstart player to a ubiquitous presence.