Emma Willis, wife of Hollywood’s iconic action hero Bruce Willis, took a trip down memory lane this past Sunday, on the 35th anniversary of the acclaimed film “Die Hard.”
Emma, 45, shared a heartwarming compilation from 2018 on Instagram, featuring her family’s visit to the set of the enduring classic.
In the nostalgic video, 68-year-old Willis can be seen joyfully exploring the Fox lot with his children, Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 8.
The family also took time to peruse the Die Hard archives and admire a grand mural of Willis, who was publicly diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia earlier this year.
Emma reflected on the past in the caption, stating, “Back in 2018 (when these videos and pictures were taken) we took Mabel and Evelyn to the Fox lot to peek at the archives as well as see the larger-than-life mural of their dad.”
She also recalled the unveiling of the mural in 2013 to commemorate Die Hard’s 25th anniversary, emphasizing, “Today marks Die Hard’s 35th anniversary when it hit the screens and the rest is history.”
Reflecting on Willis’ prolific career, Emma shared, “What Bruce has been able to accomplish in his career will never be lost on us. We are so proud of him.”
The sentiment resonated with fans who took to the comment section to express their appreciation for Willis’ contributions to film and offer well wishes.
On a more poignant note, a new book titled “The Last Action Heroes: The Triumphs, Flops, and Feuds of Hollywood’s Kings of Carnage,” written by Nick de Semlyen, reveals some unsettling moments from the Die Hard set. Recounting one particular instance, de Semlyen describes how the crew feared for Willis’ life following a pyrotechnic stunt.
Willis, straight off the set of ‘Moonlighting,’ was prepped for a scene that required him to be shot into the air by an explosion. He stood atop a five-story parking garage, wearing only black trousers, a looped firehose around his midriff, and an MP5 submachine gun hung around his neck. His body was covered with a viscous gel, meant to prevent him from catching fire.
This risky stunt required Willis to jump from a ledge onto an airbag while gasoline-filled plastic bags exploded around him, creating a fireball. Semlyen wrote, “As he did, large plastic bags of gasoline were detonated, unleashing a fireball that blew Willis, he claimed, right to the edge of the bag.”
Willis shared his experience in retrospect, stating, “When I landed, everyone came running over to me and I thought they were going to say, ‘Great job! Attaboy!’ And what they were doing is seeing if I’m alive because I almost missed the bag.”
The narrative continues, detailing the on-set tension between Willis and Die Hard’s director, John McTiernan. Despite the friction, Willis’ unique, blue-collar approach to the action hero mold proved instrumental in the film’s success.
Willis even quit drinking, attended AA meetings, and embarked on an intensive workout routine in preparation for the role. His hard work paid off, as Die Hard became the highest-grossing film of 1988, catapulting Willis into the limelight.
Willis’ recent diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia follows an earlier diagnosis of aphasia, which can impair one’s ability to speak, write, and understand language.
Frontotemporal Dementia affects the brain’s frontal lobes, responsible for behavior, problem-solving, planning, and emotional responses. Symptoms can include personality changes, obsessive behavior, and speaking difficulties.
The beloved actor has reportedly experienced cognitive issues on film sets for several years and has even required an earpiece to remember his lines.
The severity of his condition was highlighted in his 2020 film, American Siege, where he can be seen wearing an earpiece, two years before his family publicly disclosed his diagnosis.
On March 30, 2022, Bruce Willis announced his retirement from acting.
Despite the challenges, Willis’ legacy continues to shine brightly in Hollywood’s firmament, echoing the resilient spirit of his many memorable roles.