Bruce Willis has been in the game for a long time. He recently announced that he was retiring. Willis first achieved fame for his role in the series Moonlighting. He achieved international fame in one of the greatest action films ever made, Die Hard playing John McClane. Throughout his career, Willis has appeared in more than a hundred films.
John McClane- Die Hard (1988) and series
“Yipee-ki-yay, motherfucker.” How can this role not be on the list? It is one of the greatest action films of all time. Bruce Willis is the very definition of John McClane. No one could have played this role but him. The film is great as New York City police detective John McClane is caught up in a terrorist takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper while visiting his estranged wife. Plus, Alan Rickman is an all time excellent villain.
Malcolm Crowe- The Sixth Sense (1999)
- Night Shyamalan was the twist master in this supernatural film. In this film, Willis plays Malcom Crowe, a child psychologist whose patient, played by Haley Joel Osment, claims he can see and talk to the dead. Yup, you know the scene, “I see dead people.” Willis was a calming presence in this supernatural film until the very end when it all goes down.
David Dunn- Unbreakable (2000)
Back again in a M. Night Shyamalan film, Willis plays David Dunn, a man who is the only survivor of a train crash and comes out of it with no injuries. Willis plays David as a quiet man but comes face to face with a wheel-chaired bound, Gumby hairstyle Samuel L. Jackson. The ending is crazy and maybe shows that people have out of this world abilities.
Korben Dallas- The Fifth Element (1997)
Korben Dallas multi-pass!! In this film that combines Blade Runner and every other sci-fi film. Willis plays Korben Dallas, an elite fighter who becomes a taxi-cab driver and then needs to save the world. Willis is entertaining and calm
John Hartigan- Sin City (2005)
In Frank Miller’s graphic novel, Willis plays Hartigan, a veteran cop who saves little Nancy from a child serial killer. The story that Willis is in is pretty cool as we see his time in the slammer. Willis seems calm and collective but he does beat the shit out of Junior. Actually, homeboy straight up violated Junior after crushing his skull.
Butch Coolidge- Pulp Fiction (1994)
In Quentin Tarantino’s MONSTER hit, it tells several stories of crime in Los Angeles, California. Willis plays Butch Coolidge, an aging boxer on the run from Marsellus having double-crossed him. Even though Willis was a star, his performance was overshadowed by Jackson. Yet, Willis is great and towards the end, homeboy rolls around with a katana and saves Marsellus.
James Cole- 12 Monkeys (1995)
12 Monkeys is a complete and total mind-f**k of a film. The film revolves around a deadly virus that was released and wipes out almost all of humanity. This forces survivors to live underground. Willis plays James Cole, a prisoner in 2035, who is sent back in time to find and stop the original virus from being released. Willis might be the star but his performance is okay. It is all about the craziness of the film and the ending will make you drop your jaw.
Malcolm Crowe- The Sixth Sense (1999)
In M. Night Shyamalan’s twist thriller, Bruce Willis stars as Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist whose patient, played by Haley Joel Osment, claims he can see and talk to the dead. Willis gives a strong performance as a man who tries to help his patient. It wasn’t until the end where you are just as shocked as his character.
Joe- Looper (2012)
This is a trippy movie that is also excellent to watch. It revolves around contract killers who are called loopers. They are hired by criminal organizations and send their victims back in time to be killed. Bruce Willis plays Joe, a man who spent his life killing. He is sent back time to be excited by his former self who is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Willis gives an outstanding performance as a man who has seen it all and has grief about what he did.
Joe Hallenbeck- The Last Boy Scout (1991)
Willis stars as Jon Hallenbeck, a sad excuse of a private detective who is down on his luck with his kid hating him and wife cheating on him. Willis stars alongside Damon Wayans, who was a former pro footballer until he gets caught betting on games. The pair uncover a conspiracy and craziness ensues. This is one of the underrated Willis’s films that has a pretty good storyline and memorable scenes.