Bruce Willis is 68: his best movie roles

The legendary actor, who cemented action hero status after playing John McClane in the Die Hard franchise, turned 68 on March 19. And there's probably no better way to celebrate than by looking back and revisiting Willis' best performances.

He ended his successful acting career in March 2022. Then his family, represented by wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore, as well as six daughters: Rumer Willis, Scout Willis, Talulah Willis, Mabel Willis and Evelyn Ullis, announced that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, which affects a person's ability to communicate. Last month, they followed up on his condition, stating that Willis suffers from frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

From his breakout role on Moonlight, which won him a Golden Globe and an Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical in 1987, Willis has appeared in more than a hundred films. Among them are "Pulp Fiction" (1994), "The Sixth Sense" (1999), "Kingdom of the Full Moon" (2012). Projects with the participation of Bruce have earned more than $ 5 billion at the worldwide box office.

Die Hard Franchise (1988 - 2013)

Bruce Willis was labeled "Hollywood's toughest guy" in 1988 when he appeared onscreen as the fearless John McClane in this action-packed (and Christmas-themed) movie. It was followed by five sequels featuring Willis. The series earned Twentieth Century Fox $1.4 billion.

"The Fifth Element" (1997)

The actor's first immersion in the sci-fi genre came in this film by Luc Besson, where he played a taxi driver who becomes responsible for the survival of planet Earth in the 23rd century.

"Pulp Fiction" (1994)

Willis starred alongside John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames and Uma Thurman in this Quentin Tarantino film noir. The film grossed over $213 million at the box office and was nominated for seven Oscars, winning for Best Original Screenplay.

"Armageddon" (1998)

Audiences didn't want to miss a moment of this touching performance by Willis as a devoted father who sacrificed his life to save the world (and Ben Affleck) in Michael Bay's disaster film. The picture became the highest grossing in 1998.

"Time Loop" (2012)

Rian Johnson's sci-fi thriller features Bruce Willis going head-to-head with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character. Bruce's young colleague played a younger version of his character. Indeed, a loop.

"The Sixth Sense" (1999)

Willis and M. Night Shyamalan teamed up for the first time for this horror film, featuring one of the most shocking plot twists in movie history. The Sixth Sense was the second highest-grossing movie in 1999.

"Invulnerable" (2000)

In this psychological thriller, Willis played a famed ex-football player who gained superhuman strength after surviving a train accident. The actor met again on the set with Shyamalan. And he reprized his character in Split (2016) and Glass (2019).

"The Expendables" (since 2010)

Willis has worked with a large cast of action stars including Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren in the first two films in the franchise. However, he decided to refuse filming in the third part of 2014.

"Kingdom of the Full Moon" (2012)

In this dramatic coming-of-age story from Wes Anderson, Willis is remembered for his whimsical performance, flashing on screen with Edward Norton, Frances McDormand and Bill Murray. The director won a Golden Globe for Best Picture and an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

"Sin City" (2005)

In the 2005 neo-noir crime anthology filmed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez, Willis appears as aging cop John Hartigan.

Alpha Dog (2006)

Based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz, Willis plays Sonny Truelove, a character inspired by John "Jack" Hollywood, the father of murderer Jesse James Hollywood.

"Nine Yards" (2000)

Willis showed both dodgeball and comedian skills in this 2000 hit, along with Matthew Perry. The success exceeded expectations and led to a sequel, The Nine Yards 2 (2004).

"RED" (2010)

"Retired and very dangerous," in this action movie Willis played a former CIA officer whose skills nevertheless came in handy to solve the next difficult task for the Agency. The film also stars Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren.

"Death Becomes Her" (1992)

The actor became the subject of desire from Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in this satirical comedy by Robert Zemeckis.

"Siege" (1998)

In the thriller, Willis plays General William Devereux alongside Denzel Washington, Annette Bening and Tony Shalhoub.

"Double KOP" (2010)

Willis plays a hard-nosed (but funny) character opposed to comedian Tracy Morgan in this Kevin Smith movie about buddy cops.