By Zach Seemayer
1:51 AM PDT, October 14, 2013
Tough-guy actor Bruce Willis, known for blowing away accented bad guys in movies like Die Hard, RED, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, The Expendables, GI Joe and most of the other films that come to mind right off the bat when people think about his career, hosted the comedy sketch show SNL this weekend, and many are saying it was the best show so far this season.
PICS: Star Sightings
But should this be a surprise? After all, if you take the time to look past the amazing action films he's starred in during his career, he's actually no stranger to incredible comedies. Here is a look back at the best of the lighter side of Bruce Willis in film and on TV.
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Bruce Willis Hosts 'SNL'
Tough-guy actor Bruce Willis, known for blowing away accented bad guys in movies like Die Hard, RED, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, The Expendables, GI Joe and most of the other films that come to mind right off the bat when people think about his career, hosted the comedy sketch show SNL this weekend, and many are saying it was the best show so far this season.
PICS: Star Sightings
But should this be a surprise? After all, if you take the time to look past the amazing action films he's starred in during his career, he's actually no stranger to incredible comedies. Here is a look back at the best of the lighter side of Bruce Willis in film and on TV.
PICS: Star Sightings
But should this be a surprise? After all, if you take the time to look past the amazing action films he's starred in during his career, he's actually no stranger to incredible comedies. Here is a look back at the best of the lighter side of Bruce Willis in film and on TV.
'Moonlighting' (TV Show)
Year: 1985
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 71% (Pilot)
Moonlighting was one of the first major projects for Willis, and easily one of the most enduring. The show starred Cybill Shepard as a fashion model who loses her money after it gets embezzled and must take a job at the Detective Agency she owns as a tax write-off. Willis played the Agency's detective David Addison. The show revolved around their unresolved sexual attraction and energy as they fought with each other constantly, but lust and love were boiling beneath the surface in every episode. The show was filled with mystery and action, but ultimately it was a zany detective comedy where the humor and romance drove the audience's interest.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 71% (Pilot)
Moonlighting was one of the first major projects for Willis, and easily one of the most enduring. The show starred Cybill Shepard as a fashion model who loses her money after it gets embezzled and must take a job at the Detective Agency she owns as a tax write-off. Willis played the Agency's detective David Addison. The show revolved around their unresolved sexual attraction and energy as they fought with each other constantly, but lust and love were boiling beneath the surface in every episode. The show was filled with mystery and action, but ultimately it was a zany detective comedy where the humor and romance drove the audience's interest.
'Look Who's Talking'
Year: 1989
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 58%
Sure its rating isn't very high, but Look Who's Talking is one of those classic American 80's comedies with light-hearted family fun mixed with raunchy humor. Willis provided the voice of the baby Mikey, who has the thoughts and emotions of a man with the maturity of a toddler. In a way, he could be a precursor to the character Stewie from Family Guy, minus all of the murderous tendencies. The film starred John Travolta and Kirstie Alley as well, but the real memorable comedy comes from Willis's sarcastic delivery.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 58%
Sure its rating isn't very high, but Look Who's Talking is one of those classic American 80's comedies with light-hearted family fun mixed with raunchy humor. Willis provided the voice of the baby Mikey, who has the thoughts and emotions of a man with the maturity of a toddler. In a way, he could be a precursor to the character Stewie from Family Guy, minus all of the murderous tendencies. The film starred John Travolta and Kirstie Alley as well, but the real memorable comedy comes from Willis's sarcastic delivery.
'The Whole Nine Yards'
Year: 2000
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 45%
This dark comedy follows Bruce Willis as an ex-hitman who moves into a suburban neighborhood, and his criminal background is discovered by his dentist neighbor, played by Matthew Perry. The movie plays up Willis's background as an action leading man by including a lot of gun play for him to revel in, but its quips, one liners and awesome set ups really deliver on the premise of the film. The back and forth between Willis and Perry is spot-on and despite its undeservedly lack-luster rating, The Whole Nine Yards is a solid comedy all around.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 45%
This dark comedy follows Bruce Willis as an ex-hitman who moves into a suburban neighborhood, and his criminal background is discovered by his dentist neighbor, played by Matthew Perry. The movie plays up Willis's background as an action leading man by including a lot of gun play for him to revel in, but its quips, one liners and awesome set ups really deliver on the premise of the film. The back and forth between Willis and Perry is spot-on and despite its undeservedly lack-luster rating, The Whole Nine Yards is a solid comedy all around.
'Bandits'
Year: 2001
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 65%
This would be more of a dramedy that an outright comedy, but Willis's wit and charm are on full display throughout. Willis plays a charming bank robber named Joe who breaks out of prison with his friend Terry, played by Billy Bob Thorton. The two start a bank robbing spree, and eventually kidnap a girl named Kate, played by Cate Blanchett. Quickly, a love-triangle forms as both bandits fall in love with the same girl they've kidnapped. Not exactly the ripest territory for humor, but it comes through brilliantly, and is a must-watch for fans of crime comedies.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 65%
This would be more of a dramedy that an outright comedy, but Willis's wit and charm are on full display throughout. Willis plays a charming bank robber named Joe who breaks out of prison with his friend Terry, played by Billy Bob Thorton. The two start a bank robbing spree, and eventually kidnap a girl named Kate, played by Cate Blanchett. Quickly, a love-triangle forms as both bandits fall in love with the same girl they've kidnapped. Not exactly the ripest territory for humor, but it comes through brilliantly, and is a must-watch for fans of crime comedies.
'What Just Happened?'
Year: 2008
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 51%
Willis's role in this super inside-the-biz look at Hollywood isn't huge, and he played a caricature of himself, but his ability to mock not only himself but the vanity and insanity of Hollywood actors is worth seeing the film for alone. Not to mention one of the best performances from Robert De Niro in the last decade. If you like seeing how movies get made, this satirical look at the behind-the-scenes of tinsel town is well worth your time.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 51%
Willis's role in this super inside-the-biz look at Hollywood isn't huge, and he played a caricature of himself, but his ability to mock not only himself but the vanity and insanity of Hollywood actors is worth seeing the film for alone. Not to mention one of the best performances from Robert De Niro in the last decade. If you like seeing how movies get made, this satirical look at the behind-the-scenes of tinsel town is well worth your time.
'Cop Out'
Year: 2010
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 19%
This movie caught a lot of heat when it first came out, but it is one of the most out-and-out comedies that Willis has made in a number of years. Willis plays a by-the-book cop who gets partnered with the wild, reckless and often stupid Tracey Morgan. The plot is a bit convoluted, and isn't even important to the comedy itself, which comes from the dynamic paring of Willis and Morgan. While not everything is up to snuff in this Directed-by but not written-by Kevin Smith cop comedy, it's worth a look if what you're looking for is decent jokes and a fun time.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 19%
This movie caught a lot of heat when it first came out, but it is one of the most out-and-out comedies that Willis has made in a number of years. Willis plays a by-the-book cop who gets partnered with the wild, reckless and often stupid Tracey Morgan. The plot is a bit convoluted, and isn't even important to the comedy itself, which comes from the dynamic paring of Willis and Morgan. While not everything is up to snuff in this Directed-by but not written-by Kevin Smith cop comedy, it's worth a look if what you're looking for is decent jokes and a fun time.