Jerry Bruckheimer recently shared his admiration for Bruce Willis, reflecting on their time working together on the 1998 hit film Armageddon. Bruckheimer, who produced the blockbuster, praised Willis for his kindness and generosity towards the crew during filming. According to Bruckheimer, Willis went above and beyond to make everyone feel appreciated on set.
Describing Willis as a 'good guy,' Bruckheimer highlighted the actor's generosity towards the crew members. He recalled how Willis would contribute to cash giveaways for the crew at the end of each week, making sure that everyone felt valued for their hard work. The crew would participate in drawings, with Willis often adding a substantial amount of money to the pot, ensuring that the winners received a nice bonus.
Armageddon, directed by Michael Bay and featuring a star-studded cast including Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton, Steve Buscemi, and Owen Wilson, received critical acclaim and garnered four Oscar nominations. The film follows a group of oil drillers recruited by NASA to prevent a catastrophic asteroid from colliding with Earth.
Willis, known for his iconic roles in films like Die Hard and Pulp Fiction, announced his retirement from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia. Subsequently, his family revealed that he has been battling frontotemporal dementia. Despite his health challenges, Willis continues to be remembered fondly by his peers in the industry.
In a recent interview, Arnold Schwarzenegger also expressed his admiration for Willis, describing him as a 'fantastic' individual and a 'huge star.' Schwarzenegger emphasized Willis' lasting impact on Hollywood and praised his kindness and talent throughout his career.