“We Made The Deal Right There”: Bruce Willis’ Audition for Iconic Comedy Celebrated 35 Years Later

Bruce Willis, celebrated predominantly for his action-packed performances, exemplifies remarkable versatility as an actor. Although recent health challenges have led to his retirement, his illustrious career prior to this phase was marked by an impressive array of roles. Among his most memorable characters is John McClane from the Die Hard franchise, which firmly established Willis as a leading man in action cinema. Not stopping there, he also showcased his talents in numerous other notable action films, including Detective Knight and The Expendables.

However, Willis’ talents extend far beyond the realm of action. He delivered hilarious performances in films that highlighted his comedic chops. His role as Butch Coolidge in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is a prime example, demonstrating his ability to portray a character defined by minimal dialogue yet overflowing with charisma. Additionally, his performance in Wes Anderson’s whimsical Moonrise Kingdom further illustrates his comedic versatility. One of his standout performances in comedy came from the classic series Moonlighting, a role that earned him an Emmy award in 1987 and solidified his reputation in the realm of humor.

Amy Heckerling Recalls Willis’ Perfect Audition for Look Who’s Talking

Willis Portrayed a Baby in the Film

John Travolta and Kirstie Alley in Look Who's Talking

Director Amy Heckerling reflects on Bruce Willis’ extraordinary audition for the 1989 comedy Look Who’s Talking. The film portrays a single woman navigating the challenges of motherhood after a brief affair with a married man, interwoven with the comedic narration of her newborn baby, voiced by Willis. The cast also features notable actors such as John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, and Olympia Dukakis.

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Heckerling fondly recounted how Willis approached his audition. He entered the editing room keen to understand the comedic direction they envisioned. After reviewing footage of real babies, Willis took it upon himself to prepare by performing sit-ups and practicing improvised lines inspired by what he saw. Heckerling was so impressed by his comedic intuition that she made the decision to cast him immediately, as detailed in her remark:

“Bruce [Willis] came to the editing room [before he was cast], to see what we wanted him to do. We showed him all this footage of babies, and he was like, ‘Okay, I get it.’ He looked at the footage for a while, did some sit-ups, looked at the footage some more, and then started improvising this hilarious stuff. He was so brilliant. We made the deal right there.”

Our Take on Bruce Willis’ Role in Look Who’s Talking

It’s One of the Funniest Roles in His Career

In a role that features Willis voicing a newborn baby, he showcases an unexpected yet delightful side of his talent. This unique character underscores not only his creativity but also his inherent comedic skills. Although his physical presence is absent, Willis’ vocal performance still brings laughter to audiences. For those looking to dive into the diverse and multifaceted career of Bruce Willis, Look Who’s Talking remains a worthy film to revisit.

Source: Empire Magazine

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