Bruce Willis gave Samuel L. Jackson priceless advice at the start of his career.
Willis and Jackson were filming « Die Hard With a Vengeance » in 1994 when Willis told Jackson to find a character that everybody loves, just like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone did.
« He told me, ‘Hopefully you’ll be able to find a character that, when you make bad movies and they don’t make any money, you can always go back to this character everybody loves. He said, ‘Arnold’s got « Terminator. » Sylvester’s got « Rocky, » « Rambo. » I’ve got John McClane,' » Jackson told Vanity Fair.
Bruce Willis gave Samuel L. Jackson priceless advice in 1994. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
It took Jackson 14 years until he understood Willis’ advice.
BRUCE WILLIS, DEMI MOORE’S DAUGHTER SAYS FAMILY ‘RALLY AROUND EACH OTHER’ AS DAD BATTLES DEMENTIA
« And it didn’t occur to me until I got that Nick Fury role — and I had a nine-picture deal to be Nick Fury — that, ‘Oh, I’m doing what Bruce said. I’ve got this character now.’ »
Arnold Schwarzenegger in « Terminator 2. » (CBS)
Sylvester Stallone walks through a trench with Richard Crenna in a scene from « Rambo III. » (TriStar/Getty Images)
Jackson took on the role of Nick Fury in 12 Marvel films. He first put on the eye patch for « Iron Man » in 2008.
« He told me, ‘Hopefully you’ll be able to find a character that, when you make bad movies and they don’t make any money, you can always go back to this character everybody loves. He said ‘Arnold’s got « Terminator. » Sylvester’s got « Rocky, » « Rambo. » I’ve got John McClane.' »
According to CNBC, the Marvel movies that Jackson has appeared in grossed $12.8 billion.
Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis are standing on a bridge looking down during a scene from « Die Hard: With a Vengeance. » (20th Century Fox/Getty Images)
Willis celebrated his 70th birthday March 19. On Wednesday, the legendary actor’s ex-wife Demi Moore, their three daughters and Bruce’s wife of nearly 16 years, Emma Hemming Willis, all paid tribute to the « Die Hard » star on his milestone birthday.
« Happy birthday, BW! We love you, » Moore, who was married to Bruce from 1987 through 2000, wrote alongside a carousel that included never-before-seen photos.
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« To the King… I love you Daddio. Happy 70th Birthday papa, » Bruce’s eldest daughter, Rumer, wrote on Instagram alongside a throwback video of her parents dancing together.
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Tallulah Willis, Bruce and Moore’s youngest daughter, wrote, « Happy 70th to my favorite friend! You are a light that can never be dimmed! I love you so proud to be your baby Tallulah Belle Bruce Willis. »
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In a few follow-up posts, she shared more photos of her parents.
Tallulah praised her « hero » and expressed how proud she is to be a Willis.
« He’s a spaceman, a hero with a badge, a sassy detective with unparalleled banter – and it’s been a privilege to witness all these different characters enlived, and engraved into history because of his innate spirit and soul, » Tallulah wrote.
« But really – this is my Dad. throughout my childhood I was so frequently asked what it was like to have capital B Bruce Willis as a dad, that somehow these people thought that when they saw him jump off buildings via a 20ft screen he remained EXTRA LARGE.
Bruce Willis celebrated his 70th birthday March 19. (Rich Fury/Getty Images)
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« He’s a person, a man, a son, a kid from Jersey who hit the mother f—ng jackpot of life by the stroke of luck he couldn’t even explain, » she continued. « I love this Jersey boy, who combed my hair in baths, and always made sure I layed a towel down before eating on his bed, and is known far and wide as the Corn Cake King to our safe circle of intimates.
« For years I would get red in the face when people found out my ‘full’ name, » she concluded. « But I’m pretty damn proud to be Tallulah Belle Bruce Willis. »
Scout Willis, the middle child of the three adult Willis girls, dubbed her dad the « greatest of all time. »
Rumer Willis, Demi Moore and Tallulah Belle Willis all publicly wished Bruce a happy birthday. (Phil Faraone/VMN18/Getty Images For Comedy Central)
« Happy birthday to the Greatest of all time, » Scout wrote. « Every day I thank the Gods that 50% of my DNA is from him. The music I make, the magic I create, and the magnetic mischief I incite, that’s my father’s legacy alive in the world. »
Emma, mother of Bruce’s two youngest daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, shared a photo of the actor smiling on a four-wheeler. In the caption, she asked her followers to send along birthday wishes for him.
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« It’s Bruce’s birthday, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that there’s no greater fan than a Bruce fan, » she wrote. « So flood him with all the love today – he will feel it, I swear he will. You are one powerful bunch. I love how you rally for him, and I’m so grateful that he has you. »
Last month, Scout opened up about the family’s birthday celebration plans for Bruce as he continues to battle dementia.
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« You know, as we always celebrate, » Scout, 33, told Fox News Digital at the Cure Addiction Now inaugural fundraising evening at The Beverly Hills Hotel, when asked about the family’s plans for Bruce’s birthday.
WATCH: Bruce Willis’ daughter shares plans for actor’s birthday as he battles dementia
« We are a huge unit. We are very supportive of one another, and it’s sort of like ironclad… we are so loving with one another.… I think that is the foundation of everything we do. »
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Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
