Die Hard stars 35 years later – 'Strictly' appearance, career change and tragic deaths
Die Hard has been a firm favourite among film-lovers for over three decades, after becoming an instant hit when it was released back in 1988. The action-packed thriller, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2023, sees a New York City police offer attempt to save his estranged wife and several other hostages taken by terrorists during a Christmas pary at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
Actors such as Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia and Reginald VelJohnson all starred in the movie, and it proved to be a career springboard for many of the cast.
So, where are the Die Hard stars now? Let's take a look...
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Bruce Willis
Legendary actor Bruce took on the lead role in Die Hard and went on to land several more huge roles after the film's release. The star, who was 33 when he appeared as NYPD officer John McClane, was already an established actor with dozens of movie credits to his name.
Bruce went on to star in titles such as Look Who's Talking, Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, as well as the Die Hard sequels; Die Hard 2, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard, and A Good Day to Die Hard. He's received more than 20 awards during the course of his career and has been nominated for more than 50 in total. Bruce is believed to boast a fortune of around $250 million.
Heartbreakingly, it was announced in early 2023 that Bruce, who was once married to actress Demi Moore, he had been diagnosed with aphasia – a condition which has affected his cognitive abilities, and he later announced another diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
A statement by Bruce’s family at the time read: "Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible."
The family has become enthusiastic campaigners for raising awareness of what they called they "cruel disease", and said they hope the media attention on Bruce's case might help spur more funding and research.
"FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone," they said in their heartfelt statement. "For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know. Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman portrayed Hans Gruber in Die Hard and went on to land a number of huge film roles, with most seeing him play the villain. He played Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films as well as love cheat Harry in Love Actually, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street.
Alan won 11 awards throughout his career and was nominated for a total of 35 awards, including Emmys and BAFTAs. Alan tragically died of pancreatic cancer in 2016, at the age of 69. He left behind a fortune of around £4million.
Bonnie Bedelia
Bonnie Bedelia played Holly Gennaro - estranged wife of John McClane - in Die Hard. The actress went on to star in several TV projects, such as The Division and Parenthood, but has admitted she struggled to land big film roles despite her role in Die Hard.
Speaking to the Chicago Tribune in 1992, Bonnie, now 76, said: "It's about trying to get hired for 25 years... It's about someone who arguably is one of the finest actresses in America, who never has had a drug problem, never has had a drinking problem, is always on time, always gives 200 percent, is beautiful and sexy and can't get a job!
"Critics say, 'Why is it that Bonnie Bedelia disappears for years at a time and then comes back and wows us with her performance and then disappears again? Why is she so choosy?' If they only knew!"
Reginald VelJohnson
Reginald VelJohnson starred in Die Hard as Sgt. Al Powell, the police offer who helped John McClane. It marked Reginald's first major film role and he's since gone on to land many more, usually portraying a police officer.
He previously told AV Club: "That was the role of my life, and I'll never have another one like it. It was cool."
Speaking about why he also gets cast in similar roles, he added: "I try to portray each police officer in a different way than one I've played before. It seems to work. But I enjoy the fact that they see me as a cop. That's fine with me. I'll show you a cop as long as you want me to."
This year, at 72, he took part in the American version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars, and finished in 10th place.
Reginald, now 70, has taken a step back over recent years and now takes on more supporting roles.
Speaking to Forbes earlier this year, the star said: "To sit and watch other people go through what I went through is fine by me. I don't have to get involved in a major way as I did before.
"I did another commercial... I did a couple of movies and I just hope that they work out and if they don't, it's okay because I had my fill. It's okay to be - I wouldn't say retired, I hate that word retired. I just slow down a little bit and that's what's good - accepting life as it comes to me and just being quiet. That's what I like."
De'voreaux White
De'voreaux White, 59, played Argyle in Die Hard, with his character playing a significant role and even delivering the last line in the entire movie.
After the film, De'voreaux went on to shun the limelight despite being inundated with acting offers. He had a change of career and trained to be a certified clinician.
He previously told Newsweek: "I was just a kid who had got wrapped up in the Hollywood thing. My mom had died at Christmas when I was 10 and I think my life became all about the parties and I leaned towards fame and fortune instead of dealing with that pain."
The actor said he eventually released stardom wasn't making him happy and he needed to "find out" who he really was. He began working at a rehab facility in 2013.
James Shigeta
James Shigeta played the role of executive Joe Takagi in Die Hard. The actor already boasted an impressive career prior to starring in the 1988 blockbuster.
He went on to star in Beverly Hills, 90210, and also provided the voice of General Li in the hit Disney animation Mulan, released in 1998.
James sadly passed away in 2014 in Los Angeles, at the age of 85. His final appearance on screen was in 2009 film The People I've Slept With.
