Bruce Willis co-star Samuel L. Jackson marks the late actor’s 70th birthday with a heartwarming tribute to their shared experiences. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jackson revealed that Willis once offered him career advice, which turned out to be invaluable.
During the filming of “Die Hard With a Vengeance” in 1995, Willis told Jackson, “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.” This advice proved true for Jackson, who has had long-term success with his iconic role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Jackson’s experience with “Die Hard With a Vengeance” also led him to realize that Willis was hinting at his own future success. He recalls being surprised when Marvel offered him a nine-movie deal as Nick Fury, but Jackson has never lost interest in the character. In fact, he prefers making blockbuster movies like those in the Marvel franchise over Oscar-baiting roles.
The news of Willis’ retirement from acting in 2022 was met with sadness from fans worldwide. The late actor was diagnosed with aphasia and later revealed to have frontotemporal dementia. Jackson’s tribute serves as a loving reminder of their on-screen partnership and the enduring legacy of “Die Hard” and its sequels.
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Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/bruce-willis-samuel-l-jackson-advice-nick-fury-1236342507