Bruce Willis has made an amazing career as a Hollywood action star, but his appearance on the hit sitcom Friends in 2000 did more for his career than many originally thought. Willis began his career on the stage in off-Broadway productions before rising to fame in the movie business. His role in Moonlighting put him on the map as a young star, and from there, his career took off.
Best known for his role as John McClane in the Die Hard franchise, Willis has become a symbol for action films throughout the years. From Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, and Red, Willis has left his mark with some of the most action-packed films to date. But his appearance on Friends as Paul Stevens, the father of Ross’s girlfriend Elizabeth, was seen as unusual by some given his status as an established movie star, but it did more for his career than even he thought.
A Lost Bet
Willis’ role on Friends came from a bet he made with Matthew Perry on the set of their film Whole Nine Yards. Willis was unsure how the movie would fair in the box office, but Perry was optimistic that it would be successful. Thus, the bet was born. The bet relied on the film opening at number one and that if it did, Willis would appear on Friends for free. Whole Nine Yards led the box office for three weeks in 2000 and Willis became the character of Paul Stevens free of charge. His role as Stevens was hilarious as it followed a father unsure of how to handle his daughter dating an older professional. However, an awkward position arises when Willis’ character and Rachel begin to fall for one another, creating problems between Ross and Stevens.
Emmy Win
Due to his outstanding performance, Willis won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. That means Willis has won an Emmy for Friends over all the other cast members except for Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow, who also have one win. The Emmy win proved worthwhile for Willis because even though he was already a famous name, it showed his ability to shine even in an environment where he was simply a guest star. It also added to his clout as an actor and although his main appeal was as a movie star, his ability to transfer his talents to the small screen only enhanced his reputation.
Willis’ Versatility
Awards aside, Willis’s appearance on Friends proved just how versatile the actor could be. His dramatic work mirrored with his action style could have very easily pigeon-holed him into that one genre of entertainment. Appearing on a light-hearted, family sitcom like Friends showed that Willis was relatable and willing to take risks in the comedic realm of the industry. Although he was tagged as an action star in his career and put into that niche category of explosive actors, to look back and enjoy his recurring role on Friends is something fans can revel in all because of a lost bet with Perry.