Bruce Willis Knows How to Use the Internet(s)
In response to a discussion on movie site Ain't It Cool News about Die Hard 4's supposed PG-13 rating, Bruce Willis logged in and joined the chat under the name "Walter B." He went on to frankly address a bunch of topics, not the least of which was his experience making 'Armageddon.'
Here's an excerpt:
Bruce Willis: "I loved working with all the guys, the actor I mean. It was a great crew, but a screaming Director does not make for a pleasant set experience. But look, we were all big boys, and we got thru it. A little to MTV-camera cutty for my taste, but the shots of meteors crashing into the WTC was pretty prescient. Billy Bob was under-used for my taste. the spacesuits continually malfunctioned, and one nite, Ben Affleck was seen bashing the front glass on his helmet with a rock because he couldn't breathe. I am a fan and a friend of Liv Tyler, and thought she brought some fun to the movie. And it made a shitload of money for Disney. Jerry Bruckheimer is a great producer, and I would work with him again anytime. thanks bw"
Just as funny were the comments of the non-believers -- specifically a guy named "Moriarty" -- who couldn't buy into the fact that the star was posting on their board. Here's an exchange:
Moriarty: "... Walter B. is not Bruce Willis. Bruce and Harry are going to talk soon. Harry's got a little trip to take first, but when he's back, we'll get the Bruce Willis conversation started here on the site. Rest assured that if Bruce Willis wanted to join the Talkbacks, we'd authenticate him and give him a black box so you could be sure who you were talking to. I'm sorry if any of you feel duped. I didn't realize this was going on. So... that in mind... the Q&A with the real Bruce will still be happening... soon..."
Willis' response: "And Moriarty, sorry kid, but you I also find amusing. Hit me with your best test. BW"
Moriarty: "... okay. Call Harry and tell him you are posting in the talkbacks. That's it. The one and only test that matters. Short of that conversation happening... now... Walter B. is simply not Bruce Willis."
Moriarity again: "... This was not Bruce Willis. It really shouldn't even be a question, but in case you're still wondering... nope. Not him."
Finally, Willis makes his best attempt to settle things.
Willis: "I realized how we can solve this conundrum quite easliy. You all live in a digital world. someone must have a Mac with iChat camera ability. Send me your biggest doubter, who has iChat/video ability, and have them call ( i will give that person my iChat address, and they will see me talking to them. I doubt if there is a way to fake that. let's see.... thanks bw and what is a black box?"
And then it happened (see above image).
The conversation can be found here.
Thanks, Dan
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TychoAonghus @ May 11th 2007 10:40AM
The thing is, I'm sure TONS of famous actors go to chat rooms regularly. Not only do I believe that wholeheartedly, I believe there have been times that we have all been in a chatroom with a celebrity. That is, if you go to chatrooms. That being said, I believe that a majority of them prefer to remain anonymous, 'taking the pulse of the people' so to speak. Getting unadulterated, un-influenced, true opinions without having the opinion-maker feel pressured by knowing that a celeb is present.
And if the celeb does make it known that he/she is present, I would imagine, as in the case above, that there would be doubters, more than believers. I would imagine that it would have to come down to an actual video-chat, as above.
So, the lesson here, folks, be honest but be on your best behavior, and if you're going to slam a celeb, do it with a little class and intelligence! Ya never know if he/she might be there to witness the slamming! (I know, some folks nasty enough to do the slamming in the first place won't care that the subject of their slamming is there!)
J Legs @ May 11th 2007 11:07AM
Hi, W.B. Looking foward to working with you in the future. Sincerely Joe Legs
Mindy @ May 11th 2007 11:27AM
It would seem that he was posting in a message boards, versus chatting in a chat room. Quite a difference, if you actually use either...or both.
Brad Pitt @ May 11th 2007 12:16PM
I think it's great that Willis took the time to do that. We like to talk to the regular folks too. Celebrity ain't all adopting babies and reading scripts. We use internet too.
Llia @ May 11th 2007 12:23PM
I think it's great that BW joined the chat! I'm a huge fan of his and wish I'd have been there!
Moriarity, what a grand weenie you are.
Katy @ May 11th 2007 12:25PM
I want to believe SO MUCH my hero BW actually replies to his fan's repetitive (surely) praise and admiration, Bruce, say it's so!! Make my dreams come true!
catkisame @ May 11th 2007 1:42PM
i think its great that Bruce Willis joined in a chat .Hope I am there next time he does .He's a good actor and he's funny what more you you ask for in a chat room .
Susan @ May 11th 2007 1:43PM
Actors, and Musicians are people. Just because they are well known does not take away from the fact that they basically like to interact with people outside of the industry.
It takes them away from the stress of being in the spotlight.
victoria valli @ May 11th 2007 2:04PM
aloha bruce... aka walter b tell me you chat!
mauirev at aol dot com
Brian @ May 11th 2007 2:15PM
Hey Switched, give credit where credit is due please, freezedriedmovies.com were the ones to "prove" it was Bruce Willis and host the photos you stole. :)
original article here:
http://www.freezedriedmovies.com/blog/index.php?/archives/81-Is-Bruce-Willis-a-Talkbacker-UPDATED.html
Brad Miska @ May 11th 2007 2:27PM
That photo proof comes from freezedriedmovies.com
florencenightgwn2004 @ May 11th 2007 7:49PM
I've chatted for years in various rooms and there are poseurs sometimes, definitely. I freely admit that I've been convinced by a couple chatters who shared information that only they could have known and that I happened to know through other sources. Chatting anonymously is something most people enjoy doing because they really want to chat as if they were hanging out with peers and not other celebrities. Additionally, chatting anonymously allows one the freedom to bounce off thoughts, ideas, comments and suggestions to strangers and receive honest feedback.
The fact that BW chatted and allowed his name to be known is cool; however, I wouldn't be surprised if "Walter B." slips into oblivion in the very near future.
Face it, being a celebrity can be a very limiting experience as far as interacting with peers for honest opinions is concerned. Kudos to him for enjoying the net and giving a couple guys some kicks.
WTG, Walter B.
:)
Brenda @ May 11th 2007 8:29PM
anyone know if Brendan Fraser uses chat lol, just kidding , i just think hes gorgeous
bren @ May 11th 2007 8:44PM
I think it would be so cool to be talking to a star and not even know it
J Legs @ May 11th 2007 10:08PM
Hi W.B.,
Looking foward to working with you in the future. Sincerely Joe Legs
bren @ May 12th 2007 9:06AM
two words ASHTON KUTCHER
Sarah @ May 12th 2007 7:23PM
I wish I knew about it I would Have Love to talk
with him. I love his Movies. Will He do it again
soon?
how is he doing?
iBrian @ May 13th 2007 2:41AM
I can attest to Brad Pitt's comment about "we like to talk to the regular folks, too"...somewhere around the time he shot Fight Club, I met him at a music club in LA called The Mint. Nancy Wilson of Heart was playing a rare solo concert that night. When I went up to his table to say hello, he was very friendly and said "Have a seat!" We had a nice conversation about how we both moved to LA to pursue artistic dreams. Very good-natured and humble person!
Robert Otlowski @ May 13th 2007 1:25PM
It's awesome to see famous actors and obscure people mingle on the internet. It gives me hope for the future - not just of Hollywood, but the world.
Kim Threadgill @ May 13th 2007 7:12PM
Hi bruce Ilove all of your movies you are a great actor keep up the graet work.