Series protagonist John McClane will join the ranks of Indiana Jones and Rocky Balboa when items—including an athletic shirt, a poster and a publicity still from the original film "Die Hard" (1988), and a badge and original script from the fourth film in the series "Live Free or Die Hard" (2007)—join the museum's permanent entertainment collections.
A selection of the "Die Hard" items will go on display in the new acquisitions case in the museum's "Treasures of American History" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum July 12. "Treasures" features more than 150 objects from the museum's vast and diverse collections while its building is closed for renovations.
"'Die Hard' is a quintessential Hollywood action movie representing not only the classic good-versus-evil struggle but also showcasing the explosive ingenuity that characterizes American film," said museum director Brent D. Glass. "This donation allows us to add materials from the action-adventure genre to our collection."
Willis first "acquired" fame as David Addison in the television series "Moonlighting" and sky-rocketed to one of Hollywood's leading men with his role in the "Die Hard" series. The newest addition to the series, "Live Free or Die Hard," features Willis as both star and producer.
The photo shows National Museum of American History Director Brent D. Glass accepting "Die Hard" film objects from Actor Bruce Willis during a ceremony in the Treasures of American History exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum. -- www.americanhistory.si.edu
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