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LukeKellysLoveChild t1_j2awqdg wrote

Reply to comment by cmmosher in Was Bruce Willis in Die Hard the ushering in of the modern everyman action star? by SquatOnAPitbull

Even in the context of film I don't think this is what you call an everyman. It's definitely not in literature and theatre. I would have heard the term first studying literature. I didn't finish my degree thoughso take what I say with a pinch of salt

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cmmosher t1_j2ay7vv wrote

Like I said it's more of a relative thing for the time and genre. There was some negativity because Willis was not seen as a super tough guy not even like earlier action stars like Steve McQueen. He was also typecast as a goofy guy. He certainly is not an everyman by reality's standards but action movies aren't reality. The decade started with Harrison Ford as the big action hero but bulky muscle men replaced that ideal. Willis was probably more of a return to form.

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