The Die Hard cast features Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Alexander Godunov. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for John McTiernan’s 1988 movie on Amazon, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu and Peacock. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Die Hard takes place on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles. As John McClane tries to reignite a romance with his estranged wife, he learns about a hostage situation at a holiday party. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he strategizes against West German terrorists. Here’s every actor and character in Die Hard, an adaptation of Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever.

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Die Hard Cast: Bruce Willis as John McClane

Character Profile: A New York City detective. He hopes to repair a damaged relationship with his estranged wife in Los Angeles. John squares off against German terrorists while receiving support from an LAPD sergeant.

Willis’ Resume: David Addison Jr. in Moonlighting (1985-89), Butch Coolidge in Pulp Fiction (1994), Harry S. Stamper in Armageddon (1998), Malcolm Crowe in The Sixth Sense (1999), David Dunn in Unbreakable (2000)

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Die Hard Cast: Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber

Character Profile: A West German terrorist. He attempts to steal $640 million at Nakatomi Plaza. Hans pretends to be a hostage upon encountering John.

Rickman’s Resume: Elliott Marston in Quigley Down Under (1990), Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Hilly Kristal in CBGB (2013)

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Die Hard Cast: Alexander Godunov as Karl

Character Profile: Hans’ associate. He is a West German man whose brother dies during a robbery attempt. Karl gets heavily frustrated by John.

Godunov’s Resume: Jose in Carmen Syuta (1970), Vronsky in Anna Karenina (1975), Daniel Hochleitner in Witness (1985), Max Beissart in The Money Pit (1986), Scarabis in Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992)

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Die Hard Cast: Bonnie Bedelia as Holly Gennaro McClane

Character Profile: John’s estranged wife. She is a director of corporate affairs for the Nakatomi Corporation. Holly worries about her husband as he battles against West German terrorists.

Bedelia’s Resume: Shirley Muldowney in Heart Like a Wheel (1983), Barbara Sabich in Presumed Innocent (1990), Camille Braverman in Parenthood (2010-15), Anne McCarthy in Panic (2021), Ellie Foster in The Noel Diary (2022)

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Die Hard Cast: Reginald VelJohnson as Al Powell

Character Profile: An LAPD sergeant. He clashes with a superior while developing a bond with John. Al seeks redemption after shooting a kid in the past.

VelJohnson’s Resume: Jail Guard in Ghostbusters (1984), Gus in Crocodile Dundee (1986), David Sutton in Turner & Hooch (1989), Carl Winslow in Family Matters (1989-98), Dash DeWitt in Hart of Dixie (2011-15)

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Die Hard Cast: Paul Gleason as Dwayne T. Robinson

Character Profile: The LAPD deputy chief of police. He clashes with Al during a hostage situation. Dwayne vows to apprehend John.

Gleason’s Resume: Richard Vernon in The Breakfast Club (1989), Cushman in Seinfeld (1994), Officer Pickett in Money Talks (1997), Richard Vernon in Not Another Teen Movie (2001), Professor McDoogle in Van Wilder (2002)

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The Die Hard cast also includes:

• De’voreaux White as Argyle
• William Atherton as Thornburg
• Clarence Gilyard Jr. as Theo
• Hart Bochner as Ellis
• James Shigeta as Takagi
• Andreas Wisniewski as Tony
• Joey Plewa as Alexander
• Lorenzo Caccialanza as Marco
• Al Leong as Uli
• Hans Buhringer as Fritz

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.