Walter Bruce Willis akaberekwa musi waKurume 19, 1955, mutaundi reIdar-Oberstein, West Germany. Baba vake, David Willis, aive musoja weAmerica. Amai vake, Marlene, aive chiGerman, akaberekerwa muKassel. Willis ndiye mukuru pavana vana vane hanzvadzi inonzi Florence nevakoma vaviri, Robert (akafa) naDavid. Mushure mekuregedzwa kubva muchiuto muna 1957, baba vaWillis vakatora mhuri yavo kudzokera kuCarneys Point Township, New Jersey. Willis akazvitsanangura seakabva "mutsara murefu wevanhu vebhuruu collar". Amai vake vakashanda mubhangi uye baba vake vaive mushandisi wefekitori. Willis akapinda Penns Grove mutaundi rekumusha kwake, kwaakasangana ne stutter.
Yunivhesiti yeMontclair State