Hulu has made another nostalgic television show available for its users – one that helped set Bruce Willis on his path to Hollywood stardom.
Willis, 68, became a huge movie star in the late 1980s and 1990s thanks to his roles in films such as Die Hard, Armageddon and The Sixth Sense.
However, the actor’s portrayal of David Addison in Moonlighting was key to his success and is now available to stream on Hulu.
It aired on ABC from 1985 to 1989 and is considered one of the first TV shows in the comedy-drama genre.
Bruce’s wife Emma Heming, 45, has spoken candidly about the pain of his dementia diagnosis. She celebrated the show’s release with an Instagram post showing love for her husband and his former co-star Cybill Shepherd, 73, who was seen in a rare public outing last week.
Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis starred in the hit ABC show Moonlighting for five seasons from 1985-1989. The show is available to stream on Hulu
The show was about the relationship between a pair of detectives, portrayed by Willis and Shepherd
In February, Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia after retiring from acting with aphasia the year before.
Willis’ daughter Scout last month spoke of her delight about Moonlighting’s return to streaming.
Bruce played David Addison, a detective running the City of Angels Detective Agency and trying to save it from going out of business.
He joins forces with Shepherd’s character and newly bankrupt Maddie Hayes, who owns the agency as a tax write-off.
The pair star alongside cast members Allyce Beasley, Curtis Armstrong and Jack Blessing.
Notable guest stars include late Saturday Night Live cast member Charles Rocket, and future NCIS star Mark Harmon.
The show was a hit during its earlier seasons and helped Bruce obtain his first and only Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical in 1987.
Moonlighting viewership declined during its later years and it was canceled in 1989 after five seasons.
A total of 67 episodes aired on ABC – all of which are available to stream on Hulu.
Bruce Willis was praised for his role of New York City police detective John McClane in the 1988 film Die Hard. He starred in three more Die Hard films and had roles in multiple 1990s blockbusters
This isn’t the first classic show that Hulu began streaming that introduced a soon-to-be well-known actor into Hollywood.
The hit 1990s-2000s medical drama ER became available to stream on Hulu back in 2018.
The show was praised during its earlier seasons, and notable cast member George Clooney would go from fan-favorite doctor to Academy Award winner in less than ten years.
All five seasons of the late 1990s show Dharma & Greg became available to stream on Hulu in 2019, starring Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson.
The Golden Globe-nominated show aired on ABC from 1997-2002 and suffered a severe ratings drop during its final season.
The actor eventually appeared in a few television movies here and there before landing the notable role of Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner in Criminal Minds.
His character became an integral part in plot lines some consider to be: ‘the show’s most personally devastating,’ and the actor’s firing in 2016 broke a lot of fans’ hearts on social media.
Fans have shown their excitement since Emma Heming Willis’ announcement of the latest Moonlighting news, and she’s praised both her husband, and his co-star
George Clooney gained high-profile success while starring as Doug Ross in the hit show ER from 1994-1999. He left to further his film career, and won his first Oscar in 2006
Thomas Gibson starred alongside Jenna Elfman in the ABC show Dharma and Greg for five seasons. After its cancellation, Thomas moved on to play the integral role of Aaron Hotchner in Criminal Minds.
Since Emma promoted Moonlighting on October 10, fans have commented their support and excitement for the 1980s ABC classic.
One person said: ‘Such a great show that was! I hope Bruce knows he brought laughter and joy to so many people!’
Another person said: ‘It was top tier discussion in my 1987 AP English class the morning after each week’s episode.’
One user also commented: ‘Can’t believe it!! My favorite tv series when I was younger.’
