Bruce Willis Moonlighting Screen Test [including alternate actor]

[@Canyon2023]

Bruce is 10x better! His natural charisma, facial expressions and delivery can't be beat!!!

[@AndreainAkron1]

agree.

[@silverkitty2503]

he did lazy i dont care or try very well

[@chrisn7259]

Bruce was born to play David. He brought all that he had--and that was a lot-to the role.

[@scottclark3139]

Bruce was born to play that part

[@noracharles9366]

Both are excellent but Bruce brings a sweetness, a playfulness and a vulnerability to his delivery that exposes an innocent little boy curiosity- DEPTH of character.

[@samuelgershman6355]

Bruce comes off like the bright-for-his-age but immature smartass kid who's just around to have fun, he's practically a cartoon character.

[@Price70]

It's amazing how a total unknown Willis had this part down so well from jump. Producer Glen Gordon Caron knew Bruce was David Addison from the first audition. This screen test was to convince ABC.

[@The80sGreatestHits]

Really?!

[@robertthomas5736]

Cybill Shepherd was Pi$$ed off that Bruce Willis, Became a Bigger Star than Her on Her TV Show

[@cindyperino9313]

@@robertthomas5736 Same thing happened with Christine Baranski on Cybill.

[@tanialigia3453]

Bruce Willis, was David Addison himself! Sensor of mood, charm and a sinic smile, all in a natural way. There was no way the character could be that of another actor.😍

[@ytuser_3122]

Such an amazing screen test, Bruce Willis is amazing here and I’m sad to hear about his early retirement due to aphasia.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

A lot of vaxxed people are getting that

[@majestyk3337]

@@TheKitchenerLeslie No they aren't.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

@@majestyk3337 They definitely are.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

@@majestyk3337 You need to look into it. It's one of the known side effects listed in the Pfizer files. There are 7 dense pages of known side effects... and they tried to block the release of the files for 75 years. You're in denial, denial bot.

[@johndoyle2429]

I think Cybil Sheppard & Bruce Willis had chemistry the same way Robert wagner and Stephanie Powers had on Hart to hart .

[@kendallrivers1119]

Only in real life Bruce and Cybil ended up hating each other and it killed the show while Robert and Stephanie are still the best of friends to this day.

[@kims1912]

Cybil Shepherd and Bruce Willis should have been together in real life.

[@iwillstom]

@@kims1912 Yep. They stayed away from each other romantically to help the show and I think ultimately it did the opposite.

[@janicemurphy7878]

Met Bruce Willis at a nightclub called Donzis-- Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, he was making the movie striking distance. He came over and said hello and was a very nice person. Awm

[@cindyperino9313]

As soon as you said Donzis, I was like…must’ve been the 90’s!

[@bjorktime1338]

It's interesting how Bruce adds that playfulness to the role, yet the other guy had better chemistry with this actress. Makes a big difference on who plays Maddie Hayes. The pacing and energy is so much better with Cybil and Bruce. Plus, you can tell the camera just loves Bruce more. It's like you're in on the joke but Maddie isn't or is resisting. Cybil plays playful angry better, which works better with Bruce's style. Harley and Mary are good but the show would've been slower and more calm. That's better for a soap opera or drama, maybe a TV movie of the week. Moonlighting needed more star power.

[@silverkitty2503]

i think when the other guy was too handsome it gave that character too much power ...maddie would have been too attracted to him to play strong against him he was too much of a threat ...

[@citydweller99]

Mary was good as Maddie.. but she was more scrappy then aloof/snooty.. which Cybill played and to comedic effect.

[@BarbaraC147]

Hmmm . I was thinking that the chemistry was also better with Bruce. At last that;s how I saw it.

[@haydenkarre7244]

Other guy was stiff didn’t look natural Bruce Willis performance was fluid while using his natural charm to make the audition look like a actual scene.

[@mogznwaz]

The star quality was there in spades from the start . What a sexy and talented man

[@purodesmadre1]

So interesting watching the auditions side by side. Harley's audition was good, but his 'David' gave off total frat boy predator vibes. Gaves you the shivers watching it now vs 1985.

[@kendallrivers1119]

That dude does seem creepy as all hell lol. I think he would be a great bad guy though.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Totally!!!!

[@Steelee3]

Yes, I couldn't quite put my finger on it but that's it. He feels more like Sam the Spaceman than David.

[@annamack5823]

@@kendallrivers1119 I really used to like Harvey Venton back in the day. Can't imagine him as an action hero, though.

[@GjpgrD]

It's all in the casting, isn't it? Moonlighting would have bombed with the 2nd couple.

[@MsTessG]

Bruce added the feel of a Cary Grant/Clark Gable, 1940'ish wise guy vibe. Spencer Tracy/Kathryn Hepburn type chemistry.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Bruce is such a natural and sooo charming. Not to be mean, but the other guy seemed passively angry and arrogant. TOTALLY different versions of Addison. It was a no-brainer.

[@gommechops]

Barring Maddie running away, it is fascinating how much of a distillation of the entire show this screen test encapsulates.

[@cards0486]

I don’t know Harley Venton. But nobody in the world could be David Addison but Bruce Willis. Period.

[@huenhuan2103]

The actress is Mary-Margaret Humes who later went on to become Dawson's mum in Dawson's Creek.

[@soakingbook]

The other guy is actually quite good but is more of a typical, suave 80s lead. Bruce is cool but adds roguish charm. The only other actor I can think of who pulled off that combination as well as Bruce was James Garner.

[@kendallrivers1119]

And of course Jim was a bit older than the part by that time lol though had Moonlighting been made before Rockford like in the early 70's who knows. Also I feel like if Bill Murray wasn't a movie star he would've been their first choice since Bruce wasn't a name yet and let's be honest other than Bruce who else could pull off such insane rapid fire jokes and dialouge than Bill Murray? Though wouldn't say Bill is traditional "sexy" lol.

[@canuck21]

@@kendallrivers1119 The network executive didn't want Bruce Willis because he thought he didn't look like a leading man and that the audience would not buy that Cybil Shepherd could fall for him. Imagine Bill Murray? He's even less good looking than Willis. The executive was completely wrong about Bruce because he oozes charm. It took an opinion of a female executive to convince the network boss to accept Bruce Willis.

[@sheppygawdog1954]

Close your eyes and the other guy sounds like Kevin Spacey

[@annamack5823]

@@kendallrivers1119 Bill Murray's very sexy but he's not light.

[@carolharris1236]

He was so natural and charismatic. I loved him in that show. He was such a good actor. It’s heartbreaking what is happening to him now.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Bruce was born to play David Addison. The only other two I could think of who could've ever done it had Moonlighting been made earlier are James Garner and Bill Murray.

[@LGray71]

Tony Curtis could've pulled it off I reckon

[@annamack5823]

@@LGray71 Definitely.

[@bravesoul5743]

The other guy is good too! However Bruce won my heart cause of his charm for some reason.

[@eduardobsn83]

September 1984 . He filmed the episode " No Exit" of Miami Vice in that same month 😎

[@johnspeed790]

With “No Exit” produced September 7th - 19th, ‘84, he must have left the audition for the flight to Miami.

[@dfangirl72]

@@johnspeed790 when i first saw him on miami vice i cried so hard because he was playing a wife beater.

[@intellectualsmoke]

He freaking killed it wow

[@STho205]

They didn't even have to retool his acting at all from the screen test...they adapted the show to him...as is. Two people could deliver like that in 1985. Bill Murray and Bruce Willis. Bill Murray however comes off as a creep in these scenes (Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day)...but Willis comes off as bad boy chaotic charming.

[@thechrisandmikeshow]

Harley Venton comes off more like a soap opera leading man of the time...good performance but a bit smarmy. Bruce Willis was much better at balancing the charm and humor the role called for...he was born to play David Addison. - Chris

[@cloverfield911]

This also shows how great the chemistry between Bruce Andd Cybil Sheppard was. Maddie played by any other woman was never going to work!!

[@cloverfield911]

@@Brucewillis-ts6lh How many subscribers do you have...Bruce?

[@curvy71]

I had a big crush on Bruce Willis back in the 1980"s.

[@No1KCfan6]

Bruce Willis had so much inherent sex appeal.

[@Steelee3]

The other guy seems good but he just doesn't embody the character of David the ways Bruce does. The beat, tempo and spacing out of his words feels all wrong. I think the parts we love most about David are the pieces of himself that Bruce injected into the character.

[@6Jillybeans]

Harley reminded me of Chris Sarandon in Fright Night!

[@AudreyHong-e1w]

Only Bruce Willis could be David Addison, giving us this wonderful character! Thank goodness the creator could see Bruce take on David as no one else could. You see the "David" charm in Die Hard that Bruce brought forth. Bruce was just darn good, terrific!!! Was really sad to see the ending of Moonlighting.

[@michaelireland7239]

wow bruce willis was the man he made it along with cybil of course

[@BUDDYCB4]

Harley seems like he’s rushing his performance, Like he’s scared he’s going to forget his lines if he doesn’t get them all out quickly

[@MD-cu6wq]

The other guy is rubbish, arms crossed in a defensive manner trying to convince a chick of a good time, Bruce all the way!

[@thomaspiccirillo2238]

Bruce all the way! I read ABC wanted Tim Matheson

[@annamack5823]

Tim Matheson would have been good.

[@vamph0lli3]

He’s so cute🥺

[@ana-marianebiyovitch8925]

He was beautiful😭

[@MijinLaw]

"Young john mclane" works for this role. Harley...aside from being creepy just sounds wrong talking about cracking cases. The role needed someone who could believably do the hijinks he's describing.

[@TubenIt83]

ABC wanted a handsome leading man type. Glen Gordon Caron wanted a normal looking guy.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

I want to be normal like Bruce. lol

[@michelleannor6944]

@@johnnyskinwalker4095 BW was handsome in an everyman relatable kind of a way.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@@michelleannor6944 although he had a coolness in his prime that few men possesses lol

[@danielhurley2894]

When I was working in the UK for 2 years ('85 - '87), my favorite shows on BBC2 were Miami Vice, Moonlighting, and The A Team - - in that order. Miami Vice was "cool," Moonlighting was funny as hell and fun to watch, and The A Team was pure "brainless escapist action fun." I looked forward to all 3 of them every week.

[@yolandabarbera1880]

Bruce un Pedazo d actor D Lujo con una Carrerá envidiable y muy Muy guapo y Atractivo un Actor Espectacular un Hombre q todas estábamos enamoradas d el un Sex Symbol q marquo una época dorada

[@LauraLovesNY]

Such a great example of ease, fun, humor and charm. Bruce had it all! And it's fascinating to compare to Harley who comes off as condescending and smarmy.

[@mikecane]

I couldn't even watch the second guy.. Bruce Willis had it in the bag. So sad what's happened to him.

[@oritigra]

Hah, the smirk starting from 4:33 - that's what makes a difference)

[@gterrymed]

He's sooo much like Malcom Crowe in SIXTH SENSE here; he freaks her out by "appearing" in her kitchen, and only she can hear their conversation, apparently there's another guy "the geek," in another room who is passed out.

[@tracy2648]

Harley Venton is more handsome but Bruce has more confidence which makes him 10 times sexier.

[@The80sGreatestHits]

Well, I thought Bruce and Harley were both pretty here. As for that, I believe in a draw. (Although Bruce has a more athletic body, a sweeter and more hypnotic eyes and an more ardent voice, lol)

[@canuck21]

Bruce Willis doesn't have the classic good looks, but he oozes charm, sex appeal and coolness. He looks more dangerous too and that fits the role of David Addison perfectly. You want to believe that David Addison is the opposite of Maddie Hayes and not her type. I couldn't buy the other actor being a laidback boss. Bruce may not have the classic male handsomeness, but he's still above average and has an extremely cute smile.

[@The80sGreatestHits]

I thought both actors were great: Bruce and Harley - each in their own way. I find it interesting how Harley somewhat resembles Jim Carrey when he was younger.

[@johnflynn9619]

Bruce was the Greatest. But, the other actor is Wonderful. Two different interpretations.

[@Gil60Four]

There's only one David Addison & only one John McClane btw 😉Best Wishes Bruce Willis 👍

[@romulusbuta9318]

.........that's ACTING !!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍☝️☝️

[@ChrisBennettGameDesign]

OMG that’s Miriam from History of the World: Part 1!! 😍

[@SpatialSpandex]

Bruce Willis is f*cking awesome!

[@misstigermilk]

Harley's movements are more like a model than an actor. Kind of stiff and weird. His speech and laughter also seem forced and fake. So glad Bruce got it.

[@maritzapierreaponte8538]

Magic!!!!

[@JeffreyKahnartist]

Oh yeah, they had to think it over for a really long time to figure out which one was best. No brainer!

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

If I could come up with a reason out of the bat why Willis is better is basically cause the other actor was too aloof and light and soft. Bruce had more of a an edge and had that masculin energy for the role. The other guy that girl was yapping at him and took it like it was nothing but with Bruce it was a fight, a genuine argument that he didn't want to lose. Which is what Moonlighting should be about. That back and forth between the man and woman.

[@terryadams2652]

" Cybil Shepherd and the network wanted Harley,", and I wonder if Cybil changed her mind later on? ......BTW, who's the woman in this screen test (she is BEAUTIFUL).

[@BarbaraC147]

Definitely Bruce Willis. I did not care for Harley in the role. Although the role of David Addison tends to be a rather aggravating, there was something underneath in Bruce Willis' portrayal that was likeable which i did not see in Harley in that role. When Harley said Maddie needed him to live/ to show her HOW to really live, it just sounded arrogant. I would have been more angry after that, had I been Maddie. When Bruce said it, I believed him. The look in his face said he knows how to have fun and enjoy life. To me that was the start of what made the show as great as it was, imo. The tension between them. Maddie kept trying to push him away and run away from him, but underneath I think she really knew he was right. That she needed him to teach her how to live, to let go and relax into what they could have, be more spontaneous and enjoy her life more. She did keep trying to run, but she weakened more as time went by.

[@robertthomas5736]

Moonlighting Audition Reel

[@karengoodwin126]

Harley was good, but looked too preppy for the character. Bruce had a way of looking GQ while also looking a bit disheveled. Plus who could beat his smirk....

[@don4476]

Based on interviews with the shows creator, the actresses were hired only for the screen tests, and they knew it. They were already settled on Cybil, but she wouldn't do a screen test, until later.

[@gregoryphillips3969]

It's easy to see why Bruce Willis got the job.

[@parthetis74]

Whose the actress i wonder? Would be fun to see this scene done with another actor for comparison...i cant imagine another actor playing this part lol

[@nlgarton]

Is the other guy auditioning for American Psycho? He nailed Patrick Bateman.

[@canuck21]

I have the Moonlighting DVD and only Bruce Willis' screen test is included but not that of Harley Venton. Is the latter availble on the VHS but not on the DVD?

[@wutamanwutman]

Oh really? I had the vhs when it came out and it included both, but I assumed the DVD had the same!

[@Noex63]

Bruce was a total hottie...

[@vipaccess-puertorico4462]

Must be great the excuse given when Willis found out that Cybil didnt want him.

[@kathyanderson8299]

Okay, only Cybill and Bruce. The other two are total zeros.

[@lorendaappel-eeson2265]

The great beging

[@jad8123]

Who is the actress?

[@dave623]

Humes.... Miss Florida USA, third runner up Miss USA 1975, va-va-voom! Grrrrrrowl....

[@MissterX]

OVER actress

[@ChaAndromedan3912]

Would anyone know the exact date of this screen test?

[@wutamanwutman]

According to the clapper board, it's Sept. 7, 1984.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

I wonder what happened to this chick? So close, yet so far away.

[@michelleannor6944]

She never had the role. I'm sure they cast Cybill before Bruce.

[@stewartmcminn7773]

1 is acting the other is reacting. I'll let you guess who's who

[@inexperiencedladywithagun7851]

I like Harley. But cybill made the show

[@Randobadando]

The other guy's voice is boring.

[@RJS1974]

Harley is a little effeminate. Bruce is a guys guy.

[@sheppygawdog1954]

Close your eyes and the other guy sounds like Kevin Spacey. So the effeminate sense is spot on.

[@noscrubbubblez6515]

So Harley didn't get the part, drove himself out to the desert, blew his brains out?

[@sstarkey1695]

You put this guy on after Bruce? Good grief!!

[@whereisthehook]

Who is this actress? She's good.

[@malinkennedy3228]

I KNOW WHERE HE GO THAT CHARACTER FROM !!!!! ..... TIM MATTHISON FROM ANIMAL HOUSE .... TIM MATTHISON COULD HAVE PLAYED THAT PART ....

[@iwillstom]

Harley would have been a good guest star on the show. They should have used him. He has more of a yuppie “corporate” look.

[@6eostorm]

Rest In Peace Bruce 🙏🏽

[@iecrime]

He's not dead

[@6eostorm]

@@iecrime he’s not!? 🤔💭

[@iecrime]

@@6eostorm :D

[@jaredjlinden]

Bruce - way better. This other guy is competent in a blandly generic sort of way but nothing special.

[@MrMucciacito]

Meglio Cybill Shepherd

[@katherined800]

This woman is a much better actor (and less grating) than the one-dimensional Cybill, though Cybill and Bruce did have chemistry.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

also much better-looking. lol my issue with Moonlighting was always that I was not attracted to Cybill Cheppard. So I would watch it a little bit but then being turned off by Cybill so would change the channel.

[@canuck21]

Eww no. I much prefer Cybil Shepherd's acting. I consider this actress' acting one-dimensional with her constant finger pointing. Cybil can express the same emotions without the pointing. And most importantly, she has much more chemistry with Bruce Willis.

[@kathyanderson8299]

They are awful. Cybill only.❤

[@lebaron10]

Getting passed over for Bruce Willis had to suck for Harvey Denton. If only he knew to channel and rip off Bill Murray's schtick, like Willis did, maybe he would have got the part instead.

[@iecrime]

Who's the actress?

[@bekindrewind9675]

I don't know but she sounds to me like Mary Margaret Humes, who went on to play Dawsons mother in Dawsons Creek