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Rumer Willis

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Rumer Willis
Willis in 2019
Born
Rumer Glenn Willis

(1988-08-16) August 16, 1988 (age 36)
Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1995–present
PartnerDerek Richard Thomas (2022–present)
Children1
Parents

Rumer Glenn Willis (born August 16, 1988) is an American actress. The eldest daughter of actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, she made her acting debut opposite her mother in the coming-of-age drama Now and Then (1995). She subsequently appeared in films such as Striptease (1996), Hostage (2005), The House Bunny (2008), Sorority Row (2009) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). She portrayed Gia Mannetti on The CW teen drama series 90210 (2009–2010) and Tory Ash on the FOX musical drama series Empire (2017–2018).[1] Willis won season 20 of the ABC dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars,[2] and made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago on September 21, 2015.[3][4]

Early life

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Rumer Glenn Willis was born on August 16, 1988, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky,[5][6] while her father, Bruce Willis, was filming In Country. She was named after author Rumer Godden. Her mother, actress Demi Moore, hired a cameraman to videotape her birth.[7] She has two younger sisters, Scout LaRue Willis (b. 1991), and Tallulah Belle Willis (b. 1994), as well as two younger paternal half-sisters from her father's marriage to model Emma Heming, born in April 2012[8] and May 2014.[9]

Raised in Hailey, Idaho, Willis enrolled as a freshman at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. In January 2004, she enrolled as a sophomore at Wildwood Secondary School in Los Angeles, California.[7] She attended the University of Southern California for one semester before dropping out.[10]

Career

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In 1995, Willis made her film debut alongside her mother in Now and Then. The following year she appeared in Striptease (1996). She has worked with her father three times: in The Whole Nine Yards in 2000, Hostage in 2005 and Air Strike in 2018. She portrayed Joanne in the comedy film The House Bunny (2008) alongside Emma Stone, Colin Hanks and Anna Faris. The film was a commercial success, grossing $70 million worldwide.[11] She played Natalie Wilburn in the horror film From Within (2008), which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 25, 2008.[12] In 2009, she appeared in two films, the slasher film Sorority Row and the high school comedy film Wild Cherry.[13] She won "Breakthrough Performance Female" award at Young Hollywood Awards for her performance in Wild Cherry. She was nominated for "Choice Movie Actress: Horror/Thriller" at Teen Choice Awards for Sorority Row. In 2013, Willis landed the lead role of Maya in the drama film The Odd Way Home. She also appeared in films There's Always Woodstock (2014), Return to Sender (2014), The Escort (2015) and Hello Again (2017).

She had guest roles in television shows Miss Guided, Army Wives, CSI: NY, Medium, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Hawaii Five-0 and Workaholics. Willis portrayed Gia Mannetti in ten episodes of the teen drama television series 90210 (2009–2010). In May 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Willis will portray Zoe in the fourth season of Freeform's teen drama series Pretty Little Liars.[14] She was a judge at Miss USA beauty pageant in 2014.[15] In May 2015, Willis and professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy won season 20 of ABC's dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars.[16][17] From September 21 to November 1, 2015, Willis starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway.[18] W magazine noted that the past six months have been "a major breakout" for Willis."[19] W magazine praised "her astonishing routines on the spring season of the show Dancing with the Stars, which she won with her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy, that propelled Willis to new heights of fame. It also revealed the actress-singer to be a triple threat."[19]

In 2016, she had a voice role on the stop-motion sketch comedy series Robot Chicken, in the episode "Yogurt in a Bag." On March 22, 2017, she had a recurring role in the third season of FOX's musical drama series Empire as Tory Ash.[20] She became a series regular in Empire during the show's fourth season.[21] In 2019, she appeared as a guest co-host in three episodes of CBS' talk show The Talk.

On February 20, 2019, she was revealed to be "Lion" on the first season of Fox's reality singing competition series The Masked Singer.[22][23] She finished in the fifth place.[24] Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Willis had commanded the stage with her vocal prowess and magnetic presence during the last eight weeks of the competition, proving time and again how powerful and versatile her singing skills truly are."[25] Willis portrayed Joanna Pettet in the comedy drama film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film has grossed $368.9 million worldwide, with The Hollywood Reporter writing that critics had "an overall positive view" of the film, calling it "Tarantino's love letter to '60s L.A."[26] She portrayed sex worker Kayla in the social impact film Maya (2023), which raises awareness on child trafficking, domestic violence, alcoholism and child abuse.[27] Inspired by real events, the film shows how predators use social media to lure teenagers.[27] The film was met with positive reviews from critics, Film Threat writing: "Maya is an important film with great value for those who need to learn about this highly destructive underworld in our society."[28]

She plays Ren in the upcoming comedy film My Divorce Party (2024), which follows a group of friends celebrating soon-to-be divorced Xan's, played by Desiree Staples, split.[29] Xan decides to burn her divorce settlement money, but each friend has a different plan in mind.[29] Written and directed by Heidi Weitzer, the film is set to be released on April 20, 2024.[30]

Other ventures

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She has appeared on the cover of several magazines, such as Page Six, Prestige, Us Weekly and The House Magazine[31] and pictorials for Vanity Fair,[32] Harper's Bazaar and The Sunday Times.[33][34] In 2008, Willis ventured into the role of spokesperson for clothing brand Ocean Pacific.[35]

In August 2023, the nursery at her house was featured in an issue of Architectural Digest.[36] In November 2023, she partnered with Bumpsuit to create a baby carrier, titled Rumer Willis ‘Lou Blue’ x Bumpsuit.[37][38]

Dancing with the Stars

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On February 24, 2015, Willis was announced as one of the celebrities to compete on season 20 of Dancing with the Stars. Her professional partner was Valentin Chmerkovskiy.[39] Her performance during week 1 earned her the highest score of the night (32 out of 40), and her performance during two rounds of competition in week 8 landed her two perfect scores.[40]

On May 19, 2015, Willis and Chmerkovskiy were crowned the season's champions, winning over singer and actor Riker Lynch and army veteran Noah Galloway who took second and third place, respectively.[41] Willis joined partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy and other Dancing with the Stars professionals on the 40-city "Dancing with the Stars: Perfect 10 Tour" during the summer of 2015.

Week # Dance/Song Judges' score Result
Inaba Goodman Hough Tonioli
1 Foxtrot / "Take Me to Church" 8 8 8 8 No Elimination
2 Cha-cha-cha / "Rumour Has It" 8 8 8 8 Safe
3 Salsa / "Turn The Beat Around" 8 9 8 8 Safe
4 Waltz / "Turning Tables" 9 8 9 9 Safe
5 Samba / "Poor Unfortunate Souls" 10 9 10 10 Safe
6 Jazz / "Bootylicious"
Team Freestyle / "Trouble" 		8
10 		8
9 		8
10 		8
10 		Safe
7 Jive / "Dear Future Husband"
Foxtrot Dance-Off / "Orange Colored Sky" 		8
Awarded 		9
2 		9
Extra 		9
Points 		Last to be called safe
8 Rumba / "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"
Paso Doble (Trio Challenge) / "Scott & Fran's Paso Doble" 		10
10 		10
10 		10
10 		10
10 		Safe
9
Semi-finals 		Viennese Waltz / "Earned It"
Contemporary / "Theme from Swan Lake, Op. 20" 		10
10 		9
10 		9
10 		10
10 		Last to be called safe
10
Finals 		Foxtrot / "Take Me to Church"
Freestyle / "Toxic"
Foxtrot & Paso Doble (fusion) / "Take You Higher" 		10
10
10 		10
10
10 		10
10
10 		10
10
10 		Winner

Personal life

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Since 2022, Willis has been in a relationship with singer Derek Richard Thomas.[42] On December 20, 2022, Willis announced that she was pregnant with their first child.[43] On April 18, 2023, she gave birth to a daughter.[44]

Filmography

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Rumer Willis film work
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Now and Then Angela Albertson Credited as Willa Glen
1996 Striptease Angela Grant Credited as Willa Glen
2000 The Whole Nine Yards Girl Running Between Jimmy and Oz Uncredited
2005 Hostage Amanda Tally
2008 From Within Natalie
2008 The House Bunny Joanne
2008 Streak Drea Short film
2008 Whore Smoking Girl
2009 Wild Cherry Katelyn Chase
2009 Sorority Row Ellie Morris
2012 Six Letter Word Zoe Short film
2012 The Diary of Preston Plummer Kate Cather
2013 The Ganzfeld Experiment Lucky
2013 The Odd Way Home Maya
2014 Return to Sender Darlene
2014 There's Always Woodstock Emily
2015 The Escort Dana
2017 Hello Again Emily
2018 Woman on the Edge Susan
2018 Da hong zha Julia
2018 Future World Rosie
2018 Air Strike Nurse Julia
2019 What Lies Ahead Raven
2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Joanna Pettet
2023 Hidden Exposure Alvy Bowman Abbott
2023 Maya Kayla
2024 My Divorce Party Ren
Rumer Willis television work
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Miss Guided Shawna Episode: "Frenemies"
2008 Army Wives Renee Talbott Episode: "Transitions"
2008 CSI: NY Mackendra Taylor Episode: "My Name Is Mac Taylor"
2009 Medium Bethany Simmons Episode: "The First Bite Is the Deepest"
2009 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Heather Episode: "Knocked Up, Who's There?"
2009–2010 90210 Gia Mannetti Recurring role; 10 episodes
2012 Workaholics Lisa Episode: "True Dromance"
2012–2013 Hawaii Five-0 Sabrina Lane Guest role; 2 episodes
2013 Pretty Little Liars Zoe Episode: "The Guilty Girl's Handbook"
2014 Miss USA Herself / Judge Television special
2015 Dancing with the Stars Herself / Contestant Season 20 Champion
2016 Robot Chicken Lila, Kathy, Clawdeen Wolf Voice role; episode: "Yogurt in a Bag"
2017 Lip Sync Battle Herself / Competitor Episode: "Rumer Willis vs. Bryshere Gray"
2017–2018 Empire Tory Ash 22 episodes
2019 The Masked Singer Lion 7 episodes
2020 Floored Herself / Guest Judge Episode: "Tapped Out!"
2020 Barkitecture Herself Episode: "Rumer Willis: Canine Camper"
2020 9-1-1 Georgia Episode: "What's Next"
2023 Name That Tune Herself / Contestant Episode: "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
Rumer Willis music video work
Year Title Artist
2007 "Still in Love with You" Five A.M.
2009 "Get U Home" Shwayze
2014 "Imagine" (UNICEF: World version) Various[45]
2017 "Crazy Crazy 4 U" Cast of Empire featuring Rumer Willis
2018 "SOS" Cher

References

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  1. ^ Ausiello, Michael (September 25, 2017). "Empire Promotes Rumer Willis to Full-Fledged Series Regular in Season 4". TVLine. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  2. ^ "Rumer Willis on Her Dancing with the Stars Win: 'I Had the Time of My Life'". Time. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  3. ^ Holden, Stephen (April 6, 2016). "Review: Rumer Willis Poignantly Makes the Lyrics Her Own". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  4. ^ "Photos and Video: CHICAGO's Rumer Willis Performs 'Roxie' on GMA!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "Rumer Willis". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, daughter born". The Paducah Sun. Paducah, Kentucky. August 18, 1988. p. 18. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Willis and actress Demi Moore named their baby daughter Rumer Glenn, ... girl was delivered Tuesday morning at Western Baptist Hospital.(subscription required)
  7. ^ a b "Rumer Willis". AskMen. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  8. ^ Leonard, Elizabeth (April 2, 2012). "Bruce Willis and Emma Heming welcome a Daughter". People. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  9. ^ "Bruce Willis' Wife Emma Heming-Willis Gives Birth, Couple Welcomes Second Girl, Baby Evelyn Penn". Us Weekly. May 7, 2014. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Rob Kardashian, Rumer Willis and More Celeb Kids Who Got Into USC". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  11. ^ "The House Bunny". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  12. ^ "Rumer Willis Hopes First Lead Role Convinces Critics She's Not Interested In Riding Her Parents' Coattails". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  13. ^ "Rob Schneider, Rumer Willis in Wild Cherry". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  14. ^ Ng, Philiana (May 22, 2013). "'Pretty Little Liars' Recruits Rumer Willis for Season 4 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  15. ^ "Miss Nevada, Nia Sanchez, crowned Miss USA". New York Post. Associated Press. June 9, 2014. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  16. ^ Hetter, Katia (May 20, 2015). "Rumer Willis wins 'Dancing with the Stars'". CNN. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  17. ^ Blickley, Leigh (May 19, 2015). "And The Winners Of 'Dancing With The Stars' Are ..." HuffPost. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  18. ^ "Rumer Willis to play Roxie Hart in Broadway production of Chicago". HELLO!. July 17, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Lawrence, Vanessa (October 2, 2015). "Rumer Has It". W Magazine. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  20. ^ "Rumer Willis Says 'Empire' Character Tory Ash Figures Out 'What Sober Life Means' This Season". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  21. ^ "Empire Promotes Rumer Willis to Full-Fledged Series Regular in Season 4". www.yahoo.com. September 25, 2017. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  22. ^ Stone, Natalie. "The Masked Singer Double Elimination! Rabbit and Lion Revealed During Semifinals". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  23. ^ Aldrich, Jennifer (January 28, 2019). "Rumer Willis Finally Admits If She's the Lion on 'The Masked Singer'". Country Living. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  24. ^ Denis, Kyle (September 8, 2023). "Watch 'Masked Singer' Duets From Michelle Williams & Rumer Willis, Joey Fatone & Bow Wow Ahead of Season 10 Kick-Off". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  25. ^ "'The Masked Singer': Rumer Willis on Why She Chose the Lion Costume!". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  26. ^ "'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood': What the Critics Are Saying". The Hollywood Reporter. May 21, 2019. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  27. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (May 17, 2022). "Patricia Velasquez, Rumer Willis & More Set For Social Impact Film 'Maya' From Director Julia Verdin". Deadline. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  28. ^ "Maya Featured, Reviews Film Threat". February 22, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (February 16, 2024). "Rumer Willis Comedy 'My Divorce Party' Acquired By Gravitas Ventures; Iqbal Theba Joins Anna Nicole Smith Biopic 'Hurricanna'; More – Film Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  30. ^ Nash, Anthony (April 3, 2024). "My Divorce Party Trailer Previews Rumer Willis-Led Comedy". ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  31. ^ "In the Press - Rumer Willis for The House Magazine". Raquel Allegra. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  32. ^ "Rumer Willis Slams Vanity Fair Photographer for Photoshopping Her Jaw". The Cut. May 4, 2016. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  33. ^ Harlow, John (October 5, 2008). "Rumer has it". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  34. ^ "Rumer Willis Magazine Cover Photos - List of magazine covers featuring Rumer Willis - FamousFix". FamousFix.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  35. ^ "New York Daily News, April 30, 2008". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2008.
  36. ^ "Inside the Whimsical Nursery Rumer Willis Created for Her Daughter, Louetta". Architectural Digest. August 9, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  37. ^ "Instagram post by Bumpsuit". www.instagram.com. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  38. ^ "Rumer Willis Calls Raising Daughter Louetta an 'Experience I've Dreamed About My Whole Life' (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  39. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' 2015: Season 20 Celebrity Cast Announced". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  40. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' 2015: Rumer Willis Gets Two Perfect Scores In Week 8 of Season 20". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  41. ^ Kubicek, John (May 19, 2015). "'Dancing with the Stars' Season 20 Finale Recap: Who Wins the Golden Mirror Ball?". BuddyTV. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  42. ^ "Derek Richard Thomas: 5 Things To Know About Rumer Willis' Boyfriend & Baby Daddy". Hollywood Life. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  43. ^ "Rumer Willis Is Pregnant! Actress Expecting Her First Baby with Boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas". People. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  44. ^ "Rumer Willis and Boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas Welcome First Baby, Daughter Louetta: 'Pure Magic'". People. April 25, 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  45. ^ Rowles, Dustin (November 21, 2014). "'Imagine' Gets the Star-Studded 'We Are The World' Treatment for UNICEF". Pajiba. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rumer Willis.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Dancing with the Stars (US) winners
Season 20
(Spring 2015 with Valentin Chmerkovskiy) 		Succeeded by
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