Action man Bruce Willis almost missed out on playing tough guy John Mcclane in the Die Hard films twice - after initially passing on the first movie and then having to wait for his peers to turn the role down.

The actor has to thank his Moonlighting TV series co-star Cybill Shepherd for getting pregnant and allowing him the chance to play McClane - but he still had to wait for the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone to pass.

He explains, "I'd already read the script for Die Hard once, but had to pass because of the show."

"As it turns out, a miracle happened - Cybill Shepherd got pregnant and they shut down the show for 11 weeks - just the right amount of time for me to run around over at Nakatomi tower.

"I think I was the 50th choice. They went to everyone."

But Willis regrets turning down the chance to star in another action movie franchise, Lethal Weapon.

He reveals, "My girlfriend read it and said it was way too violent. Thank God I didn't do that one!"