In Die Hard, what is the name of the police officer played by Bruce Willis?

In Die Hard, Bruce Willis plays New York City police officer John McClane.

McClane travels to Los Angeles to visit his estranged wife, Holly Gennaro, during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Corporation's headquarters. The party is taken hostage by Hans Gruber, forcing McClane to act alone inside the building.

The character's ordinary-police-officer background contrasts with the larger-than-life action setting. McClane is resourceful, sarcastic, and physically vulnerable rather than an invincible super-soldier.

The role made Willis a major action star and led to four sequels. The film is often debated as a Christmas movie because its action plot unfolds at Christmas, but its setting, music, and seasonal party are central to the story. McClane should not be confused with Riggs, Willis's character in the Lethal Weapon franchise.