Bruce Willis labelled ‘clown’ after fans discover he was kicked out of store for ‘refusing’ to wear mask

Bruce Willis sparked fury earlier this week when people learned the actor was asked to leave a store for ‘refusing’ to wear a mask.

The Die Hard actor left Los Angeles Rite Aid pharmacy earlier this week after he walked the aisles without a mask, prompting shoppers to report him, Page Six first reported.

When an employee requested that he cover his face – with a bandana that was already tied around his neck – he gave a "disgruntled" look and left the store without purchasing anything.

Photos of the encounter later went viral, with people calling out the mask-less celebrity as an ‘idiot’ and a ‘clown’ when there is a surge of Covid cases in Los Angeles: “EVERYBODY has to Die hard Bruce??” one person wrote on Twitter.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt tweeted, "Really bout that 'Die Hard' brand," while another person wrote: “Et tu Bruce?”

Others could not help but parody Die Hard on learning the news, writing “Die Hard 5.  Die Alone on a Vent” and “Die Hard: With A Ventilator”.

Some didn’t understand why he didn’t just use the bandana that was already around his neck: “But he has the damn scarf around his neck? WTF? Disappointed but, not really a fan,” one person commented.  

Willis’ refusal to wear a face covering may come as a bit of surprise, since in the past his family has been vocal about taking precautions during the pandemic.

In October, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, shared a photo of herself, Bruce and their two daughters wearing masks. She captioned the photo, "We are proud to support Sesame Workshop by wearing our @citizensofhumanity x @sesamestreet masks. The collection is designed for the whole family and benefits Sesame Workshop's COVID-19 relief initiative, #CaringForEachOther."

The actor later apologized for his ‘error in judgement’: "Be safe out there everyone and let's continue to mask up,” Willis told Peoplein a statement.

Others were less surprised, however, as one person wrote, “Bruce Willis has had a long conservative bent to him," noting the perceived link between conservative beliefs and a reluctance to wear masks.

In the past, Willis has been identified as a Republican who supported George W. Bush in 2000, Business Insider reported. But it’s not clear if he’s been a Trump supporter and he’s never suggested he is.

Either way, referencing another of Willis’ famous on screen appearances, political activist Femi Oluwole wrote, “Bruce Willis doesn’t see dead people”.