'Someone I've Always Looked Up to': What Haley Joel Osment Has Said About Working with Bruce Willis onThe Sixth Sense

Mar. 15, 2025

Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in Germany in 1999.Photo:Reiche/ullstein bild/Getty

Reiche/ullstein bild/Getty

Twenty-five years ago, 10-year-oldHaley Joel Osmentuttered what would become one of the mostquoted linesin cinema history: “I see dead people.“The pre-teen starred oppositeBruce Willisin 1999’sThe Sixth Senseand instantly would roll out one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood. Of course, Willis, an already recognizable name at the time, would go on to become one of the biggest action movie stars ever with blockbuster hits such asThe Kid, Perfect Strangerand theDie Hardfranchise.Even though Willis and Osment went their separate ways after meeting on the M. Night Shyamalan-directed film, it seems Willis left quite the impression on a young Osment.As we commemoratethe 25th anniversary ofThe Sixth Sense,here are some memories Osment has shared about his time working with Bruce Willis over the years.

Twenty-five years ago, 10-year-oldHaley Joel Osmentuttered what would become one of the mostquoted linesin cinema history: “I see dead people.”

The pre-teen starred oppositeBruce Willisin 1999’sThe Sixth Senseand instantly would roll out one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood. Of course, Willis, an already recognizable name at the time, would go on to become one of the biggest action movie stars ever with blockbuster hits such asThe Kid, Perfect Strangerand theDie Hardfranchise.

Even though Willis and Osment went their separate ways after meeting on the M. Night Shyamalan-directed film, it seems Willis left quite the impression on a young Osment.

As we commemoratethe 25th anniversary ofThe Sixth Sense,here are some memories Osment has shared about his time working with Bruce Willis over the years.

01of 07When He Revealed a Sweet Anecdote About Their PastBruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment at the 2000 People’s Choice Awards.Kevork Djansezian/APAs big a movie star as he was, Willis wasn’t above leaving a good ole voice message back in the day.While on theThe Adam Carolla Showin March 2024, Osment revealed that even though he hadn’t spoken to Willis in a while, one of his fondest memories was that of him leaving voice messages on his phone back in the day.“He would leave voice messages at our family home when I was in elementary school and high school on this Nickelodeon phone we used to have,” Osment said, with a chuckle.

01of 07

When He Revealed a Sweet Anecdote About Their Past

Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment at the 2000 People’s Choice Awards.Kevork Djansezian/AP

As big a movie star as he was, Willis wasn’t above leaving a good ole voice message back in the day.

While on theThe Adam Carolla Showin March 2024, Osment revealed that even though he hadn’t spoken to Willis in a while, one of his fondest memories was that of him leaving voice messages on his phone back in the day.

“He would leave voice messages at our family home when I was in elementary school and high school on this Nickelodeon phone we used to have,” Osment said, with a chuckle.

02of 07

When He Expressed His Admiration

Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis star in ‘The Sixth Sense’ in 1999.Getty

A day after Willis' family revealed the beloved actor would beretiring from acting because of his aphasiadiagnosis, Osmenttook to social mediato express his “respect and deep admiration” for the veteran actor.

“I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come,” Osment added. “I just wanted to express the respect and deep admiration I have for Bruce and his family as they move forward with the courage and high spirits that have always defined them.”

03of 07

When He Jokingly Revealed a Not-So-Fond Memory

Haley Joel Osment at ‘Hollywood Salutes Bruce Willis: An American Cinematheque Tribute’ in 2000.Kevin Winter/ImageDirect

Kevin Winter/ImageDirect

Apparently, there was a day on set where Willis got ice cream for everyone who was around — except Osment, because, “I was working. I was doing a scene with Bruce and of course, I had to keep working and I didn’t get any,” he said, pretending to be tearing up.

“People ask me how I did all of those crying scenes, well …” he joked.

04of 07When They Celebrated Each OtherBruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in ‘The Sixth Sense’ in 1999.GettyClearly, the two had great rapport and often joked around. During an interview with PEOPLE back in 1999, Willis put Osment “with some of the best adult actors I’ve ever worked with.““Right back at ya,” 11-year-old Osment quipped.Asked what he thought about working with Willis, he simply had this to say, “I thought, cool, Bruce Willis. Then I met him, and he was so professional.”

04of 07

When They Celebrated Each Other

Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in ‘The Sixth Sense’ in 1999.Getty

Clearly, the two had great rapport and often joked around. During an interview with PEOPLE back in 1999, Willis put Osment “with some of the best adult actors I’ve ever worked with.”

“Right back at ya,” 11-year-old Osment quipped.

Asked what he thought about working with Willis, he simply had this to say, “I thought, cool, Bruce Willis. Then I met him, and he was so professional.”

05of 07

When He Dished on Willis' Work Ethic

Osment also revealed that theDie Hardstar was in the trenches with everybody else.

“For the first week before we started shooting Philadelphia in early September, the whole cast and the director, Night, were in this room and we were just always analyzing the script and just getting down everything perfect, understanding what was going on in that exact moment so that we could have a smooth job on the script [once] we started shooting.”

06of 07When He Revealed Willis' Lighter SideM. Night Shyamalan Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis in 2000.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyIn aseparate interviewfrom the same press junket, Osment also revealed that while Willis was super serious about the work, he always found the balance.“After being so intense all day and we had really deep scenes, really heavy, he always was good about lightening things up and keeping everybody’s spirits up. That helped a lot.”

06of 07

When He Revealed Willis' Lighter Side

M. Night Shyamalan Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis in 2000.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

In aseparate interviewfrom the same press junket, Osment also revealed that while Willis was super serious about the work, he always found the balance.

“After being so intense all day and we had really deep scenes, really heavy, he always was good about lightening things up and keeping everybody’s spirits up. That helped a lot.”

07of 07

When He Told Everyone About Willis' Secret Talent

Because he was 10 years old, Osment’s experience on set would inherently be different than everyone else’s. However, every now and again, he got to join in some of the festivities.

source: people.com