WASHINGTON, DC.- In a special ceremony, 20th Century Fox and actor/producer Bruce Willis donated objects from the Oscar-nominated "Die Hard" movie to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Series protagonist John McClane will join the ranks of Indiana Jones and Rocky Balboa when items—including an athletic shirt, a poster and a publicity still from the original "Die Hard" film (1988), and a badge and original script from the fourth film in the series, "Live Free or Die Hard" (2007)—join the museum's permanent entertainment collections.

A selection of the "Die Hard" items will go on display in the new acquisitions case in the museum's "Treasures of American History" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum July 12. "Treasures" features more than 150 objects from the museum's vast and diverse collections while its building is closed for renovations./p>

"'Die Hard' is a quintessential Hollywood action movie representing not only the classic good-versus-evil struggle but also showcasing the explosive ingenuity that characterizes American film," said museum director Brent D. Glass. "This donation allows us to add materials from the action-adventure genre to our collection."/p>

Willis first acquired fame as David Addison in the television series "Moonlighting" and sky-rocketed to one of Hollywood's leading men with his role in the "Die Hard" series. The newest addition to the series, "Live Free or Die Hard," features Willis as both star and producer.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Documenting the American experience from Colonial times to the present, the museum looks at growth and change in the United States. The museum is closed for major renovations and will re-open in summer 2008.