John McTiernan (Albany, January 8, 1951) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter, considered one of the masters of modern action cinema. His career peaked in the late 1980s and 1990s, a period during which he directed films that redefined the genre. After his debut with *Nomads* (1986), he achieved international success with *Predator* (1987) and most notably with *Die Hard* (1988), a film that established Bruce Willis as an action icon and set a new stylistic and narrative standard. His filmography includes other highly successful titles such as the military thriller *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), the satire *Last Action Hero* (1993), the sequel *Die Hard with a Vengeance* (1995), and the sophisticated remake *The Thomas Crown Affair* (1999). His output has slowed significantly since the 2000s, partly due to legal issues. For its cultural significance, *Die Hard* has been added to the United States National Film Registry.