Richard Thornburg

Richard Thornberg is an arrogant, irresponsible reporter who causes trouble for John McClane and his wife Holly in the first two Die Hard movies. He is played by William Atherton.

Die Hard
When Thornberg goes to the McClane house and interviews John and Holly's children the terrorist, Hans Gruber learns that Holly (who is his hostage) is John McClane's wife. After John McClane saves Holly, Thornberg attampts to interview John McClane, Holly punches him in his face for putting her in danger by revealing her identity to Hans Gruber.

Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Two years later Thornberg and Holly were on the same flight together. When he saw Holly he demanded to be moved because he put a restraining on Holly for pnching him. When Thornberg learns that the airport was taken over by terrorist he hid in the airport and called his news station in an attempt to get a Pulitzer Prize. Thornberg then gave an emergency news report about the terrorist taking over the airport which caused panic and blocked the police's efforts to stop the terrorist. Holly then used a taser on Thornberg, knocking him out.