Michael Biehn

Michael Connell Biehn ( ; born July 31, 1956) is an American actor, primarily known for his roles in science fiction films directed by James Cameron; as Sgt. Kyle Reese in ''The Terminator'' (1984), Cpl. Dwayne Hicks in ''Aliens'' (1986), and Lt. Coffey in ''The Abyss'' (1989). His other films include '' The Fan'' (1981), ''Navy SEALs'' (1990), '' Tombstone'' (1993), '' The Rock'' (1996), '' Megiddo: The Omega Code 2'' (2001), and ''Planet Terror'' (2007). On television, he has appeared in ''Hill Street Blues'' (1984), ''The Magnificent Seven'' (1998–2000), and '' Adventure Inc.'' (2002–2003). Biehn received a Best Actor Saturn Award nomination for ''Aliens''.

Early life

Biehn was born in Anniston, Alabama, the second of three boys born to Marcia (née Connell) and Don Biehn, a lawyer."Michael Biehn: Biography, Latest News & Videos"
''TV Guide''. Retrieved September 25, 2013."Michael Biehn"
. Wizard World. Retrieved September 25, 2013. He is of German descent on his father's side and Irish on his mother's side. When he was young, he moved with his family to Lincoln, Nebraska, and then to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where he was a member of the high school drama club before graduating. He attended the drama program at the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity before moving to Hollywood.

Career

Biehn got his start in movies with a bit part in the film version of '' Grease'' in 1978. He appears in two scenes, one in which John Travolta's character, Danny, hits Biehn's uncredited character in the stomach while playing basketball.

In 1981, he appeared in the role of Douglas Breen, a stalker, in the 1981 film version of Bob Randall's novel '' The Fan'', starring Lauren Bacall. In 1984, Biehn played Sgt. Kyle Reese, a soldier sent back in time by John Connor to save his mother, Sarah Connor, in the film ''The Terminator'' opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton. He starred in two other films directed by James Cameron: ''Aliens'' (as Corporal Hicks) and ''The Abyss'' (as Lieutenant Hiram Coffey), and had a small role in '' Terminator 2: Judgment Day'', briefly reprising his role as Reese in a scene cut from the final film but restored for the Director's Cut version. He was considered to portray the film's antagonist, the T-1000, but the role went to Robert Patrick. In 2019, Biehn confirmed in an interview that he would not be reprising the role for '' Terminator: Dark Fate'' or any other future installments. In the same interview, Biehn claimed that he was initially not enthusiastic about appearing in a Schwarzenegger film, as he had hoped to act alongside the likes of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

In an early draft of ''Alien 3'' written by William Gibson, Biehn's character Hicks (who had survived the events of ''Aliens'') was to become the protagonist, replacing Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). Walter Hill and David Giler wrote the final script, which had Hicks killed off in the opening scene. Biehn, upon learning of his character's demise, demanded and received almost as much money for the use of his likeness in one scene as he had been paid for his role in ''Aliens''. Biehn reprised the role of Hicks by voicing the character in the video game '' Aliens: Colonial Marines'' and again in 2019 for an audio drama adaptation of Gibson's un-filmed script for ''Alien 3'' released by Audible. Biehn played the role of Johnny Ringo in '' Tombstone'' with the showdown scene with Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday.

In the 2000s, Biehn took acting roles ranging from big budget films such as ''The Art of War'' and ''Clockstoppers'', to video games like '' Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun'' and independent movies, such as ''Havoc''. He also starred in three TV series including the CBS drama ''The Magnificent Seven'' (1998–2000), the Tribune Entertainment syndicated TV series '' Adventure Inc.'' (2002–2003), and the NBC TV series ''Hawaii'' (2004). All three shows were subsequently cancelled because of low ratings. Biehn was considered to portray Colonel Miles Quaritch, the main antagonist of James Cameron's science fiction epic film ''Avatar'' (2009), but Cameron felt his appearance in the film coupled with that of Sigourney Weaver would remind people too much of ''Aliens''.

Biehn directed the 2010 film ''The Blood Bond''. In 2011 he wrote, directed and starred in '' The Victim''. In 2020, Biehn was cast as the villain Lang in the second season of the ''Star Wars'' television series ''The Mandalorian''. In 2022, he portrayed Ian in the eleventh season of the AMC horror series '' The Walking Dead''.

Personal life

Biehn has been married three times. His first wife was actress Carlene Olson, whom he married on July 11, 1980. They had twin sons, Devon and Taylor before divorcing in 1987. He then married his second wife, Gina Marsh. They had two sons, Caelan Michael and Alexander before separating in 2008. Biehn is now married to actress Jennifer Blanc, who co-produced and starred alongside him in ''The Victim''. The couple have one son, Dashiell King Biehn."Welcome Dashiell King Biehn"
Topanga Messenger. May 7, 2015.

Filmography

References

External links

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Phoenix – Michael Biehn Archive

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biehn, Michael
Living people
Male actors from Arizona
Male actors from Nebraska
American male film actors
American male television actors
American male video game actors
American male voice actors
Male Western (genre) film actors
American people of German descent
American people of Irish descent
Actors from Lincoln, Nebraska
People from Anniston, Alabama
People from Lake Havasu City, Arizona
University of Arizona alumni
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
1956 births