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Michael Biehn

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Michael Biehn
Biehn promoting his film, The Victim, during an August 23, 2012 appearance at
Midtown Comics in Manhattan.
Born
Michael Connell Biehn

(1956-07-31) July 31, 1956 (age 68)
Anniston, Alabama, U.S.
Other namesMike, Mick(ey)
Occupation(s)Actor, director
Years active1977–present
Spouse(s)Carlene Olson
(1980–1987)
Gina Nash
(1988-2008)
Jennifer Blanc
(2009-present)
Children4

Michael Connell Biehn (born July 31, 1956) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his roles in James Cameron's science fiction action films The Terminator (as Kyle Reese), Aliens (as Cpl. Dwayne Hicks), and The Abyss (as Lt. Coffey). He has also acted in such films as Tombstone, The Rock, and Planet Terror. On television, Biehn appeared in the cast of the Emmy Award-winning 1980s television series Hill Street Blues and the short lived syndicated show Adventure Inc.

Early life

Michael Connell Biehn was born in Anniston, Alabama, the second of three children to Marcia (née Connell) and Don Biehn, a lawyer,[1][2] When he was young, he moved with his family to Lincoln, Nebraska, and then to Lake Havasu, Arizona, where he was a member of the high school drama club before graduating.[2] He attended the drama program at the University of Arizona,[1] where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity before moving to Hollywood.[3]

Career

Michael Biehn got his start in movies with a bit part in the film version of Grease in 1978. He appears in two scenes, the most memorable of which is one in which John Travolta's character, Danny, hits Biehn's uncredited character in the stomach while playing basketball. In 1981, he played a stalker in The Fan; at the time the film was shot, he was in his mid-20s, love interest Lauren Bacall was more than 30 years his senior. After a few more films, Biehn played Kyle Reese, a sergeant sent back in time by John Connor to save his mother, Sarah Connor, in the 1984 film The Terminator. 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 (his briefly reprised role as Reese which was removed from the theatrical release but restored in the special editions and the director's cut).

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 main protagonist, replacing Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver).[4] However, Walter Hill and David Giler penned 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.[5] Biehn recently reprised the role of Hicks by voicing the character in Aliens: Colonial Marines.

In the 2000s, Biehn has taken 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 due to low ratings. Biehn was considered for a role in James Cameron's new science fiction epic film Avatar (2009), but Cameron felt his appearance in the film coupled with that of Sigourney Weaver's would remind people too much of Aliens.[6]

Michael Biehn has developed a repertoire for performing combative military roles that have particularly involved the portrayal of a special forces soldier. This string of characters was first established with his role as Cadet John Alexander in The Lords of Discipline, followed shortly after by his performance as Sergeant Kyle Reese, a resistance movement soldier in the Terminator film series, and also Corporal Dwayne Hicks in Aliens. This theme continues with multiple roles as a U.S. Navy SEAL, which can be seen in his following film credits: Lieutenant Hiram Coffey in The Abyss, Lieutenant James Curran in Navy Seals, and the ill fated Commander Charles Anderson in The Rock.

Biehn, who said he was encouraged by Robert Rodriguez while on the set of Planet Terror to make his own film, has produced, written, directed and starred in The Victim, which was released in 2011.

Personal life

Biehn and his wife, actress Jennifer Blanc, promoting his directorial debut, The Victim, in which both starred and co-produced.

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 (b.1984) and divorced in 1987. He married his second wife, film producer Gina Marsh, in 1988. They had two sons, Caelan Michael (b. April 11, 1992) and Alexander (b. March 19, 2003). The pair divorced in 2008. Biehn subsequently married actress Jennifer Blanc, who co-produced and starred alongside him in his directorial debut, The Victim.[7][8]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1977 Logan's Run Sandman TV Series- episode 1 [9]
1978 Grease Mike, basketball player Uncredited
1978 Coach Jack Ripley
1978 A Fire in the Sky Tom Reardon Made-for-TV Movie
1980 Hog Wild Tim Warner
1981 The Fan Douglas Breen
1983 The Lords of Discipline Cadet Lieutenant Colonel John Alexander
1984 The Terminator Sgt. Kyle Reese
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian Sebastian Made-for-TV Movie
1985 Deadly Intentions Dr. Charles Rayner
1986 Aliens Corporal Dwayne Hicks Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Actor
1987 Rampage Anthony Fraser
1988 The Seventh Sign Russell Quinn
In a Shallow Grave Garnet Montrose
1989 The Abyss Lieutenant Hiram Coffey
1990 Navy SEALs Lieutenant James Curran
1991 Timebomb Eddie Kay
Terminator 2: Judgment Day Kyle Reese Cameo, Special Edition and Director's Cut only
K2 Taylor Brooks
1992 A Taste for Killing Bo Landry Made-for-TV Movie
1993 Strapped Detective Matthew McRae
Deadfall Joe Dolan
Tombstone Johnny Ringo
1994 Deep Red Joe Keyes Made-for-TV Movie
1995 In the Kingdom of the Blind Jackie Ryan Cameo
Jade Detective Bob Hargrove
Blood of the Hunter Blake Made-for-TV Movie
Breach of Trust Casey Woods
1996 Frame by Frame Detective Stash Horvak Made-for-TV Movie
Mojave Moon Boyd
The Rock Commander Charles Anderson
1997 Asteroid FEMA Director Jack Wallach Made-for-TV Movie
Dead Men Can't Dance Robert Hart
The Ride Smokey Banks
1998 Susan's Plan Bill
American Dragons Det. Tony Luca
1998–2000 The Magnificent Seven Chris Larabee TV Series
1999 Silver Wolf Roy McLean Made-for-TV Movie
1999 Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun Commander Michael McNeil Video Game
2000 Chain of Command Secret Service Agent Craig Thornton
Cherry Falls Sheriff Brent Marken
The Art of War Robert Bly
2001 Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 President David Alexander
2002 Clockstoppers Henry Gates
Borderline Det. Macy Kobacek
2002–2003 Adventure Inc. Judson Cross TV Series
2004 The Legend of Butch & Sundance Mike Cassidy Made-for-TV Movie
Hawaii Det. Sean Harrison TV Series
2005 Havoc Stuart Lang
Dragon Squad Petros Angelo
2007 The Insatiable Strickland
You Are Here Tony Russo
Grindhouse Sheriff Hague Segments Planet Terror and Thanksgiving
They Wait Blake O'Connell Cameo
2008 Stiletto Lee
2009 Saving Grace Landy Bretthorse
Streets of Blood Agent Michael Brown
2010 Psych 9 Det. Marling[10]
Take Me Home Tonight Bill Franklin
Bereavement Jonathan Miller
The Blood Bond John Tremayne Also director
2011 The Divide Mickey
Puncture Red
The Victim Kyle Also director
2012 Sushi Girl Mike
2013 Tapped Reggie
Treachery Henry
Aliens: Colonial Marines Corporal Dwayne Hicks Video game
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Sergeant Rex Power Colt Video game [11]
2014 The Dark Forest Peter
2014 Hidden in the Woods Remake Oscar Crocker

References

  1. ^ a b "Michael Biehn: Biography, Latest News & Videos". TV Guide. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Michael Biehn". Wizard World. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  3. ^ " About Michael Bean". MTV. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  4. ^ "Phoenix – Michael Biehn Archive – Aliens Cinescape Movie Aliens – Bald Ambition Page 3". Michaelbiehn.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  5. ^ "Wreckage and Rape: The Making of Alien³ – Development Hell: Concluding The Story" (Alien 3 Collector's Edition DVD).
  6. ^ "Michael Biehn Hopin', Wishin' and Waitin'". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  7. ^ Whtiney, Serena (July 24, 2012). "Fantasia 2012: Michael Biehn and Jennifer Blanc-Biehn Talk The Victim and More!". Dread Central.
  8. ^ "Fantasia 2012: Michael Biehn and Jennifer Blanc say waddup in this photoshoot!" Arrow in the Head. July 31, 2012.
  9. ^ "IMDB.com Listing for 1977-1978 TV Series Logan's Run".
  10. ^ "Haunted Hospital 'Psych: 9' Gets March UK Release". BloodyDisgusting.
  11. ^ "Michael Biehn Talks Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, The Possibility of a Sequel, and Which of His Characters Would Win In A Fight " BioGamer Girl Magazine. May 06, 2013.
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