Michael Biehn

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, including the 1984 science fiction action thriller The Terminator (as Sgt. Kyle Reese), the 1986 science-fiction action horror film Aliens (as Cpl. Dwayne Hicks), and the 1989 science fiction-adventure film The Abyss (as Lt. Coffey). He has also acted in films such as the Western film Tombstone (1993), the action film The Rock (1996), Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 (2001), and the action horror science-fiction film Planet Terror. On television, Biehn appeared in the cast of the Emmy Award-winning 1980s police drama series Hill Street Blues and the short-lived syndicated adventure show Adventure Inc. (2002-2003).

Early life

Biehn was born in Anniston, Alabama, the second of three children of Marcia (née Connell) and Don Biehn, a lawyer. 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. 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

Michael Biehn got his start in movies with a bit part in the film version of Grease in 1978. He appears in two scenes, in the more memorable of 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 protagonist, replacing Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). 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. Biehn recently reprised the role of Hicks by voicing the character in Aliens: Colonial Marines. Biehn played the role of Johnny Ringo in Tombstone with the memorable showdown scene with Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday.

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 (1998â€"2000), the Tribune Entertainment syndicated TV series Adventure Inc. (2002â€"2003), and the NBC TV series Hawaii (2004). All three shows were subsequently cancelled because of low ratings. Biehn was considered for a role in James Cameron's 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.

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 and possibly in the upcoming Neill Blomkamp directed Alien sequel. 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 has been married twice. 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 then married his second wife, Gina Nash. They had two sons, Caelan Michael (b. April 11, 1992) and Alexander (b. March 19, 2003) and separated in 2008. Biehn is currently with actress Jennifer Blanc. She co-produced and starred alongside him in his directorial debut, The Victim.

Filmography

References

External links

• Michael Biehn at the Internet Movie Database
• Michael Biehn at AllMovie
• Phoenix â€" Michael Biehn Archive
• Michael Biehn DVD & film information site