Michael Connell Biehn (born
July 31,
1956) is an
American actor. He is best known for his roles in James Cameron's science fiction-action films
The Terminator,
Aliens, and
The Abyss. He has also acted in other genres 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.
Biography
Personal life
Biehn was born in
Anniston, Alabama, the son of Marcia (
née Connell) and Don Biehn, a
lawyer [macons.cc/genealogy/surnames/fam01008.htm][Michael Biehn Biography (1956-)] but would grow up in
Lincoln, Nebraska[Michael Biehn–Biography ]. He has three siblings: Brooks Ann, Jonathon and Steven. Biehn attended high school in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and was a member of the high school drama club. He then attended the drama program at the
University of Arizona (where he joined
Sigma Nu Fraternity) for two years before heading to Hollywood.
Biehn has been married twice, first to Carlene Olsen (1980 - 1987), and then to Gina Marsh (1988 - currently separated). He has four sons, including twin boys whom he jokingly refers to as "professional poker players".
Career
Perhaps Biehn's most memorable role was that of
Kyle Reese, a lonely sergeant sent back in time by John Connor to save Sarah Connor in the 1984 movie
The Terminator. He has appeared in three other films directed by
James Cameron:
Aliens (playing a major secondary role as Corporal Hicks),
The Abyss (playing a major role as Lieutenant Hiram Coffey) and
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). For his role as Lt. Coffey in
The Abyss, the studio lobbied hard to get Biehn nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, but to no avail.
A picture of Biehn as Kyle Reese in
The Terminator was reproduced as the cover-art of the 1987 video game
Metal Gear,
[Junker HQ Image] which was meant to portray the game's protagonist,
Solid Snake.
In the 2000s, Biehn has taken acting roles ranging from big budget movies 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 sci-fi epic movie
Avatar (2009), but Cameron felt his appearance in the film coupled with that of Sigourney Weaver's would remind people too much of
Aliens and not of Avatar as an original film of its own.
[ROTTEN TOMATOES: Michael Biehn Hopin', Wishin' and Waitin']
On
November 7,
2008,
TV Guide reported that Biehn will guest-star in a February episode of the
CBS drama
Criminal Minds.
[Exclusive: Michael Biehn, Cybil Shepherd Cop Criminal Roles" TV Guide. November 7, 2008. Retrieved on November 7 2008.]
Trivia
In every
James Cameron movie Michael appears in, his character is bitten on the hand by another character. This does not include
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (however, Biehn is only in one scene in this film, and the scene is not part of the theatrical version; it is only available in the extended edition of the film).
Filmography
