Michael Connell Biehn is an American actor, primarily known for his military roles in science fiction films directed by James Cameron; as Sgt. Kyle Reese in The Terminator, Cpl. Dwayne Hicks in Aliens, and Lt. Coffey in The Abyss. His other films include The Fan, Navy SEALs, Tombstone, The Rock, , and Planet Terror. On television, he has appeared in Hill Street Blues, The Magnificent Seven, and Adventure Inc.. Biehn received a Best ActorSaturn Award nomination for Aliens, and received The Life Career Award at the 2011 ceremony.
Biehn got his start in movies with a bit part in the film version of Grease in 1978. He appears in two scenes, in one 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 and The Abyss, and had a small role in ', 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 ultimately went to Robert Patrick. In 2019, Biehn confirmed in an interview that he will not be reprising the role for ' 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 was to become the protagonist, replacing Ellen Ripley. 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 salary 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 ' 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 ', and independent movies, such as Havoc. He also starred in three TV series including the CBS drama The Magnificent Seven, the Tribune Entertainment syndicated TV series Adventure Inc., and the NBC TV series Hawaii. 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, but Cameron felt his appearance in the film coupled with that of Sigourney Weaver's would remind people too much of Aliens. Biehn directed the 2010 filmThe Blood Bond. In 2011 he wrote, directed and starred in The Victim.
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, born March 21, 2015.
