WATN: Lance Henriksen

By Gareth Bunkham / August 21, 2008

LANCE HENRIKSEN

DETECTIVE HAL VUKOVICH

Lance Henriksen got into acting through his job as a theatre set designer, he soon began appearing in productions on and off Broadway, his first role on film was in 1972s IT AINT EASY. Throughout the seventies and early eighties Henriksen took on a variety of roles in a diverse selection of films, including roles in DOG DAY AFTERNOON, the classics CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, DAMIEN: OMEN II and his first collaboration with James Cameron taking the lead in PIRANHA II: THE SPAWNING, amazingly keeping a straight face throughout. When it came to casting the titular role in THE TERMINATOR, Cameron initially envisioned Henriksen in the role, so much so he had Henriksen dress up as The Terminator and attend a production meeting in character. As we know, Arnold Schwarzenegger was ultimately cast in the iconic role and Henriksen was left to play the role of sceptical cop Detective Vukovich. Two years later Lance Henriksen took on the film role he is most remembered for when he worked for James Cameron a third time on ALIENS playing android Bishop.

Considering the success of ALIEN, it was a brave move to follow in Ian Holms android footsteps, but Henriksen did an admirable job. Henriksen would revisit his role in the ALIEN fanchise in ALIEN3 and ALIEN VS PREDATOR, playing Charles Bishop Weyland, the man creditted with designing the Bishop android. Henriksen rounded out the eighties with roles in the horror PUMPKINHEAD and JOHNNY HANDSOME. After ALIEN3 in 1992, he appeared in the film adaption of SUPER MARIO BROS. and Sam RaimisTHE QUICK AND THE DEAD as the memorable Ace Hanlon.

In 1996 Lance Henriksen took the starring role in Chris Carters follow up to THE X-FILES; MILLENIUM as Frank Black, the show ran for two and a half years and gained a cult following. A crossover episode of THE X-FILES in 1999 tied up the MILLENIUM series with Henriksen reprising his role as Frank Black.

In 2000, Henriksen played the role of sleazy film producer John Milton in SCREAM 3, in recent years Henriksens work has been limited to TV movies and straight to video productions, with the exception of the commercially successful ALIEN VS PREDATOR in 2004.

A cult actor in every sense, currently 68, Henriksen continues to churn out films at a prolific rate and has also took on voice work in recent years. Alongside many, many STV roles he has lined up for the future, he has recently filmed a supporting role in the Ed Harris directed Western Appaloosa - alongside Renne Zellweger, Viggo Mortensen and Jeremy Irons which is due out later this year.

Next: Final Part we look at Earl Boen & Paul Winfield! Sunday: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Monday: LINDA HAMILTON Tuesday: MICHAEL BIEHN Previously: BEVERLY HILLS COP, BACK TO THE FUTURE