The Iconic 90s Action Villain: What Happened to Brian Thompson and Why Did He Disappear from Film? (9 photos)

In the 90s, even those who couldn't remember his name but enjoyed watching action movies recognized his face. His powerful jaw, icy gaze, and noticeable resemblance to a young Arnold Schwarzenegger made Brian Thompson the perfect embodiment of a dangerous action movie villain.





During his career, he has essayed numerous iconic roles, each of which has left a distinct mark on the action genre: the menacing Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat, Night Slasher from the cult classic Cobra starring Stallone, the ruthless alien hunter from The X-Files, the brutal sorcerer from the Conan universe starring Schwarzenegger—and dozens of other roles in which he transformed himself into a mythological villain archetype, a living, breathing menace that is unforgettable. This is what made him an iconic figure of his time.

But then something happened that no one expected: the actor, once the face of the Hollywood pantheon of villains, seemed to vanish into thin air.

How did Brian Johnson get into acting?



Brian Thompson was born in the small American town of Ellensburg, to a family far removed from the film industry. He was one of six children, grew up in an ordinary environment, played sports, and never even dreamed of Hollywood. A school play changed everything: playing the role of the choreographer Boris Kolenkov, it was then that he first felt the energy of the stage and realized it was his element.

After high school, he enrolled in university, where he studied management and played American football. So he was quite a resilient, athletic, and strong guy. But at the same time, he secretly continued to gravitate toward the theater. He participated in student plays, musicals, and small productions.

It soon became clear: the theater stage drew him more than any stable profession or sport. Although he had all the makings of a sportsman (more specifically, American football, where the coach predicted a brilliant career for him), with a strong jaw, a tall height of 191 cm (6'3"), and a weight of about 100 kg (220 lbs), Brian himself didn't want to be an athlete; he dreamed of becoming an actor.

He transferred to the University of California, Irvine, where he completed a rigorous three-year acting program. There, he studied theater, classics, performed in Shakespearean productions, and developed his professionalism.

By the time he graduated, he had a rare luxury: his own agent, professional theater experience, and a clear understanding of his profession.

First Roles: From a Punk in "Terminator" to a Real Breakthrough





Like many actors, Brian began his film career with small cameo roles. His film debut was as a loudmouth punk in the first "Terminator." He appears in the frame for a few seconds next to Arnold Schwarzenegger (Thompson's height was significantly shortened in the film; in reality, he is several centimeters taller than Arnold), and this became symbolic: his appearance, athletic build, and presence immediately caught the attention of casting agents.



His real breakthrough came in 1986, when he landed the role of Knight Slasher in Cobra, starring Stallone. His villainous portrayal was so vivid that it made audiences truly feel the threat. It was a role that changed his career – Brian officially became "that guy" called upon to play the main antagonist in films starring big-name action stars (Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Van Damme, etc.). However, he also had some heroic roles. For example, Brian Thompson once starred as Hercules in the miniseries "Jason and the Argonauts."



From there, it all went downhill: TV series, action films, horror movies, sci-fi. He became the face of an era – recognizable, charismatic, dangerous, yet a professional actor with a theater background and absolute discipline.



In the 1990s, Thompson's productivity was astounding. Over nearly a decade of active acting, Bryan earned approximately $2 million, met influential Hollywood figures, and cemented his status as an iconic villain. But despite his career success, he didn't neglect his personal life. During this time, Bryan met his first wife. Their union became a crucial support system for him: the couple soon had children – a son and a daughter. Thompson always emphasized that family was more important to him than any role or fame. He tried to spend as much time with his children as possible, participate in their upbringing, and protect them from the public eye.

But why did he suddenly disappear from the film industry?



In the early 2000s, Hollywood began to change, and with it, audience preferences. The era of brutal heroes and villains of the 1980s and 1990s was gradually fading. That same action style was beginning to be seen as a relic of the VHS era. Even stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger began to lose the popularity they had enjoyed in the 1980s—audiences grew tired of the same old plots, stunts, and "pure action," demanding more drama, humor, and CGI effects.

Comedies, dramas, teen franchises, big-budget entertainment films with CGI and heavy special effects, and superhero films became fashionable. Thompson's type—a powerful, brutal, almost cartoonish villain with a "menacing physiognomy"—was no longer in widespread demand. Film companies began looking for lean, cunning, and dynamic antagonists, often created using computer graphics. Furthermore, it became fashionable to cast famous and talented actors with significant awards for villain roles (to indicate their presence on film posters), while directors and producers primarily associated Thompson with budget action films for VHS rental.



To support his family and remain in demand, television series and small film projects became Brian Thompson's only source of stable income. It was small-scale television that allowed him to stay in the industry, maintaining his reputation and salary, albeit not as impressive. The series he starred in ranged from sci-fi and horror to crime and detective/cop shows. His roles were often episodic or supporting, but they not only brought him money but also maintained his connection with his fan base. For example, appearing in a few episodes of cult series allowed him to remind fans of the genre and remain a sought-after "type" for casting calls.



Even though the big paydays were a thing of the past, this type of work gave Thompson financial stability and a professional rhythm, allowing him to stay active in the industry.

According to some sources, 66-year-old Brian's net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million (as of 2024). This is the total value of all his assets, including real estate, cars, and finances. For an actor in the US, this isn't a huge amount of money, but it's enough for his family to live comfortably.

So, while Brian Thompson isn't a superstar today, he is a cult figure. His face alone is enough to evoke nostalgia: "Ah, that's that same villain from my childhood!"