Lance Henriksen Biography

Lance Henriksen

actor, screenwriter
Born: 5/5/1940
Birthplace: New York City

His rugged face and a gravely voice, combined with his edgy characters, have earned Lance Henriksen a reputation as one of the best character actors working in such films as Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and The Right Stuff (1983). He spent much of his early career playing heavies, but audiences best know him for his portrayal of the android Bishop in Aliens, the 1986 sequel to Alien. After dropping out of school during the eighth grade, Henriksen held a variety of jobs, including sailor, miner, fruit picker, shrimp fisherman, dishwasher, and mime before he turned to acting at the age of 30 (he had to teach himself to read so he could learn his lines). Henriksen played Frank Black, a retired FBI agent who joined a quasi-governmental organization in Fox's dark Millennium (1996–1999).