Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson was born on August 28, 1959, in Ellensburg, Washington, and raised in Longview. As the son of two teachers and the second of six siblings, he developed an early appreciation for both academics and athletics. His interest in acting began during his senior year of high school with a role in “You Can’t Take it With You.” He initially attended Central Washington University to play football and study business management, but he also actively participated in numerous school theatrical productions, including musicals, operas, and comedies by Neil Simon. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts program at the University of California-Irvine, studying under notable figures like playwright Edward Albee and Jerzy Grotoswski, and further honed his craft at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Before graduating, Thompson secured his SAG card, an agent, and five professional credits.

Thompson’s career gained momentum with an early role in James Cameron’s “The Terminator” (1984), where he appeared as a punk. This was followed by a role in Sylvester Stallone’s “Cobra” (1986), where he portrayed the villainous Night Slasher. These initial projects established his presence in action-oriented films. His filmography expanded to include roles in “DragonHeart” (1996) as Brok and as Shao Kahn in “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” (1997). He has also taken on diverse roles in television, notably appearing in the “Star Trek” franchise across three different television series and one film, playing various characters including Klingons, a Dosi, a Jem’Hadar, and a Romulan. He also held a recurring role as the Alien Bounty Hunter on “The X-Files” and played Eddie Fiori on “Kindred: The Embraced.”

In addition to his acting, Thompson has also worked behind the camera. In 2014, he produced, wrote, and directed “The Extendables,” a B movie parody. His career has seen him in a range of roles, from dramatic performances in films like “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (2021) to comedic parts in “Joe Dirt.” He has maintained a physically active lifestyle, engaging in windsurfing and kitesurfing, and holds a black belt in Hapkido. He resides with his two children, Jordan and Daphne, continuing to seek diverse challenges in his craft. His physically imposing stature and distinct voice have often influenced the roles he has been offered, providing him with continuous work in the industry.