ACTOR · BORN 1940
Lance Henriksen
- Born
- 5 May 1940, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
- Known for
- The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), Grey's Anatomy (2005), Tarzan (1999)
39 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (39)
- #001
Lance Henriksen did not learn to read until he was thirty years old. He taught himself by studying film scripts, a sign of his passion for and dedication to cinema. This late education became one of the most important turning points of his career.
- #002
Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton are the only two actors in film history to have faced three different iconic creatures: the Terminator, the Alien and the Predator. This unique achievement reflects their versatility in science fiction and action and their luck in appearing in the most memorable works of those genres.
- #003
James Cameron initially considered Lance Henriksen for the lead in The Terminator (1984), because the concept was a machine that could blend into a crowd and Henriksen's ordinary looks suited the role; Cameron even made concept drawings of Henriksen as the Terminator. When the concept changed and Arnold Schwarzenegger was cast, Henriksen was given the part of Detective Vukovich. In Aliens (1986), Cameron used his talents in a different dimension by casting him as the android Bishop.
- #004
Apart from Sigourney Weaver, Lance Henriksen is the only actor to appear in more than one Alien film. This shows his importance to the horror and science fiction series and marks him as one of the rare figures, along with Weaver, who ensured its continuity.
- #005
Lance Henriksen had a difficult childhood; by the age of eight he had been in two orphanages, a boarding school and a foster home. This unstable environment deeply shaped his outlook on life and his character. Those experiences were later reflected in the tough, complex characters he played.
- #006
At seventeen, Lance Henriksen spent four and a half months in the Dade County Jail in Miami for being an accomplice to a car theft and fleeing during a police chase; the crime had been committed by a man who had picked him up hitchhiking. He also served a short jail term for vagrancy in Tucson, Arizona, in 1960. This period of his youth stands out as an indication of the different path he later chose in life.
- #007
Lance Henriksen dropped out of school and left home when he was only twelve. This early independence was a hard beginning that shaped his life. The decision pushed him to stand on his own feet at a young age and was an important step on the road that later led to his acting career.
- #008
Lance Henriksen decided to become an actor at the age of thirty. This late start was a turning point in his life, since he had worked various jobs and gained experience until that age. This late discovery shows his passion for and perseverance in cinema.
- #009
Lance Henriksen served in the United States Navy. This military experience contributed to the formation of his disciplined and resilient personality. His service in the Navy also inspired the soldier and authoritarian characters he later played.
- #010
There was talk of Lance Henriksen reprising the role of Detective Vukovich in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003). The idea was that his character, having survived the events of the first film, would be confined to a wheelchair. The idea was ultimately rejected, however, and Henriksen did not appear in the film. It went down as a comeback that fans had awaited with curiosity but that never happened.
- #011
Lance Henriksen claims that he improvised his entire role in Stone Cold (1991). The film holds a special place for him, because he still believes it is one of his best roles. This improvisational ability is regarded as an indication of his acting style.
- #012
While filming Piranha II: The Spawning (1982) in Jamaica, Lance Henriksen did his own stunt work, jumping 40 feet from a helicopter and breaking his hand. A crew member took him to a local hospital, but the sight of chickens pecking through a dumpster full of bloody bandages made him refuse medical treatment. He finished the shoot with a broken hand in severe pain. The incident shows how devoted he is to his work and his determination to endure hardship.
- #013
Lance Henriksen has been involved in pottery for more than 40 years. This hobby nourishes his creative side and gives him an artistic outlet outside of acting. Pottery holds an important place in his life and stands out as a way for him to rest and to produce.
- #014
The Irish electronic band Machines of Love released a song titled "Lance Henriksen." The band's vocalist, P.A.L.A.S, said he is a huge fan of Henriksen's films and that Henriksen is "criminally underrated." The song is regarded as an indication of Henriksen's cult status.
- #015
In his youth, Lance Henriksen hitchhiked across the United States. These travels allowed him to get to know different cultures and people. The experiences later helped him add depth to the characters he played.
- #016
Besides facing deadly aliens in the Alien and Predator films, Lance Henriksen also appeared in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), which is about more benevolent aliens. The film shows his range within science fiction and reveals the broad spectrum of his alien-themed work.
- #017
Lance Henriksen bears a striking resemblance to the actor Stephen McHattie, and the two are often confused for this reason. They even once played twin brothers in the "Snow" episode of the series Beauty and the Beast (1987). The resemblance is recorded as an interesting coincidence in their careers.
- #018
Over the years, Lance Henriksen has been an inspiration for at least two franchise characters. James Cameron initially wrote the Terminator (1984) character with him in mind, and Victor Salva created the Creeper in the Jeepers Creepers (2001) films with him in mind. This is proof of his influence and creativity in the world of cinema.
- #019
As a child, Lance Henriksen lived in Borneo for three years. This experience enriched his worldview and his imagination. His life in Borneo later inspired the exotic and unusual characters he played.
- #020
Along with Charles Nelson Reilly, David Fredericks and Brittany Tiplady, Lance Henriksen is one of only four actors to play the same character (Frank Black) in both The X-Files (1993) and Millennium (1996). The two series hold an important place in his television career and gave him the chance to show different sides of the character.
- #021
Lance Henriksen's father was a Merchant Marine known by the nickname "Icewater." The nickname reflected his cool-headed and resilient character, traits that may have carried over into Henriksen himself.
- #022
Lance Henriksen's father was an immigrant born in Tønsberg, Norway. This Norwegian origin is part of the story of Henriksen's family's emigration to America, and the heritage is regarded as an important element of his identity and cultural background.
- #023
Lance Henriksen began working with clay in 1960, before his acting career, and still practices ceramic art today. In September 2017 he set up a website to exhibit his newest clay works and find homes for them. Henriksen believes "there is still nothing as simple and beautiful as raw clay" and that "potters have the remaining soul of nomads."
- #024
Lance Henriksen is a big fan of Eminem's music. The interest shows his openness to different musical genres and his connection to contemporary culture.
- #025
The role of Frank Black in the series Millennium (1996) was written specifically for Lance Henriksen. The role was a major turning point in his career and cemented his success in television series.
- #026
Lance Henriksen voiced Kerchak in the film Tarzan (1999). The producers felt his strong, deep voice was perfect for filling out the character's scale.
- #027
Lance Henriksen was the first choice for the role of Commodore DeMarco in the film The Abyss (1989), but a scheduling conflict kept him from taking it.
- #028
As of 2015, Lance Henriksen had appeared in three films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976) and The Right Stuff (1983).
- #029
Lance Henriksen appeared in five films selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant: Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), The Right Stuff (1983) and The Terminator (1984).
- #030
Lance Henriksen shot more than seven films in Romania, which became a significant working territory in his career.
- #031
Lance Henriksen was considered for the lead role in the film RoboCop (1987), but he did not take the part and another actor appeared in the film.
- #032
Lance Henriksen was the first choice for the role of the Creeper in the film Jeepers Creepers (2001), but he did not take the part and another actor appeared in the film.
- #033
Lance Henriksen was considered for the role of Commander William Decker in the film Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), but he did not take the part and another actor appeared in the film.
- #034
Lance Henriksen has said that the western The Big Sky (1952) was one of the biggest factors in getting him into cinema when he was a young man.
- #035
Lance Henriksen was considered for the role of Don Rafael Montero in the film The Mask of Zorro (1998), but he did not take the part and another actor appeared in the film.
- #036
Lance Henriksen's parents divorced when he was two years old. The early separation deeply affected his childhood and family life and played a significant part in shaping his character.
- #037
Lance Henriksen lives in Santa Clarita, California, a location that keeps him close to Hollywood and makes it easier to continue his career.
- #038
While walking through a hotel lobby in Romania, just after finishing work on another film, Lance Henriksen was offered the film One Point O (2004). The chance encounter led him to take on a new project.
- #039
Lance Henriksen was in the running for the role of the lobotomized Chevy Malibu driver in Repo Man (1984). The role reflects his presence in cult films and his ability to portray a range of characters. He did not take the part, however, and another actor appeared in the film.
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