Brian Earl Thompson was born on August 28, 1959, in Ellensburg, Washington, and spent his formative years on the Columbia River in Longview, where he developed a strong foundation in academics and athletics as the son of two teachers and the second of six siblings.
His interest in acting was sparked during his senior year of high school when he landed the role of Boris Kolenkhov, a Russian ballet instructor, in the comedy "You Can't Take it With You". Under the guise of attending Central Washington University to play football and study business management, Thompson quietly auditioned for every available play, treading the boards for a dozen school productions, ranging from musicals and operas to the more lighthearted fare of Neil Simon.
Thompson earned a scholarship to the University of California-Irvine, where he completed a three-year Master of Fine Arts program, studying under the guidance of renowned theatrical luminaries such as playwright Edward Albee, Robert Cohen, and Jerzy Grotowski. He supplemented his education by working with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and began to audition theatrically before graduation.
By the time he graduated, Thompson had already secured his SAG card, an agent, and five professional credits, including a memorable appearance in James Cameron's "The Terminator" (1984),where he and Bill Paxton's clothes were forcibly removed by a naked Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also landed a role in Sylvester Stallone's "Cobra" (1986),which marked the beginning of a string of credits that would see him appear in some of Hollywood's biggest and most notable projects.
In addition to his work in film, Thompson has also tackled two superhero roles: Conan the Librarian (1999),a PBS special aimed at encouraging kids to read, and Hercules in Jason and the Argonauts (2000),a role that showcased his classical background and 6' 3" physique.
Thompson's dedication to his craft is evident in his continually evolving approach to each new role, which he describes as taking a "musical" approach. He is also a skilled martial artist, holding a black belt in Hapkido, and has a talent for piano and sushi rolling.
Today, Thompson resides with his son Jordan and daughter Daphne, and his impressive resume serves as a testament to his well-rounded nature and versatility as an actor.
