When asked what is one of the most memorable and classic films ever made is, Starship Troopers certainly comes to mind. In case you didn’t know, it was based on a book of the same name. It was initially regarded as a commercial failure. Despite its poor box office performance, the film has become a cult classic. What have the actors and actresses been up to recently, on the other hand? Some went on to have prosperous careers, while others did not. Let’s take a look at who made it big and who chose to fade into the background.
See What These Starship Troopers Actors Have Been Up To Lately
Casper Van Dien As Johnny Rico
The film would not have been the same without an all-American lead actor. Casper Van Dien was an excellent choice for the role of Johnny Rico, with his excellent looks, irresistible charisma, and “good old boy” demeanor. The actor did an excellent job portraying the Arachnid Slayer as a determined and focused soldier known for his bravery and fidelity. He also added a lot of depth, emotion, and humor to the character. It’s no surprise that he was adored by the audience!
Casper Van Dien As Johnny Rico
Casper Van Dien Today
Although the audience adored the actor in the film, his acting career did not take off as planned. He had the chance to star in Tarzan and the Lost City, but the film bombed at the box office. His appearance in the critically panned third installment of the Starship Troopers franchise is no exception. After trying for a while to get back into the swing of things, he finally got a meaningful position. He was cast as Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat: Legacy’s second season! Like Casper, the character is always looking for ways to prove himself and earn a second chance at glory.
Casper Van Dien Today
Brenda Strong As Captain Deladier
This actress played Carmen’s superior in the fleet, Captain Deladier. He’s great at coordinating with the rest of the crew, and he’s even saved the ship a couple of times. Her leadership skills are outstanding, and she zealously leads the crew. Unfortunately, she dies far too soon in the film. Her final words were a command to Zander Barcalow and Carmen Ibanez, who remained by her side, demonstrating that she is a caring leader. That is until she informed them that they must “abandon the ship” in order to reach safety.
Brenda Strong Today
Brenda Strong Today
Her acting career remained steady and reliable even after Starship Troopers. She starred in the 179-episode drama Desperate Housewives, for which she received two Emmy nominations. In case you didn’t know, she played Mary Alice Young in the soap opera. In addition to her work on the show, she has appeared in Fear the Walking Dead and Supergirl. She has also worked on yoga therapy films for couples and women who are trying to conceive, in addition to the aforementioned projects.
Brenda Strong Today
Amy Smart As Pilot Cadet Stack Lumbrezer
Even though she only had a minor role in the film, Amy Smart is worth remembering. Carmen Ibanez’s friend and roommate, Stack Lumbrezer, was played by her. The main character is a dedicated young trainer who is only concerned with achieving her goals. She takes her draining seriously and gets along swimmingly with Carmen Ibanez. We also got to see how well she handles her job when she was promoted to lieutenant and assigned as a pilot to the new Athena.
Amy Smart As Pilot Cadet Stack Lumbrezer
Amy Smart Today
Her acting career did not immediately take off after she completed the film. In reality, it wasn’t until 2001, when she starred in the comedy Road Trip, that her career took off. Her star grew even more when she starred in Rat Race and then Scotland, PA, an indie adaptation of Macbeth. She has also worked on two successful films in addition to these ventures. She co-starred in The Butterfly Effect with Ashton Kutcher and then in Starsky & Hutch.
Amy Smart Today
Blake Lindsley As Katrina McIntire
Katrina McIntyre, played by Blake Lindsley, was a shy girl next door. She didn’t want to be a soldier and only went to the Federal Service to get a birth certificate and start her own family. Aside from that, she seems to have a thing for the main character. After all, she appears to be upset when he is whipped after Breckinridge’s death. Unfortunately, she is killed by a warrior bug while attempting to flee the conflict in the film.
Blake Lindsley As Katrina McIntire
Blake Lindsley Today
Following his work on Starship Troopers, Blake Lindsley made a few minor appearances in other big-screen productions. She appeared in several films, including Coastlines, Mulholland Drive, Inside Me, and Coastlines. She appeared in over 18 television episodes, including Star Trek. She also worked on the video game Star Trek: Klingon Academy. In 2010, the actress married Stephen Nemeth and then left acting later that year.
Blake Lindsley Today
Neil Patrick Harris As Carl Jenkins
By the time he starred in the film, Neil Patrick Harris had already established himself as a well-known actor. After all, he played Doogie Howser in the TV show of the same name in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He had a fantastic opportunity to show off his acting skills as an adult in this production. It was a pivotal early role for him, according to his fans. When he first appeared in Star Trek, he was cast as a character who not only discovers Brain Bug’s existence, but also his flaws.
Neil Patrick Harris As Carl Jenkins
Neil Patrick Harris Today
While the film may not have helped him advance in his career, we can’t deny that he did an outstanding job as the leading man. We’re curious if his character’s clairvoyant abilities helped him realize that playing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother would help him become more famous. This was the role that propelled him to Hollywood stardom. He also played Count Olaf in A Series of Unfortunate Events and Desi Collings in Gone Girl. The actor has had a successful career in theater, television, and on the big screen.
Neil Patrick Harris Today
Jake Busey As Ace Levy
Was there any doubt that Jake Busey, Gary Busey’s son, would become a celebrity? The actor spent a significant portion of his childhood on set, where he discovered his love for acting. He made his acting debut in 1978 with the film Straight Time. In the 1980s and 1990s, he got even more jobs. In 1997, he appeared in science fiction films like Starship Troopers and Contact. Ace Levy, a sassy soldier who fought alongside Johnny Rico in a few skirmishes, was his character in the first.
Jake Busey As Ace Levy
Jake Busey Today
As an actor, Jake Busey has had a lot of success over the years. His film roles in 1997, however, are unquestionably his most well-known. He went on to appear in more TV shows and films after the sci-fi film. He played Aiden Tanner in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series, Sean Keyes in The Predator, and Acid Man in Freakish. He also appeared in a couple of notable cameos in L.A.’s Finest and Stranger Things.
Jake Busey Today
Tami-Adrian George As Djana’D
Tami-Adrian Djana’D was brought to life by George. In the film, she played a recruit in the mobile army who was quite ambitious. She aspired to be a politician after completing her education. Many people blame her for the death of a fellow trainee, Breckenridge. After receiving a jolt from the training beam, she shot and killed him. Due to his guilt over the incident, he eventually dropped out of the training program. Unfortunately, that was the last time she appeared in the movie.
Tami-Adrian George As Djana’D
Tami-Adrian George Today
Despite her excellent performance in the film, Tami-Adrian George dropped out of the acting scene soon after. Over the years, she has only appeared in the credits of two more films. One of them was Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion, which was a commercial success. Many people expected her to continue performing and make a name for herself in the industry. She, on the other hand, appears to have taken a break from the game. In any case, she is married to Eric Bruskotter, the actor who played Breckinridge in the film. Isn’t it amusing how things turn out?
Tami-Adrian George Today
Clancy Brown As Sergeant Zim
Sergeant Zim could not possibly be played by anyone else. Clancy Brown was the ideal candidate because of his stature, height, and deep voice! He plays Camp Currie’s tough guy in Starship Troopers, who isn’t afraid to sacrifice himself to defeat the Bugs. He is eventually successful in apprehending the leader! In Bad Boys, The Shawshank Redemption, and Highlander, he played Viking Lofgren, Captain Hadley, and Kurgan, respectively.
Clancy Brown As Sergeant Zim
Clancy Brown Today
After saving the human race in the sci-fi film, the actor went on to have a successful career. He, on the other hand, continues to perform to this day. He has portrayed a wide range of characters in both television and film. He’s also voiced characters in video games and cartoons, including Lex Luthor from the DC Animated Universe and Mr. Krabs from SpongeBob SquarePants. His filmography is extensive, but we’re relieved to learn that he adores all of the characters, no matter how minor their roles may be!
Clancy Brown Today
Dina Meyer As Dizzy Flores
We’re sure playing Johnny Rico’s love interest in the film wasn’t easy. Dina Meyer, thankfully, had the courage to take on the role! Isabella “Dizzy” Flores was able to strike a balance between “hopeless in love” and “tough as nails” as she demonstrated her willingness to follow him to the ends of the Earth. Despite the fact that the character dies in the first film, her star power was so strong that fans speculated that she might return in some capacity for the sequels.
Dina Meyer As Dizzy Flores
Dina Meyer Today
In contrast to Casper Van Dien, the actress was a big hit after the film! Surprisingly, she seemed to be more capable of handling horror than any other emotion. You might recognize her from the Saw movies or The Evil Within. In the latter film, she reprised her role as a fierce female lead. She’s also appeared on Castle, CSI, and Friends, to name a few. The actor is still working today, in case you’re interested. She hasn’t even slowed down!
Dina Meyer Today
Ungela Brockman As Corporal Birdie
Corporal Birdie was brought to life by Ungela Brockman. Because he saved her life, Lieutenant Rasczak has earned the admiration and respect of the Mobile Infantry soldier. Ace mocks the officer in front of her and refuses to accept any negative comments about him, so she hits him. Unfortunately, she loses an arm, and Rasczak saves her once more. In the end, Johnny gets her job. Later in the film, the protagonist fights and kills the Tanker Bug, the source of her misery!
Ungela Brockman As Corporal Birdie
Ungela Brockman Today
The actress went virtually unnoticed in the entertainment industry after starring in Starship Troopers. Before the sci-fi film, she starred in the 1995 film Showgirls as Angie. Although it was a commercial and critical flop, it is one of her only two other roles. The other is Mystery Men, a comedy film. Despite the fact that Starship Troopers was a better box office hit than her previous films, it was the final film in her acting career.
Ungela Brockman Today
Seth Gilliam As Sugar Watkins
Despite the fact that he only appears in the film halfway through, this brave and dedicated Roughnecks soldier left an indelible impression on the audience. Sergeant Sugar Watkins is a devout Lt. Jean Rasczak follower. His entire character arc had centered on his bravery. When viewers have to say their goodbyes to this stoic figure, they are always heartbroken because he always gives himself away by slaying as many Warrior Bugs as he can on his own. As a result of his sacrifice, Rico and Ace are able to flee and survive.
Seth Gilliam As Sugar Watkins
Seth Gilliam Today
He was a relatively unknown actor when he was cast as Sugar Watkins in the film. He had only appeared in minor roles in five short films prior to this film. After starring in Starship Troopers, his career took off. He went on to star in films like Still Alice and Tar, which were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. But it was on TV shows like The Good Wife, Law & Order, Bull, and Teen Wolf that he got his most well-known roles. His most well-known role is on the television show Breaking Bad, where he plays a recurring character.
Seth Gilliam Today
Patrick Muldoon As Zander Barcalow
In Starship Troopers, Patrick Muldoon played Zander Barcalow, a pilot aboard the Rodger Young when it crashed on Planet P. He is Johnny Rico’s archrival because they both have feelings for Carmen. Throughout the film, Barcalow fights him tooth and nail for her affections. It was entertaining to watch him meet his end, despite his bad reputation due to his relationship with the main character. In the end, the Brain Bug made up for everything he did throughout the movie.
Patrick Muldoon As Zander Barcalow
Patrick Muldoon Today
The actor established a successful leading man persona in Hollywood. He had already appeared in several well-known TV dramas before being cast in Starship Troopers, including Melrose Place and Days of Our Lives. The actor was able to maintain a presence in Hollywood as a musician and TV star. After that, he appeared in films like Ice Spiders and Project Viper. You might recognize him from TV shows like Fatal Acquittal and Chain of Command. The Sleeping Masses is the name of his band, and you can listen to them here.
Patrick Muldoon Today
Michael Ironside As Jean Rasczak
In the film, Michael Ironside plays Jean Rasczak. We’ve already talked a little about this soldier. He is a brilliant philosophy professor who has had his right arm amputated. When the bugs attack the Earth, he immediately switches to command mode. He’s a capable soldier and one of the bravest characters in the movie. He eventually requests Rico to give him a quick death when he falls into the sand hole. Despite his dissatisfaction, Rico agrees to fulfill his final wish.
Michael Ironside As Jean Rasczak
Michael Ironside Today
Before starring in Starship Troopers, this actor had already established himself in the industry. We’re happy to hear he’s continued to be successful after the film. In movies, he was frequently typecast as a stoic hero or a ruthless villain. Michael Ironside has appeared in several films, including Total Recall, X-Men: First Class, and Top Gun. The actor has also appeared in TV shows such as Sea Quest, The Flash, and ER, in addition to these films.
Michael Ironside Today
Marshall Bell As General Owen
General Owen is played by Marshall Bell, a cowardly general who serves as comedic relief in an otherwise serious film. In Starship Troopers, he portrays a hesitant officer at Whiskey Outpost with a surprisingly authoritative and pompous demeanor. Unfortunately, the outpost was mistakenly assumed to be free of Arachnids. The Warrior Bugs found an officer who had been ambushed and killed. As he cried out for compassion, a dead Hopper Bug squashed him and killed him.
Marshall Bell As General Owen
Marshall Bell Today
In fact, General Owen is the type of character Marshall Bell frequently portrays. Because of his work on The Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, the actor was already well-known in the industry. After Starship Troopers, he went on to star in several films, including The Final Season, The Congressmen, and Bling Ring. His most recent role was in the upcoming romantic comedy Love Is Love Is Love.
Marshall Bell Today
Eric Bruskotter As Breckinridge
Breckinridge was brought to life by Eric Bruskotter. He was a regular civilian before joining the Federal Service in Mobile Infantry. He’s a big, burly trainee with a farming background. Regrettably, he is not the brightest of the group. During a strenuous training session, his helmet malfunctions, forcing him to take it off. Unfortunately, Djana’D accidentally pulls the trigger on him, killing him. As a result of his death, Rico receives harsh punishment.
Eric Bruskotter As Breckinridge
Eric Bruskotter Today
The truth is that Eric Bruskotter’s filmography was already outstanding before the film’s release! He appeared in several films, including Nobody’s Perfect, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Can’t Buy Me, Love. Unfortunately, he hit a dry spell soon after. Breckinridge is the last commercial success on which he has worked. In fact, he only appeared in five more films before retiring from the industry. He is currently married and works at Best Friends Animal Society as a volunteer.
Eric Bruskotter Today
Matt Levin As Kitten Smith
Matt Levin’s character, Smith “Kitten” Alphard, is another member of the Mobile Infantry. He receives instruction at Camp Currie alongside Johnny Rico. Despite having a minor role in the film, the character serves as an excellent example of military diversity. Although the protagonist wishes to be an author and enjoys reading, he joins the military to fulfill a moral obligation to serve his country. Even though he does not survive, we think Matt Levin did an excellent job portraying him.
Matt Levin As Kitten Smith
Matt Levin Today
The actor had already appeared in a few TV shows before his role in Starship Troopers. Matt Levin has appeared in several films, including Family Ties and Blossom. In addition to appearing on screen, he has worked as a voice actor on TV shows such as Rugrats and Scooby-Doo. As a producer, he’s worked on films like Fatherhood, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Brockmire. Since 1985, he’s worked on nearly 50 projects! We are optimistic that this number will continue to increase.
Matt Levin Today
Anthony Ruivivar As Shujimi
Shujimi, played by Anthony Rujivivar, is another soldier who joins the Military Infantry. He is an outstanding student who has been admitted to Harvard University. Unfortunately, he cannot afford tuition and has chosen to enlist to save money for future enrollment. However, his plan is thwarted when he dies in the battle against Klendathu. It is revealed that his university spot is eventually given to another kid.
Anthony Ruivivar As Shujimi
Anthony Ruivivar Today
The Hawaiian-born actor waited until 1999 for his next major role after his appearance in Starship Troopers. We’re talking about his time as a paramedic on the Third Watch. This show proved to be a turning point in his life, as he later married one of his co-stars, Yvonne Jung! They are the parents of two children. The actor has played law enforcement officers in TV dramas such as CSI, Quantico, Criminal Minds, and Numb3rs.
Anthony Ruivivar Today
Dean Norris As The Commanding Officer
If you look at this actor’s filmography, you’ll notice that he’s an excellent choice for the commanding officer role. Dean Norris appeared to be at ease in the role of a tough guy or a leader. He was a member of the Starship Troopers cast at the time, and he had a long list of credits to his name. Even though the character has good intentions, he has earned the audience’s wrath. He is, after all, the one who is slapping Rico ten times!
Dean Norris As The Commanding Officer
Dean Norris Today
Dean Norris has most likely served in law enforcement at some point in his career. Before working on Starship Troopers, he appeared in Total Recall, Lethal Weapon 2, and Terminator 2. He is best known for his role in the television series Breaking Bad as DEA agent Hank Schrader. His portrayal of this character has received a lot of positive feedback! In addition to the aforementioned films, he also worked on Evan Almighty, The Big Bang Theory, and CSI. In California, he and his wife founded the Norris Performing Arts Center.
Dean Norris Today
Robert David Hall As The Recruiting Sergeant
Robert David Hall has said that the role has made him “more humorous” and that he is “proud” of it. The actor brilliantly portrayed this character, who is stuck in a rut. He is the one who tells Ibanez that joining the army was the best decision he ever made. He’s also sharp-eyed, and he sees Jenkins’ potential early on and supports him. The character still harbors resentment as a result of his condition, and claims that enlisting in the military reminds him of “the guy he is now.”
Robert David Hall As The Recruiting Sergeant
Robert David Hall Today
After the film was completed, Robert David Hall continued to act. He’s appeared in films like The Negotiator and television shows like The West Wing and LA Law. Aside from that, he also narrated the documentary series North Mission Road. He’s probably best known for his role in The Roymann Closure. A fun fact about him is that he is a real-life amputee. In addition to acting, he is a gifted musician who can play the piano, guitar, and mandolin. He also makes his own music, which he composes, records, and performs.
Robert David Hall Today
Rue McClanahan As The Biology Teacher
Rue McClanahan was in Starship Troopers, and we’re glad he was there, even if it wasn’t the most glamorous part of the film. She was a household name in Hollywood from the 1970s to the 1990s. If you were alive at the time, you couldn’t have missed her in the movie! Even though she was cast as a biology instructor, seeing her in glasses, a lab coat, and a cane was amusing. As a teacher, she walks around the room, keeping an eye on the students as they work on their assignments.
Rue McClanahan As The Biology Teacher
Rue McClanahan – Deceased
When she died in 2010, her acting career was tragically cut short. She was 76 years old at the time of her death. This was heartbreaking news, but we are thankful that she had a long and successful career. In 1987, the actress won an Emmy for her role in Golden Girls. She was a regular on the sitcom from 1985 to 1992. Even though her career stalled after the program, she continued to perform throughout the 2000s. She was still acting a year before her death.
Rue McClanahan – Deceased
Christopher Curry As Mr. Rico
Christopher Curry portrayed Mr. Rico, the main character’s father, in the film. The character initially expressed concern about his son’s decision to join the Federal Service. He is clearly a tenacious and obstinate individual. If Johnny leaves, he threatens to sever Johnny’s ties. Even though he has little screen time in the film, he plays an important role. After all, Johnny Rico would not exist if it weren’t for him!
Christopher Curry As Mr. Rico
Christopher Curry Today
The actor, now in his seventies, has yet to announce his retirement. What an achievement! Since his role in Sully in 2016, he hasn’t appeared in any other films. He has spent the last decade primarily working on television projects, aside from the film. He’s appeared on shows like Castle, Glee, and BlackBoxTV. We shouldn’t be surprised that he’s slowed down since then, given his age. In any case, his acting abilities are admirable.
Christopher Curry Today
Lenore Kasdorf As Mrs. Rico
We’ve already discussed Mr. Rico, so it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t also discuss Mrs. Rico! Like him, he played a minor role in Starship Troopers. She gets into an argument with their child when he decides to leave home. Mr. Rico’s approach, on the other hand, is more gentle. She makes every effort to persuade their son to stay, but her comments about Carmen irritate him. Despite this, it is clear that she loves him deeply.
Lenore Kasdorf As Mrs. Rico
Lenore Kasdof Today
Since the film, actress Lenore Kasdof hasn’t done anything else. Her performance in the film was excellent, despite her limited filmography. In reality, she has only worked on one other project since then, Cellular, which was released in 2004. In that project, she only had the role of a ticket checker. She appears to have retired after that, and it’s unclear what she’s been up to since then. We can tell she enjoys her alone time!
Lenore Kasdof Today
Denise Richards As Carmen Ibanez
Carmen Ibanez is played by Denise Richards in the film. She is the main character’s high school fling, but she is very different from Dizzy in personality. Dizzy is pursuing Carmen while Johnny is being pursued by him! In reality, Johnny decides to join the military as a pilot after completing her training. In the end, he earns a reputation as an Arachnid slayer. The actor did a fantastic job portraying a composed and unflappable female character. Above all, Carmen Ibanez is a confident believer in her own abilities and abilities!
Denise Richards As Carmen Ibanez
Denise Richards Today
Even though many thought she was destined for greatness, the actress received a lot of criticism for her performances after the film. In fact, despite being cast to play a “Bond girl,” she eventually left the industry. Her personal life began to take precedence over her acting career. She appears to be concentrating on philanthropy these days, as she works with several charities. Aaron Phypers is her happily married husband at the moment. According to the actress, he intends to adopt her youngest daughter! Now that we’ve caught up with some of the Starship actors, let’s take a closer look at the Star Trek actresses…
Denise Richards Today
For all of you Star Trek fans out there, this is for you. It’s time to go back in time and take a closer look at Star Trek’s beautiful female characters, who are the show’s heart and soul. Let’s see what they’re up to today now that we’ve compiled a list of our favorite girls from the franchise.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Let’s start with B’Elanna Torres, a half-Human, half-Klingon engineer who appears in each of Star Trek: Voyager’s seven seasons. During her time on the show, she even made her directorial debut. Following the cancellation of Star Trek, the now 62-year-old actress appeared in several TV shows, including Without a Trace, The Division, and The Closer, as well as writing for a variety of publications.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Dr. Beverly Crusher is another well-known Star Trek character. Following his appearances in the series and the four subsequent features, Gates McFadden has been extremely busy. She has appeared in several TV shows, including NCIS, Family Guy, and Scary Endings. She’s also taught at Harvard, Purdue, the Stella Academy in Hamburg, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay
Even though Anne Ramsay’s role as Ensign Clancy was only for two episodes, “Elementary, Dear Data” and “The Emissary,” she left an indelible mark on fans. The American actress went on to play Lisa Stemple on Mad About You, for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Today, the 60-year-old continues to work on some television and film projects.
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay