Summary
- Some actors in the Alien franchise, like Ian Holm, Paul Reiser, and Bill Paxton, are forgotten in their roles due to more famous, mainstream, successful roles coming after.
- Other actors like James Franco, Raymond Cruz, Charles Dance, and Patrick Wilson have small roles in Alien movies, meaning they are less memorable.
- Winona Ryder’s Alien appearance came between more successful projects, meaning not many remember she was in the film.
Many actors have appeared in the Alien franchise over the years, yet there are some who still go under the radar due to other works or smaller roles. As of Alien: Romulus’ 2024 release, the Alien movie timeline is more expansive than ever. The original four movies explored the character of Ellen Ripley – including her clone – before Ridley Scott decided to switch up the order of Alien movies by telling a prequel story with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
Many of these stories center around Alien‘s Weyland-Yutani Corporation, exploring the many different characters who clash with titular aliens in different periods. Although the many different types of Xenomorph in the Alien franchise live long in the memory as an iconic piece of pop culture, the human characters in each installment are just as important. While some characters and their actors are synonymous with the Alien franchise, there are some that many may have forgotten played a role in various films, either due to more famous cinematic endeavors or brief cameo roles.
|
Mainline Alien Films In Release Order |
Release Date |
|---|---|
|
Alien |
May 25, 1979 |
|
Aliens |
July 18, 1986 |
|
Alien 3 |
May 22, 1992 |
|
Alien Resurrection |
November 26, 1997 |
|
Prometheus |
June 8, 2012 |
|
Alien: Covenant |
May 19, 2017 |
|
Alien: Romulus |
August 16, 2024 |
9 Ian Holm
First Appeared In Alien (1979)
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While the late Ian Holm has a fairly big role in 1979’s Alien, it remains the case that many may have forgotten he was a part of the franchise. The reason for this primarily comes from Alien coming early in Holm’s career, with the actor going on to have an illustrious list of credits. Holm’s more critically acclaimed roles came in the 1980s and 1990s, with the early 2000s marking perhaps his most mainstream film appearance. In the 1980s, Holm found success in Chariots of Fire, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Other successful 1980s films that somewhat overshadowed Holm’s Alien appearance included Brazil, Dreamchild, and Henry V. Holm is perhaps best known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a role he reprised for The Hobbit trilogy. As such, Alien fades somewhat into obscurity where Holm’s career is concerned.
A CGI recreation of
Holm appeared in Alien: Romulus
, 35 years after Holm’s first appearance and only four years after his death.
In the film, Holm played Ash, an android aboard the Nostromo. Ash is the pseudo-villain of the movie, with his android nature only being revealed in the third act after he tries to contain the Xenomorph for experimentation. Despite Ash being a central part of Alien, there is no denying that Holm is more well-known for other roles, leading many to forget he was part of the first film in the franchise.
Alien (1979) 
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Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo. Upon investigating a distress signal on a distant moon, they discover a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley and became a seminal work in both the sci-fi and horror genres, known for its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking visual effects.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date June 22, 1979 Writers Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett Cast Sigourney Weaver , Tom Skerritt , John Hurt , Veronica Cartwright , Harry Dean Stanton , Ian Holm , Yaphet Kotto , Bolaji Badejo Runtime 117 Minutes
8 Paul Reiser
First Appeared In Aliens (1986)
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In Aliens, Paul Reiser portrays Carter Burke, a representative of Weyland-Yutani. Burke travels with Ripley and a group of marines to the planet LV-426 from the first movie as the colonists there have gone radio silent, likely due to a Xenomorph infestation. Like Holm, Reiser appears as more of a secret antagonist in Aliens, as he is also committed to taking Xenomorph samples back to Earth to benefit the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Reiser’s role is arguably even more hidden than Holm’s given the bigger cast of Aliens, and the similarly more notable roles the actor took on after 1986.
Some of Reiser’s biggest film roles only came after
Aliens
, including
Beverley Hills Cop
and
Whiplash
…
Aliens was only Reiser’s fourth movie, with his breakout role coming a year later when he was cast in the sitcom My Two Dads which ran until 1990. Reiser also starred in and created the sitcom Mad About You, for which he received critical acclaim. Some of Reiser’s biggest film roles only came after Aliens, including Beverley Hills Cop and Whiplash. These roles coming after Aliens, and Reiser’s associating with TV roles that even extended to a hit phenomenon like Stranger Things, mean many forget he was one of the Alien Queen’s victims in Aliens.
Aliens 5.0 R Where to Watch
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Aliens is a 1986 Sci-Fi classic by writer and director James Cameron. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, it’s widely considered one of the best Sci-Fi Horror films ever made. Ripley must band together with a group of Colonial Marines to investigate a disaster at a terraforming colony.
Director James Cameron Release Date July 18, 1986 Writers James Cameron Cast Sigourney Weaver , Michael Biehn , Carrie Henn , Paul Reiser , Lance Henriksen , Bill Paxton , William Hope , Jenette Goldstein Runtime 137 minutes
Related The Xenomorph Queen In Aliens 1986 Explained
James Cameron’s Aliens (1986) introduced the Xenomorph Queen, a special type of Xenomorph that would be revisited in other Alien movies and comics.
7 Bill Paxton
First Appeared In Aliens (1986)
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Bill Paxton’s appearance in Aliens is certainly an intriguing one. Despite being early in Paxton’s career and being overshadowed by other roles, his character is one of the more iconic in the film. Paxton’s Hudson is responsible for some of Aliens‘ best quotes, yet even still people forget he was part of the film. This is largely due to his TV roles in shows such as Big Love, as well as movies that came out after Aliens like Predator 2, True Lies, Apollo 13, and Titanic.
Aliens is one of four collaborations between Paxton and director James Cameron.
In Aliens, Paxton’s Hudson is one of the many marines who travel to LV-426 alongside Ripley and Burke. Hudson’s quick wit and hilarious scenes make him one of the more fleshed-out characters in the film, and he outlasts most of the other marines during the various fights against the Xenomorphs. Despite all this, Paxton is known for other roles above Aliens, making repeat viewings of the iconic film all the better if only to refresh oneself with his great performance.
6 Charles Dance
First Appeared In Alien 3 (1992)
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In Alien 3, Charles Dance appears as Jonathan Clemens. Clemens is a former inmate of the Fiorina 616 high-security facility who now works as a doctor. Clemens aids Ripley during the first half of the film before being killed by a Xenomorph, giving him a smaller role in the film than some of the other characters. As a result of this, and Dance’s future career, it is not hard to forget that the actor was part of Alien 3.
Dance is also known for his TV roles above
Alien 3
, including Tywin Lannister on
Game of Thrones
and Lord Mountbatten in
The Crown…
After Alien 3, Dance became known for his performances in critically acclaimed period films. Dance appeared in Michael Collins in 1996 and Gosford Park in 2001, both earning him recognition. More recent films include The Imitation Game (2014) and 2020’s Mank. Dance is also known for his TV roles above Alien 3, including Tywin Lannister on Game of Thrones and Lord Mountbatten in The Crown, the latter of which received him a Primetime Emmy nomination. As such, Dance’s minor Alien 3 role as Clemens takes a back seat to his other career credits.
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Alien 3 is the 1992 sequel to Aliens. Directed by David Fincher and starring Sigourney Weaver in her iconic role as Ellen Ripley, the third installment in the Alien franchise follows Ripley as she leads a group of inmates in the fight against a Xenomorph after her ship crash-lands on a prison planet.
Director David Fincher Release Date May 22, 1992 Writers Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett , Vincent Ward , David Giler , Walter Hill , Larry Ferguson Cast Sigourney Weaver , Charles S. Dutton , Charles Dance , Paul McGann , Brian Glover , Ralph Brown Runtime 114minutes
Related 10 Most Redeeming Qualities Of Alien 3
Alien 3 is a controversial entry in the classic sci-fi franchise, but not only is it better than its reputation, it has a lot to recommend it.
5 Winona Ryder
First Appeared In Alien Resurrection (1997)
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Unlike the other actors mentioned, Winona Ryder’s appearance in Alien Resurrection is not overlooked because it came before significant roles. Instead, Ryder’s Alien Resurrection role is often forgotten for other reasons, including the film’s negative reception and poor box office haul. Furthermore, Ryder’s most successful roles came both before and after Alien Resurrection, somewhat sandwiching her role as the android Annalee Call between more successful, recognizable projects.
Nine years before Alien Resurrection, Ryder’s breakout role came in Beetlejuice. Shortly after that, Ryder appeared in Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Ryder then appeared in two critically acclaimed roles, earning her Academy Award nominations, in The Age of Innocence and Little Women. Alien Resurrection came after all of these roles, with the film’s critical and commercial underperformance causing her role as Call to fade into obscurity, further overshadowed by Rider’s eventual acting hiatus until she appeared back in the spotlight in Stranger Things.
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After dying in Alien 3, Sigourney Weaver is back as Ellen Ripley for the fourth film in the Alien franchise. In Alien: Resurrection, a human/alien hybrid clone of Ripley prevents aliens from coming to Earth with the help of a band of space pirates. The film was directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and written by Joss Whedon.
Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet Release Date November 26, 1997 Writers Joss Whedon , Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett Cast Sigourney Weaver , Winona Ryder , Dominique Pinon , Ron Perlman , Gary Dourdan , Michael Wincott Runtime 109 Minutes
4 Brad Dourif
First Appeared In Alien Resurrection (1997)
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In Alien Resurrection, Brad Dourif plays a minor character named Jonathan Gediman. Gediman is one of the scientists who helps to clone Ellen Ripley 200 years after the events of Alien 3, getting caught up in the fight against Xenomorphs aboard the Auriga ship. Dourif’s role is small in Alien Resurrection, with his character being taken to the Xenomorph nest early on, only to be found later before being abruptly killed. This small role alone is enough to cause many to forget that Dourif was part of the Alien series.
Dourif is also known for providing the voice of Chucky in the Child’s Play franchise.
To further overshadow Dourif’s minor role, he is more well-known from other major movies and TV shows. Like Holm, Dourif is arguably most known for his role in The Lord of the Rings as Grima Wormtongue. Dourif was also nominated for an Academy Award for his role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Besides The Lord of the Rings, Dourif’s post-Alien roles include the 2007 remake of Halloween and its sequel, as well as the TV series Deadwood, all of which cause many to forget about Jonathan Gediman.
3 Raymond Cruz
First Appeared In Alien Resurrection (1997)
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Perhaps the most surprising actor to feature in the Alien franchise is Raymond Cruz. Cruz is best known for his role as Julio Sanchez in The Closer and its spin-off series, Major Crimes. Cruz’s film career includes appearances in Training Day, Collateral Damage, and The Curse of La Llorona. Despite not appearing in many episodes, Cruz has mainstream recognition for his role as Tuco Salamanca in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. The latter two shows, as well as those featuring Cruz’s Julio Sanchez, make his appearance in Alien Resurrection more surprising.
In Alien Resurrection, Cruz plays one of the marines, named Vincent DiStephano, who board the Auriga. DiStephano joins the other characters as they attempt to escape the ship once the Aliens break out. DiStephano eventually sacrifices himself to save Winona Ryder’s Call, who is being attacked by a Xenomorph hybrid. Alien Resurrection‘s plot sets up an Earth-bound Alien TV show, yet that is not enough to make Cruz’s individual role more memorable above his other career highlights.
2 Patrick Wilson
First Appeared In Prometheus (2012)
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Patrick Wilson’s role in Prometheus is extremely minimal, contributing to why many will forget he is in the film. Wilson only appears in a few scenes throughout the entire film, notably in the beginning as a dream by Noomi Rapace’s character is shown. Wilson portrays Elizabeth Shaw’s father and is somewhat integral to Shaw’s character arc and the overall themes of the film, despite appearing in a few scenes with no more than a few minutes of total screen time.
The minuscule length of Wilson’s role alone means many will forget he was in Prometheus, yet Wilson also has several more mainstream performances under his belt. Some of Wilson’s earlier movies include The Phantom of the Opera. Little Children, Watchmen, and The A-Team. Wilson’s most-known roles are arguably those of Josh Lambert in the Insidious franchise, and Ed Warren in The Conjuring universe. These roles, alongside King Orm in the DCEU’s Aquaman and its sequel, completely remove Prometheus as a recognizable role for Patrick Wilson.
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2012’s Prometheus is the fifth installment in the Alien franchise and was directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce, the film acts as a direct prequel to 1979’s Alien.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date June 8, 2012 Writers Jon Spaihts , Damon Lindelof Cast Charlize Theron , Noomi Rapace , Idris Elba , Guy Pearce , Michael Fassbender Runtime 124 Minutes
Related Prometheus’ Title Explained & How It Connects To The Alien Franchise
Prometheus may not be the most popular movie in the Alien franchise, but it did start a new trend for the series as a whole with the titles.
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1 James Franco
First Appeared In Alien: Covenant (2017)
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Finally, the last actor many will forget played a role in the Alien franchise is James Franco. Like Patrick Wilson before him, Franco has a minor role at the beginning of Alien: Covenant as Jacob Branson, the original captain of the titular Covenant and the husband of Katherine Waterstone’s Daniels. Franco appears in a stasis pod at the beginning of the movie which catches fire, killing him, before having a brief speaking scene in a recording later watched by Daniels.
James Franco’s role in
Alien: Covenant
was originally planned to be much more extensive, yet Scott cut many scenes from the final film.
Franco is another actor who is known for a variety of popular roles. Franco’s first prominent TV role came in Freaks and Geeks before he appeared in the three Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies as Harry Osborn. Other prominent movie roles include Pineapple Express, 127 Hours Rise of the Planet of the Apes, This is the End, and The Disaster Artist. These roles are primarily what Franco is known for, making his role in the Alien franchise as a bit part of Alien: Covenant‘s opening rather unmemorable.
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Alien: Covenant, directed by Ridley Scott, follows the crew of the colony ship Covenant as they discover an uncharted planet. Initially seeming like a paradise, the planet soon reveals dark secrets. Katherine Waterston, Michael Fassbender, and Billy Crudup lead the cast in this science fiction horror film, which serves as a direct sequel to Prometheus and continues to explore the origins of the Alien species.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date May 19, 2017 Writers dante harper , John Logan , Jack Paglen , Michael Green Cast Michael Fassbender , Katherine Waterston , Billy Crudup , Danny McBride , Demián Bichir , Carmen Ejogo , Jussie Smollett , Callie Hernandez , Amy Seimetz , Nathaniel Dean , Alexander England , Benjamin Rigby , Uli Latukefu , Tess Haubrich , Lorelei King , Goran D. Kleut , Andrew Crawford , Tom O’Sullivan , James Franco , Guy Pearce , Noomi Rapace Runtime 123 Minutes Expand