If you want to get a global overview of the popular American cinema of the 1980s and 1990s, it will almost suffice to cover the work of Bill Paxton. The actor, who died in 2017, has taken on supporting roles in countless cult films and classics. That’s exactly what made him one of those faces that somehow everyone knows, even if his name doesn’t immediately come to mind at first glance.
Besides “Streets in Flames”, “I think a moose is snogging me”, “Near Dark – The night has its price”, “The Phantom Command”, “Call for vengeance”, “Navy Seals – The toughest elite force in the world”, “Trespass”, “True Lies”, “Tombstone”, “Apollo 13”, “Twister” or “Titanic”, Bill Paxton has achieved something extraordinary: He is the only actor to have been killed off by arguably the three greatest sci-fi villains!
Bill Paxton has created something unique!
Three crucial works are still missing from the list of films: 1984’s “Terminator”, 1986’s “Aliens – The Return” and 1990’s “Predator 2”. Bill Paxton, who appeared in minor to major supporting roles in all three movies, was actually killed by the Terminator, the creepy creature from another world, and the Predator! From a pop culture perspective, it’s an achievement that Paxton can be proud of.
Even after the 1990s, Bill Paxton managed to convince time and time again. One of his last memorable appearances was opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in the villainous media satire Nightcrawler. Paxton also directed the dark, Matthew McConaughey starring “The Demonic”, and the sports film The Biggest Game Of His Life, starring Shia LaBeouf as Francis Ouimet.