Despite having a pretty dodgy-sounding name (sorry to all the Clancys reading this), at six-foot three, the son of a former congressman from Ohio has always played imposing characters on-screen, particularly the physically-powerful villain early on in his career. Even his voice has presence, having lent it for a steady stream of cartoons more recently in his career.

At his nastiest ... in The Highlander (1986) as The Kurgan, the sword-wielding blood-thirsty immortal trying to lop off Christopher Lambert's head.
He has to settle for Sean Connery's, before losing his own.

Memorable line ... ''Ramirez was an effete snob! He died on his knees. I took his head and raped his woman before his blood was even cold'' - Kurgan.

Also seen in ... Shoot to Kill (1986) as Steve, the cold-blooded killer on the run from Sidney Portier and Tom Berenger; and in The Shawshank Redemption (1994) as prison guard Capt Hadley, who gets his tax done by Tim Robbins.

Had a tender moment in ... in Starship Troopers as the caring Career Sargeant Zim. Well, it was kinda tender.

Recently seen in ... a couple of episodes of Lost (2006) as Joe Inman, who had been punching those numbers into that computer before having his head crack open on some rocks.

The big barrel-chested one himself. Playing the cop, in particular the sherriff or the lieutenant, is a favourtite role of Brian, but he is even more at home as the all-powerful warlord. Sometimes he mixes the two. Doesn't have the same pull on the big-screen as he once did.

At his nastiest ... in First Blood (1981) as an arsehole Sheriff Wil Teasle, who torments Vietnam vet Sylvester Stallone, and then sends him on a murderous rampage throughout the woods. Teasle is basically the reson why we're still enduring Rambo.


Memorable line ... "First of all, you don't ask the questions around here. I do. Second, we don't want guys like you in this town, drifters. Third, you wouldn't like it here anyway. Its a pretty boring town. I get paid to keep it that way" - Teasle.

Also seen ... in western Silverado (1985) as a corrupt sheriff; in F/X as Lt Leo McCarthy; and in Tommy Boy (1995) as the late Chris Farley's dad Big Tom.

Got all nurturing ... in Cocoon (1986) as an aged-care worker, ah, I mean alien.

Coming up ... in Righteous Kill (2008) with Pacino and De Niro as a lieutenant (Surprise!).

The consumate smarmy sophisticated British evil-doer. Started out with the Royal Shakespeare Company. To be a movie villain or not to be. He got his first taste for blood in Time After Time (1979) playing Jack the Ripper of all people. Was the man British film-makers in particular turned to if they wanted a real prick.

At his nastiest ... in Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits (1981) playing Evil Genius. Yeah, it was a tongue-in-cheek kind of adventure film. He battles battles a bunch of dwarves and a kid in his PJs.

Memorable line ... "Suddenly, I feel very, very good ... No, it'll pass, it'll pass." - Evil Genius.

Also seen ... in Disney's Tron (1982) as head henchman Sark, under the command of an evil supercomputer, of which he also provides the voice for; as a Klingon in Star Trek V (1990); and in Titanic (1997) as Billy Zane's trusted off-sider who frames dear little Leo.

Got all apeish ... in Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes (2001) remake in which donned the monkey suit.

Probably won't ... be seen in the upcoming Tron 2 (2009).

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In recent years the New Yorker has become more famous for playing the alien Dick on sit-com Third Rock From The Sun, but there was a time when John was No.1 when it came to quirky movie villains, making the most of that crazy look and whiney voice. He's played many types of roles in his career - a transvestite, a Bigfoot owner - but he was at his best as the baddie.

At his nastiest ... lending his voice to short-man syndrome sufferer Lord Farquaad, in the animated smash hit Shrek (2001). Mike Myers's hero may have been the oger, but Farquaad was the 'monster'.

Memorable line ... "Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make" - Farquaad.

Also seen ... in Raising Cain (2002) as the absolute nut with multiple personalities, one of which happens to be a killer; in Ricochet (1991) as madman Blake who enjoys framing - and undressing - cop Denzel Washington; in cult hit Buckaroo Banzai (1984) as crackpot scientist Lizardo taking on Peter Weller; and in Cliffhanger (1993) in which he tries throwing Sly Stallone to his death.

Has a weak moment ... as the terrified passenger in one of the segements from Twilight Zone: The Movie (1984).

Might be coming up ... in The Smurfs (2010). My guess is he would be playing Gargamel (which is just perfect really), and not Papa Smurf.

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Apparently Tim was Tim Burton's second choice behind Jack Nicholson to play the Joker in Batman (1989). He would've been great utilizing that massive grin. And it wouldn't have been the first time he had put on some lipstick for a part. He first came to attention as fruity scientist Frank-N-Furter in the hit musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). He's renowned for his conniving, smarmy characters.

At his nastiest ... in the made-for-TV movie It (1990), one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King novel. He was the evil clown Pennywise who lived down the drain
and terrorised kids.

Memorable line ... "I am eternal, child. I am the eater of worlds, and of children. And you are next! I'm every nightmare you've ever had. I'm your worst dream come true. I'm everything you ever were afraid of ' - Pennywise.

Also seen ... in under-rated fantasy Legend (1986) as the horned Darkness (says it all really) eventually killed by a man-child Tom Cruise; as the butler who did it in Clue (1985); and taking on the muppets as Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island (1996).

Got down and deep ... in The Hunt For Red October (1988) as Dr Petrov.

Coming up ... His voice will soon be heard in Around the World in 50 Years 3D (2009) about a turtle who travels the globe.

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Whether he's playing the good guy, or the bad, which is usually the case, the Canadian is intense, with that trademark deadly serious look of his. Doesn't mind getting his hands dirty when it does come to taking care some evil business. Made his career in television, and after a long stint in films, is back getting most if his work on the small screen.

At his nastiest ... in Scanners (1981), one of his first feature films in which he played Darryl Revok who liked to blow people's heads up, with his mind. David Cronenberg directed.

Memorable line ... "All right. We're gonna do this the scanner way.
I'm gonna suck your brain dry!" - Revok.

Also seen ... in Total Recall (1989) taking on Arnold Schwarzenegger as Richter; and in Starship Troopers (1997) in a hard-ass but fair role as Lieutenant Rasczak.

Showed a softer side ... by appearing in kiddy favourite Free Willy (1993). I think he was still the bad guy though.

Coming up ... is a return to the blockbuster movie as another tough military type General Ashdown in Terminator Salvation (2009). Lucky he doesn't have to face Big Arnie again. It ended badly for him last time.

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How can you go past the Dutchman? Was equally adept at playing the romantic lead or the action hero, but was born to play the villain, and in a sadistic way. Apparently author Anne Rice wanted him to play Lestat when her Interview with the Vampire book was being considered for a movie adaptation in 1982. I like the way he didn't even have to change his name to break into Hollywood, which came in 1981 starring as the bomber in Sylvester Stallone's Nighthawks. It was the shape of things to come.


At his nastiest ... in The Hitcher (1986) as one of the creepiest son-of-a-bitches you would ever come across, John Ryder. You especially wouldn't want to be giving him a lift out in the middle of nowhere. Your girlfriend might end up getting torn apart by two trucks. Torments and then frames poor little C. Thomas Howell for murder.

Memorable line ... "I cut off his legs... and his arms... and his Head. And I'm going to do the same to you" - Ryder.

Also seen ... as the leader of a rebel group of replicants, android-types, on the run from Harrison Ford in classic sci-fi Blade Runner (1982).

Showed a lovable side ... in Ladyhawke (1985) as a kind of Romeo to Michelle Pfieffer's Juliet. He was a man who would turn into a wolf, or was that the other way around? Also great as the anti-hero in swords and sex movie Flesh Blood (1986).

Recently seen ... as the pompous prick Earle, the Wayne Enterprises CEO Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne ends up firing in Batman Begins (2005); and as the sick bishop in Sin City (2005) who loses his head over Mickey Rourke's Marv.