There aren’t many films that are as iconic and memorable as Starship Troopers. It was, in case you didn’t know, an adaptation of a book of the same name. It was initially regarded as a commercial failure. Although the film did not perform well at the box office, it has become a cult classic. But, in the meantime, what have the actors and actresses been up to? Some of them went on to have successful careers, while others failed to live up to their film roles. Let’s see which stars made it big and which ones chose to stay in the background.
Find Out What These Starship Troopers Stars Have Been Up To As Of Late
Casper Van Dien As Johnny Rico
Without an all-American lead actor, the film would simply not have been the same. Casper Van Dien, with his good looks, undeniable charm, and “good old boy” demeanor, was the ideal choice to play Johnny Rico. The actor did a great job portraying the Arachnid Slayer as a dedicated and focused man with the bravery and fidelity that soldiers are known for. He also gave the character a great deal of depth, heart, and humor. It’s no surprise that the audience adored him!
Casper Van Dien As Johnny Rico
Casper Van Dien Today
Even though the movie’s fans adored the actor, his acting career did not take off as planned. He had the opportunity to star in Tarzan and the Lost City, but it was a box office flop. His return to the Starship Troopers franchise in the critically panned third installment is no exception. He finally landed a worthwhile role after trying for a while to get back into the swing of things. In Mortal Kombat: Legacy’s second season, he landed the role of Johnny Cage! The character, like Casper himself, is always looking for ways to prove himself and get another chance at stardom.
Casper Van Dien Today
Brenda Strong As Captain Deladier
Captain Deladier, Carmen’s superior in the fleet, was played by this actress. The character is excellent at coordinating with the rest of the crew, and he has even saved the ship on several occasions. Her leadership abilities are truly exceptional, as she zealously leads the crew. Sadly, she dies too soon in the movie. Her dying words were an order to Zander Barcalow and Carmen Ibanez as they stayed by her side, demonstrating that she is a caring leader. That is, until she told them they needed to “abandon the ship” to get to safety.
Brenda Strong Today
Brenda Strong Today
Even after Starship Troopers, her acting career remained consistent and steady. She starred in Desperate Housewives, for which she received two Emmy nominations during its 179-episode run. She portrayed Mary Alice Young in the soap opera, in case you didn’t know. She also appeared in Fear the Walking Dead and Supergirl in addition to her work on the show. Aside from the aforementioned projects, she has also worked on yoga therapy videos for couples and women who are trying to conceive.
Brenda Strong Today
Amy Smart As Pilot Cadet Stack Lumbrezer
Amy Smart is worth mentioning even though she only had a minor role in the film. She portrayed Stack Lumbrezer, Carmen Ibanez’s friend and roommate. The protagonist is a dedicated young trainer who is only interested in achieving her objectives. She takes her draining seriously and copilots with Carmen Ibanez without issue. We also got to see how well she does her job, as she is promoted to lieutenant and then assigned to the new Athena as a pilot.
Amy Smart As Pilot Cadet Stack Lumbrezer
Amy Smart Today
Her acting career did not take off immediately after she finished the film. In fact, it didn’t take off until 2001, when she starred in the comedy Road Trip. When she starred in Rat Race and then Scotland, PA, an indie adaptation of Macbeth, her star grew even more. Aside from these projects, she also worked on two successful films. She starred opposite Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect and then in Starsky and Hutch.
Amy Smart Today
Blake Lindsley As Katrina McIntire
Blake Lindsley played Katrina McIntyre, a girl-next-door type who was extremely shy. She had no intention of becoming a soldier and only went to the Federal Service to obtain a birth certificate and start her own family. Aside from that, she appears to have a thing for the protagonist. After all, she is visibly heartbroken as he is whipped following Breckinridge’s death. Unfortunately, she dies in the movie while attempting to flee the battle at the hands of a warrior bug.
Blake Lindsley As Katrina McIntire
Blake Lindsley Today
Blake Lindsley had a couple of small roles in various big-screen projects after working on Starship Troopers. She appeared in Coastlines, Mulholland Drive, Inside Me, and Coastlines, among other films. She made her acting debut in more than 18 TV shows, including Star Trek. She also worked on Star Trek: Klingon Academy, a video game. The actress married Stephen Nemeth in 2010 and then retired from acting later that year.
Blake Lindsley Today
Neil Patrick Harris As Carl Jenkins
Neil Patrick Harris was already a well-known face by the time he appeared in the film. After all, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he starred as Doogie Howser in the TV show of the same name. The project provided him with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his acting abilities as an adult. It was, according to his fans, a pivotal early role for him. When he was in Star Trek, the actor was cast to play a character who not only discovers the existence of Brain Bug but also his flaws.
Neil Patrick Harris As Carl Jenkins
Neil Patrick Harris Today
While the film may not have boosted his career, we can’t deny that he did a fantastic job as the lead. We’re curious if his character’s psychic abilities helped him figure out that playing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother would make him more famous. This was the role that catapulted him to stardom in Hollywood. He also appeared in A Series of Unfortunate Events as Count Olaf and Gone Girl as Desi Collings. Acting on stage, television, and the big screen has given the actor a successful career.
Neil Patrick Harris Today
Jake Busey As Ace Levy
Was there any doubt that Jake Busey, the son of Gary Busey, would become a star? The actor spent a significant portion of his childhood on set and eventually discovered his passion for acting. In 1978, he made his acting debut in the film Straight Time. He landed even more roles in the 1980s and 1990s. He made appearances in science fiction films such as Starship Troopers and Contact in 1997. In the first, he played Ace Levy, a sassy soldier who fought alongside Johnny Rico in a few battles.
Jake Busey As Ace Levy
Jake Busey Today
Jake Busey has had a lot of success as an actor over the years. However, his screen roles in 1997 are probably his most well-known. After the sci-fi film, he went on to appear in more TV shows and films. In From Dusk till Dawn: The Series, he played Aiden Tanner, Sean Keyes in The Predator, and Acid Man in Freakish. In addition, he made a couple of brief but memorable cameos in L.A.’s Finest and Stranger Things.
Jake Busey Today
Tami-Adrian George As Djana’D
Tami-Adrian George brought Djana’D to life. She played a recruit in the mobile infantry who was quite ambitious in the film. She wanted to be a politician after she finished her training. Many people hold her responsible for the death of Breckenridge, a fellow trainee. She shot and killed him after receiving a shock from the training beam. He eventually dropped out of the training program due to his guilt over the incident. Unfortunately, that was her final appearance in the film.
Tami-Adrian George As Djana’D
Tami-Adrian George Today
Even though Tami-Adrian George performed admirably in the film, she dropped out of the acting world soon after. She has only ever appeared in the credits of two other films over the years. Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion was one of them, and it was a commercial success. Many people expected her to keep acting and eventually make a name for herself in the business. She, on the other hand, appears to have retired. In any case, she is currently married to Eric Bruskotter, who played Breckinridge in the film. Isn’t it funny how life works out that way?
Tami-Adrian George Today
Clancy Brown As Sergeant Zim
We can’t imagine anyone else in the role of Sergeant Zim. Clancy Brown’s figure, height, and deep voice made him the ideal choice! In Starship Troopers, he portrays Camp Currie’s tough guy, who isn’t afraid to sacrifice himself to defeat the Bugs. Eventually, he was able to apprehend the leader! He also got to play Viking Lofgren in Bad Boys, Captain Hadley in The Shawshank Redemption, and Kurgan in Highlander, among other roles.
Clancy Brown As Sergeant Zim
Clancy Brown Today
The actor went on to have a successful career after saving the human race in the sci-fi film. He does, however, continue to act to this day. In both television and film, he has played a variety of roles. In addition, he has voiced characters in video games and cartoons such as Lex Luthor in the DC Animated Universe and Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob SquarePants. His filmography is impressive, but we’re glad to hear that he adores all of the characters, no matter how big or small their roles are!
Clancy Brown Today
Dina Meyer As Dizzy Flores
We’re sure it wasn’t easy to play Johnny Rico’s love interest in the film. Dina Meyer, fortunately, had the grit to play the part! As Isabella “Dizzy” Flores demonstrated her willingness to follow him to the ends of the Earth, she was able to strike a balance between “hopeless in love” and “tough as nails.” Even though the character dies in the first film, her star power was so strong that fans speculated that she would return for the sequels in some way.
Dina Meyer As Dizzy Flores
Dina Meyer Today
Unlike Casper Van Dien, the actress was a bigger hit after the movie! Surprisingly, she seemed to do better in horror than in any other situation. You might recognize her from the Saw movies and The Evil Within. She played yet another tough female lead in the latter. She has also appeared in several television shows, including Castle, CSI, and Friends. In case you were wondering, the actor is still working today. She still hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down!
Dina Meyer Today
Ungela Brockman As Corporal Birdie
Ungela Brockman brought Corporal Birdie to life. Lieutenant Rasczak has a lot of admiration and respect from the Mobile Infantry trooper because he saved her life. She punches Ace after he mocks the officer in front of her and refuses to accept any negative comments about him. Unfortunately, she loses an arm and is once again saved by Rasczak. Johnny earns her position in the end. Later in the film, the protagonist battles and kills the Tanker Bug, the source of much of her misery!
Ungela Brockman As Corporal Birdie
Ungela Brockman Today
After starring in Starship Troopers, the actress went virtually unnoticed in the entertainment industry. Prior to the sci-fi film, the actress starred as Angie in the 1995 film Showgirls. It is one of her only two other roles, despite the fact that it was a commercial and critical flop. Mystery Men, a comedy film, is the other one. Despite the fact that Starship Troopers performed better than her previous films, it marked the end of her acting career.
Ungela Brockman Today
Seth Gilliam As Sugar Watkins
Even though he only appears halfway through the film, this brave and loyal Roughnecks soldier left a lasting impression on the audience. Sergeant Sugar Watkins is a devout follower of Lt. Jean Rasczak. His character arc had revolved around his bravery. When viewers have to say goodbye to this stoic character, they are always sad because he gives himself away while single-handedly killing as many Warrior Bugs as he can. Rico and Ace are able to escape and survive as a result of his sacrifice.
Seth Gilliam As Sugar Watkins
Seth Gilliam Today
When he was cast as Sugar Watkins in the film, he was a relatively unknown actor. Prior to this film, he had only appeared in minor roles in five short films. His career took off after he appeared in Starship Troopers. He went on to star in critically acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Still Alice and Tar. His most well-known roles, however, were on TV shows like The Good Wife, Law & Order, Bull, and Teen Wolf. He is most well-known for his recurring role on the television show Breaking Bad.
Seth Gilliam Today
Patrick Muldoon As Zander Barcalow
Patrick Muldoon portrayed Zander Barcalow, a pilot on the Rodger Young when it crashed on Planet P in Starship Troopers. 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. Even though he doesn’t have a good reputation because of his relationship with the main character, it was entertaining to watch him meet his end. The Brain Bug, in the end, more than made up for everything he did in the film.
Patrick Muldoon As Zander Barcalow
Patrick Muldoon Today
In Hollywood, the actor developed a successful leading man image. Even before he was cast in Starship Troopers, he appeared in a number of popular TV shows such as Melrose Place and Days of Our Lives. As a musician and TV star, the actor was able to maintain a presence in Hollywood. He went on to star in films such as Ice Spiders and Project Viper. You may have seen him in TV movies such as Fatal Acquittal and Chain of Command. His band’s name is The Sleeping Masses, and you can listen to them here.
Patrick Muldoon Today
Michael Ironside As Jean Rasczak
Michael Ironside plays Jean Rasczak in the film. We’ve already talked about this soldier a little bit. He is a brilliant philosophy professor with an amputated right arm. When the bugs attack the Earth, he jumps into command mode right away. He is a capable soldier and one of the film’s bravest characters. When he falls into the sand hole, he eventually asks Rico to give him a quick death. Rico agrees to grant him his last wish, despite his dissatisfaction.
Michael Ironside As Jean Rasczak
Michael Ironside Today
This actor had already established himself in the industry before starring in Starship Troopers. We’re glad to hear he’s continued to be successful after the movie. He was frequently typecast to play a stoic hero or a tough villain in films. Michael Ironside has starred in films such as Total Recall, X-Men: First Class, and Top Gun, among others. In addition to these films, the actor has appeared in TV shows such as Sea Quest, The Flash, and ER.
Michael Ironside Today
Marshall Bell As General Owen
Marshall Bell portrayed General Owen, a cowardly general who is always there to provide comic relief in an otherwise serious film. He plays a timid officer at Whiskey Outpost in Starship Troopers, with a surprisingly authoritative and boastful attitude. Regrettably, the outpost was mistakenly assumed to be Arachnid-free. The Warrior Bugs tracked down an officer who had been killed in an ambush. A dead Hopper Bug crushed him and killed him as he pleaded for mercy.
Marshall Bell As General Owen
Marshall Bell Today
General Owen is, in fact, the type of character Marshall Bell usually portrays. The actor was already well-known in the industry thanks to his work on The Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. He went on to star in several films after Starship Troopers, including The Final Season, The Congressmen, and Bling Ring. His most recent role was in the romantic comedy Love Is Love Is Love, which was released in 2020.
Marshall Bell Today
Eric Bruskotter As Breckinridge
Eric Bruskotter brought Breckinridge to life. Before joining the Federal Service in Mobile Infantry, he was a regular civilian. He’s a big, beefy trainee who comes from a farming family. Regrettably, he is not the brightest member of the group. He deals with a helmet malfunction during an intense training session, which forces him to remove it. Regrettably, his death occurs by complete accident when Djana’D pulls the trigger on him. Rico is severely punished as a result of his death.
Eric Bruskotter As Breckinridge
Eric Bruskotter Today
The truth is that Eric Bruskotter’s filmography was already impressive before the release of the film! He starred in films such as Nobody’s Perfect, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Can’t Buy Me Love, among others. Unfortunately, he eventually went through a dry spell. To this day, Breckinridge is the last commercial success he has worked on. In fact, the actor only appeared in five more films before leaving the industry entirely. He is currently married and works as a volunteer at Best Friends Animal Society.
Eric Bruskotter Today
Matt Levin As Kitten Smith
Smith “Kitten” Alphard, played by Matt Levin, is another member of the Mobile Infantry. He attends Camp Currie with Johnny Rico to receive training. Even though the character has a minor role in the film, it serves as a great example of military diversity. The protagonist aspires to be an author and enjoys literature, but he joins the military to fulfill a moral obligation to serve his country. Although he does not survive, we believe Matt Levin did an excellent job portraying him.
Matt Levin As Kitten Smith
Matt Levin Today
Before starring in Starship Troopers, the actor had already appeared in a couple of TV shows. Matt Levin starred in Family Ties and Blossom, among other films. He is a prolific voice talent who has worked on TV shows such as Rugrats and Scooby-Doo, in addition to acting on screen. He’s also worked on projects like Fatherhood, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Brockmire as a producer. He’s already worked on over 50 projects since 1985! We are confident that this number will continue to rise.
Matt Levin Today
Anthony Ruivivar As Shujimi
Another soldier who joins the Military Infantry is Shujimi, played by Anthony Rujivivar. He is an exceptional student who has been accepted to Harvard University. Unfortunately, he is unable to pay the tuition fees and has decided to enlist in order to save money for future enrollment. His plan does not come to fruition, however, as he dies in the battle of Klendathu. His university spot is eventually given away to another student, it is revealed.
Anthony Ruivivar As Shujimi
Anthony Ruivivar Today
Following his appearance in Starship Troopers, the Hawaiian-born actor waited until 1999 to land his next major role. We’re talking about when he joined the Third Watch cast as a paramedic. This show proved to be a watershed moment in his life, as he later married Yvonne Jung, one of his co-stars! They have two children together. In TV shows like CSI, Quantico, Criminal Minds, and Numb3rs, the actor has played law enforcement officers.
Anthony Ruivivar Today
Dean Norris As The Commanding Officer
If you look at this actor’s filmography, you’ll notice that he’s the ideal choice for the role of the commanding officer. Dean Norris appears to have no trouble portraying a tough guy or a leader. He was one of the cast members of Starship Troopers at the time, and he already had a long list of credits under his belt. Even though the character has good intentions, he has earned the wrath of the audience. After all, he is the one who is punishing Rico with ten lashings!
Dean Norris As The Commanding Officer
Dean Norris Today
You’ve probably seen Dean Norris in a law enforcement role at some point in his career. He had roles in Total Recall, Lethal Weapon 2, and Terminator 2 before working on Starship Troopers. He is best known for his role as DEA Agent Hank Schrader in the television series Breaking Bad. He’s gotten a lot of positive feedback for his portrayal of this character! He also worked on Evan Almighty, The Big Bang Theory, and CSI, in addition to the aforementioned films. He and his wife are the founders of the Norris Performing Arts Center in California.
Dean Norris Today
Robert David Hall As The Recruiting Sergeant
Robert David Hall has said that he is “proud” of the role and that it has made him “more jovial.” This character, who is stuck in a rut, was brilliantly portrayed by the actor. He is the one who tells Ibanez that enlisting was the right decision. He’s also eagle-eyed, and he recognizes Jenkins’ potential early on, so he backs him up. Because of his disability, the character still harbors resentment and claims that enlisting in the infantry reminds him of “the man he is today.”
Robert David Hall As The Recruiting Sergeant
Robert David Hall Today
Robert David Hall continued to act after the film was completed. He has appeared in films such as The Negotiator and television shows such as The West Wing and LA Law. Aside from that, he also narrated the North Mission Road documentary series. You might remember him from The Roymann Closure. He is a real-life amputee, which is a fun fact. He is a talented musician who can play the piano, guitar, and mandolin in addition to acting. In addition, he composes, records, and performs his own music.
Robert David Hall Today
Rue McClanahan As The Biology Teacher
We’re just glad Rue McClanahan was in Starship Troopers, even if it wasn’t the most glamorous part of the movie. From the 1970s to the 1990s, she was a household name in Hollywood. You couldn’t have missed her in the movie if you were alive back then! Although she was cast as a biology teacher, it was fun to see her in glasses, a lab coat, and a cane. She walks around the room as a teacher, keeping an eye on the students as they work on their projects.
Rue McClanahan As The Biology Teacher
Rue McClanahan – Deceased
Her acting career was tragically cut short when she died in 2010. At the time of her death, she was 76 years old. This was heartbreaking news, but we are grateful that she had a successful career over the years. For her role in Golden Girls, the actress won an Emmy in 1987. From 1985 to 1992, she was a regular on the sitcom. Even though her career slowed after the show, she continued to act in the 2000s. Even a year before her death, she was still acting.
Rue McClanahan – Deceased
Christopher Curry As Mr. Rico
Mr. Rico, the father of the main character, was played by Christopher Curry in the film. Initially, the character expressed concern about his son’s decision to join the Federal Service. It is clear that he is a vehement and obstinate individual. He also threatens to sever Johnny’s ties if he leaves. Even though he does not have a lot of screen time in the movie, he plays an important role. Johnny Rico, after all, would not exist if it weren’t for him!
Christopher Curry As Mr. Rico
Christopher Curry Today
The actor, who is now in his 70s, has yet to announce his retirement. What an accomplishment! He hasn’t appeared in any projects since his appearance in Sully in 2016. Aside from that film, he has spent the last decade primarily working on television projects. You may have seen him on shows like Castle, Glee, and BlackBoxTV! Given his age, we’re not surprised to see that he’s been slowing down since then. In any case, we admire his acting abilities.
Christopher Curry Today
Lenore Kasdorf As Mrs. Rico
We’ve just talked about Mr. Rico, so it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t also talk about Mrs. Rico! Starship Troopers, like him, had a minor role. When their son decides to leave home, she gets into a fight with him. Her approach, on the other hand, is gentler than Mr. Rico’s. She tries her hardest to persuade their son to stay, but the way she talks about Carmen offends him. Despite this, it is clear that she genuinely loves him.
Lenore Kasdorf As Mrs. Rico
Lenore Kasdof Today
Actress Lenore Kasdof hasn’t done much else since the film. Her performance in the film was excellent, but her filmography is fairly limited. In fact, she has only worked on one other project since then, which was a 2004 film called Cellular. She only played a ticket checker in that project. After that, she appears to have retired, and it’s difficult to tell what she’s been up to since then. We can tell she appreciates her privacy!
Lenore Kasdof Today
Denise Richards As Carmen Ibanez
Denise Richards portrayed Carmen Ibanez in the film. She is the main character’s high school fling, but she has a very different personality than Dizzy. While Johnny is being pursued by Dizzy, Carmen is being pursued by him! In fact, after she has completed her training, Johnny decides to join the military as a pilot. He earns a reputation as an Arachnid slayer in the end. The actress did an excellent job portraying a calm and unflappable female character. Above all, Carmen Ibanez is confident in her abilities and talents!
Denise Richards As Carmen Ibanez
Denise Richards Today
Even though many believed she was destined for stardom, the actress received a lot of backlash after the film for her roles. In fact, despite being cast to play a “Bond girl,” she eventually dropped out of the industry. Her private life eventually took precedence over her acting career. She appears to be focusing on philanthropy these days, as she helps several charities. Aaron Phypers is now her happily married husband. He’s planning to adopt her youngest daughter, according to the actress! Let’s take a closer look at the Star Trek actresses now that we’ve caught up with some of the Starship actors…
Denise Richards Today
This is for all of your Star Trek fans out there. It’s time to take a trip down memory lane and take a closer look at Star Trek’s beautiful female characters, the show’s heart, and soul. We’ve compiled a list of all the ladies, so let’s see what they’re up to today.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Let’s start with B’Elanna Torres, a half-Human, half-Klingon engineer who appeared in all seven seasons of Star Trek: Voyager. She even made her directorial debut while on the show. After Star Trek ended, the now 62-year-old actress appeared in a number of TV shows, including Without a Trace, The Division, and The Closer, as well as writing for various publications.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Dr. Beverly Crusher is yet another well-known Star Trek character. Gates McFadden has been extremely busy since his appearance in the series and the four subsequent films. She’s appeared on NCIS, Family Guy, and Scary Endings, among other shows. She has also spent the majority of her career as a professor at institutions such as the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard, Purdue, the Stella Academy in Hamburg, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay
Although Anne Ramsay’s role as Ensign Clancy was only for two episodes, “Elementary, Dear Data” and “The Emissary,” she left an indelible impression on fans. The American actress went on to star in one of her most memorable roles as Lisa Stemple on Mad About You, for which she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The 60-year-old is still working on a number of television and film projects today.
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay