Brian Steele(I)
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Stunts
As a child, Brian Steele knew only two speeds: full throttle and off.
Perpetually hyperactive and adventurous, young Brian constantly pushed
boundaries and tested the patience of his parents and teachers.
But Brian's boundless energy and ambition had no direction, growing up
in small-town Highland, Michigan. But soon a few local Detroit television programs changed all that.
Brian discovered "Monster Week," The Ghoul, and Sir Graves Ghastly -
fright fest-y shows whose creature-characters he found fascinating.
Towering over classmates at an astounding 6'7", Brian again found
himself turning to onscreen icons for inspiration; watching
over-the-top physical comedy by the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy
helped him embrace his physical awkwardness.
But lacking an outlet for his energy or any focus on a career, Brian
had no direction.
In 1985 he moved to the Florida Keys, hoping to discover his dreams
there. But after two years working odd jobs like bagging groceries,
working at a go-cart track, and on the docks at the local marina, Brian
decided to move one more time. With only $700, a duffel bag full of
clothes and a 10-speed bicycle, he bought a one-way ticket to Los
Angeles.
Brian's gamble paid off. L.A. loved him. Universal Studios Theme Park
took one look at the awkward 24 year-old and knew exactly what to do
with him; they hired him to perform as Frankenstein's monster.
When Universal was searching for a man to don the suit for the
television version of Harry and the Henderson's, they didn't have to
look far. Brian was thrilled to be surrounded with cast mates who
helped nurture his talents as an actor. Always patient and supportive
with him as he became familiar with his new job responsibilities, the
cast of HATH gave Brian the confidence to cultivate his craft.
48 episodes as Harry led to a role on NBC's sci-fi series, Earth 2.
Brian learned quickly about the niche in Hollywood for "creature
actors." Glued, painted, Velcro-ed, snapped and harnessed into
bodysuits and masks, Brian made a name for himself as the man who could
bring monsters to life.
Since 1997, he has played characters tailor made to scare audiences.
That year, The Relic opened the door for Brian to work with Hollywood
heavy-hitters. He breathed life into villains in the Underworld Trilogy
and Blade: Trinity. He's worked with acclaimed directors Guillermo Del
Toro (both Hellboy films) and M. Night Shayamalan (Lady in the Water).
He's taken on creatures alongside Adrian Brody, Christian Bale and Tom
Sizemore. The menacing bear Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin battle in
The Edge? That's Brian Steele.
After over 20 years breathing life into characters onscreen,
keeping each character fresh and new is easier said than done. But
Brian "enjoy(s) the challenge." In 2009, he got the opportunity to
portray the T-600, Terminator Salvation's latest incarnation of the
Terminator.
Perpetually hyperactive and adventurous, young Brian constantly pushed
boundaries and tested the patience of his parents and teachers.
But Brian's boundless energy and ambition had no direction, growing up
in small-town Highland, Michigan. But soon a few local Detroit television programs changed all that.
Brian discovered "Monster Week," The Ghoul, and Sir Graves Ghastly -
fright fest-y shows whose creature-characters he found fascinating.
Towering over classmates at an astounding 6'7", Brian again found
himself turning to onscreen icons for inspiration; watching
over-the-top physical comedy by the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy
helped him embrace his physical awkwardness.
But lacking an outlet for his energy or any focus on a career, Brian
had no direction.
In 1985 he moved to the Florida Keys, hoping to discover his dreams
there. But after two years working odd jobs like bagging groceries,
working at a go-cart track, and on the docks at the local marina, Brian
decided to move one more time. With only $700, a duffel bag full of
clothes and a 10-speed bicycle, he bought a one-way ticket to Los
Angeles.
Brian's gamble paid off. L.A. loved him. Universal Studios Theme Park
took one look at the awkward 24 year-old and knew exactly what to do
with him; they hired him to perform as Frankenstein's monster.
When Universal was searching for a man to don the suit for the
television version of Harry and the Henderson's, they didn't have to
look far. Brian was thrilled to be surrounded with cast mates who
helped nurture his talents as an actor. Always patient and supportive
with him as he became familiar with his new job responsibilities, the
cast of HATH gave Brian the confidence to cultivate his craft.
48 episodes as Harry led to a role on NBC's sci-fi series, Earth 2.
Brian learned quickly about the niche in Hollywood for "creature
actors." Glued, painted, Velcro-ed, snapped and harnessed into
bodysuits and masks, Brian made a name for himself as the man who could
bring monsters to life.
Since 1997, he has played characters tailor made to scare audiences.
That year, The Relic opened the door for Brian to work with Hollywood
heavy-hitters. He breathed life into villains in the Underworld Trilogy
and Blade: Trinity. He's worked with acclaimed directors Guillermo Del
Toro (both Hellboy films) and M. Night Shayamalan (Lady in the Water).
He's taken on creatures alongside Adrian Brody, Christian Bale and Tom
Sizemore. The menacing bear Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin battle in
The Edge? That's Brian Steele.
After over 20 years breathing life into characters onscreen,
keeping each character fresh and new is easier said than done. But
Brian "enjoy(s) the challenge." In 2009, he got the opportunity to
portray the T-600, Terminator Salvation's latest incarnation of the
Terminator.