Lived with relatives in Borneo for three years when he was a child, then went island-hopping around Fiji and Malaysia for a year with his sailor father.
Only attended grammar school for about three years; he learned to read when he was 30.
Served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to '58, rising to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class; also spent two years in the Merchant Marines.
Studied at the Actors Studio in New York City.
Director James Cameron originally wanted him for the title role in The Terminator; the part eventually went to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Nominated for a 1987 Saturn Award for Best Actor for his role in the enduring creature-feature Pumpkinhead.
Won a Best Supporting Actor Saturn Award in 1993 for his role as Emil Fouchon in the John Woo action-thriller Hard Target.
Is an accomplished potter and painter.
Awards
1997, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: Nominee
1999, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: Nominee
1998, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: Nominee