Casper Van Dien

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Casper Van Dien
Van Dien in 2013
Born
Casper Robert Van Dien Jr.

(1968-12-18) December 18, 1968 (age 55)
OccupationActor
Years active1984–present
Spouses
Carrie Mitchum
(m. 1993; div. 1997)
(m. 1999; div. 2015)
Jennifer Wenger
(m. 2018)
Children4, including Grace Van Dien

Casper Robert Van Dien Jr. (born December 18, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for his lead role as Johnny Rico in the 1997 science-fiction action film Starship Troopers. He has also appeared in a large number of television and film roles, often in daytime and primetime soap operas, and a large number of TV movies and direct-to-video films, including Starship Troopers 3: Marauder, a 2008 sequel to the original film.

Early life[edit]

Van Dien was born and raised in the Pensacola suburb of Milton, Florida, the son of Diane (née Morrow), a nursery school teacher, and Casper Robert Van Dien Sr., a U.S. Navy Commander and fighter pilot.[1]

There is a long military tradition in Van Dien's family. Aside from his father, his grandfather was a Marine during World War II. Van Dien is descended from an old Dutch family long settled in the New York area; his other heritage includes Swedish, French, and English.[2]

The street on which Van Dien grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Van Dien Avenue, was named after his great-great-great-grandfather.[3] When Van Dien was older, his family moved to Florida, where he enrolled at the St. Petersburg campus of the Admiral Farragut Academy, graduating 3rd in command. After high school, Van Dien attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

After moving to Los Angeles, Van Dien landed a number of small parts in various television series and movies. Two early breaks were recurring roles as Ty Moody on the daytime soap opera One Life to Live and the prime time drama Beverly Hills, 90210. Keen to expand his acting talents, Van Dien took a bit part in the video game, Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom.

In 1996, Van Dien played King Tal in Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus, the second sequel to the 1982 cult classic, The Beastmaster. Van Dien also starred in the 1997 James Dean biopic James Dean: Race with Destiny. Soon after, he got the breakthrough role of Johnny Rico in Paul Verhoeven's 1997 science fiction action film Starship Troopers. His success in Starship Troopers subsequently resulted in his casting as Tarzan in Tarzan and the Lost City (1998).[4] Van Dien next played Brom von Brunt in Tim Burton's 1999 film Sleepy Hollow, a reworking of the classic Washington Irving tale.

In 2000, Van Dien appeared in Cutaway as well as Aaron Spelling's short-lived NBC prime time soap Titans with Yasmine Bleeth, John Barrowman, Perry King and Victoria Principal. He filmed several scenes as Patrick Bateman, in 2002's The Rules of Attraction. However, the scenes were unused in the final film.

In 2008, Van Dien returned to the role of Rico in Starship Troopers 3: Marauder, a direct-to-video sequel to Starship Troopers.

Van Dien replaced Matt Mullins as Johnny Cage for the second season of the YouTube webseries Mortal Kombat: Legacy.[5]

In 2020, he joined the cast of the independent film Daughter.[6] In 2022, Van Dien played the role of Samual Hyst in the series Salvage Marines, where he was also credited as a producer, an adaptation of the Necrospace book series; in an interview, he favorably compared this role to that of Johnny Rico.[7]

Personal life[edit]

From 1993 to 1997, Van Dien was married to Carrie Mitchum (daughter of Christopher Mitchum and granddaughter of Robert Mitchum). Van Dien had co-starred with Robert Mitchum in James Dean: Race with Destiny. They have two children, including actress Grace Van Dien (b. 1996).[8]

In 1999, Van Dien met actress Catherine Oxenberg during the filming of the TV movie The Collectors, and they soon worked together again in the 1999 thriller The Omega Code. On May 8, 1999, they married at Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2005, the couple appeared in their own reality series, I Married a Princess, which aired on the Lifetime Television channel in the United States,[9] LIVINGtv in the United Kingdom and Lifestyle You in Australia; Oxenberg's mother is Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia. During the 2006–2007 TV season, Van Dien and Oxenberg co-starred in the American drama series Watch Over Me on MyNetworkTV. Oxenberg had a daughter from a previous relationship, India Riven Oxenberg (b. 1991).[10] Van Dien and Oxenberg have two daughters, born 2001 and 2003. In 2015, Van Dien filed for divorce from Oxenberg.[11] Oxenberg and Van Dien were celebrity ambassadors for the non-profit organization Childhelp.[12]

Van Dien married Jennifer Wenger in June 2018.[13]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Night Eyes 4: Fatal Passion Roy
1997 Casper: A Spirited Beginning Bystander Direct-to-video
Starship Troopers Johnny Rico
1998 Tarzan and the Lost City Tarzan / John Clayton II
Casper Meets Wendy Crewcut Hunk Direct-to-video
1999 The Omega Code Gillen Lane
Sleepy Hollow Brom Van Brunt
2000 Sanctimony Tom Gerrick
2002 The Rules of Attraction Patrick Bateman Deleted scene
2004 Dracula 3000 Captain Abraham Van Helsing Direct-to-video
2008 Starship Troopers 3: Marauder Colonel Johnny Rico Direct-to-video
2009 Through the Air to Calais or the Wonderful Cruise of Blanchard's Balloon John Jeffries Short film, also executive producer
2011 Born to Ride Mike Callahan
2012 Shiver Sebastian Delgado
Malibu Days Short film
The Pact Bill Creek
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Sequels James K. Polk Short film
noobz Himself Also co-producer
Christmas Twister Ethan
Starship Troopers: Invasion Direct-to-video, executive producer
2013 500 MPH Storm Nathan Sims
Assumed Killer Sam Morrow Also co-producer
Higher Mission John Perryman
2014 Sleeping Beauty King David Direct-to-video, also director
2015 Avengers Grimm Rumpelstiltskin Direct-to-video
June Dave Anderson Also co-executive producer
2016 Army Dog Tom Holloway Also producer
Showdown in Manila Charlie Benz
Storage Locker 181 Dayton
Isra 88 Harold Richards
2017 Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine Saber Raine
All About the Money Kurt Pomeroy Also producer
Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars Colonel Johnny Rico (voice) Direct-to-video, also executive producer
2018 Last Seen in Idaho Brock Also co-producer
Darkness Reigns Himself
Dead Water John Livingston
Alpha Wolf Jack Lupo
2019 Alita: Battle Angel Amok
Madness in the Method Tim
Chokehold Javier
2020 Acquitted by Faith Benjamin Stills
The Warrant Virgil St. Denis / The Saint
The Road to Camp Miracle Ernest Robertson Short film
Roped Robert Peterson
Lady Driver Elliot Lansing
G-Loc Decker
The 2nd Melvin "The Driver" Sampras
One Nation Under God Kingsley
2021 Real Talk Rick the Republican
Shooting Paul Ben
Serena's Game Ben
2022 A Tale of Two Guns Abel Cruz
Assailant Michael
Mad Heidi President Meili
The Most Dangerous Game Baron Von Wolf
Battle of Saipan Vic
County Line: No Fear Zed Dalton
2023 Daughter Father
The Flood
Monsters of California[14] Myers

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Menu for Murder Lifeguard TV movie
1991 Saved by the Bell Student Uncredited; episode: "Pipe Dreams"
Dangerous Women Brad Morris Recurring
1992 Freshman Dorm Zack Taylor 5 episodes
Life Goes On Unknown Episode: "Udder Madness"
1993–1994 One Life to Live Tyler "Ty" Moody TV series
1994 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Jesse Episode: "Cattle Drive: Part 1 & 2"
Beverly Hills, 90210 Griffin Stone 7 episodes
1995 P. C. H. Randy TV movie
Silk Stalkings Roger Barrows Episode: "I Know What Scares You"
Married... with Children Eric Waters Episode: "Blonde and Blonder"
1996 Backroads to Vegas Adam TV movie
Lethal Orbit Tom Corbett
Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus King Tal
The Colony Sawyer
1997 The Outer Limits Jake Miller Episode: "Heart's Desire"
NightScream Teddy Johnson / Ray Ordwell Jr. TV movie
James Dean: Race with Destiny James Dean
1998 Modern Vampires Dallas TV movie, also producer
On the Border Jake Barnes TV movie
1999 Shark Attack Steven McKray
The Collectors A.K.
Thrill Seekers Tom Merrick
2000 Partners Axel
Python Bart Parker
Road Rage Jim Travis
Cutaway Delmira
2000–2001 Titans Chandler Williams 14 episodes
2001 Chasing Destiny Bobby Moritz TV movie
Under Heavy Fire Captain Ramsey
The Tracker Connor Spears
Danger Beneath the Sea Miles Sheffield
2002 The Vector File Gerry
2003 Big Spender Eddie Burton
Windfall "Ace" Logan
2004 Skeleton Man Oberron
Dracula 3000 Abraham Van Helsing
What the Bleep Do We Know!? Romantic Moritz Documentary; uncredited
Rock Me, Baby Michael Episode: "Love at First Flight"
2005 I Married a Princess Himself Also producer
Hollywood Flies Zach TV movie
Maiden Voyage Kyle Considine
Personal Effects Chris Locke
The Fallen Ones Matt Fletcher
Officer Down Philip Hallows
Premonition Jack Barnes
2006 Meltdown Tom
The Curse of King Tut's Tomb Danny Freemont
Slayer "Hawk"
2006–2007 Watch Over Me Andre Forester 64 episodes
2008 Aces 'N' Eights Luke Rivers TV movie
Mask of the Ninja Jack Barrett
2008, 2009 Monk Steven Albright 2 episodes
2009 One Hot Summer Luther Simmonds TV movie
2010 Turbulent Skies Tom
Laugh Track Mash-ups James Episode: "Coopin' with Mr. Levy"
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation Randy McGovern TV movie
2012 Lake Effects Ash Henson
Fugitive at 17 Spencer Oliphant
Femme Fatales Joe Hallenbeck Episode: "One Man's Death"
Baby's First Christmas Kyle TV movie
2015 Fire Twister Scott
Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf Ray
Patient Killer Jason TV movie; also director
2017 Hawaii Five-0 Roger Niles Episode: "Na La Ilio" (Dog Days)
2018–present All American Harold Adams 10 episodes
2022–present Salvage Marines Samuel Hyst
TBA Stripped[15] Chris Cameron 6 episodes

Web[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Mortal Kombat: Legacy Johnny Cage 5 episodes
2015 Interns of F.I.E.L.D.[16] Hawk Guy 2 episodes
2015–2016 Con Man Waiter (cameo) 6 episodes
2016 Crunch Time Casper Van Dien 3 episodes
2017 Super Power Beat Down - Boba Fett vs Star-Lord Hal Jordan / Green Lantern Fan film
2018 Deadpool The Musical 2 - Ultimate Disney Parody! Cyclops
2021 Batman: Dying Is Easy James Gordon Fan film

Video games[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom Confed Redshirt #3
2005 Starship Troopers: The Video Game General Johnny Rico (voice)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sarasota studio brings actor Casper Van Dien home". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2010., Sarasota Herald Trubune, November 13, 2010
  2. ^ "Breaking News, Latest News and Videos". CNN. November 24, 2000. Archived from the original on April 24, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2006.
  3. ^ "Tarzan of Tarzana", Daily News of Los Angeles, April 22, 1998. Accessed September 22, 2011. "When I was growing up in Ridgewood, NJ, we lived on Van Dien Avenue, which was named after my great-great-great grandfather."
  4. ^ Tarzan and the Lost City official site Archived 2006-03-27 at the Wayback Machine Michael Lake, producer
  5. ^ "Web Series 'Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2′ Hitting February 17th". Latino Review. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  6. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 10, 2020). "Casper Van Dien, Ian Alexander, Vivien Ngô, Elyse Dinh And Megan Le Join Corey Deshon's Thriller 'Daughter'". Deadline. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Milakovic, Hrvoje (August 13, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: SF Legend Casper Van Dien Talks With Us About His New Show, 'Salvage Marines'!". Fiction Horizon. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Kara Warner (March 8, 2019). "Starship Troopers Star Casper Van Dien Is a Proud Dad at Daughter Grace's Premiere". People.
  9. ^ Ramin Setoodeh (July 11, 2012). "What Happened to Big-Screen Hunk Casper Van Dien?". The Daily Beast.
  10. ^ Liz McNeil (October 13, 2020). "India Oxenberg Says She Was First 'to Be Branded' in Nxivm". People.
  11. ^ "Casper Van Dien – I'm Divorcing Catherine Oxenberg". TMZ. September 25, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  12. ^ "Celebrity Ambassadors". ChildHelp.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  13. ^ "Casper and Jenny's Wedding, Honeysuckle Hills Farm". Watson-studios.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  14. ^ White, Peter (October 7, 2020). "Ex-Blink-182 Frontman Tom DeLonge To Make Directorial Debut With Sci-Fi Feature 'Monsters Of California'". Deadline. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  15. ^ Stripped (Comedy, Drama), Casper Van Dien, Brooke Lewis Bellas, Frank Krueger, Louis Mandylor, No Age Limit Productions, Odyssey Motion Pictures, retrieved November 20, 2020{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. ^ "Interns of F.I.E.L.D. (Marvel Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D. Parody) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020.

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