Reb Brown
Reb Brown (born Robert Brown on April 29, 1948) is an American actor best known for his portrayals of the superhero Captain America in the 1979 television films Captain America and Captain America II: Death Too Soon, as well as for leading roles in cult B-movies such as Yor, the Hunter from the Future (1983) and Space Mutiny (1988).[1][2][3] Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Brown excelled in high school football at Temple City High School and later at the University of Southern California on a football scholarship, before pursuing acting.[4] His father was a policeman. Brown began his acting career in the 1970s, initially appearing in guest spots on television series such as The Rockford Files, before gaining prominence with his dual Captain America telefilms, where he depicted the Marvel Comics hero thwarting espionage and terrorist threats.[2][3] These roles established him as a symbol of 1970s heroic archetypes, blending physical prowess from his athletic background with straightforward, patriotic performances.[5] Throughout the 1980s, Brown transitioned to feature films, often in supporting or lead parts in action and adventure genres. In Uncommon Valor (1983), he played a demolitions expert in a POW rescue mission alongside Gene Hackman, earning praise for his intense dramatic presence in a more grounded war drama.[3][2] He followed with Yor, the Hunter from the Future, a low-budget Italian sword-and-sorcery film where he portrayed a prehistoric warrior battling dinosaurs and ancient threats, which gained a cult following for its campy effects and Brown's earnest delivery.[1] His most notorious role came in Space Mutiny (1988), a South African sci-fi actioner re-edited from a soap opera, where he starred as a spaceship security officer leading a rebellion; the film's over-the-top dialogue and action sequences have made it a staple of Mystery Science Theater 3000-style ridicule.[1][4] Brown also appeared in episodes of popular shows like Miami Vice (1987), as gang leader Reb Gustafson, showcasing his versatility in villainous turns.[6] In his personal life, Brown has been married to actress Cisse Cameron since September 8, 1979; the couple co-starred in Space Mutiny and have no children.[1][4] They remain together as of 2025, with Cameron occasionally joining Brown at fan conventions celebrating his legacy in genre cinema.[7] Though less active in recent decades, Brown continues to be revered in nostalgic circles for embodying the era's rugged, no-nonsense action hero, with his work influencing parodies and homages in modern media.[8]Early life
Childhood and family
Robert Brown, professionally known as Reb Brown, was born on April 29, 1948, in Los Angeles, California.[1] He grew up in the Los Angeles area in a close-knit family, raised primarily by his father, a sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Department, and his mother, a homemaker.[9] The household emphasized structure and routine, reflective of his father's role in law enforcement, which contributed to strong ties within their local community.[9] From a young age, Brown displayed a keen interest in athletics, engaging in football, basketball, and baseball during his elementary and middle school years in the working-class neighborhoods of Los Angeles.[9] These pursuits not only provided physical outlets but also fostered teamwork and perseverance in the modest family setting, where resources were focused on everyday stability rather than extravagance. No siblings are documented in available records, highlighting the intimate dynamics of his immediate family environment. These formative experiences in sports set the stage for his transition to organized high school athletics.Education and athletics
Brown attended Temple City High School in Temple City, California, where he excelled as a varsity athlete in football, basketball, and baseball.[10] He graduated in 1966, having demonstrated strong athletic prowess that positioned him for higher-level opportunities in sports.[10] Following high school, Brown received a football scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), where he played as a fullback on the 1967 national championship team coached by John McKay.[11] His time at USC was marked by competitive play, though he lost his starting position to O. J. Simpson.[11] During his college years, Brown pursued general studies toward a bachelor's degree.[9] After his freshman year, Brown transitioned to acting, recognizing the competitive nature of professional football.[11]Career
Early acting roles
After leaving the University of Southern California football team in 1967, where he played as a fullback, Reb Brown pursued various jobs including bouncer and amateur boxer before entering the entertainment industry in his mid-20s. He was discovered by makeup artist and producer Dan Striepeke while working odd jobs in Hollywood, leading to his acting debut in the 1973 horror film Sssssss, where he portrayed the supporting role of Steve Randall, a college student entangled in a mad scientist's experiments.[4] That same year, Brown made his television debut in the ABC legal drama Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law as Jack Downes in the episode "Poor Children of Eve," followed by a guest spot as Ken Norris in Marcus Welby, M.D.'s "A Cry in the Night," and a minor role as a football player in the TV movie The Girl Most Likely to....[12] These early uncredited or small parts often leveraged his athletic physique for physically demanding characters, marking his opportunistic entry into acting without formal training.[3] In 1974, Brown continued building his resume with minor roles that highlighted his robust build, including an uncredited appearance as a boy on a motorcycle in the disaster epic Earthquake and the part of Tommy Cicero in the TV movie The Law.[1] On television, he guest-starred as a frat member in Emergency!'s "Foreign Trade" and as a rifleman in another Marcus Welby, M.D. episode, "The Brittle Warrior," while also appearing as a furniture man in Kojak's "Last Rites for a Dead Priest" and an uncredited lifeguard in The Rockford Files' "Gearjammers, Part 1."[13][14][15][16] These guest spots in popular Universal Studios-produced series like Emergency! and Kojak provided steady exposure but confined him to brief, action-oriented supporting roles, reflecting the challenges of breaking into the industry as a newcomer often typecast due to his imposing 6-foot-4 frame and sports background.[17] By the mid-1970s, Brown's television work expanded with the 1975 TV movie Strange New World, where he played the character Sprang in a post-apocalyptic adventure.[3] Entering 1977, he secured recurring minor roles as the biker Brouillette across three episodes of CHiPs ("Undertow," "Baby Food," and "Hustle"), alongside guest appearances as Frank in Chico and the Man's "Louie's Can-Can," Tony Rosselli in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries' "The Mystery of the Ghostwriter's Cruise," and notably as Rebel E. Lee, a tough southern quarterback, in Happy Days' "Requiem for a Malph."[12][18] His physicality frequently landed him in confrontational or stunt-heavy scenes, such as the fight sequence with Ralph Malph on Happy Days, underscoring early typecasting in action-driven parts that capitalized on his athletic past rather than dramatic depth.[18] This period of low-profile gigs from 1973 to 1978 solidified his presence in 1970s television but highlighted the hurdles of transitioning from athlete to performer amid competition for substantial roles.1970s and 1980s highlights
Brown achieved his breakthrough in the superhero genre by portraying Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, in the two made-for-television films Captain America and Captain America II: Death Too Soon, both released in 1979.[19] These CBS pilots, produced by Marvel Comics and Sunn Classics Pictures under director Rod Holcomb for the first and Ivan Nagy for the second, featured Brown as a former Marine injected with a super-soldier serum to combat a terrorist organization led by Lenny Caulder (played by Len Birman).[20] Despite their modest $600,000 budgets and campy effects, including a motorcycle with a shield-shaped windshield, the films developed a cult following among fans, with Brown frequently appearing at comic conventions to meet admirers who appreciate his earnest performance.[21] In the 1980s, Brown transitioned to leading and prominent supporting roles in action and genre films, solidifying his reputation in B-movies. He played Blaster, a demolitions expert, in the 1983 POW rescue drama Uncommon Valor, directed by Ted Kotcheff and starring Gene Hackman as a Marine colonel mounting a private mission to Laos.[22] That same year, Brown took the title role in the Italian sci-fi adventure Yor: The Hunter from the Future, directed by Antonio Margheriti, where he depicted a prehistoric warrior uncovering his alien origins amid dinosaur attacks and robotic threats.[23] He followed with the lead in the horror-comedy Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985), directed by Philippe Mora, as Ben White, a skeptic who joins werewolf hunter Stefan Crosscoe (Christopher Lee) to battle a cult led by queen Stirba (Sybil Danning).[24] Brown's international work peaked in collaborations with Italian director Bruno Mattei, known for low-budget exploitation cinema. In Strike Commando (1987), Brown starred as Sergeant Mike Ransom, a Vietnam vet seeking revenge after a betrayal during a POW rescue, blending Rambo-style action with graphic violence in the Philippines jungle.[25] He reprised his action-hero persona as Major Murphy Black in Robowar (1988), a jungle-set sci-fi thriller pitting commandos against a rogue cyborg, echoing Predator and RoboCop on a shoestring budget.[26] These Mattei films, shot rapidly with reused footage, epitomized Brown's immersion in the era's direct-to-video market, often distributed internationally as part of gritty, unrated action fare. Brown also demonstrated versatility through television guest spots during this period. In 1979, he appeared on Three's Company as Elmo Hacker, a rugged suitor vying for Janet's attention in the episode "Ralph's Rival." Six years later, he guest-starred on Miami Vice as Reb Gustafson, the volatile leader of a Viking-themed biker gang in the episode "Viking Bikers from Hell," bringing his physical intensity to a role involving revenge and undercover police work. Brown's career arc in the 1970s and 1980s saw him evolve from supporting parts to action leads, particularly in exploitation and genre productions that prioritized spectacle over polish. Films like Space Mutiny (1988), where he played Dave Ryder, a pilot leading efforts to stop a mutiny on a spaceship amid shoddy sets and stock footage, later achieved cult notoriety through its 1998 riffing on Mystery Science Theater 3000, highlighting Brown's over-the-top delivery and memorable screams. This phase cemented his status as a reliable B-movie draw, with roles emphasizing his athletic build and charismatic bravado in fast-paced, international projects.Later work and legacy
Following the prolific output of the 1980s, Reb Brown's acting roles diminished significantly in the 1990s, with sparse appearances in low-budget action films such as Street Hunter (1990), where he portrayed detective Mike Kelly, and Cage II: Arena of Death (1994), in which he played Billy Ray. These projects marked a shift toward direct-to-video releases, reflecting the broader decline in demand for his style of muscular, high-energy action leads amid changing Hollywood trends. By the late 1990s, Brown effectively retired from regular acting, focusing instead on personal life away from the spotlight.[27] Brown made rare returns to the screen in the 2010s, including a supporting role as Sheriff Joe Kelly in the horror film Night Claws (2012), a Bigfoot-themed project directed by David A. Prior.[28] He followed this with a cameo in Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel (2016), a comedic superhero film that served as one of his final credited performances. These sporadic outings underscored his semi-retirement, with no major roles emerging thereafter, though he has remained active in fan conventions, such as appearances at Cajun Con in 2025 and Hill Country Comic Con in 2024, where he engages with audiences about his iconic past work.[29][30] Brown's legacy endures as a B-movie icon, particularly through films like Space Mutiny (1988), which gained ironic cult popularity after being featured in a 1997 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, where hosts riffed on its production flaws and Brown's bombastic portrayal of Dave Ryder.[31][32] His over-the-top performances, often involving exaggerated yells and physical feats, have influenced action genre tropes in low-budget cinema, fostering a dedicated fanbase that appreciates the unintentional humor and earnest machismo of his 1980s output.[27][33] This retrospective acclaim has solidified his status in cult film circles, even as his on-screen career waned.Personal life
Marriage and family
Reb Brown married actress Cisse Cameron on September 8, 1979. The couple first met in 1978 while working on the short-lived CBS sitcom The Ted Knight Show, where Cameron was a series regular and Brown made a guest appearance.[34][5] Brown and Cameron occasionally collaborated professionally after their marriage, most notably co-starring as romantic leads in the 1988 science fiction film Space Mutiny. The couple has no children.[1] As of 2025, Brown and Cameron remain married.[1] They maintain a joint public image as a supportive partnership, often appearing together at industry events such as the 2011 premiere of Captain America: The First Avenger.[35]Lifestyle and residence
Reb Brown has maintained a long-term residence in the Los Angeles area, specifically in Camarillo, California, where he has lived since at least the early 2000s.[7] In his later years, Brown has placed a strong emphasis on physical fitness, continuing rigorous workout routines that originated from his athletic background in football, basketball, baseball, surfing, and martial arts. As of 2020, at age 72, he stated that he had been working out consistently since age 21, underscoring a lifelong commitment to health maintenance that has kept him remarkably fit well into his 70s.[36][7] During semi-retirement, Brown pursues interests in fan conventions and events, appearing at gatherings such as the Dallas Comic Show in 2024, Tupelo Con in 2025, and MidSouth Mega Con in 2025, where he engages with admirers of his action-hero roles.[8] His lifestyle remains low-key, centered on personal health and occasional public interactions without documented involvement in philanthropy or other hobbies beyond fitness and fan outreach.[36]Filmography
Film
Reb Brown's feature film career spans from 1973 to 2016, encompassing over 40 credits in theatrical releases, direct-to-video productions, and international co-productions, often in action, horror, and sci-fi genres.[37]| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Sssssss | Steve Randall | Bernard L. Kowalski |
| 1974 | The Towering Inferno | Fireman (uncredited) | John Guillermin |
| 1975 | The Hindenburg | Joe Spah | Robert Wise |
| 1975 | The Ultimate Warrior | Carson | Robert Clouse |
| 1978 | Big Wednesday | Bear | John Milius |
| 1979 | Fast Break | Hank 'Hi-Top' DeVito | Jack Smight |
| 1979 | Hardcore | Kurt | Paul Schrader |
| 1980 | The Sword and the Sorcerer | Dirk | Albert Pyun |
| 1981 | Yor, the Hunter from the Future | Yor | Antonio Margheriti[23] |
| 1982 | The Last Hunter | Capt. Henry Morris | Antonio Margheriti |
| 1983 | Uncommon Valor | Blaster | Ted Kotcheff[22] |
| 1983 | Distant Thunder | Steve | Bobby Miller |
| 1983 | The Seven Magnificent Gladiators | Han | Bruno Mattei |
| 1983 | Thor the Conqueror | Thor | Tonino Ricci |
| 1983 | Space Raiders | Hawk | Howard R. Cohen |
| 1985 | Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf | Ben White | Philippe Mora |
| 1986 | Mercenary Fighters | Doug McKenna | Riki Shelach |
| 1986 | Death of a Soldier | Pvt. Edward J. Leonski | Philippe Mora[38] |
| 1987 | Strike Commando | Sgt. Jake Ross | Bruno Mattei[25] |
| 1987 | White Ghost | Cmdr. Rick Root | Billy Duke |
| 1988 | Space Mutiny | Dave Ryder | David Winters[31] |
| 1988 | Robowar | Major Murphy Black | Bruno Mattei |
| 1988 | Cage | Billy | Lang Elliott |
| 1989 | The Firing Line | Tom | Joseph L. Bobe |
| 1989 | Last Flight to Hell | Flo | Bruno Mattei |
| 1990 | Street Hunter | Mike | J. Christian Ingvordsen |
| 1990 | Cage II | Billy Ray | Lang Elliott |
| 1991 | L.A. Heat | Dalton | Joseph Merhi |
| 1994 | Cyborg Cop II | Dave | Sam Firstenberg |
| 1995 | Angelfist | Lt. Ted Richter | Cirio H. Santiago |
| 1997 | The Deli | Gino | John A. Gallagher |
| 2006 | Surge of Power | Roger Stevenson | Joseph Zbeda |
| 2013 | Night Claws | Sheriff Joe Kelly | David A. Prior[39] |
| 2016 | Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel | Roger Stevenson | Geno McGahee |