Vernon Wells

Strong-featured Australian actor 'Vernon Wells' (qv) was born December 1945 in Rushworth, rural Victoria, to Eva Maude (Jackson) and Michael Wells. He initially worked in a quarry, and then as a salesman. He was noticed by casting agents and started to appear in Australian TV commercials, print ads, local Australian TV shows such as "Homicide" and "Matlock Police".His first cinema appearance was a minor role in _Felicity (1978)_ (qv), a low budget, erotic fantasy film. However, Wells was then fortunate to be cast as the homicidal biker "Wez", in the big budget _Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)_ (qv) filmed around Silverton near Broken Hill in outback New South Wales, Australia. It's the role for which he is probably best known to international audiences, as Wells portrays a psychotic, post apocalyptic gang leader who relentlessly pursues hero 'Mel Gibson' (qv), before meeting a spectacular death at the film's finale. Hollywood beckoned for Wells, and he spoofed his mad biker role in the popular teen comedy _Weird Science (1985)_ (qv), before taking on another villainous role as the treacherous ex-soldier "Bennett", who foolishly double crosses 'Arnold Schwarzenegger' (qv) in _Commando (1985)_ (qv). Once more, Wells meets a dramatic end, as he is impaled against a boiler at the film's conclusion, as big Arnold remarks "Let off some steam, Bennett".Wells continued to find regular work as a "villain" of one description or another, predominantly in B-grade thrillers or action films including _Last Man Standing (1988)_ (qv), _Circuitry Man (1990)_ (qv), _Kick of Death (1997)_ (qv) and _Starforce (2000)_ (qv). The talented Wells then landed a recurring role as futuristic criminal "Ransik" in the highly popular "Power Rangers" TV series, and subsequent series of films including _Power Rangers Time Force: Photo Finish (2001)_, _Power Rangers Time Force: The End of Time (2002)_ and _Power Rangers Time Force: Dawn of Destiny (2002)_.::firehouse44@hotmail.com