Robert Patrick has secured a distinct reputation within action cinema, notably as a recurring adversary to some of the biggest stars of the 1980s and 1990s. Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger—three giants of the genre—have all faced off against Patrick’s characters, with each actor’s role ending in Patrick’s on-screen death. This unique pattern highlights Patrick’s consistent presence as a formidable antagonist during this era of action films.
Patrick’s characters met their fate at the hands of Willis in Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Stallone in Cop Land. Beyond these well-known clashes, Patrick also squared off against Stallone in the lesser-known film D-Tox. His upcoming role in the third season of Tulsa King signals that his professional rivalry with Stallone is far from over.
The Origins and Rise of Robert Patrick as a Villain
Born on November 5, 1958, in Marietta, Georgia, Robert Patrick spent much of his childhood moving across various parts of the United States. Initially excelling as a top athlete at university, Patrick chose a different career path at age 26, moving to Hollywood to become an actor. His early work included a minor but memorable part in Die Hard 2: Die Harder, where his character was eliminated by Bruce Willis’s John McClane.
Patrick’s breakout moment came with his role as the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This portrayal leveraged his athleticism, showcasing a villain who was not only terrifying in appearance but also aggressive and ultra-fast, distinguishing the T-1000 from Schwarzenegger’s more methodical T-800. Patrick’s cold, piercing gaze and the character’s shape-shifting abilities made this performance an enduring hallmark of action cinema. While the T-1000 remains his most iconic role, Patrick has continued to effectively portray villainous characters across numerous projects.
The History of Patrick and Stallone’s On-Screen Conflict
The renewed collaboration between Robert Patrick and Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King season 3 revives a dynamic that began decades ago. Their first notable encounter was in Cop Land, where Patrick played Jack Rucker, the menacing right-hand man to the film’s main antagonist, Ray Donlan, portrayed by Harvey Keitel. In the film, Stallone’s character Freddy Heflin is a small-town sheriff caught in a web of corruption involving New York City police officers. Patrick’s character continually provokes Heflin, leading to a climactic showdown where the sheriff overcomes his adversaries.
Their on-screen interactions continued in the 2002 thriller D-Tox, a film that notably marks a shift in Stallone’s career from big-budget productions to lower-profile projects. Stallone’s character, Jake Malloy, is a detective recovering in a clinic for troubled law enforcement officers, where tension builds between Malloy and Patrick’s character. Although Patrick was not the primary villain, his presence created significant conflict with Stallone’s protagonist.
Robert Patrick’s Role in Tulsa King Season 3: Ally or Opponent?
In the crime drama Tulsa King, Sylvester Stallone stars as Dwight Manfredi, a former mobster attempting to establish dominance in Tulsa while navigating a range of challenges. At the conclusion of season 2, Dwight is mysteriously abducted by unknown agents and seemingly coerced into working for them, an unresolved plotline that adds suspense to the upcoming season.
Robert Patrick’s arrival as Jeremiah Dunmire adds a new complex layer to the story. Dunmire is described as a powerful liquor magnate, a figure unlikely to be aligned with the shadowy agents who captured Dwight. While it remains unclear whether Patrick’s character will be a direct antagonist or a complicated rival, his involvement guarantees fresh tension and conflict.
Following the announcement of his role, Patrick posted on his official X account a playful message aimed at Stallone:
You got me last time @TheSlyStallone (aka The General) let’s see how we do @TulsaKing Season 3! I’m coming for you!
—Robert Patrick
He accompanied the post with a clip featuring the iconic moment from Cop Land when Stallone’s character shoots his.
Upcoming Tulsa King Season 3 and Production Details
Currently in production, the third season of Tulsa King is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ in fall 2025. The show continues under the guidance of Taylor Sheridan, who remains the showrunner. Stallone himself is actively involved behind the scenes as part of the writing team, contributing to the series’ development. The cast will also include Beau Knapp, known from SEAL Team, who will portray Cole Dunmire, Jeremiah’s son, further expanding the storyline around Patrick’s character.
This season’s evolving narrative promises to enrich the on-screen dynamics between Stallone and Patrick, rekindling their memorable rivalry while exploring new character complexities within the crime drama framework.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Sylvester Stallone in the military?
A. Sylvester Stallone did not serve in the armed forces. He was eligible for the draft in 1969, while he was a student. However, he was removed from the draft list because of supposed partial paralysis in his face.
