A prolific American television actor, Brett Cullen is most recognizable for his many recurring roles on primetime dramas. The native Texan studied acting in college and began winning TV parts in his 20s. Among Cullen's notable early work were parts on the miniseries "The Thorn Birds" (ABC, 1983) and the soap opera "Falcon Crest" (CBS, 1981-1990). Juggling various one-off television spots with the occasional feature-film role, Cullen finally landed the lead in a series with the Western "Legacy" (UPN, 1998-99), but the show proved to be short-lived. Around 2005, he became even busier than usual, with guest stints on numerous high-profile dramas, including "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999-2006) and "Lost" (ABC, 2004-2010), all within a brief span of time. Cullen subsequently began to snag bit parts in major Hollywood films such as "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) and the "Red Dawn" remake (2012). Always conveying a stoic sense of steeliness, Cullen aged into an actor frequently called upon for characters who clearly meant business.