CONAN THE BARBARIAN Cast Members Who are Dead or In Jail

CONAN THE BARBARIAN Cast Members Who are Dead or In Jail 

When Conan the Barbarian hit theaters in 1982, it wasn’t just a movie. It was a cinematic force that launched careers and etched unforgettable faces into pop culture history. But decades later, what happened to the fierce warriors and mysterious characters who brought that epic world to life? Some rose to fame, others faded into quiet lives, and sadly, a few are no longer with us.

Stick around as we uncover the fates of Conan the Barbarian’s legendary cast. You might be surprised who’s still swinging a sword today. One, James Earl Jones. When you think of movie villains, who comes to mind? Darth Vader, right? Well, guess what? The same man who breathed menacing life into that black helmet also created one of Conan’s most terrifying enemies.

 James Earl Jones played Thulsa Doom, the sinister snake cult leader who makes your average bad guy look like a playground bully. With his hypnotic voice and chilling presence, Jones crafted a villain so memorable that he nearly overshadowed even Schwarzenegger’s muscular hero. Thadum wasn’t just evil, he was cunning, cruel, and absolutely mesmerizing.

The character stands alongside Darth Vader as one of Jones’s most unforgettable, villainous performances. What made [snorts] Jones’s performance so special was his ability to make Thulsadum seem almost reasonable. This wasn’t a cackling, mustache twirling villain. This was a charismatic leader who genuinely believed in his twisted philosophy.

 When he speaks to Conan about the riddle of steel versus the strength of flesh, you almost find yourself considering his point of view. That’s the mark of a truly great villain. one who makes evil look attractive, even logical. The famous scene where Thulsadoom commands one of his followers to step off a cliff and the person does it willingly remains one of the most chilling moments in 80s cinema.

 Jones delivered that scene with such calm, hypnotic power that audiences understood exactly why people would follow this man [music] to their deaths. But here’s the kicker. This legendary voice almost never happened. Jones struggled with a severe childhood stutter so bad that he barely spoke for years. Can you imagine? The man with possibly the most recognizable voice in Hollywood once couldn’t get words out.

Talk about an underdog story. His distinctive voice graced beloved films that became part of our childhoods. Remember, if you build it, he will come from Field of Dreams. That was Jones, the narrator in The Sandlot. Jones again. He even voiced Mufasa in The Lion King, giving us one of Disney’s most powerful father figures.

 Sadly, the legendary James Earl Jones passed away in [music] 2024 at the age of 93, leaving behind an incredible legacy that transformed voice [music] acting and Hollywood forever. When someone says they want to be remembered by their work, Jones is exactly what they mean. Two, Arnold Schwarzenegger. As Conan Arnold portrayed a mighty warrior literally born on the battlefield.

 This was a man of few words whose actions spoke volumes. The role [snorts] required Schwarzenegger to embody raw power, determination, and the spirit of vengeance. And boy did he deliver. What’s remarkable about Arnold’s performance is how much emotion he conveyed with minimal dialogue in the entire film. Conan probably speaks fewer than 100 lines.

 Yet, we understand his pain, his purpose, and his journey completely. Arnold’s physicality told the story. The way he moved, the intensity in his eyes, the barely controlled fury that simmered beneath the surface. The training for Conan was intense even by Arnold’s standards. He spent months learning sword fighting from Master Koshi Yamazaki.

 He did nearly all his own stunts, which was remarkable given his physique made him impossible [music] to double. Director [snorts] John Millius would later say that Arnold worked 12-hour days on set, then walked 2 miles, then worked out for another 2 hours. The dedication was insane. But here’s the wild part. Arnold’s journey to becoming Conan is just the beginning of one of Hollywood’s most unlikely success stories.

 This guy went from bodybuilding champion to global superstar to actually governing California. Try putting that on a resume. Before Conan, Arnold had already won Mr. Olympia seven times. Seven. When he transitioned to acting, people were skeptical. His early film Stay Hungry in 1976 showed promise, but it was the one-two punch of Conan in 1982 and The Terminator in [music] 1984 that catapulted him into the stratosphere.

After that, Arnold became unstoppable. Commando, Predator, Total Recall, Terminator 2, the hits just kept coming. He practically owned the action genre throughout the 80s and 90s. Then, in a move that shocked everyone, he pivoted to politics in the 2000s, serving two terms as California’s governor from 2003 to 2011.

Today, Arnold remains active in entertainment and is a passionate environmental activist. He’s also become something of an internet sensation, inspiring people with his motivational speeches and showing that you can reinvent yourself at any age. At 77, he’s still making movies and appearing [music] in franchises like The Expendables.

 The man simply doesn’t quit. Three. Nadusa. Nadiuska played Conan’s mother in those heartbreaking opening scenes. While her role was brief, it was powerful and set the emotional tone for Conan’s entire revenge quest. Sadly, Nadius’s story takes a difficult turn. After facing homelessness and being diagnosed with schizophrenia, she now lives in a mental health institution in Senos, Madrid, Spain.

 She retired from cinema in 1997 and her final film Dracula Condomore 2 was actually dedicated to her by the director as a tribute. Her story reminds us that Hollywood success doesn’t guarantee a happy ending and that mental health struggles can [music] affect anyone regardless of their accomplishments. Four, Max von Sidow. Max von Sidow played King Ozrich, the desperate [music] ruler who hires Conan to rescue his daughter from Thulsadum’s clutches.

His theatrical scene stealing performance gave us some of the film’s most quotable dialogue. [snorts] Watching Vonido choose scenery as a brave but alcoholic king is pure cinema magic. This Swedish legend [music] had one of the most illustrious careers in film history. His [snorts] breakthrough came in Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 masterpiece, The Seventh Seal, where he famously played chess with death itself.

That image, a knight playing chess with death, became one of cinema’s most iconic scenes. Here’s a fun fact. Vonido was only 42 when he played the elderly priest in The Exorcist. Yep. makeup and acting magic made him look decades older. That’s the mark of a true professional. After Conan, his career continued to soar.

 He earned his first Academy Award nomination for 1987’s Pelle the Conqueror. His later work included commercial hits like Minority Report in 2002, where he held his own alongside Tom Cruz. Vonido continued acting right up until the end. His final film, Echoes of the Past, was released in 2021, shortly after his death in March 2020 at age 90.

 He left behind a body of work that spans decades and dozens of unforgettable performances. Five. Valerie Quenison. Valerie Quenison portrayed Princess Yasmina, the royal captive under Thulsa Doom’s spell whom Conan must rescue. While not the largest role, her performance added crucial depth to the quest narrative.

 Queness’s path to acting was almost accidental. She started taking acting classes as a shy teenager after performing as a child acrobat. Her breakthrough came with the 1979 film French Postcards, which led to increased American recognition [music] in 1982’s Summer Lovers, where she starred alongside Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah.

 Following these successes, Quennison made a surprising choice. She stepped away from Hollywood to focus on family life, but her story ends [music] in tragedy. In 1989, at just 31 years old, Quennison died in a car accident in France. She left behind a small but memorable body of work and the lingering question of what might have been. Six.

Cassandra Gar. Cassandra Garver played the witch, a malevolent sorceress who takes wicked pleasure in tormenting her victims. Her memorable scene with Schwarzenegger remains one of the film’s most discussed moments among fans, though perhaps for reasons we shouldn’t detail here. GA started her career on television with General Hospital before landing a 12 episode role in the first two seasons [music] of Trapper John MD.

Beyond Conan, she appeared as a lesser in High Road to China and was even featured on the cover of Jefferson Starship’s album Spitfire. How cool is that? Throughout the late 1980s, Gava appeared in numerous B movies, building a steady career in genre films. But here’s the exciting part. Gava remains active in the industry today.

 She appeared in the 2022 film Chariot alongside John Malkovich. She’s also expanded her career behind the camera, working as a producer and casting assistant. Talk about staying power. Seven. Ben Davidson. Ben Davidson made a lasting impression as Rexor, Thulsum’s brutal right-hand man [music] and one of the most physically imposing villains in Conan the Barbarian.

 His sheer size alone was intimidating. But what truly set Davidson apart was the emotional intensity he brought to the role. Rexaw [snorts] wasn’t just muscle. He felt dangerous, loyal, and deeply devoted, giving the character a presence that often rivaled even Schwarzenegger’s oncreen. Before ever stepping onto a movie set, Davidson had already built a legendary reputation in professional football.

 He starred [snorts] at the University of Washington and played in the Roseb before being drafted in 1961. As a defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, he became known for his aggressive style of play and larger than-l life personality. He earned three AFL All-Star selections and [music] was feared across the league, not just for his size, 6’8 in and 275 lb, but for his intensity and willingness to dominate every snap.

 That same intensity translated naturally to acting. Davidson made his film debut in Robert Alman’s Mass, playing a football player in a role that subtly poked fun at his real life persona. From there, he branched out into a surprising range of projects, appearing in films like Behind the Green Door and later Necessary Roughness.

 He also [music] worked steadily in television and supporting roles, proving that he wasn’t just a novelty casting choice, but a performer who could hold his own beyond sports related parts. [snorts] Offscreen, Davidson was known as a complex figure, tough, outspoken, and fiercely independent, much like the characters he often portrayed.

 He [snorts] eventually stepped away from acting and football fame, living a quieter life in his later years. Ben Davidson died in 2012 at the age of 72 after a battle with prostate cancer. His passing marked the loss of a rare figure who successfully crossed from professional sports into cult classic cinema, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with both football fans and [snorts] Conan devotees alike.

Eight. Sandal Bergman. As Valyria, Sandal Bergman created one of cinema’s first truly badass female warriors. She wasn’t just Conan’s love interest or sidekick. Valyria was his equal. A fierce fighter whose skill with a sword matched her unwavering loyalty. What made Valyria revolutionary for 1982 was how she was written and portrayed.

This wasn’t a damsel in distress [music] or a woman who needed rescuing. Valyria [snorts] saved Conan multiple times. She fought alongside him as a partner, not a subordinate. When she delivers her famous speech about warmth and companionship, “All my life, I’ve been alone. Many times I’ve faced my death with no one to know.

 It’s one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the film.” Bergman brought genuine vulnerability to a character who could slice through enemies with deadly precision. The scene where Valyria returns as a spirit to save Conan one final time became iconic. Her love transcended death itself, and Bergman made that feel earned and real rather than cheesy or melodramatic.

 It’s no wonder she won awards for this performance. She created a template for strong female characters that filmmakers still reference today. Bergman’s journey to this role is fascinating. Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1951, she stood 6 ft tall, though she always insisted she was 5’12 because, as she put it, no girl should have to be 6 ft.

That personality right there tells you everything about her charm. After Conan, Bergman appeared in about 50 films and TV shows, including Red Sonia, She and TV series like Murder, She Wrote, and Designing Women. [snorts] She also became a fitness video instructor during the workout video craze of the 80s, appearing in FIRM exercise videos.

 Her last project was as a dancer in Guys and Dolls at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009. Today, at 73, Bergman lives a quiet life in Los Angeles, having retired from acting to focus on family. She occasionally appears at sci-fi conventions where fans still celebrate her groundbreaking role as Valyria. Nine, Jerry Lopez.

 Here’s one of the coolest casting stories in the movie. Jerry Lopez played Subet Thai, the wy hercanian archer and thief who becomes Conan’s loyal companion. But Lopez wasn’t an actor at all. He was a legendary surfer. Born in Hawaii in 1948, Lopez became known as Mr. Pipeline for his mastery of the Banzai Pipeline, one of the world’s most dangerous surf breaks.

 He won the pipeline masters competition in 1972 and 1973. The man was basically a god in the surfing world known for his smooth style and zen-like [music] approach to riding waves. So, how did a surfer end up in a sword and sorcery epic? Through his friendship with director John Millius, who was also an avid surfer. They had worked together on the surf film Big Wednesday in 1978.

When Milius was writing Conan, he actually asked Lopez to suggest a good strong name for a character. Lopez came up with Thorgrim, which ended up going to another character. But Millius liked Lopez so much that he wrote the role of Subetai specifically for him. Lopez [snorts] told interviewers that he protested, saying, “I can’t act.

” But Millius assured him, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” And he was right. Lopez’s natural charisma and authentic [music] presence brought Subet Thai to life. After Conan, a talent agent, offered to represent Lopez and get him more roles. But there was one condition. He would have to move to Hollywood. Lopez’s response, I think I’d rather stay in Maui.

 And just like that, he chose surfing over stardom. Today, at 76, Lopez lives in Bend, Oregon, where he continues to shape surfboards and has taken up snowboarding with the same enthusiasm he [music] brought to surfing. 10. Mako Iwamatsu. Mako played the wizard Akiro, the narrator [snorts] who opens the film with those unforgettable words.

 Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis and the rise of the sons of Arias, there was an age undreamed of. His voice set the mystical epic tone for everything that followed. Born Makoto Iwamatsu in Kobe, Japan in 1933, Marco’s journey to Hollywood was shaped by history. His parents were political dissident who moved to the United States in 1939, leaving young Mako with his grandmother.

After World War II in 1949, he joined them [music] in America at age 15. Mako’s first film role in Never So Few led to an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for his role in The Sand Pebbles. That’s right, an Oscar nomination for his first major role. He appeared on Broadway in the leading role in Steven Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures, which earned him a Tony nomination.

But [snorts] Mako was more than just an actor. In 1965, frustrated by the limited roles available to Asian-American actors, he co-founded the East West Players Theater Company. This organization became one of the earliest and most important Asian-American theater groups, providing opportunities for actors and nurturing playwrights.

 Mako served as artistic director until 1989. Later in his career, Mako became renowned for voice acting. Younger audiences know him as the voice of Aku in Samurai Jack and Uncle Iro in the first two seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender. In [snorts] fact, when director Gendi Tatakovski created Aku, he had Marco specifically in mind, making it the only character he created for a specific performer.

 Marco died on July 21st, 2006 at age 72 from esophageal cancer. One day before his death, he had been confirmed to voice splinter in the film TMNT and he had completed all his recordings. The film was dedicated to his memory. Avatar, the last Airbender, dedicated the Tale of Iro episode to him, [music] and a main character in the sequel series, The Legend of Kora, was named Mako in his honor.

11. William Smith. William Smith had maybe 77 seconds of dialogue [music] as Conan’s father. But what an impact those 77 seconds made. His opening monologue about the riddle of steel. No one. No one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts. This you can trust. Set up the entire philosophical foundation of the film.

 Smith actually wrote his own lines for that scene, crafting one of cinema’s most memorable father-son moments. And here’s a fun behind-the-scenes story. Smith beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in an arm wrestling contest. According to Smith, as Arnold walked out his door after losing, he turned and said in German, “I will be a movie star.” And he was right.

 Born in 1933 on [snorts] his family’s cattle ranch in Colombia, Missouri, Smith grew up [music] surrounded by horses. The family moved to Southern California before he was 10. But that ranch upbringing influenced the types of roles [music] he’d take throughout his 7 decade career. Smith began acting as an 8-year-old extra in The Ghost of Frankenstein.

But before becoming a full-time actor, he enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War, flying secret missions. He also earned a master’s degree from UCLA. The guy was brilliant, tough, and talented. With his chiseled features and muscular build, Smith became Hollywood’s go-to tough guy.

 He accumulated nearly 300 credits across film and television. Smith died on July 5th, 2021 at the motion picture and television country house and hospital in Los Angeles at age 88. He was survived by his wife of 31 years Joanne Seveli Smith, son William E. Smith III, and daughter Sher Anne Seveli.

 His final film appearance was in Steve Carell’s 2020 comedy Irresistible. 12. Sven Ola Thorson. Finally, we come to Sven Ola Thorson, who played Thorgrim, the hammer wielding warrior and one of Thulsadum’s most fearsome bodyguards. And here’s a fun piece of trivia. Thorson has been killed by Arnold Schwarzenegger on screen more times than any other actor in history.

Born in Denmark in September 1944, Thorson is an imposing 6’5 in. During Conan, he weighed a massive 304 lbs of pure muscle. He was a champion bodybuilder, champion powerlifter, and holds a black belt in Shotokan karate. The man is basically a real life action hero. Thorson’s path to Hollywood started with his friendship with Arnold.

They met through bodybuilding circles. And when Arnold went to Spain [music] to film Conan, he brought Thorson and other bodybuilder friends along. When director John Millius saw Thorson, he was blown away by his size and Viking appearance. Here’s how Thorson got his character’s name.

 Millius asked him for a good, strong name for a character. Thorson suggested Thorgrim and 6 months later, Millius called him back to play the role. >> [snorts] >> Thorson brought 10 of his biggest bodybuilder friends from Denmark to Spain. The crew called them the animals, and they ended up doing most of the film’s stunts.

 The hammer Thor Grim wielded weighed 55 lb. Thorson practiced with it for hours every day. In one scene where he fights Arnold on horseback, the weight [music] and momentum of swinging the hammer actually pulled him out of the saddle multiple times before they got the shot. Even at 320 lb, he couldn’t counterbalance that massive prop.

 After Conan, Thorson moved to the United States [music] in 1985 and became Arnold’s most frequent collaborator. He’s been credited in 15 Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, 12 as an actor, and three as a stuntman or trainer. The list includes Predator, The Running Man, Twins, Red Heat, and End of Days. Beyond Arnold’s films, Thorson built an impressive career.

 He appeared in classics like Lethal Weapon, The Hunt for Red October, and Gladiator where he played Tigris [music] of Gaul. He beat out Lou Ferringo for that role and won two T Aurus World Stunt Awards for his performance. Today, Thorson lives in Spain with his wife, Bagita Sununding. He founded the Danish Bodybuilding Federation in 1979 and co-founded Cigar Night at Shatzi in Santa Monica with Arnold.

 Even now, he makes occasional appearances at conventions and film events, delighting fans with stories from his action-packed career. The movie Conan the Barbarian turned 43 years old this year, but it hasn’t aged a day in the hearts of fans. New viewers discover it constantly, drawn by its reputation and staying for its raw, powerful storytelling.