Summary
- The cast of Patriot Games features a mix of massive stars, understated performers, and up-and-coming talents, delivering an action-packed platform for its ensemble.
- Harrison Ford's performance as Jack Ryan in Patriot Games was well-received and helped anchor the exhilarating story, despite skepticism about his age.
- The cast also includes notable actors such as Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin, Sean Bean, Thora Birch, and James Earl Jones, who all contribute to the film's success.
The cast of Patriot Games is an impressive roster of massive stars, as well as a fair mix of understated performers and up-and-coming talents. Premiering in 1992, the film is the second in the Jack Ryan series based on the novels by bestselling author Tom Clancy. In the film, Harrison Ford plays former CIA Agent Jack Ryan as he is targeted by a rogue faction of IRA terrorists after he previously foiled one of their plots. Like its predecessor, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games took Clancy's brilliant prose and brought it to the big screen with the appropriate amount of '90s action gusto.
While the film was moderately well-received by critics (via Harrison Ford replaced Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan, there was skepticism that the much older actor was right for the part, but like the rest of the cast of Patriot Games, Ford delivered an excellent performance that anchored the exhilarating story.
Harrison Ford As Jack Ryan
Assuming the lead role of Jack Ryan for Patriot Games, Ford plays the ex-CIA Agent with a world-weary attitude and a strong dedication to his family. Harrison Ford is an iconic star dating as far back as the 1960s and is most ed for his roguish roles such as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy, and the titular archeologist in the Indiana Jones franchise. Ford reprised his Jack Ryan role the 1994 sequel Clear and Present Danger, and he left a major mark on Hollywood in big hits like The Fugitive where he played Dr. Richard Kimble, and Air Force One where he played President James Marshall.
Anne Archer As Cathy Ryan
Taking over the role in the cast of Patriot Games, Anne Archer plays Dr. Cathy Ryan, Jack's devoted wife who is put in harm's way by the IRA terrorists. Archer is perhaps best known for her Oscar-nominated role as Beth Gallagher in the 1980s thriller Fatal Attraction, and she also appeared in the massive ensemble cast of Robert Altman's Short Cuts as Claire Kane. Archer reprised her role as Cathy Ryan in Clear and Present Danger and also appeared in the Wesley Snipes-led action hit The Art of War as Eleanor Hooks. In 2022, Archer appeared as Charlotte Shultz in the biopic miniseries The Dropout.
Patrick Bergin As Kevin O'Donnell
Serving as the villainous heart of the movie, Patrick Bergin plays Kevin O'Donnell the violent leader of the ULA who carries out vicious attacks on Ryan and his family in Patriot Games. While Patriot Games is one of Bergin's more recognizable roles, he also starred alongside Julia Roberts as Martin in the unforgettable chiller Sleeping with the Enemy. A frequent actor in genre movies and TV shows, Bergin played Sir Peter in the fantasy film Ella Enchanted, and Morgan Edge on Smallville. Bergin's other notable credits include David Hanover in Love Crimes and Sir Robert Hode in the 1991 Robin Hood film.
Sean Bean As Sean Miller
Adding his young star power to the cast of Patriot Games, Sean Bean plays IRA terrorist Sean Miller who holds a grudge against Jack Ryan for his brother's death. The iconic English actor rocketed to stardom with roles like Alec Trevelyan in Goldeneye, and Bean is known for always dying onscreen. Sean Bean notably played the role of Boromir in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and he continued his success in fantasy projects when he played Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. Bean starred as Mark Cobden in the BAFTA-winning series Time, and he also played Joseph Wilford in the Snowpiercer TV series.
Thora Birch As Sally Ryan
Though she was merely a young child at the time, future star Thora Birch plays Jack Ryan's daughter Sally Ryan in the cast of Patriot Games. Not long after Patriot Games, Birch would become a bona fide child star when she appeared as Dani in the family-friendly Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, and she even returned as Sally Ryan in Clear and Present Danger. Birch is also well-known for her starring role as the sarcastic teen Enid in Ghost World, and she was nominated for a BAFTA for her turn as Jane in American Beauty. For two seasons, Birch appeared as Gamma on the iconic zombie series The Walking Dead.
James Fox As Lord Holmes
James Fox plays Royal Family member Lord Holmes who is the target of the terrorist plot and is heir to the British throne. Fox is a veteran of the large and small screen in the UK, and he is best known for roles like Mr. Salt in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Harry in Sexy Beast. Among TV roles like Lord Aysgarth in Downton Abbey, Fox has played major film parts such as Sir Thomas Rotheram in 2009's Sherlock Holmes, and Richard Fielding in A age to India.
Samuel L. Jackson As Robby
Shortly before he would become a household name, Samuel L. Jackson appeared in the cast of Patriot Games as Robby, a former fighter pilot and Jack Ryan's close friend. Jackson is best ed for his Oscar-nominated role as Jules in the cast of Pulp Fiction, and he also left his mark in other high-profile roles such as Major Warren in Hateful 8 and Neville in Snakes on a Plane. No stranger to massive franchise movies Jackson played Jedi Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequels, and currently plays the role of Nick Fury in various Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and TV shows.
Polly Walker As Annette
Polly Walker appears in Patriot Games as Annette, a member of the terrorist cell and close ally to Sean Miller's cause. Walker is well-known for her turn as Atia in the epic historical series Rome, and she also appeared as Jane Fairfax in the modern period piece movie Emma alongside Gwyneth Paltrow. Walker landed roles in major Hollywood movies like 2010's Clash of the Titans where she played Cassiopeia, and she was notably cast as Lady Portia Featherington in the Netflix smash hit Bridgerton.
J.E. Freeman As Marty Cantor
ing the cast of Patriot Games, J.E. Freeman plays iral Greer's former assistant Marty Cantor who was replaced by Jack Ryan. While his turn in Patriot Games is one of Freeman's biggest roles, he also notably appeared as Dr. Wren in the fourth film in the Alien series, Alien: Resurrection, and he worked with the Coen Brothers when he played Eddie in Miller's Crossing. Freeman played the small role of Santos in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, and appeared on the series Nip/Tuck as Denny Boone.
James Earl Jones As iral Greer
James Earl Jones was one of the many noted names to appear in Patriot Games, and he stars as Jack Ryan's superior officer iral James Greer a role he previously played in The Hunt for Red October. While he will always be ed for lending his deep bass voice to the role of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films, Jones actually scored an Oscar nomination for his turn as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope. Jones famously voiced the role of Mufasa in the Disney Renaissance classic The Lion King, and played Terence Mann in Field of Dreams.
Richard Harris As Paddy O'Neil
Veteran British actor Richard Harris appears in the cast of Patriot Games as Paddy O'Neil the representative for the IRA in the British Parliament. Though it came at the tail end of his career, Richard Harris is perhaps best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films, and he also played Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator. Early in his career, Harris scored an Oscar nomination for his turn as Frank in This Sporting Life, and he would also gain notoriety for playing King Arthur in Camelot and English Bob in the quintessential 1990s western Unforgiven.
Hugh Fraser As Watkins
Rounding out the cast of Patriot Games, Hugh Fraser appears as Watkins, the duplicitous liaison between the British Royal family and the Parliament. Fraser will always be ed for his lengthy stint as Captain Hastings in the British series Poirot, but he also appeared as Frederick in the 101 Dalmatians live-action film. Additionally, Fraser appeared as Dr. Stang in The Curse of the Pink Panther and as Sir Charles in 1988's Jack the Ripper.
