Robert Patrick is known as a memorable presence in action films, especially during the 1980s and 1990s, a period dominated by stars like Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. All three of these leading actors have notably killed Patrick’s characters on screen. Willis eliminated him in Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Stallone in Cop Land. Beyond these major films, Patrick also clashed with Stallone in the lesser-known thriller D-Tox. This continued rivalry seems set to extend further, with Patrick joining the cast of Tulsa King season 3.
The Journey of Robert Patrick to Villainous Fame
Born on November 5, 1958, in Marietta, Georgia, Robert Patrick moved frequently across the United States during his youth. While excelling as one of his university’s top athletes, he ultimately chose to leave sports behind and pursue acting in Hollywood at 26. Patrick’s initial film role was a small part in Die Hard 2: Die Harder, where his character met a violent end at the hands of Bruce Willis’s John McClane. However, his breakthrough came with Terminator 2: Judgment Day, where he played the relentless T-1000.
In that role, Patrick combined athleticism with intense menace, portraying the shape-shifting antagonist with a piercing gaze and unmatched agility that exceeded Schwarzenegger’s T-800 model. This role remains his most iconic portrayal of a villain, elevating his status in the action genre. Since then, he has continued to take on numerous villainous roles, cementing his reputation as one of Hollywood’s definitive antagonists.
Exploring the On-Screen Rivalry Between Robert Patrick and Sylvester Stallone
Robert Patrick’s upcoming role in Tulsa King season 3 re-ignites his long-standing on-screen conflict with Sylvester Stallone. Their first major encounter was in Cop Land, where Patrick played Jack Rucker, the ruthless lieutenant to villain Ray Donlan, portrayed by Harvey Keitel. The story centers on Freddy Heflin, a small-town sheriff played by Stallone, who uncovers corruption among supposedly law-abiding New York City cops living in Garrison, New Jersey.
Throughout Cop Land, Patrick’s character consistently taunts and undermines Stallone’s sheriff, leading to a climactic confrontation where Freddy ultimately reveals his strength and cleans house by taking down Rucker and his corrupt allies. Patrick’s performance was subtle yet brash, providing a compelling foil to Stallone’s determined hero.
Stallone and Patrick squared off once again in D-Tox, a low-budget horror thriller that came during a turbulent time in Stallone’s career. Following a significant pay cut for Cop Land, Stallone took on D-Tox, which did not attract much attention. In it, Stallone’s character, Jake Malloy, checks into a clinic designed to help law enforcement officers struggling with their duties. Patrick’s character was not the primary villain but represented an adversarial force within the story, clashing frequently with Stallone’s Detective Malloy.
The Role of Robert Patrick in Tulsa King Season 3: Ally or Adversary?
In the series Tulsa King, Sylvester Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a character who confronts various enemies while trying to assert control over Tulsa’s criminal underworld. At the end of season 2, Dwight is unexpectedly taken by mysterious agents who inform him that he now works for them, leaving viewers uncertain about his future role as a possible informant. The full implications of this plot thread are yet to be revealed.
Robert Patrick will appear in season 3 as Jeremiah Dunmire, described as a powerful liquor magnate rather than a direct villain or part of the group that kidnapped Dwight. While his character’s exact motivations remain unclear, it is likely he will present challenges to Stallone’s Manfredi, suggesting more intense confrontations are in store.
Following the announcement of his casting, Patrick publicly addressed Stallone on social media, posting,
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
This message included a video clip of the famous scene from Cop Land where Stallone’s character kills Patrick’s, highlighting the renewed tension between the two actors onscreen.
Ongoing Production and What’s Next for Tulsa King
Tulsa King season 3 is currently in production and is scheduled for release on Paramount+ in the fall of 2025. The series continues to be led by showrunner Taylor Sheridan, with Stallone also contributing to the writing process, adding his influence to the story’s direction.
Joining Patrick and Stallone is Beau Knapp, known for his role in SEAL Team, who will portray Cole, the son of Patrick’s character Jeremiah Dunmire. This fresh casting suggests new family dynamics and conflicts will expand the narrative in the upcoming season.
With Robert Patrick’s inclusion, the series promises to deepen the stakes for Stallone’s character as their onscreen rivalry enters a new chapter, drawing on decades of shared cinematic history and intense confrontations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Sylvester Stallone in the military?
A. Sylvester Stallone has never been in the military. In 1969, when he was a student, he was eligible for the draft. However, he was exempted because of reported partial paralysis in his face.
