He’s a celebrated actor with an impressive career on both the big and small screens, and Robert Patrick is also making waves off the set.
Good Celebrity sat down for a one-on-one interview with the Scorpion star to discuss his monumental career and about how he gives back to his community.
Robert Patrick: Paying it Forward
In the mid-2000s, Patrick starred on the CBS series The Unit, portraying Colonel Tom Ryan. Airing from 2006 to 2009, the show followed a top-secret military that was modeled off the U.S. Army’s special operations unit – Delta Force.
Breakfast yesterday with the Disabled Veteran Business Alliance! Honored to witness the oath taking by men and women of our Armed Forces! pic.twitter.com/wgnmTralzb
— robert patrick (@robertpatrickT2) November 13, 2016
The show gave Patrick an opportunity to get involved with the United Services Organization (USO) and travel to the Middle East.
“I was invited to go over to Iraq and the Middle East to support the men and women of the armed forces,” he said.
His work with the USO introduced him to the Boozefighter Motorcycle Club, which is an organization that supports veterans.
The BFMC was formed by veterans of World War II and in particular, founder “Wino” Willie Forkner. There’s even a Marlon Brando movie modeled after the club titled the “The Wild One,” which portrays the events of the Hollister Riot in 1947.
It was founded in LA, and now it’s all over the world, said Patrick. Many of the members are veterans, he added.
Patrick started his chapter of the club in LA, which is known as Boozefighters 101. (In case you’re wondering, his road name is Ripper!)
Throughout the year, his club raises money and spreads awareness for veterans and veterans issues.
“We raise money and give it away to those who need it,” Patrick said.
Boozefighters 101’s latest mission is the Toy Run benefiting Hillsides for the Children in Pasadena, CA.
Patrick first learned about the organization from his Priest. It’s an orphanage that the Diocese of LA has supported for many years, he said.
According to Hillsides website, “Hillsides is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Our vision is to create lasting change in the lives of all at-risk children and youth. We provide high-quality care, advocacy, and innovative services that promote safe, permanent environments where young people can thrive.”
The Toy Drive takes place on Saturday (December 17) and those who want to get involved are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or gift to the BFMC 101 Clubhouse between 10 am and 11:30 am.
Once gifts are collected, Patrick and his fellow motorcycle enthusiasts from the LA area will deliver the gifts and hold an exciting, loud, and roaring parade for the children of Hillsides.
Yep #SoCal #motorcycleenthusiasts it is almost here, your chance to give to the children @Hillsides Ride with @boozefightermc pic.twitter.com/V07BDd4ASq
— robert patrick (@robertpatrickT2) December 5, 2016
“The kids enjoy it because they hear the roaring down the street,” he said. “It’s a nice distraction for them.”
This year, Patrick teamed up with his pals and stars of Sons of Anarchy, Emilio Rivera and Michael Beach. Both stars will join the BFMC 101 motorcycle parade in Pasadena.
If you can’t make the Toy Drive, BFMC 101 urges the community to Adopt a Family for the Holidays. You can get involved through Hillsides.org.
Robert Patrick: Scorpion Star
Over the years, Patrick has portrayed a plethora of characters. From an unstoppable force in Terminator 2 to Johnny Cash’s dad in the Oscar-nominated film Walk the Line.
©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
One of his most recent roles, Agent Cabe Gallo on CBS’ Scorpion, is stealing the hearts of both adults and children.
Per IMDB, Scorpion follows “An eccentric genius forms an international network of super-geniuses to act as the last line of defense against the complicated threats of the modern world.”
Starring alongside Elyes Gabel, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong, Ari Stidham, and Riley B. Smith, Patrick’s show has seen success on the network for more than three years.
“It’s a family show that the whole family can sit down and enjoy,” Patrick said.
©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
When he first heard about the show, he knew it was going to be a hit. Patrick attributes the success to the great team, both behind the camera and in front of the camera.
“All of the actors I work with are incredibly talented,” he said. “Each one brings something different to the party… When we’re all together it’s kind of kooky.”
“It’s like a family and I think that really translates. There’s a chemistry that all of us have together that really works on the show. It’s fun.”
Terminator 2: Iconic Villain
Patrick had many roles leading up to his breakout job in 1991, but the parts just weren’t resonating on the powerhouse level of Terminator.
“I had quite a bit of work but it wasn’t hitting a broad audience,” he said. “It wasn’t on the same level. This was the first time to have an impact on a global scale.”
Patrick starred as T-1000 in Terminator 2. It was an iconic role, to say the least, and still resonates with audiences more than 20 years later.
“It was an amazing thing to live through,” Patrick said.
T-1000 is a shapeshifting robot assassin created by Skynet. This android model was more advanced than the T-800 model played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. As a result, he was literally unstoppable and couldn’t be killed. Overall, Patrick’s character was an ideal villain.
As mentioned, the character’s relevance lives on.
Patrick said that there’s a political analogy of T-1000 in his daughter’s college textbook.
“I knew when I was making it that it would have a huge impact,” he said. It was monumental and I sit back and go, ‘Man I did that.’ It’s hard to believe.”
What’s funny is when it comes to technology, Patrick isn’t an expert or super advanced like his former character.
“I’m barely above a Luddite,” he joked.
Bringing it back to Scorpion, he added, “That’s what works so well for my character on Scorpion. He’s surrounded by geniuses, but he has a hard time using the technology.”
You can catch Scorpion on CBS on Mondays at 10/9 pm Central.
Also, you can get involved with the Boozefighter’s Holiday initiative by visiting Hillsides.org.
Photo Credit: CBS