Starred in The Running Man

On 13/11/1987, the dystopian action film The Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, was released in the United States. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser and loosely based on the 1982 novel by Stephen King, published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, the film depicted a near future society where a violent television game show pits convicted criminals against professional killers for public entertainment. Schwarzenegger portrayed Ben Richards, a former police helicopter pilot falsely accused of a massacre and forced to participate in the televised program “The Running Man.” Contestants were hunted by themed enforcers known as “stalkers,” while the show’s host, Damon Killian, played by Richard Dawson, manipulated events for ratings. The cast also included Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, and Jesse Ventura. The film combined action sequences with satire of media culture and authoritarian governance. The Running Man was released during Schwarzenegger’s rise as a leading action star following films such as Commando (1985) and Predator (1987). The movie grossed more than $38 million domestically and became known for its stylized action, televised arena setting, and futuristic production design. The 13/11/1987 release marked the film’s entry into U.S. theaters during the late 1987 holiday season.