Overview (4)

Born December 18, 1968 in Milton, Florida, USA Birth Name Casper Robert Van Dien Jr. Nicknames Van

Cap

Tarzan

Casper

Robb Height 5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Bio (1)

Casper Van Dien's breakthrough role was as the lead in Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi film Starship Troopers (1997). Still one of the most talked about films of 1997 that has one of the largest cult followings in film history. He was also in Tim Burton's critically acclaimed film Sleepy Hollow (1999), as Brom Bones. He was the 20th Tarzan and the only one to ever film in Africa and ride an African elephant in the Warner Bros. film Tarzan and the Lost City (1998).



Other film credits include The Pact (2012), which was well received at Sundance. Casper played a down and out alcoholic detective opposite Caity Lotz. A Post Apocalyptic survivor in Beyond The Wave (2015) shot entirely in China. Starring opposite Sean Maher as part of a two man crew on a mission to the end of the universe in the much anticipated independent film ISRA 88 (2016) .



Television credits include "MONK" (2008) Playing a Navy Doctor for the season finale, and "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1994).



Casper has tackled the web recently playing Johnny Cage in the insanely popular Machinima web-series "Mortal Kombat Legacy" seasons 2 and 3. He won best actor for his comedic chops in the series. He stars as "Hawk Guy" in the upcoming Avengers spoof "Interns of F.I.E.L.D." produced by Screen Junkies. You can also check him out as the hunky bartender in the popular series "CONMAN" starring Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion. He played the perfect version of himself in the comedy series "Crunchtime".



His most recent victory has been behind the camera as a Director. He has directed three films in which he also starred in. His second film Patient Killer won best film and best director awards and was bought and aired on Lifetime.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Manager

Spouse (3)

Trivia (25)



He has encountered a number of coincidences with his name during his life: when he was young, his family lived on Van Dien Avenue; he played James Dean (the name Dean is a derivative of Van Dien), Starship Troopers (1997), which he starred in, was filmed in Casper, Wyoming; and the character he played in Sleepy Hollow (1999) was named Van Brunt and, apparently, the Van Brunts are distant relatives of the Van Diens.



Dislocated his finger during a fight scene in Sleepy Hollow (1999).



Chipped two teeth in Starship Troopers (1997) when he was on the back of a "tanker" bug.

Given title "Sexiest Soap Star" from People Magazine. [November 2000]



Casper grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, coincidentally on Van Dien Ave. The street itself is named for a relative.





Daughter, Grace Van Dien , born Oct 15th 1996



Step-daughter, India Oxenberg , born June 7th 1991.



His son Cappy Van Dien is named Casper. Every first born son of the family is named Casper. His son is the 7th.

He is the 20th Tarzan.



His mother is an Interfaith Minister, nurse, teacher, sailing instructor, and has been married to Casper's father for over 40 years. She married both of Casper's sisters to their husbands.





He has 3 sisters. Sudi Van Dien is 2 years older and Kristin is 2 years younger. Debbie is his half sister who is 14 years older.



Grew up living on the same block as actor Robert Sean Leonard . They raced each other in go-carts down Bobby's (Robert's) street.

He was a published poet at 17 years old.



He played the trumpet for 7 years. (played the bugle for taps and reveille during boot camp for Starship Troopers)



One grandfather, Casper Anson Van Dien, served in the Marine Corps in WWI. The other Grandfather, William Burnel Morrow, served in the Navy in WWII. His father (Casper Robert Van Dien, Sr.) served in the Navy as a Pilot.



Graduated from "Admiral Farragut Academy" as Operations Officer (3rd in command) in 1988.





Was an extra in a couple of episodes of California High School (1989).



Filmed some scenes as Patrick Bateman in Die Regeln des Spiels (2002) that were cut from the final film.



Was considered for the role of Corporal Upham in Der Soldat James Ryan (1998).

His ancestry includes Dutch, English, Swiss-German, Swiss-French, Irish, Scottish, Swedish, Finnish, and remote French, Polish, and Danish.





He and fellow Starship Troopers (1997) star Dina Meyer appeared in different episodes of Monk (2002), though not in the same episode together.

Personal Quotes (5)

I bounce off four walls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because I only sleep those four hours a day.



We make a lot of mistakes for women, and we'll always do it again.





[on filming Sleepy Hollow] What a thrill that was, to have worked on that set, and to have gotten to work with Johnny Depp and... The thing is that, at the time, I had quit smoking and I had quit drinking, and Johnny Depp was there, we were hanging around the set and he was rolling a cigarette and he was like, "Do you want one?" And I'm like, "Nah, man, I don't smoke." To this day I regret not taking the cigarette from Johnny Depp, because, man, I could've smoked a cigarette with Johnny Depp. One of the coolest guys I ever got to work with. He was always prepared, always on time, and just a joy to work with. Same with Tim Burton . One of the friendliest sets I'd ever been on. Everybody was just so thrilled to be there, but then you're working with Tim Burton who is a top-notch director, and Johnny Depp, top-notch actor, and everybody is just bringing their A game. So it was a thrill. And they were all just so polite.



[on California High School (1989)] Well, what's interesting is that I had been walking on the lot when I first came out here, and one day I walked on the Warner Brothers lot - this is before I got this, and I was just going on audition. And I was walking by and I went, holy ****! There was this beautiful girl with two colored eyes, and I go, "You have the most amazing eyes!" And she goes, "Thank you so much!" And we talked for a little bit, and it was Elizabeth Berkley . And then I go and I get on as an extra on that show later - I'd never seen Saved By The Bell. So I still didn't know who she was, and I get on, and she's like, "Wait! You're that guy!" And I go, "You're in this?" And she's like, "Yeah." And I go, "I swear to God I'm not stalking you." [laughs] So that was my Saved By The Bell one. "I swear to God I'm not stalking you. It's just a coincidence. My managers-" She goes, "Yeah, yeah. Right." And I'm like, "Oh my God..." But I was so impressed. She is beautiful and so sweet. What a sweet girl.

[on filming Tarzan and the Lost City in South Africa] I watched 'Zulu' with Zulus.



Salary (5)