Runaway Train (1985): Cast Then and Now
Released in 1985, the action thriller Runaway Train featured a stellar ensemble cast that included award-winning actors Jon Voight and Eric Roberts. Directed by Russian filmmaker Andrei Konchalovsky, the film follows two escaped convicts and a female railroad worker who get stuck aboard a runaway train barreling through the Alaskan wilderness.
The mid-80s actioner earned critical praise for its gritty protagonist portrayals and existential themes. Both Voight and Roberts received Academy Award nominations for their performances.
Oscar Buzz in 1985
The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its suspenseful plot, intense action sequences, and performances from the cast. Runaway Train was also a commercial success, grossing over $60 million at the box office.
The film received eight Academy Award nominations in 1986, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Voight), and Best Supporting Actor (for Roberts). However, it did not win any awards.
The Oscar buzz surrounding Runaway Train was significant in 1985. The film was seen as a dark horse contender for Best Picture, and Voight and Roberts were considered to be frontrunners for the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards, respectively. However, the film ultimately lost out to Out of Africa, which won seven awards, including Best Picture.
There are a few reasons why Runaway Train did not win any Oscars. First, it was released in the same year as Out of Africa, which was a more critically acclaimed and popular film. Second, Runaway Train was a relatively low-budget film, while Out of Africa was a big-budget epic. Finally, the Academy voters may have been hesitant to award an Oscar to a film about two escaped convicts, even though the film was well-made and suspenseful.
Despite not winning any Oscars, Runaway Train remains a well-regarded film. It is considered to be a classic of the action thriller genre, and it has been praised for its realistic depiction of train travel and its suspenseful plot.
Now, over 35 years after its release, let's take a look back at the main players in Runaway Train and see where they are now.
Jon Voight as Manny
Playing the lead role of Manny, a dangerous convict seeking redemption, is Jon Voight. Voight brought a volatile, animalistic energy to the character that earned him his fourth Oscar nomination.
Prior to Runaway Train, Voight had delivered critically acclaimed performances in classic films like Midnight Cowboy (1969) and Coming Home (1978), the latter earning him his first Oscar. His career has remained robust in the decades since, with roles in major films like Mission: Impossible (1996), Ali (2001), and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).
"I studied the lives of prisoners—particularly lifers—very closely for this role. I wanted to bring out Manny's animal instincts—his extreme loneliness—as well as his overt sexuality."
Now 85 years old, Voight continues to act, most recently appearing in the Ray Donovan TV series. The legendary actor has certainly left his mark across half a century of cinema.
Eric Roberts as Buck
Fugitive Manny’s loyal fellow convict Buck is played by Eric Roberts, whose raw, intense performance earned him his first Oscar nomination. Prior to Runaway Train, Roberts had delivered an electrifying turn in King of the Gypsies (1978) and appeared in Star 80 (1983).
"Buck is a 27-year-old who has been in jail half his life. So I had to ask myself, how would that affect a man's abilities to think and reason?"
In the 90s and beyond, Roberts amassed over 600 acting credits across film and television, carving a prolific career as a character actor in projects like The Dark Knight (2008) and the series Suits (2011–2019).
Now 67 years old, Roberts’ incredible work ethic shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to take on numerous film and TV roles each year.
Rebecca De Mornay as Sara
Rebecca De Mornay tackles the role of Sara, the railroad worker who gets trapped on the runaway locomotive. Riding high off her star-making performance in 1983’s Risky Business, De Mornay displayed her versatility in Runaway Train and continued on to a successful decade in films like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992).
In the 2000s, De Mornay switched gears and took on many roles in TV movies and series. Now 64 years old, some of her recent credits include the series Hawaii Five-0 (2015–2020) and Power Book III: Raising Kanan (2021).
John P. Ryan as Ranken
In the role of Ranken, the dedicated but obsessive security officer trying to stop the runaway train, is character actor John P. Ryan. Ryan delivered an intense performance as a man pushed to his limits.
The late actor accrued over 100 acting credits from the 60s through the early 2000s in films like Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) and It's Alive (1974). Ryan passed away in 2007 at the age of 70.
"I tried to portray the cold not just as weather, but as a constant condition, an actual character in the film."
T.K. Carter as Dave Prince
Manny’s loyal fellow inmate Dave is played by T.K. Carter, who delivers some welcome comic relief amidst the action. Carter portrayed the principled convict with humor and heart.
Prior to Runaway Train, Carter had recurring TV roles on The White Shadow (1978-1981) and Good Times (1974-1979). He went on to long-running stints on shows like The A-Team (1983-1987) and Punky Brewster (1984-1986).
Now 67 years old, Carter has continued working in television on series like My Wife and Kids (2001-2005) all the way up to more recent fare like S.W.A.T. (2017-present).
Kenneth McMillan as Eddie MacDonald
In the sinister role of the warden Eddie MacDonald is character actor Kenneth McMillan. With snake-like vocals and a dominating presence, McMillan creates an imposing barrier to Manny’s freedom.
McMillan delivered memorable turns in Ragtime (1981), Lawman (1971) and on series like Seinfeld and Falcon Crest before his death from liver disease in 1989 at the age of 56.
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Edward Bunker as Jonah
Edward Bunker brings a quiet wisdom to the role of fellow convict Jonah, who acts as a sage mentor to Manny. In real life, Bunker could relate - he served long prison sentences before becoming an author.
Bunker penned the novel No Beast So Fierce (1973) which Runaway Train is based on.
He also co-wrote the screenplay. Known as “Little Eddie” from his early criminal career, Bunker pursued acting and writing after his release, delivering memorable turns in The Longest Yard (1974) and Reservoir Dogs (1992) before passing in 2005 at 71.
Danny Trejo as Boxer
Prolific character actor Danny Trejo brings his tough-as-nails presence to the role of Boxer, the cold-blooded hitman sent to kill Manny and Buck.
Trejo went on to become an icon in action fare like Heat, Desperado, Grindhouse, and the Spy Kids franchise. The distinctive, tattooed actor continues working steadily today at 79 years old.
A Visceral Thrill Ride
André Konchalovsky’s Runaway Train captures a gritty, visceral intensity through high-stakes drama, existential themes, and an exceptional ensemble cast. Both leads Voight and Roberts deliver career-defining work. From cold-blooded killers to principled convicts, the characters abound with texture and depth.
While time passes, the film remains a one-of-a-kind thrill ride fueled by raw performances. Runaway Train marked a career high point for its cast and serves as a time capsule capturing their commanding talents.
Over 35 years later, the careers of Voight, Roberts, De Mornay, Carter and Trejo continue going strong. Meanwhile, the memorable contributions of Ryan, McMillan and Bunker remain indelible parts of film history. Revisiting Runaway Train is a chance to experience these iconic actors in their prime.
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