Happy Birthday BILL PAXTON!
Today would have been late Marvel Cinematic Universe actor Bill Paxton’s birthday, and we’re celebrating by looking back at his explosive role in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season one, all of which you can stream right now on Netflix!
Photo: Reddit
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season One
Paxton played the role of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent John Garrett in the first season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which ran for seven seasons on ABC, from 2013 through 2020. The character of Garrett first appeared in the fourteenth episode of the first season, “T.A.H.I.T.I.,” which aired on March 4th, 2014.
Photo: Entertainment Weekly
Garrett appeared in six episodes total over the course of the first season, playing an integral role in “Turn, Turn, Turn,” a season-defining episode that picked up where the events of 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier left off.
Photo: ABC
While the character of Garrett did not return after the first season (see his final appearance in the season finale, “Beginning of the End,” for a clue as to why), he was an extremely memorable villain who set the stage for the best baddies in the MCU: those that seem completely convinced that nothing could be as good as being bad!
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. honored Paxton’s memory with an “in memory” card in the credits of season four episode sixteen, “What If…”
Paxton’s memory was also honored with a dedication in the Guidebook to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season Four.
Paxton’s Legacy
While Paxton may have played the memorable role of Agent Garrett, he had a long and impressive career before he set foot in the Marvel universe. He appeared in the legendary 1986 movie Aliens as Private Hudson, a role that gave him one of the most memorable lines of dialogue in the whole franchise: “Game over, man! Game over!”
JENETTE GOLDSTEIN & BILL PAXTON ALIENS (1986)
He worked with Aliens director James Cameron again in 1997, when he appeared in the modern day segments of Titanic.
Photo: 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
This is only a small snippet of his big screen acting resume, which also includes roles in 1995’s Apollo 13 and 1996’s Twister. And that’s not even getting into his other TV appearances, which include guest starring roles on shows like the late 1990s-era sitcom Frasier as well as starring roles on shows like the 2000s-era HBO drama Big Love.
Which Paxton Will You Watch to Celebrate?
Which movie or show episode starring Paxton will you be watching to celebrate his birthday today, Marvel Blog True Believers?
I don’t think you’ll be surprised to know I’m choosing Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: “Turn, Turn, Turn.” In my opinion, you just can’t beat that cold open set to Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”
