Vladimir Kulich

Vladimir Kulich was born in Czechoslovakia where he studied drama, attending the prestigious State Theatre of Czechoslovakia. He performed in small parts as a child and also had a bit in a feature film. He later moved to Quebec, Canada, with his mother when his parents divorced. He played hockey there for a time and it briefly seemed as if his prowess on the ice might overshadow an acting career. He later relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, and opened up his own whitewater rafting company outside of the city. Since many television and film production companies film in Vancouver, Kulich eventually gravitated back to acting work after producers from the show "21 Jump Street" spotted the physically powerful actor and cast him in a small part on their show. More work followed, including parts on "MacGyver," "Highlander," and "The X-Files." His imposing physical build was also put to great use in several episodes of the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" spin-off show "Angel," where he played The Beast. Probably his best known work, however, was playing the heroic Viking warrior Buliwyf in the dark fantasy action epic "The 13th Warrior," starring Antonio Banderas. He later co-starred in another gritty action epic, "Ironclad," playing the role of Tiberius. Kulich can also be seen as The Swede in the action film "Smokin' Aces."