Michael Rooker

Michael Rooker

Birth : 1955-04-06, Jasper, Alabama, USA

History

Michael Rooker (born April 6, 1955) is an American actor known for his roles as Henry in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986), Chick Gandil in Eight Men Out (1988), Terry Cruger in Sea of Love (1989), Rowdy Burns in Days of Thunder (1990), Bill Broussard in JFK (1991), Hal Tucker in Cliffhanger (1993), Jared Svenning in Mallrats (1995), Detective Howard Cheney in The Bone Collector (1999), Grant Grant in Slither (2006), Merle Dixon in AMC's The Walking Dead (2010–2013) and Yondu Udonta in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), its sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), and the animated TV series What If...? (2021). Since 2006, he has been a frequent collaborator of filmmaker James Gunn.

Profile

Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker

Movies

The Out-Laws
Agent Oldham
A straight-laced bank manager is about to marry the love of his life. When his bank is held up by infamous Ghost Bandits during his wedding week, he believes his future in-laws who just arrived in town, are the infamous Out-Laws.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Yondu Udonta
Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Yondu
On a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill, the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present.
White Elephant
Gabriel Tancredi
An ex-marine enforcer must battle his conscience and code of honor when he is forced to do things for the mob.
Corrective Measures
Warden Devlin
Set in San Tiburon, the world's most dangerous maximum-security penitentiary and home to the world's most treacherous superpowered criminals, where tensions among the inmates and staff heighten, leading to anarchy that engulfs the prison and order is turned upside down.
What If...?
Yondu
A Marvel Hit TV Show Starring Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher
Vivo
Lutador (voice)
A music-loving kinkajou named Vivo embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and deliver a love song for an old friend.
The Suicide Squad
Brian Durlin / Savant
Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
Renegades: The Bad Boys of NASCAR
Self
A look at the history of renegade drivers in NASCAR and the outlaw spirit ingrained in the sport.
F9
Buddy
Dominic Toretto and his crew battle the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they've ever encountered: his forsaken brother.
Clerk
Self
A look at Kevin Smith's life and career from his childhood in New Jersey, to the day they cemented his footprints at the world famous TCL Chinese Theater, with a flock of famous folks testifying on Silent Bob's behalf!
Love and Monsters
Clyde
Seven years since the Monsterpocalypse began, Joel Dawson has been living underground in order to survive. But after reconnecting over radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee, Joel decides to venture out to reunite with her, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way.
The Golden Hour: Making of Days of Thunder
Self
An in-depth, two-part documentary by FOX Sports on the making of the 1990 film "Days of Thunder" a few months after its 30th anniversary. The behind-the-scenes retrospective interviews those involved with the film, NASCAR itself and others in the industry.
Fantasy Island
Damon
A group of contest winners arrive at an island hotel to live out their dreams, only to find themselves trapped in nightmare scenarios.
Brightburn
The Big T
What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?
Bolden
Pat McMurphy
A mythical account of the life of Buddy Bolden, the first Cornet King of New Orleans.
The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking
Merle Dixon / Lucille's Father (voice)
Seth Green and Matthew Senreich serve up hilarious Walking Dead-inspired satire in this special featuring the zany stop-motion animation of Adult Swim’s “Robot Chicken.”
Life After Flash
Self
"Life After Flash" looks at the roller coaster life of Sam J Jones since his role as Flash Gordon, his struggles and successes, and the aftermath of when he went up against one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Yondu Udonta
The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage.
The Belko Experiment
Bud Melks
A group of eighty American workers are locked in their office and ordered by an unknown voice to participate in a twisted game.
Guide to the Galaxy with James Gunn
Himself
The director and his 8-bit avatar lead you on a galactic adventure through the making of this epic movie, from vibrant concept art, elaborate makeup and amazing sets, to dancing baby Groot.
The Sparrows Are Flying Again! - The Making of the Dark Half
Himself
Documentary covering the making of The Dark Half.
Asylum of the Dead
Producer
For decades, Pennhurst psychiatric hospital has been haunted by turbulent supernatural forces. When a local TV show embarks on a mission to capture this paranormal activity, they discover something completely unexpected. As restless souls from their past torment the crew members, they fear for their lives as one by one they are gruesomely murdered. In a surprising revelation, they discover something more terrifying than ghosts is responsible.
Asylum of the Dead
For decades, Pennhurst psychiatric hospital has been haunted by turbulent supernatural forces. When a local TV show embarks on a mission to capture this paranormal activity, they discover something completely unexpected. As restless souls from their past torment the crew members, they fear for their lives as one by one they are gruesomely murdered. In a surprising revelation, they discover something more terrifying than ghosts is responsible.
The Driving Dead
Trooper
In a post apocalyptic Illinois, tough men survive against zombies utilizing an ingeniously put- together vehicle to move, explore, defend and fight. Prepared with rotating machine guns and a tank like structure, this thing is not for sissies. And don't forget to fasten your seat belt!
Guardians of the Galaxy
Yondu Udonta
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
Brother's Keeper
Chief Carver
Identical twins Andy and Pete Goodwynn have been side-by-side since the womb. But that’s about to change… As their high school graduation nears, Pete plans to marry Maggie, the love of his life, and head off to school to become a preacher. Andy, who wants nothing to do with God, has no plans, no direction, and seemingly no future. But in a cruel twist of fate—orchestrated by a rival for Maggie’s heart—their lives are forever altered. Can the brothers gain vengeance on those who have taken away from them all that matters?
Pennhurst
Dr. Death
A local television show embarks to capture the paranormal activity at Pennhurst, an abandoned psychiatric hospital well known to ghost hunters across the world.
Pennhurst
Director
A local television show embarks to capture the paranormal activity at Pennhurst, an abandoned psychiatric hospital well known to ghost hunters across the world.
Hypothermia
Ray Pelletier
Ray Pelletier just wants to spend a pleasant and relaxing weekend ice fishing with his family. Alas, Ray's plans are ruined by the unwanted presence of the obnoxious big city father and son duo of Steve Cote and Stevie Jr. However, the two squabbling families are forced to set aside their differences and work together after a vicious monster awakens from the cold waters of the remote frozen lake area they are staying at.
Rogue River
Gas Attendent
When a young woman takes a trip down Rogue River, her car mysteriously disappears. Lost without transport or communication, she accepts the hospitality of a stranger who offers her shelter for the night at his cabin. With no other options available, she reluctantly accepts only to forever regret it. The ensuing hours yield nothing but torture, indescribable pain, and horrific agony. If you've seen Misery, you've seen nothing. This movie starts where horror films end and leaves viewers paralysed by fear and disgust.
Mysteria
Captain McCarthy
A once famous and now a washed-up Hollywood screenwriter fighting to finish his latest script with an unrealistic deadline. He finds himself in the center of a murder investigation involving a prominent politician's wife. The surrounding events feed him inspiration for his script.
Cell 213
Ray Clement
Cocky young attorney Michael Gray finds himself framed for murder when an inmate he is defending violently kills himself during their interview at South River State Penitentiary. Now locked in the same nightmarish Cell 213 where his client died, he soon realizes that unnatural forces are behind a string of inmate suicides, making matters of guilt and innocence not as cut and dry as they seem.
Super
Abe
After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection
Red Doc (segment "Jonah Hex") (voice)
An anthology of DC Showcase stories consisting of a new Superman/Shazam feature and extended versions of older shorts.
Atlantis Down
Father / Alien
2025 - The Shuttle Program has been privatized and the shuttle Atlantis relegated to glorified taxi between space stations. Its crew is on a routine mission, conducting experiments - little do they know - they are the experiment. Written by Max Bartoli
The Making of The Walking Dead
Himself
The Making of the TV Series The Walking Dead.
DC Showcase: Jonah Hex
Red Doc (voice)
When a ruthless brothel madame murders Jonah Hex's current quarry, the disfigured bounty hunter plans to make her pay.
Blood Done Sign My Name
Defense attorney Billy Watkins
A drama based on the true story in which a black Vietnam-era veteran is allegedly murdered by a local white businessman who is later exonerated. The plot focuses on the role of a local high school teacher and the civil unrest that followed the acquittal.
Louis
Pat McMurphy
A silent film about Louis Armstrong as a young boy and how he acquired his first cornet.
The Marine 2
Church
Rebels seize control of the hotel where a Marine sniper and his wife are staying. Can he save the day?
Freeway Killer
Det. St. John
For years he terrorized California motorists as he rode the endless highways searching for his next victim. The discarded bodies turned up beaten, sexually assaulted and horribly mutilated. Deceptively charming and intelligent, the scheming murderer easily avoided police at first. But as police closed in and the killer’s pattern grew more erratic, the only question was how many more will die?
Penance
Mann
A young mother decides to become a stripper to earn some fast cash only to find her worst nightmares are about to begin
Super Capers
Judge / Dark Winged Vesper
Would-be superhero, Ed Gruberman, who possesses no super powers must join a team of misfit heroes-in-training known as The Super Capers. Having only faith, Gruberman must travel through time to uncover an evil plot involving some gold bullion, a fiery femme fatale, and a criminal mastermind with a dark secret about Ed's past.
Humanzee!
Priest
Half human, half chimpanzee. 100% abomination.
This Man's Life
Richard Crummly
A magical tale about a man traveling home to claim his estranged father's inheritance when he encounters a peculiar stranger that seems to know everything about his life.
Jumper
William Rice
David Rice is a man who knows no boundaries, a Jumper, born with the uncanny ability to teleport instantly to anywhere on Earth. When he discovers others like himself, David is thrust into a dangerous and bloodthirsty war while being hunted by a sinister and determined group of zealots who have sworn to destroy all Jumpers. Now, David’s extraordinary gift may be his only hope for survival!
Whisper
Sydney Braverman
Sinister things begin happening to kidnappers who are holding a young boy for ransom in a remote cabin.
Slither
Grant
A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.
Lenexa, 1 Mile
Russ
The film tells the story of five childhood friends during their last summer together in Lenexa before going to college. Their bond is tested when a disturbing secret comes to light and they are forced to set out on a quest to protect and redeem the reputation of one of their own - at whatever cost to their futures.
Repo! The Genetic Opera
Repo Man
An unreleased short film intended to pitch the full-length version of Repo! The Genetic Opera to studios.
Portrait: The Making of Henry
Self
Making of documentary from the Ultra HD Blu-ray edition of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer released on the movie's 30th anniversary.
Erection of an Epic - The Making of Mallrats
Self
The outrageous insider's look at the creation of a cult classic.
Chasing Ghosts
Mark Spencer
A serial killer targeting the city's mobsters taunts police with clues and photos left behind at the crime scenes. A veteran cop takes on a rookie partner hoping to crack one last case before retiring. As the web of deception and lies unravels, the truth slowly begins to reveal itself.
The Eliminator
Former LAPD cop, Dakota Varley, enters a power boat race seeking the prize of $250,000, but immediately discovers, first hand, that this race's risk matches the prize: one racer is killed, 3 others seriously injured in multiple action-packed crashes and explosions. Varley tries to leave the lake and collect his prize money but is drugged and kidnapped by Dawson and thrown into a different world: a world where survival means everything and no-one follows the rules. Surrounded by heavily-armed men, he soon learns that he and six other victims have been assembled to be contestants in the ultimate survival game: they will be hunted nightly by hunters with rifles until there is one remaining survivor, who will win a $10,000,000 cash prize!
Skeleton Man
Captain Leary
A co-ed group of Special Forces agents search the wilderness for a predator type creature that has been on a killing spree.
Saving Jessica Lynch
Colonel Curry
Based on the true story of the rescue of Private Jessica Lynch, by the United States army, in Iraq.
The Box
Detective Stafford
An ex-con tries to go straight but also wants to get back money he's owed for the job that put him in prison. He meets a waitress who's also seen her share of trouble and they start up a tenuous relationship. Then there's a murder and things get complicated. It's noir so the plot isn't the main focus but the mood of the film is consistent and properly downbeat. The characters can't seem to shake the fate that hangs over them.
The Outer Limits: The New Series - Time Travel and Infinity
Colonel Beckett
The consequences of time travel are the thematic framework for this compilation of episodes from the revamped Outer Limits anthology series, produced for the Showtime network. The six stories compiled here are indicative of the new version's competent but uneventful nature; scripting, performances, and direction (all hampered by the program's low budget) rarely live up to the plots' potential or the drama and suspense of the original series. Amanda Plummer's Emmy-winning turn as a scientist who travels 50 years into the past to commit a murder in the Season Two episode "A Stitch in Time" is the highlight of the disc; the rest (culled from the series' seven-season run) offer well-worn variations on time travel themes. The full-frame disc includes "The Outer Limits Story," which offers talking-head interviews with executive producers Pen Densham and Mark Stern, as well as featurettes on each episode.
Undisputed
A.J. Mercker
Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. Iceman Chambers is the heavyweight champion, who lost his title due to a rape conviction to ten years in Sweetwater. WHen these two giants collide in the same prison, they fight against each other disputing who is the real champion.
Replicant
Jake
Scientists create a genetic clone of a serial killer in order to help catch the killer, teaming up with two cops.
The 6th Day
Robert Marshall
A world of the very near future in which cattle, fish, and even the family pet can be cloned. But cloning humans is illegal - that is until family man Adam Gibson (Arnold Schwarzenegger) comes home from work one day to find a clone has replaced him. Taken from his family and plunged into a sinister world he doesn't understand, Gibson must not only save himself from the assassins who must destroy him to protect their secret, but uncover who and what is behind the horrible things happening to him.
Newsbreak
John McNamara
A reporter risks his life to get to the bottom of a stack of lies, corruption and murder surrounding the opening of a local power plant.
Here on Earth
Malcolm Arnold
Three lives of three young people intersect over the course of one summer. A rich student and a young working-class man accidentally destroy a diner when their impromptu road race takes a disastrous turn. Ordered by a judge to spend the summer repairing the building, they find themselves becoming rivals for the affections of the owner's daughter.
Table One
Rowdy
Four friends (Stephen Baldwin, Michael Rooker, Luis Guzman and David Herman) who are misfits in the New York City social scene have trouble meeting available women. They come up with the idea of opening a trendy restaurant -- funding their new venture with the help of a local gangster -- in hopes of attracting a large female clientele. It's one comedy situation after another as they stumble through their various misadventures.
Wicked Ways
Co-Executive Producer
A wife, her two-timing husband and a flirting neighbor are unpredictable competitors in a warped game that turns into a life-or-death affair.
Wicked Ways
Matt Draper / Dr. Matthew Swan
A wife, her two-timing husband and a flirting neighbor are unpredictable competitors in a warped game that turns into a life-or-death affair.
The Bone Collector
Captain Howard Cheney
Rookie cop, Amelia Donaghy reluctantly teams with Lincoln Rhyme – formerly the department's top homicide detective but now paralyzed as a result of a spinal injury – to catch a grisly serial killer dubbed 'The Bone Collector'. The murderer's special signature is to leave tantalizing clues based on the grim remains of his crimes.
CounterForce
Matt Cooper
An FBI Agent (Michael Rooker) and a female cop (Diane DiLascio) join forces to stop renegade cops who are offing the bad guys. Robert Patrick is the leader of the renegades and Louis Mandylor is a reluctant young cop that is brought into the hit team.
Shadow Builder
Father Vassey
A demon is summoned to take the soul of a young boy who has the potential to become a saint. By doing this he will open a doorway to hell and destroy the world.
Brown's Requiem
Fritz Brown
Fritz Brown is an ex-LAPD, recovering alcoholic who now splits his time repossessing cars for a used car lot and staffing his one-man private detective agency. When a filthy caddie named Freddy "Fat Dog" Baker wanders into Fritz's office one day, flashing a wad of cash, Fritz is hired to follow Fat Dog's kid sister Jane, who is holed up with a Beverly Hills sugar daddy named Sol Kupferman. Kupferman is a 70 year-old bag man for the mob, and Fat Dog claims that "Solly K" is up to something evil that may harm Jane. The trail leads Fritz to an encounter with his dark past in the person of Haywood Cathcart, current head of LAPD internal affairs and the person who kicked Fritz off the police force.
The Replacement Killers
Stan 'Zeedo' Zedkov
Hired assassin John Lee is asked by Chinatown crime boss Terence Wei to murder the young son of policeman Stan Zedkov. Lee has the boy in his sights, but his conscience gets the better of him, and he spares the child's life. Afraid that Wei will take revenge on his family in China, Lee seeks out expert forger Meg Coburn to obtain the passport he needs to get out of the country, but a band of replacement killers is soon on his trail.
Deceiver
Detective Edward Kennesaw
The gruesome death of a prostitute brings suspicion on one of her clients, James Wayland, a brilliant, self-destructive and epileptic heir to a textile fortune. So detectives Braxton and Kennesaw take Wayland in for questioning, thinking they can break the man. But despite his troubles, Wayland is a master of manipulation, and during the interrogation, he begins to turn the tables on the investigators, forcing them to reveal their own sinister sides.
Keys to Tulsa
Keith Michaels
Richter Boudreau is on a bad streak: Languishing in the shadow of his celebrity mother, he loses his job as a film critic for the town paper, and now he's been approached with a dangerous proposition that ultimately leads to blackmail. Richter's friend Ronnie ropes him into a scheme to steal the inheritance of his wife, Vicky.
Rosewood
Sheriff Walker
Spurred by a white woman's lie, vigilantes destroy a black Florida town and slay inhabitants in 1923.
Meet Wally Sparks
Michael Rooker
Wally Sparks is a tabloid TV show reporter who's trying to boost ratings on his show. He goes to the governor's mansion to uncover a sex scandal.
Song of Hiawatha
Bertrand
This adaptation of an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow tells the tale of Hiawatha (Litefoot), a brave Native American Indian, and his love for the beautiful Minehaha (Irene Bedard)
Bastard Out of Carolina
Uncle Earle
A poor, struggling South Carolinian mother and daughter face painful choices with their resolve and pride. Bone, the eldest daughter, and Anney her tired mother, grow both closer and farther apart: Anney sees Glen as her last chance.
The Trigger Effect
Gary
A blackout leaves those affected to consider what is necessary, what is legal, and what is questionable, in order to survive in a predatory environment.
Back to Back
Bob Malone
An ex-cop finds himself caught up in a battle between Japanese mobsters and local gangland thugs and discovers that he was framed for wrong-doings by a corrupt cop.
Mallrats
Mr. Jared Svenning
Both dumped by their girlfriends, two best friends seek refuge in the local mall. Eventually, they decide to try and win back their significant others and take care of their respective nemeses.
Johnny and Clyde
Frank Tennant
When a young boy dogsits Clyde, a criminal canine trying to go straight, he ends up facing down the school bully, catching a criminal, and learning valuable lessons about life from his new best friend.
The Hard Truth
Jonah Mantz
A suspended cop and his girlfriend blackmail an electronics expert into helping them break into the safe of the girlfriend's boss, a corrupt city councilman who's on the local mob's payroll.
Suspicious
Attendet
A short horror film directed by David Koepp.
Tombstone
Sherman McMasters
Legendary marshal Wyatt Earp, now a weary gunfighter, joins his brothers Morgan and Virgil to pursue their collective fortune in the thriving mining town of Tombstone. But Earp is forced to don a badge again and get help from his notorious pal Doc Holliday when a gang of renegade brigands and rustlers begins terrorizing the town.
Cliffhanger
Hal Tucker
A year after losing his friend in a tragic 4,000-foot fall, former ranger Gabe Walker and his partner, Hal, are called to return to the same peak to rescue a group of stranded climbers, only to learn the climbers are actually thieving hijackers who are looking for boxes full of money.
The Dark Half
Sheriff Alan Pangborn
Thad Beaumont is the author of a highly successful series of violent pulp thrillers written under the pseudonym of ‘George Stark’, but when he decides to ‘kill-off’ his alter-ego in a mock ceremony, it precipitates a string of sadistic murders matching those in his pulp novels, which are soon discovered to be the work of Stark himself. Looking like a maniacal version of his counterpart, Stark is not so willing to quit the writing game – even if it means coming after Thad's wife and their baby.
Afterburn
Casey 'Z' Zankowski
Based on a true story, one woman takes on the U.S. military and General Dynamics; maker of the F-16, thought to be the very best tactical fighter in the world. Air Force Captain Theodore T. Harduvel was one of the best F-16 pilots the U.S. had to offer. After much digging, Janet Harduvel discovers a joint military and General Dynamic cover-up. She proves to be unwavering in her search for the truth to clear his name.
JFK
Bill Broussard
Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.
Days of Thunder
Rowdy Burns
Talented but unproven stock car driver Cole Trickle gets a break and with the guidance of veteran Harry Hogge turns heads on the track. The young hotshot develops a rivalry with a fellow racer that threatens his career when the two smash their cars. But with the help of his doctor, Cole just might overcome his injuries-- and his fear.
Music Box
Karchy Laszlo
A lawyer defends her father accused of war crimes, but there is more to the case than she suspects.
Sea of Love
Terry
Seen-it-all New York detective Frank Keller is unsettled - he has done twenty years on the force and could retire, and he hasn't come to terms with his wife leaving him for a colleague. Joining up with an officer from another part of town to investigate a series of murders linked by the lonely hearts columns he finds he is getting seriously and possibly dangerously involved with Helen, one of the main suspects.
L.A. Takedown
Bosko
Michael Mann's gutsy telefilm tells the tale of two skilled professionals--one a cop, the other a criminal--who aren't as different as they think.Vincent Hanna (Scott Plank) is an intense cop on the trail of ruthless armed robber Patric McLaren (Alex McArthur). After a botched heist, the two men confront each via a full scale battle on the seedy streets of Los Angeles.
Mississippi Burning
Frank Bailey
Two FBI agents investigating the murder of civil rights workers during the 60s seek to breach the conspiracy of silence in a small Southern town where segregation divides black and white. The younger agent trained in FBI school runs up against the small town ways of his partner, a former sheriff.
Eight Men Out
Arnold 'Chick' Gandil
A dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series.
Above the Law
Man in Bar
Nico Toscani is an Italian immigrant, American patriot, ex-CIA agent, aikido specialist and unorthodox Chicago policeman. He is as committed to his job as he is to his personalized brand of justice—expert and thorough bone-crushing.
Retreads
A biker reunion is hassled by IRA men.
Rent-a-Cop
Joe
A sex worker seeks protection from an ex-cop after a failed drug bust throws their lives into turmoil.
Light of Day
Oogie
Cleveland siblings rise with a rock band while coping with personal problems.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Henry
Henry likes to kill people, in different ways each time. Henry shares an apartment with Otis. When Otis' sister comes to stay, we see both sides of Henry: "the guy next door" and the serial killer.
Road Rage
Stony
The film in the vein of Dexter and the great avenger films of the '70s will center on a serial killer who only kills those who deserve to die-presenting a modern hero who is a bad guy gone good, protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty.
Horizon
A 15-year chronicle of the pre- and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West – a journey fraught with peril and intrigue from struggles with the natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it.