The First Blood cast features Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna and Brian Dennehy. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Ted Kotcheff’s 1982 movie on Amazon, MGM+ and Paramount+. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

First Blood takes place in December 1981. As a U.S. Army and Vietnam War veteran searches for a friend, he finds trouble with local law enforcement in Hope, Washington. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he defends himself while struggling with mental health issues. Here’s every actor and character in First Blood, an adaptation of David Morrell’s 1972 novel and the the first installment of the “Rambo” movie franchise.

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First Blood Cast: Sylvester Stallone as Rambo

Character Profile: A Vietnam War veteran. He is a former U.S. Army mercenary with Special Forces experience who tries to locate one of the last surviving members of his unit. Rambo experiences PTSD after being harassed by police officers.

Stallone’s Resume: Machine Gun Joe Viterbo in Death Race 2000 (1975), Rocky in the Rocky Movie Franchise (1976-), Tango in Tango & Cash (1989), Barney Ross in The Expendables Movie Franchise (2010-), Dwight “The General” Manfredi in Tulsa King (2022-)

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First Blood Cast: Richard Crenna as Trautman

Character Profile: A U.S. Army colonel. He trained Rambo to be a mercenary during the Vietnam War. Trautman attempts to calm the protagonist while helping him escape.

Crenna’s Resume:  Luke McCoy in The Real McCoys (1957-63), Captain Collins in The Sand Pebbles (1966), Mike Talman in Wait Until Dark (1967), Dr. Sam Quinn in It Takes Two (1982-83), Jared Duff in Judging Amy (2000-02)

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First Blood Cast: Brian Dennehy as Teasle

Character Profile: A sheriff based in Hope, Washington. He accuses Rambo of being a threat to the community. Teasle tries to protect his reputation upon learning about his target’s accomplished military background.

Dennehy’s Resume: Cobb in Silverado (1985), Walter in Cocoon (1985), Big Tom in Tommy Boy (1995), Ted Montague in Romeo + Juliet (1996), Dominic Wilkinson in The Blacklist (2016-20)

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First Blood Cast: Bill McKinney as Kern

Character Profile: Teasle’s captain. He despises his colleagues’ violent actions. Kern helps Trautman communicate with Rambo.

McKinney’s Resume: Mountain Man in Deliverance (1972),  Parallax Assassin in The Parallax View (1974), Constable in The Gauntlet (1977), Engineer in Back to the Future Part III (1990), Jack Van Hay in The Green Mile (1999)

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First Blood Cast: Jack Starrett as Galt

Character Profile: Teasle’s chief deputy. He is a violent man who abuses Rambo at a police station. Galt tries to kill the protagonist from a helicopter.

Starrett’s Resume: Director of Run, Angel, Run! (1969) — Also, Gabby Johnson in Blazing Saddles (1974), Gas Station Attendant in Race with the Devil (1975), Dee in The Rose (1979), Lou Budowski in Hollywood Heartbreak (1990)

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First Blood Cast: Michael Talbott as Balford

Character Profile: One of Teasle’s deputy officers. He tries to shoot Rambo during a chase sequence. Balford gets caught in a booby trap.

Talbott’s Resume: Freddy in Carrie (1976), Driver in Mommie Dearest (1981), Cowboy in National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Detective Stan Switek in Miami Vice (1984-89), Geehan in Manhunter (1986)

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The First Blood cast also includes:

• Chris Mulkey as Ward
• John McLiam as Orval
• Alf Humphreys as Lester
• David Caruso as Mitch
• David L. Crowley as Shingleton
• Don MacKay as Preston
• Charles A. Tamburro as Pilot
• David Petersen as Trooper
• Craig Huston as Radio Operator
• Patrick Stack as Lt. Clinton Morgen

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.