Vernon Wells Biography: Ethnicity, Parents, Net Worth, Movies, Age, Height, Awards, Wife

Vernon George Wells, widely recognized as Vernon Wells, is a seasoned Australian character actor renowned for his intense portrayals of villains in action and science fiction films.

He gained international fame for his iconic role as the psychotic biker Wez in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) and as the treacherous Bennett opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando (1985), along with memorable appearances in Weird Science (1985) and Innerspace (1987).

With a career spanning over five decades, Wells has appeared in more than 250 projects, often cast as tough, menacing antagonists in B-movies, television series like Power Rangers Time Force (as the villain Ransik), and recent independent films, solidifying his status as a reliable genre staple.

Profile

• Full Name: Vernon George Wells
• Stage Name: Vernon Wells
• Born: 31 December 1945
• Age: 80 years old
• Birthplace: Rushworth, Victoria, Australia
• Nationality: Australian
• Occupation: Character Actor
• Height: 1.78m
• Parents: Michael Wells and Eva Maude (née Jackson) Wells
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Kymberli Ann Weed (m. 1988–1991), and Grace Kono-Wells
• Children: 1
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Vernon George Wells was born on December 31, 1945, in Rushworth, a rural town in Victoria, Australia. He grew up in a modest environment to Michael Wells and Eva Maude (née Jackson) Wells. No siblings are publicly documented.

Wells pursued practical paths early on, working in a quarry and as a salesman after school.

He studied telecommunications in college and earned a degree in the field, while also performing as the lead singer in a rock band during his teenage years. Ethnicity ties to Australian roots, and religion remains unknown.

Career

Vernon Wells launched his career in the 1970s after casting agents spotted his potential in theater. He started with Australian TV commercials, print ads, and guest roles on local series like Homicide and Matlock Police, along with historical miniseries such as Against The Wind, Sara Dane, and All The Rivers Run.

His film debut came in a minor part in the low-budget erotic fantasy Felicity (1978), but he built momentum through stage work, including a successful run in the play Hosanna, which caught the attention of director George Miller.

This led to his breakthrough as the homicidal biker Wez in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981), a role that showcased his intense physicality and earned him international recognition.

Wells transitioned to Hollywood in the 1980s, spoofing his biker persona in the teen comedy Weird Science (1985) before landing the memorable antagonist Bennett in Commando (1985), where he faced off against Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He continued with roles in films like Innerspace (1987) and various B-grade action thrillers throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including Circuitry Man and Last Man Standing.

In the 2000s, he took on the main villain Ransik in Power Rangers Time Force (2001), reprising the character in related specials, introducing him to a younger audience.

He also ventured into producing and directing on select projects while maintaining a steady stream of villainous turns.

Vernon Wells remains active in independent cinema and genre films well into his later years, with recent credits including Gladiators (2024) as Avitus, The Price We Pay (2022), Red Snow (2021), and others like Trouble Is My Business (2018), for which he earned awards.

His prolific output in action, horror, and sci-fi has left a lasting mark on cult cinema, with fans appreciating his commitment to eccentric, larger-than-life characters and his enduring presence at conventions.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @wells.vernon
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Vernon Wells married Kymberli Ann Weed in 1988, but the couple divorced in 1991. He has been married to his current wife, Grace Kono-Wells, who is Japanese, for many years, and they share a close bond, as evidenced by his Japanese-language messages to fans for Commando’s anniversaries.

Wells has one son, along with a grandson, two granddaughters, and one great-grandson. He keeps much of his family life private and focuses on his work and community.

Filmography

• Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
• Weird Science (1985)
• Commando (1985)
• Innerspace (1987)
• Gladiators (2024)

Net Worth

Vernon Wells has an estimated net worth of $5 million. His primary sources of income stem from decades of consistent acting roles in films and television, particularly iconic villain parts in cult classics like Mad Max 2 and Commando, supplemented by work in independent productions, producing credits, and appearances in genre projects.