Where X-Files cast are now – from secret sex addiction to marrying Hollywood star and tragic heroin death
THE X-FILES fans were saddened this week by the tragic death of actor Michael Kopsa.
The 66-year-old, who passed away from a brain tumour, appeared in the science fiction series as Rick Culver alongside huge names including Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.
In a statement on Instagram, the actor’s ex-wife Lucia Frangione wrote: “The great Michael Kopsa, my dear friend and the father of my child, Nora, passed away Oct 23 2022 of a brain tumour.”
She added: “He was an incredible stage and screen actor, voice actor, carpenter, musician, and painter. Most importantly, he was a loving and richly present father.”
We take a look at what has happened to his The X-Files co-stars since the original series wrapped.
David Duchovny – Fox Mulder
David, 62, won legions of fans for his portrayal of Agent Fox Mulder in the American hit series.
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But as his career took off in the 1990s he was hit with allegations that he was a sex addict as he had cheated on a string of girlfriends.
He denied the claims as “hurtful”. In 1997 he married actress Tea Leoni, 56, and they had two children together.
In 2008 he publicly admitted that he was a sex addict and that due to the impact on his marriage he was going into rehab.
In a statement the actor said: “I have voluntarily entered a facility for the treatment of sex addiction. I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family.”
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It later came out that he had been having an affair with his 28-year-old tennis coach Edit Pakay.
“This is a love affair. This is a real relationship. Edit is in love with David. He told her he was going to leave his wife for her,” her pals told American publications.
However, David and Tea struggled to save their marriage and divorced in 2014.
Gillian Anderson – Dana Scully
Gillian, 54, first came to fame playing Special Agent Dana Scully as she investigated cases with paranormal connections.
Now, she is a household name known for her work on Netflix’s Sex Education and the controversial royal series The Crown.
When The X-Files aired she was just 25 years old, but after it wrapped in 2002, she decided to leave Hollywood, explaining she had seen the “worst part of the industry”.
Gillian has been open about her mental health and says she has been in therapy since she was 14.
“There were times,” she told The Guardian, “when it was really bad. There have been times in my life where I haven’t wanted to leave the house.”
The star hopes that her three children haven’t watched her latest work as sex therapist Jean in Sex Education. She said: “When [the show] first came out, I told them they weren’t allowed to [watch it].”
Robert Patrick – John Doggett
Actor Robert, 63, played Special Agent John Doggert who joined the series in 2000. Since then he has stayed as a regular film and TV fix.
He is known for his work on Terminator 2 but admitted he doesn’t like viewing his own films.
Robert controversially slammed rioters in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020 for their effect on businesses.
He tweeted: “Prayers for America this morning. George Floyd’s murder is a horrible tragedy committed by a bad cop. His death is not honoured by this rioting and looting. We must come together as a nation. In the words of the late Rodney King ‘Can’t we all just get along?'”
He followed it with: “As a business owner my sympathy is not with rioters, but the innocent people who have invested their life’s earnings into their businesses only to see them destroyed by angry mobs!”
He has been married to fellow actress Barbara Hooper since 1990 and they have two children – daughter Austin and son Samuel.
Laurie Holden – Marita Covarrubias
Laurie, 52, joined the show as an informant of Fox Mudler before becoming one of the show’s antagonists.
A passionate activist against human trafficking, Laurie was directly involved in rescuing 55 people from sex slavery in 2014.
As part of her role in the charitable organisation Operation Underground Railroad, she worked with cops in Cartagena, Colombia, as they stormed a stronghold of traffickers.
She was required to keep the girls calm and occupied while law enforcement captured the crooks exchanging money on camera.
“When they first showed up, some of them looked really terrified,” Laurie said. “I talked to a few of them and asked them how old they were. Some were 12. Some were 13. Most were 14. One of the girls came in, embraced me, started to cry, then I started to cry.”
Outside of her activism, she has been romantically linked to Walking Dead co-star Norman Reedus, who she appeared alongside as Andrea.
She denied their relationship in an interview saying: “No, we love each other. We are like the best of friends but I think he likes to stir the pot a bit.”
Michael McKean – Morris Fletcher
Michael, 75, found fame for his work as annoying neighbour Lenny Kosnowski in Laverne and Shirley before being cast in The X-Files.
In the sci-fi series he took on the role of Morris Fletcher, an agent for Majestic 12.
He is also known for his work on Saturday Night Live, particularly as a celebrity impressionist of stars including Bill Clinton and Patrick Stewart.
In recent years he has voiced Lou Pickles in Rugrats and starred as Chuck McGill in the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul.
In 2012 Michael tragically lost his eldest son Colin to a heroin overdose.
The 36-year-old production assistant was found at his home in Ashland, Oregon. The actor hasn’t publicly commented on the death.
Mimi Rogers – Agent Diana Fowley
Mimi, 66, has a host of successful TV and film projects under her belt from both before and after her The X-Files role as FBI agent Dina Fowley.
However, many fans will know her as the woman who introduced actor Tom Cruise, 60, to Scientology thanks to their relationship and marriage.
Her father, Philip Spickler, was one of the early followers of the church.
The church became an issue in her marriage to Tom and in a Playboy interview in 1993 she claimed he wanted to become a monk which caused issues in intimacy between them. She later retracted the comments.
Mimi has been married three times and has two children. Outside of acting, she is a competitive poker player.
Annabeth Gish – Monica Reyes
Actress Annabeth, who played FBI agent Monica Reyes, met the love of her life on The X-Files set.
She started dating stuntman Wade Allen in December 2002 and they eventually married in October 2003. They have two children together.
After filming on the sci-fi series wrapped, she went on to star in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The West Wing, and teen drama Pretty Little Liars.
Annabeth has constantly denied being related to Hollywood icons Lillian and Dorothy Gish – but she did write to Lillian when she decided she wanted to act.
The silent movie star discouraged her from the industry claiming: “There’s too much talent and not enough work in the movies!”
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Annabeth is currently filming movie All Fun and Games, which follows a group of siblings who find themselves in a game with a demonic twist.
It has a star-studded younger cast including Strange Things Natalia Dyer and Sex Education’s Asa Butterfield.