Early Life and Family
Linden Ashby was born on May 23, 1960, in Atlantic Beach, Florida. He grew up in a military family, moving around frequently. His father was a Navy officer and his mother was a homemaker. Ashby has a younger brother named Robin who is also an actor.
After graduating from Fort Lauderdale High School, Ashby attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where he played football and studied psychology. He later transferred to the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in finance.
Career Beginnings
After college, Ashby moved to New York City to pursue acting. He landed his first role in the soap opera “Loving” in 1983. He went on to appear in several other soap operas, including “The Young and the Restless” and “Days of Our Lives.”
In 1991, Ashby made his film debut in the action-comedy “The Guyver.” He also appeared in the films “Wyatt Earp” and “Mortal Kombat” in the 1990s.
Personal Life
Ashby has been married twice. He was married to actress Susan Walters from 1986 to 1992. They have two daughters together, Grace and Savannah. Ashby married his second wife, actress and producer Michele Burgers, in 1992. They have a son named Cooper.
Ashby is an avid golfer and enjoys playing in charity tournaments. He also supports various charitable organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
Recent Projects
Ashby has continued to work steadily in television and film. He had a recurring role on the MTV series “Teen Wolf” from 2011 to 2017. He also appeared in the films “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and “Message from the King” in 2017.
In 2018, Ashby appeared in the Netflix series “Lost in Space” and the film “Rampage.” He also had a recurring role on the Showtime series “Shameless.”
Legacy
Ashby is perhaps best known for his role as Johnny Cage in the 1995 film “Mortal Kombat.” The film was a box office success and has since become a cult classic. Ashby’s portrayal of Cage is still remembered fondly by fans of the franchise.
Ashby’s daughters, Grace and Savannah, have also followed in their father’s footsteps and pursued careers in acting. Grace has appeared in several films and television shows, while Savannah has worked primarily as a model.
