Matt Buchanan

"First, I'm gonna rip the buttons off your blouse one by one..."

"Don't make me bust you up, man!"

- Matt while fighting the T-800. The Terminator

Matt Buchanan was the boyfriend of Ginger Ventura.

History

Matt Buchanan called Ginger and Sarah's apartment while the latter two were getting ready for a night out, Matt mistook Sarah for Ginger and began a lengthy, rehearsed seduction speech; only to be embarrassed when Sarah identified herself. On May 13, 1984, he arrived at the apartment for a night in with Ginger, and was later killed in his underwear by the Terminator. Sarah is later informed of Ginger and Matt's murder by Lieutenant Traxler, causing Sarah to burst into tears. The Terminator

Personality

Matt had a friendly, outgoing, and slightly clownish personality. Matt seemed to engage in playful and erotic phone calls with Ginger as during one phone call he confidently assumed he was speaking to Ginger, suggesting that this was something the pair engaged in occasionally.

Matt's relationship with Ginger's friend, Sarah was positive and which seemed to be mutual, as Sarah lightheartedly referred to him as "the creep" to Ginger and she even purposely allowed Matt to mistake her for Ginger on the phone in order to embarrass him for her own amusement, he later greeted her with an affectionate kiss to the side of her head, suggesting that they got on.

Despite his easy going nature, Matt was notably brave and determined, unafraid to confront an intruder and would constantly get back up to re-engage the T-800 despite being thrown multiple times with inhuman force. Unfortunately, this determination likely contributed to his death as instead of disengaging from what was clearly a stronger opponent, he continued attacking until he was terminated by the T-800. He fought valiantly to protect Ginger rather than fleeing.

Notes

• Despite being human, Matt was able to last an unsually long time against the Terminator and was even able put up a decent effort against it, successfully tackling the machine back a few feet.

Behind the Scenes

• Matt was portrayed by Rick Rossovich and for his character's death scene where he is thrown violently through the hallway wall, he was doubled by stuntman Pete Turner.
• In the script for The Terminator, Matt's last name was McCallister.

Appearances

• The Terminator