Three Generations of Purchase Actors in Blockbuster Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

May 27, 2025

Ving Rhames ’78–’80 and Shea Whigham ’93 reprise previous roles, while Sydney Cole Alexander ’15 makes franchise debut.

A cinematic moment that underscores the Acting BFA program’s enduring impact, three alumni appear in the eighth and final installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, The Final Reckoning.

Ving Rhames ’78–’80

A Mission Impossible franchise mainstay, Ving Rhames returns to play the tech-savvy IMF agent Luther Stickell, the only character besides Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt to appear in all eight films.

Recently, Rhames starred in the AppleTV+ series Dope Thief (2025), and his career includes extensive TV and movie projects large and small, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2 (2017), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Out of Sight (1998), John Singleton’s Rosewood (1997), Con Air (1997), Pulp Fiction (1994), and Don King: Only in America (1997), for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture.

Fun Fact: His roommate at Purchase, none other than Stanley Tucci ’82, gave him the nickname Ving, and it stuck. (His given first name is Irving.) —seniorplant.org

Shea Whigham ’93

Shea Whigham returns as Jasper Briggs, a government agent tasked with apprehending the film’s iconic lead Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, a role introduced in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One (2023).

Whigham’s decades-long career in film and television showcases talent, versatility, and reverence for storytelling, from roles in the highest grossing films of all time to small, independent ones to iconic TV series—Joker (2019), Lake George (2024), and Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014) to name only a few.

Whigham’s recent work includes the recurring role of aging NASCAR driver Dusty Daniels in season 3 of HBO’s hit comedy/drama The Righteous Gemstones and upcoming he’ll appear alongside Colin Farrell in season two of Sugar on Apple TV+.

Recent Interviews with Shea Whigham