Patrick dropped out of college when drama class sparked his interest in acting, and entered film in 1986. After playing a supporting role in "Die Hard 2" (1990), Patrick starred as the T-1000, the main antagonist of ' (1991)—a role he reprised for cameo appearances in "Wayne's World" (1992) and "Last Action Hero" (1993). Other film credits include "Fire in the Sky" (1993), "Striptease" (1996), "Cop Land" (1997), "The Faculty" (1998), "Spy Kids" (2001), ' (2003), "Ladder 49" (2004), "Walk the Line" (2005), "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006), "We Are Marshall" (2006), "Bridge to Terabithia" (2007), "The Men Who Stare at Goats" (2009), and "Safe House" (2012).