The Terminator's fallen hero Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) originally made a cameo in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but the scene was ultimately cut. While he's not always mentioned when fans bring up the most important characters in the Terminator franchise, Kyle very much qualifies for that distinction. He may not be as iconic as someone like Sarah Connor or the T-800, but he's an absolutely essential component to why The Terminator works as well as it does, and much of that is thanks to Biehn's performance.
While The Terminator tends to be praised for its sci-fi, action, and horror elements, less often called attention to is the fact that it's actually a pretty effective romance. Sure, Kyle and Sarah fall in love very quickly, but their union is seemingly predestined, with it appearing that John Connor knew he was sending Kyle back to become his own father precisely because it already happened, in a kind of stable time loop. Kyle loves Sarah before he even meets her, but his bravery, compassion, and loyalty on display make it easy for Sarah to fall for him right back.
Of course, Sarah and Kyle's romance is also a tragic one, as he sacrifices his life protecting her from the T-800. While other incarnations of Kyle appeared in Terminator Salvation and Terminator Genisys, never again did Biehn reprise his signature role. At least not officially.
Terminator 2: Michael Biehn's Deleted Kyle Reese Cameo Explained
In Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Michael Biehn's cameo as Kyle Reese came during an early dream/nightmare sequence Sarah Connor has before her escape attempt from Pescadero State Hospital that ends up being assisted by John and the now good T-800. In the dream, Sarah has a vision of Kyle, in which he reminds her that John is Skynet's target now, and that the future isn't set in stone. He pushes her to keep fighting and not give up, despite the soul-crushing existence of being locked in Pescadero, and even John not believing her about Terminators anymore.
Kyle then leads her outside into a nightmare of nuclear devastation, similar to the one she has in the final film. According to creative supervisor Van Ling, the scene was cut from Terminator 2's theatrical version for time and pacing reasons. It was determined that Sarah's later nightmare, and her vivid description of the first to Dr. Silberman got the same points across, making the Reese scene feel redundant to the story. Director James Cameron was also reportedly worried some viewers might not have seen the first film, or seen it recently, so they wouldn't make the connection as to Kyle's significance. Thankfully, Kyle's cameo was restored for the extended special edition.