Terminator star Edward Furlong heads to Australia for Comic Con - but the iconic '90s actor looks very different to his heartthrob days

Edward Furlong is headed to Australia later this month - and is almost unrecognisable from when he starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2.

The American actor, 48, who rose to fame as a teen star in 1991 when he was cast alongside Schwarzenegger, 78, in the Terminator sequel will appear at the Melbourne Metro Comic Con next weekend on July 18 and 19.

The reclusive actor sports a vastly different look from his teen heartthrob days, with a fuller figure and a rugged new appearance. 

Furlong, who has not appeared in a movie since 2024, will be joined by fellow Terminator veteran Linda Hamilton, 69, at the event, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The event planners shared the news on social media earlier this week in an exciting post, revealing fans would be able to get photos and autographs with the California-born actor.

'Metro Citizens, there is no fate but what we make! We are absolutely stoked to announce that 90s icon EDWARD FURLONG is heading to Metro Comic Con!' they began.

'Back in 1991, he taught a cybernetic assassin how to high-five and then saved humanity, as John Connor in the sci-fi masterpiece Terminator 2: Judgment Day. 

'Beyond the world of Skynet, Edward has delivered gritty, unforgettable performances across massive cult classics like American History X, Detroit Rock City, Brainscan, and Pet Sematary II.'

They added that fellow Terminator veteran Linda Hamilton would be joining Furlong at the event, and it was a chance for fans to meet two stars of the iconic action movie.

'Edward is joining his iconic on-screen mother, Linda Hamilton, for a bucket-list T2 reunion here in Melbourne! Terminator fans can look forward to a combined guest panel, professional photograph tokens, and an exclusive meet & greet,' they wrote.

The pair will be joined by a host of other popular movie stars, including Total Recall star Michael Ironside and The Nanny's Nicholle Tom. 

Fans quickly took to the comments section to express their excitement about meeting the iconic actor.

'I've been waiting years to meet Eddie! OMG,' one person wrote.

'Holy s**t! This is amazing. And with Linda Hamilton there too,' a second added.

Furlong appears to have gotten his life back on track after some difficult years. 

As John Connor in T2, Furlong was mankind's last hope, a messianic figure charged with freeing humanity from the vice-like grip of robotic tyranny in a post-apocalyptic, war-ravaged world. 

It was also an opportunity for Furlong to establish himself as one of Hollywood's hottest young actors after winning his iconic breakout role in James Cameron's 1991 classic. 

Aged just 13, Furlong had no acting credits to his name when he was cast as a wayward, teenage Connor alongside Schwarzenegger's iconic T-800 Terminator - a killing machine transported from the year 2029 to protect our future leader from peril. 

Taking full advantage of pioneering physical, special and cosmetic effects that still look remarkably fresh some 35 years after its initial release, Terminator 2 helped redefine what was possible in cinema, while raking in an impressive $520million.

It also raised the profile of its cast, none more so than the previously unknown Furlong - but time would not be kind to the promising young actor.

Indeed, while many expected a future littered with awards, accolades and major acting credits, it was instead mired in controversy, court appearances and controlled substance abuse issues as Furlong's life spiralled out of control. 

Despite an auspicious start, the young actor's career nosedived following the 1998 release of hard-hitting drama American History X, in which he played high-school student Danny alongside Ed Norton's reformed racist skinhead, Derek Vinyard.

Furlong was already struggling with addiction, and after visiting rehab for the first time in 2000, the actor struggled through years of relapses that led to several scrapes with the law.

Sustained crystal meth abuse had rotted his teeth, and striking images sparked concern as the child star's descent became clear for all to see.

Following decades of struggle, the actor has turned his life around in recent times, revealing to Daily Mail in 2024 that he had re-launched his career as he celebrated his 'second chance'.

'It feels great to be back on set and sober too,' he said.

'I didn't feel hungover when I went to work. There's other sober people at work which is weird because if you're not sober, you're not hanging out with the other sober people. It was cool.'

Despite his teeth rotting out due to years of drug abuse, Furlong admitted that it took him some time to agree to having his teeth 'ripped out' and replaced with veneers in 2022.