The Shocking Transformation: Rare Photos Of Rex Linn With Hair That Will Blow Your Mind

For fans who only know Rex Linn as the perpetually bald and gruff Sgt. Frank Tripp from CSI: Miami or the charming, partially-balding Tom Peterson on Young Sheldon, the idea of the veteran actor with a full head of hair can be a genuinely startling revelation. As of December 2025, the curiosity surrounding "Rex Linn with hair" continues to trend, driven by his high-profile relationship with country music icon Reba McEntire and his recent return to the spotlight in the new sitcom Happy's Place. This deep dive into his filmography uncovers the surprising—and often forgotten—early roles where Rex Linn sported a completely different look, proving that his signature appearance is a relatively recent career development.

The stark difference between his current look—a receding hairline with light brown hair—and his younger self is a testament to his long and varied career, which spans over four decades. From playing ill-tempered federal agents in blockbuster action films to his current status as a beloved television star, Linn’s hair evolution mirrors the transformation of his acting career from a character actor to a household name. Prepare to see the man behind the badge in a whole new light.

Rex Linn: Full Biography and Profile

Rex Maynard Linn has built a formidable career as one of Hollywood's most reliable and recognizable character actors, often specializing in roles as law enforcement, military figures, or tough-as-nails authority figures. His recent personal life, however, has brought him even greater public attention due to his relationship with Reba McEntire, which began after they reconnected on the set of Young Sheldon.

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• Full Name: Rex Maynard Linn
• Date of Birth: November 13, 1956
• Birthplace: Spearman, Texas, United States
• Current Age (as of Dec 2025): 69
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, Producer, Location Management
• Education: Graduated from Oklahoma State University (OSU)
• Best Known For: Sgt. Frank Tripp in CSI: Miami (2002–2012)
• Notable TV Roles: Tom Peterson in Young Sheldon, Kevin Wachtell in Better Call Saul, and Reba's fiancé in Happy's Place.
• Notable Film Roles: Richard Travers in Cliffhanger, FBI Agent Dan Whitney in Rush Hour, and Mercer in The Postman.
• Partner: Reba McEntire (Dating since 2020)

The Early Years: Unearthing Rex Linn's Full Head of Hair in Blockbusters

The most dramatic visual evidence of Rex Linn with a full head of hair comes from his early, pre-2000s film roles. Before he became synonymous with the sleek, bald look of a TV detective, Linn was a working character actor who often sported a thick head of hair, typically a light brown or sandy color, occasionally bordering on a reddish hue depending on the lighting. This look is almost unrecognizable to the modern fan.

The contrast is so significant that many viewers who revisit his older films often have a "wait, is that him?" moment, a phenomenon frequently discussed on fan forums and social media. The surprise stems from the fact that his hair was a key feature in several major studio productions where he played intense, no-nonsense characters.

Key Roles Where Rex Linn Had Hair

His early filmography is a goldmine for those seeking to satisfy their curiosity about Rex Linn’s hair transformation. These roles showcase a younger, hairier version of the actor, helping to establish the topical authority that links his appearance to his career trajectory:

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• Cliffhanger (1993): This Sylvester Stallone action film marks one of Linn's earliest high-profile roles. He played Richard Travers, an ill-tempered and foul-mouthed U.S. Treasury Agent. In this role, Linn is seen with a noticeable amount of hair, though it is often slicked back or under a hat, the hairline is clearly fuller than his later years.
• The Postman (1997): In this Kevin Costner-directed epic, Linn played the character Mercer. Photos from this period show him with a relatively full head of light-colored hair, a classic 90s look that is a world away from Sgt. Tripp.
• Rush Hour (1998): Linn appeared as FBI Agent Dan Whitney in the iconic action-comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. While the role is a supporting one, the visual evidence confirms that he was still rocking a head of hair during this late 90s period, just a few years before his career-defining appearance change.

The visual timeline suggests that the significant hair loss, or the decision to embrace a mostly bald look, occurred around the turn of the millennium, coinciding with his landing the role that would make him internationally famous.

The Signature Look: From Hair to the CSI: Miami and Young Sheldon Era

The period between 2000 and 2002 was pivotal for Rex Linn, both personally and professionally. The shift in his appearance to the more recognizable partially-to-fully bald look coincided almost perfectly with his casting in the role that would define his television career: Detective Sergeant Frank Tripp on CSI: Miami.

The Power of the Bald Look in CSI: Miami

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Sgt. Frank Tripp, the no-nonsense homicide detective who worked alongside Horatio Caine (David Caruso), was a character whose appearance perfectly matched his personality. The bald head, often combined with a stern expression, projected an image of authority, toughness, and unwavering dedication.

This look became his professional brand for the entire decade the show was on air (2002–2012). For millions of viewers, the image of Rex Linn was irrevocably linked to this powerful, minimalist aesthetic. It’s a classic example of a physical trait amplifying a character's presence, creating an indelible entity in pop culture.

Tom Peterson and the Modern Look

In more recent years, Linn has found a new generation of fans through his recurring role as Tom Peterson, the principal of the high school attended by Sheldon Cooper in the hit series Young Sheldon.

In this role, Linn sports the look that is most accurate to his current natural appearance: a receding hairline with a ring of light brown hair around the sides and back. This softer, more professorial look contrasts with the harshness of his CSI character, allowing him to showcase a more comedic and warm side of his acting range. This appearance is also the one he shares in his public life with Reba McEntire, whom he is currently engaged to.

The popularity of Young Sheldon and the intense media interest in his relationship with McEntire—often affectionately referred to as "Reba and Rex"—have brought the topic of his appearance back into the spotlight. Fans who search for "Rex Linn with hair" are often looking for the surprising, full-haired version from his 90s action films, a stark contrast to the beloved, partially-bald Principal Peterson of today.

Topical Authority: Rex Linn's Career Entities and LSI Keywords

Rex Linn's career is a masterclass in longevity, with his appearance transformation serving as a fascinating bookmark between two major eras of his work. The shift from the full-haired action star of the 90s to the iconic bald TV authority figure of the 2000s and beyond provides a rich topical landscape for discussion.

Key entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that naturally emerge from discussing "Rex Linn with hair" include:

• Film Roles: Cliffhanger, Rush Hour, The Postman, Wyatt Earp, *Ghosts of Mississippi*.
• Television Roles: Sgt. Frank Tripp, Tom Peterson, Kevin Wachtell, CSI: Miami, Young Sheldon, Better Call Saul, Happy's Place.
• Co-Stars & Partners: Reba McEntire, David Caruso, Sylvester Stallone, Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Jim Parsons (as narrator in Young Sheldon).
• Appearance & Transformation: Hair loss, receding hairline, young Rex Linn, bald look, hair transformation, '90s film roles, early career.

Ultimately, the fascination with Rex Linn’s hair is a testament to his versatility as an actor. Whether he was a full-haired federal agent in a mountain-climbing thriller or a partially-bald principal dealing with a child genius, his ability to embody a character has always transcended his physical appearance. While the photos of a younger, hairier Rex Linn are a fun piece of trivia, his current success alongside Reba McEntire and his continued presence on television confirm that a great actor’s talent is truly timeless.

For those eager to see more of his current look, Linn is starring alongside McEntire in the upcoming NBC sitcom Happy's Place, which is set to premiere in 2026. This new project ensures that the beloved actor will remain a prominent figure in the television landscape for years to come.