Ulric

Ulric is a circus artist in the episode "Dig That Cat... He's Real Gone".

Early Life

Ullric was originally an alcoholic, homeless derelict, who was approached by Dr. Emil Manfred to become a test subject. Dr. Manfred explained that the old adage "nine lives of a cat" was not just a saying, cats actually have a regeneration gland, and offered to transplant it into Ulric's body which would allow him to gain nine lives, in exchange for Dr. Manfred's life savings. After the surgery, Dr. Manfred shot him and Ulric was killed. One hour later, Ulric awoke, chastizing Dr. Manfred on such a stunt saying he could have been killed. Dr. Manfred replied he did indeed kill Ulric, causing Ulric to become perplexed and ask if he was killed why is he still breathing and not feeling hurt from the gunshot. Dr. Manfred explained that the transplanted gland healed all damage caused by the bullet, and this will happen eight more times, after which Ulric will stay dead like all the cats. Dr. Manfred then makes good on his agreement by shelling out a hunk of cash for Ulric, who says that he can walk out for good and drink down his fee, or they can find ways to exploit Ulric's ability, where the profits would likely make Ulric's current fee look like chump change. Dr. Manfred would use his share to further his research into longevity, and Ulric could use his share however he pleases, or as Emil remarks "enough to buy you an ocean of alcohol". Ulric opts for the latter option, and Dr. Manfred convinces a carnival barker to put Ulric on sideshow. Ulric's first show is to be drowned, then his second show is where he is hung.

Crime

After a resurrection, Ulric decides to "up his profits". One rainy night, he is out for a drive with Emil who comments that Ulric's body fixing itself is going to make them both a lot of Money. Ulric says that Manfred is half right as it's going to make just Ulric a lot of money, causing Dr. Manfred to become confused as Ulric says he has to breech his contract as Emil is about to die in a car crash as Ulric begins speeding. Manfred says that's murder, but Ulric says no one will suspect him as he'll die and he has 6 lives left while Manfred has only one. Ulric crashes at maximum speed, resurrects within the hour and flees the scene of the crime. It was later revealed that the wrecked car was discovered by the police with Dr. Manfred's body inside. Emil's death was chalked up as an automobile accident.

Fate

Ulric's third show was to be electrocuted. However, he did not resurrect within the hour. A morgue is suddenly flooded with circus people who demand to see Ulric's body, and the mortuary attendant is shocked to see a living Ulric get off his table. In talking to the viewer about that, he remarks some resurrections took longer than others and was happy that the circus people got to the morgue before the employees got to work, for if he had been embalmed even resurrection likely could not have healed that. He project to spend holiday to Las Vegas with his assistant and girlfriend Coralee.

However, she had her own scheme to kill him for to obtain all his money by stabbing him and left the circus. Furious upon resurrection, He demands 100% of the carnival profits for his 8th death, which would leave the ringmaster and the others nothing. Ulric blackmails the ringmaster saying he wonders what the audience will do if he doesn't show up. He's buried alive. Inside his coffin, Ulric laughs and says that all that money came to him because the cat died. At that moment, Ulric realizes that the cat died, leaving him only 8 more lives to live. He panics and starts screaming. Two janitors hear the screams, but they think it' a cat, so they leave. Ulric suffocates and dies, permanently.

Behind the Scenes

• He was portrayed by Joe Pantoliano. Joe Pantoliano would later appear in the Season 4 episode Split Personality, albeit in a minor role.
• Joe Pantoliano was very known for to portray Francis Fratelli into the movie The Goonies alongside Jonathan Ke Quan (Josh) and Mary Ellen Trainor (Elizabeth Kamen), directed by Richard Donner.
• He was also a guest star in The Outer Limits with William Sadler (Niles Tabot), Larry Drake (Santa), Brett Cullen (Ronnie Price), Amanda Plummer (Peggy), Stephen Shellen (Charles), M. Emmet Walsh (Jonas), Kevin Tighe (Sam Forney), William Hickey (Carlton Webster), D. W. Moffett (Logan Andrews), Michael Ironside (Jerry) and Richard Thomas (Dr. Trask).
• Later, he will be a guest star in Roswell, with William Sadler (Niles Tabot), Mary Ellen Trainor (Elizabeth Kamen), Eve Brent (Female Judge), Robert Katims (Mr. Goldman), Richard Schiff (Lester Middleton) and Carroll Baker (Mrs. Paloma).