Wrestling veteran Roddy Piper tried to take the 'Arnold Schwarzenegger' route into filmdom by securing himself a couple of SciFi flicks as starring vehicles. Unfortunately, They Live! and Hell Comes To Frogtown were too low budget (though interesting ideas) to be much more than cult films. But, as they say in Paris, "We'll always have wrestling." Though he's no longer with us, 'Rowdy' Roddy was born on this day back in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
To his credit, Paul Langton managed to squeeze in a respectable amount of genre appearances within his only sixty-six years of existence; and that's worthy of commendation. Some of the projects he participated in include Tales Of Tomorrow, The Snow Creature (1954), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), It! The Terror From Beyond Space (1958), The Cosmic Man (1959), One Step Beyond, Invisible Invaders (1959), Men Into Space, The Twilight Zone, and The Immortal. Though he's no longer with us, Langton was born on this day in 1913. [Source: IMDB.com]
Among his many performances, Arnold Yarrow enjoyed a visit to the wide, wide world of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who, though I'm not sure audiences would recognize him under all of that get-up. What is that? Clay? Carpet? Yarrow was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've read some online commentary that heartily suggests the late Kevin Lindsay was one of the better secondary players to traffic in the greater universe of the long-running Doctor Who. He appeared as three different characters over the course of years between 1973 and 1975 before passing into the beyond at the all-too-soon age of 51, and he's largely creditied with helping to bring the Sontarans to life. Though he's no longer with us, Lindsay was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
The second season of TV's immortal Star Trek introduced audiences to an immortal of a different sort -- Apollo (above) from the episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?" In it, veteran character actor Michael Forest played the Greek god. Forest was born on this day in 1929. [Source: IMDB.com]
Every now and then, readers balk at some of what I choose to recognize in my "On This Day In Science Fiction History" columns, and I suspect this item may irk some: actor David Bradley was given the honor of playing actor William Hartnell in the BBC's charming and stellar drama exploring the making of those very few first Doctor Who episodes (the remarkable An Adventure In Time and Space). That may not qualify in some estimations, but it does in mine. And if that isn't good enough? Well, the actor's work was so well receiving he was invited back to play the first Doctor in 2017. Bradley was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
Like so many actors and actresses, L. Scott Caldwell made a splash (after splashing down on a deserted island) as part of ABC TV's popular Lost compliments of director JJ Abrams. Caldwell was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Accomplished actress Olivia Hussey's real claim to fame is her portrayal of Juliet in 1968's revered adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but she has given SciFi fans something to crow about, too. For starters, she's done voicework on Superman: The Animated Series as well as one of my all-time favorites, Batman Beyond. Not good enough, you say? Then dare I point out she's also done voicework on a handful of Star Wars video games? That's nothing to scoff at. Plus, there's a certain stinker called Turkey Shoot (pictured) in her background. Hussey was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Beyond just playing mother to Buffy The Vampire Slayer in the long-running cult hit, the lovely Kristine Sutherland had some screen time aboard Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989). Sutherland was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Elizabeth Lindsey dabbled in the realm of quality genre projects while in the business. Her slim resume boasts participation aboard Tales of the Gold Monkey, Knight Rider, and Star Trek: The Next Generation ("Home Soil"). Lindsey was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation kinda/sorta had a revolving door so far as who was ultimately responible for the starship's engineering (not a great command decision, I might add). Vyto Ruginis even fulfilled those tasks aboard "The Arsenal of Freedom." The actor also booked screen time aboard Phenomenon (1996), The Pretender, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999), The X-Files, and The Event. Ruginis was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Oh, Teri Austin, where oh where have you gone? IMDB.com reports she hasn't appeared in anything since 2001 (a forgettable Science Fiction flick called Gangland), and she also enjoyed a visit to the popular Quantum Leap ("Her Charm") for good measure. Austin was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Peter Marx certainly left his imprint on the greater realm of Star Trek. Typically, he appeared under makeup and/or somewhat heavy prosthetics, bringing to life aliens for the small screen audiences. He can be seen in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager. Marx was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Sean Bean -- better known humorously as the guy every franchise loves to kill -- gave the Wachowski siblings a shot at Science Fiction with 2015's Jupiter Ascending. Unfortunately, the film was largely D.O.A. at the box office, but that's likely not owed to Bean's greatness as a Thespian. Bean was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Carlo Rota is the kind of talent who steals quality scenes in practically everything he appears. Genre fans probably know him best for work in Total Recall 2070, Earth: Final Conflict, Mission to Mars (2000), SGU Stargate Universe, Sanctuary, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Rota was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Don Michael Paul (above left) joined no less than B-movie queen Barbara Crampton in delivering up the SciFi stop-motion sleeper Robot Wars back in 1993. Paul was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
For a time, his was the face of evil for all of the survivors aboard ABC TV's Lost. His name is William Mapother, and he was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
She's not only super-flexible but she can act! The dreamy Leslie Bega has sported appearances aboard such projects as The Twilight Zone, Small Wonder, Freddy's Nightmares, and SeaQuest 2032. Bega was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Henry Ian Cusick played 'Desmond' in ABC's Lost, being gifted with perhaps one of the only storylines that writing crew happened to effectively resolve come the program's (bitter) end. He also had a brief appearance in Fox TV's Fringe. More recently, he was found trying to salvage what's left of Earth and our dwindling population in the CW's The 100. Cusick was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Jennifer Garner brought Elektra to life for the silver screen in 2005 after successfully introducing the character two years previous in Marvel's Daredevil. Plus, she headlined TV's Alias for its five seasons, and that definitely had some SciFi and Fantasy undertones. Garner was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
The actress known only as Maïwenn played the role of the blue-skinned 'Diva Plavalaguna' aboard Luc Besson's The Fifth Element (1997). Maïwenn was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Monet Mazur transitioned from modeling to acting with great ease, though I would imagine her good looks certainly have helped the young lady open doors into various film and television projects. Her genre credentials are a bit light, but kudos to appearances in Strange World and Mystery Men (1999) as well as some voicework in the greater Transformers franchise, things fans 'round here tend to appreciate. Mazur was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Lindsay Hartley had a point to make aboard the WB's long-running Smallville during its 2010 season. Hartley was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
As an actress, Mylène Dinh-Robic has that 'exotic' and 'brainy' look down pat, which is never a bad thing when directors are casting for 'exotic' and 'brainy.' She's enjoyed appearances in The Listener and Being Human as well as smaller roles on such franchises as Tru Calling, The 4400, Battlestar Galactica, Smallville, and Stargate: Atlantis. Dinh-Robic was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
As I've said before (and pardon me for repeating myself), I totally dug Stargate Universe's vibe. Now, that's probably because I had so much trouble with the other entries into the franchise. There's something far more interesting about characters always at odds with one another until they need to pull together to find a solution. In any event, the lovely Alaina Huffman played 'Lt. Tamara Johansen' to great delight, and she's definitely a character I miss now that the show's little more than a memory. Huffman was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Quite literally, Nicholas D'Agosto towered over costar Hayden Panettiere when he joined Heroes for several episodes. D'Agosto was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
When the franchise went where no it was inevitably headed with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), the talented Joon-Gi Lee signed aboard as 'Commander Chu.' Lee was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though it appears Rooney Mara is more comfortable with conventional projects, she did dip into the realm of Fantasy with a role aboard the critically-panned Pan (2015). Mara was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of 'Lincoln Campbell,' Luke Mitchell charged up Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. for all of twenty-nine episodes. Mitchell was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
As I've mentioned before, it isn't all that uncommon for the producers of adult films to cross over with more mature themed SciFi and Fantasy yarns, if for no other reason than they've already got the costumes! In any event, the delicious Jazy Berlin has captivated viewers with work in such titles as This Ain't Conan The Barbarian XXX (2011), Sexy Warriors (2014), Lust In Space (2015), and Avengers vs. X-Men XXX: An Axel Braun Parody (2015). Check her out in Spandex (or without) if you're so inclined. Berlin was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
The highly photogenic Jacqueline MacInnes Wood showed up for a guest spot aboard The CW's popular Arrow program in 2012. Previous to that, she enjoyed a small part in the Walt Disney SciFi/Telefilm Skyrunners (2009). Wood was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Adult film maiden Veronica Ricci has suited up (and -- ahem -- unsuited) for any number of genre-related projects, many of which I couldn't mention here without blushing. Still, SciFiHistory.Net does love a girl who plays dress-up, and that she does! Plus she enjoyed a role aboard the lesser Interstellar Wars (2016) for Mc'Cohen Films, and that's definitely in our collective wheelhouse. Ricci was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fresh-faced Gia Mantegna went Under The Dome for Amblin Television and CBS Television Studios during that program's run. Mantegna was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
Neither critics nor audiences warmed up to the zany delight that was Speed Racer (2008), but I've no problem admitting that I had fun with it. Paulie Litt suitably brought the mischievous 'Spritle' to life in the Fantasy/Comedy, and Litt was born on this day in 1995. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1964 (in East Germany), the Russian-language SciFi film Mechte Navstrechu played in theaters. Directed by the team of Mikhail Karyukov and Otar Koberidze, the feature starred Larisa Gordeichik, Boris Borisyonok, and Peeter Kard; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A rocket from a distant planet approaching Earth must land on Mars due to a technical defect, thus the inhabitants of the Earth rush to their help."
"A rocket from a distant planet approaching Earth must land on Mars due to a technical defect, thus the inhabitants of the Earth rush to their help."
On this day in 1980 (in the Netherlands), Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker mesmerized audiences. The feature starred Alisa Freyndlikh and Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A guide leads two men through an area known as the Zone to find a room that grants wishes."
"A guide leads two men through an area known as the Zone to find a room that grants wishes."
On this day in 1981 (in Finland), Roger Corman's Battle Beyond The Stars enjoyed its theatrical release. Emerging from a script by John Sayles, the SciFi/Adventure starred Richard Thomas and George Peppard, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
A star is born! A young Matthew Broderick pretty much established himself as the go-to-guy for small yet brainy SciFi flicks in the 1980's first with WarGames and then with Project X. The film opened on this day in 1987, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A young inductee into the military is given the task of looking after some chimpanzees used in the mysterious "Project X". Getting to know the chimps fairly well, he begins to suspect there is more to the secret project than he is being told."
"A young inductee into the military is given the task of looking after some chimpanzees used in the mysterious "Project X". Getting to know the chimps fairly well, he begins to suspect there is more to the secret project than he is being told."
On this day in 2001 (in Greece), the 1978 theatrical cut of Battlestar Galactica enjoyed its release on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth."
"After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth."
On this day in 2003 (in Norway), Descent Into Darkness (aka Dark Descent) enjoyed its premiere on home video. The feature starred Dean Cain and Biliana Petrinska, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Deep in the Mariana Sea Trench, a corporate underwater mining complex has been built - an industrial Atlantis. When an accident in a dry-dock chamber kills several miners an investigator is sent to find the cause and immediately finds out that it was not an accident. He becomes caught in the middle of a deadly conflict between the miners and the corporation, and fights to stay alive and uncover the truth."
"Deep in the Mariana Sea Trench, a corporate underwater mining complex has been built - an industrial Atlantis. When an accident in a dry-dock chamber kills several miners an investigator is sent to find the cause and immediately finds out that it was not an accident. He becomes caught in the middle of a deadly conflict between the miners and the corporation, and fights to stay alive and uncover the truth."
A star is born! On this day in 2008 (in the U.S.), audiences in attendance of the Houston Film Festival were treated to the theatrical debut of ... Swamp Devil! Directed by David Winning from a script by Gary Dauberman and Ethlie Ann Vare, the SciFi/Horror starred Bruce Dern, Cindy Sampson, and Nicolas Wright. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young girl finds out some disturbing supernatural truths about her father, who has been a suspect to multiple murder cases."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Swamp Devil enjoyed a good amount of praise earned from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"A young girl finds out some disturbing supernatural truths about her father, who has been a suspect to multiple murder cases."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Swamp Devil enjoyed a good amount of praise earned from screenings on the film festival circuit.
A star is born! On this day in 2011, the good people of Sydney, Australia were treated to the silver screen theatrical premiere of Walt Disney and Marvel's Thor. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the Fantasy/Thriller starred Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, and Natalie Portman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders."
"The powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders."
On this day in 2012, the 1976-produced Logan's Run played for audiences in attendance of the RiverRun International Film Festival held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Directed by Michael Anderson, the SciFi/Drama starred Michael York and Jenny Agutter, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An idyllic science fiction future has one major drawback: life must end at the age of thirty."
"An idyllic science fiction future has one major drawback: life must end at the age of thirty."
On this day in 2013 (in the Netherlands), The Ghostmaker stirred up what frights in could with its release on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Mauro Borrelli, the Horror/Fantasy starred Aaron Dean Eisenberg, Liz Fenning, and J. Walter Holland; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of friends use an ancient coffin to experience the world as ghosts. Inspired by true events."
"A group of friends use an ancient coffin to experience the world as ghosts. Inspired by true events."
On this day in 2014 (in France), TerrorVision played for audiences in attendance of the Lyon Festival Hallucinations Collectives. Written and directed by Ted Nicolaou, the SciFi/Horror starred Diane Franklin, Mary Woronov, and Gerrit Graham; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A family's new satellite TV system starts receiving signals from another planet, and soon it becomes the passageway to an alien world."
"A family's new satellite TV system starts receiving signals from another planet, and soon it becomes the passageway to an alien world."
On this day in 2015 (in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Pakistan, and the U.S.), the invisible Mr. X made himself visible (somewhat) for audiences. Written (in part) and directed by Vikram Bhatt, the SciFi/Thriller starred Emraan Hashmi, Amyra Dastur, and Tanmay Bhat; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After gaining the power of invisibility; a man becomes a vigilante, in order to take revenge on those who have wronged him."
"After gaining the power of invisibility; a man becomes a vigilante, in order to take revenge on those who have wronged him."
Wow. I'm guessing someone will think twice next time before trying to swipe Martin Landau's Coca-Cola! On this day in 1964, Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone aired "The Jeopardy Room." This served as the twenty-ninth episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A defector is trapped in a hotel room and given 3 hours to find a hidden bomb."
"A defector is trapped in a hotel room and given 3 hours to find a hidden bomb."
On this day in 1965 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Warlords" as part of the greater 'The Crusade' serial. This served as the twenty-fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ian sets out with a reluctant accomplice to rescue Barbara from El Akir's palace as the Doctor and Vicki try to evade the suspicions of the Earl of Leicester."
"Ian sets out with a reluctant accomplice to rescue Barbara from El Akir's palace as the Doctor and Vicki try to evade the suspicions of the Earl of Leicester."
On this day in 1967, Mr. Terrific aired "Stanley The Track Star." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Stanley is assigned to learn the location of a U. S. Track and Field champion who has been abducted by enemy agents."
"Stanley is assigned to learn the location of a U. S. Track and Field champion who has been abducted by enemy agents."
On this day in 1971 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Colony In Space, Part 2." This served as the sixteenth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor discovers an Interplanetary Mining Corporation ship has landed on the planet in order to mine its duralinium, while Norton begins causing trouble at the colony."
"The Doctor discovers an Interplanetary Mining Corporation ship has landed on the planet in order to mine its duralinium, while Norton begins causing trouble at the colony."
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "Vengeance Is Mine." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The aliens organize a series of armored car heists in order to finance the purchase of rubies for their new laser weapons. Meanwhile, Ironhorse is kidnapped by the husband of a woman caught in the crossfire during an alien raid on a research installation."
"The aliens organize a series of armored car heists in order to finance the purchase of rubies for their new laser weapons. Meanwhile, Ironhorse is kidnapped by the husband of a woman caught in the crossfire during an alien raid on a research installation."
On this day in 1991, Quantum Leap aired "A Hunting Will We Go." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam leaps into a bounty hunter who is handcuffed to a female fugitive who will do anything to escape from him."
"Sam leaps into a bounty hunter who is handcuffed to a female fugitive who will do anything to escape from him."
On this day in 1996, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine traveled "Through The Looking Glass." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sisko is kidnapped to impersonate his deceased, mirror universe self to gain Jennifer Sisko's loyalty in the Rebel Alliance."
"Sisko is kidnapped to impersonate his deceased, mirror universe self to gain Jennifer Sisko's loyalty in the Rebel Alliance."
On this day in 1998, The Outer Limits aired "The Joining." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The sole survivor of a disaster on Venus reacts strangely to Earth's environment and when radiation is applied, he begins to manufacture duplicate body parts."
"The sole survivor of a disaster on Venus reacts strangely to Earth's environment and when radiation is applied, he begins to manufacture duplicate body parts."
On this day in 1999 (in Australia), Farscape aired "PK Tech Girl." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After finding the legendary Peacekeeper battleship, Zelbinion, dead in space and emptied of most of its useful technologies Crichton, Aeryn, and D'Argo find a Peacekeeper tech under Crais's command, Gilina, who survived a raid on the ship. Under threat of another scavenger attack, they work to get the shield generator on board the Zelbinion working. As they share the work, Gilina and Crichton grow much closer."
"After finding the legendary Peacekeeper battleship, Zelbinion, dead in space and emptied of most of its useful technologies Crichton, Aeryn, and D'Argo find a Peacekeeper tech under Crais's command, Gilina, who survived a raid on the ship. Under threat of another scavenger attack, they work to get the shield generator on board the Zelbinion working. As they share the work, Gilina and Crichton grow much closer."
On this day in 2000, Earth: Final Conflict aired "The Fields." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Liam investigates a mission run by the Church of the Companions when a friend of his disappears. Sandoval and the Taelons are concerned about 'the fields' where something vital to the Taelons' survival is harvested."
"Liam investigates a mission run by the Church of the Companions when a friend of his disappears. Sandoval and the Taelons are concerned about 'the fields' where something vital to the Taelons' survival is harvested."
On this day in 2001, Fox TV's Dark Angel aired "Shorties In Love." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Original Cindy reunites with her ex-lover, Diamond, who is recently out of prison. Max is suspicious of Diamond which causes her to have a fight with her best friend."
"Original Cindy reunites with her ex-lover, Diamond, who is recently out of prison. Max is suspicious of Diamond which causes her to have a fight with her best friend."
On this day in 2010, Doctor Who aired "Victory of the Daleks" as the third episode in the program's fifth rebooted season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The TARDIS takes The Doctor and Amy to war-torn Britain in the middle of World War Two. Not only do they meet Winston Churchill himself, but the Doctor comes face to face once again with his greatest enemy of all."
"The TARDIS takes The Doctor and Amy to war-torn Britain in the middle of World War Two. Not only do they meet Winston Churchill himself, but the Doctor comes face to face once again with his greatest enemy of all."
On this day in 2018, Nebula Award winning author Jack McDevitt and his publisher Gallery / Saga Press released The Long Sunset to the consumer marketplace. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the plot summary:
"Priscilla 'Hutch' Hutchins discovers an interstellar message from a highly advanced race that could be her last chance for a mission before the program is shut down for good."
"Priscilla 'Hutch' Hutchins discovers an interstellar message from a highly advanced race that could be her last chance for a mission before the program is shut down for good."
