While most SciFi fans know her from Joss Whedon's short-lived Firefly, I remember Gina Torres from her earlier appearances in the pulpy Cleopatra 2525 and even her guest spots in Alias. She continues working in the industry to this day, garnering an impressive number of small but significant roles in every production she seeks. Torres was born on this day back in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
The Last Starfighter (1984) remains a piece of sugar SciFi confection for viewers of a certain generation, and screen veteran Kay E. Kuter did the film justice in the role of 'Enduran.' The actor also enjoyed guest roles on V (NBC), The Twilight Zone, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The X-Files. Though he's no longer with us, Kuter was born on this day in 1925. [Source: IMDB.com]
I guess if you're going to be remembered for something that there are a lot worse things to be remembered for than falling for the Vulcan neck pinch. Who knows? You could be remembered for playing an evil Nazi! Peter Canon played one aboard Star Trek's "Patterns Of Force," and the actor also turned up in guest spots aboard Irwin Allen's Land of the Giants and The Six Million Dollar Man. Though he's no longer with us, Canon was born on this day in 1933. [Source: IMDB.com]
Denny Miller (shown above in a scene from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's second season outing "The Dorian Secret") was a terrific character actor who made a solid impression in genre entertainment throughout his career. Due to his size, he was usually cast somewhat as a heavy, but he almost always brought real compassion along with his muscle. He's been seen in such properties as The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible, Doomsday Machine (1972), The Six Million Dollar Man, Quark, Battlestar Galactica, Beyond Westworld, and NBC's original V. Though he's no longer with us, Miller was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
Why, even legendary actor Al Pacino (above right) has found himself in the realm of Science Fiction, albeit briefly, with the lead role in S1m0ne (2002), a cautionary tale about digital creations. Pacino was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Bonnie Beecher (above right) was smitten with Ensign Pavel Chekov during her appearance aboard "Spectre of the Gun," a third season outing for Star Trek. Beecher was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 1979, the lovely Talia Shire found herself wrapped up in the SciFi/Horror hybrid Prophecy for Paramount Pictures. Shire was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Jeffrey DeMunn is a versatile character actor who has been caught stealing scenes aboard such properties as The Twilight Zone, The Blob (1988), RocketMan (1997), The X-Files (1998), The Mist (2007), and The Walking Dead. DeMunn was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
While I admit to never quit enjoying all that much of Babylon 5 during its run, I've always said that I thought it had some of the most gifted players in any SciFi ensemble, and Peter Jurasik (above left) was so slouch. He embodied 'Londo Mollari' with just the right mix of charisma and hubris, chewing scenery when the script required it and even softening for some quiet moments. In 1996, he even won the "Best Supporting Player in a Genre TV Series" for Universe Reader's Choice Awards. Kudos on earning such distinction. Jurasik was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
After "cutting his teeth" in the realm of TV producing for the series Bigfoot and Wildboy, Peter Lauritson soared to the heavens by helping to bring Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise to the masses. Lauritson was born on this day in 1952. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Oh, but to be remember for getting some alien goo on your hand! Daniel Kash was part of the early corpses lining up for James Cameron's epic Aliens (1986). He also enjoyed a small role aboard the RoboCop (2014) reboot as well as a larger role on Syfy's The Expanse. Kash was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Christopher Gilman has toiled behind-the-scenes in Art and Special Effects for such properties as The Ice Pirates (1984), The Terminator (1984), The Blob (1988), The Rocketeer (1991), Stargate (1994), Twelve Monkeys (1995), and Watchmen (2009). Gilman was born on this day in 1991. Gilman was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Hank Azaria found himself in a none-too-funny predicament when he needed to capture footage of Godzilla (1998) in the ill-fated monster franchise reboot. Azaria was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Jason Lee provided the voice for 'Buddy Pine' (aka Syndrome) aboard the Walt Disney/Pixar feature The Incredibles (2004). Lee was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ragnarok (2013) is one of those cinematic fantasies I've heard so many conflicting reports about that I have yet to see it so consider it part of my ever expanding Bucket List at present. Still, kudos to the lovely Sofia Helin for appearing aboard the property. Helin was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though I would suspect conventional dramas and comedies are more to her liking, the lovely Emily Bergl has dabbled in other realms with roles aboard The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), Taken (TV miniseries), Star Trek: Enterprise, and Syfy's Warehouse 13. Bergl was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Becky Wahlstrom enjoyed a prominent guest-starring role aboard Star Trek: Enterprise's "Cogenitor" in 2003. Wahlstrom was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
As photogenic as she is, it isn't hard to figure out why showrunners would hire the lovely Tiffani Timms to fill out secondary roles, and she's been privileged to be a small part of Alienated, Jake 2.0, Stargate: SG-1, Kyle XY, and Elysium (2013). Timms was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of Giuseppe Andrews' earliest screen roles was as 'Troy' aboard Roland Emmerich's landmark Independence Day (1996). Andrews was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Samuel Barnett delivered a winning amount of quirk as the lead aboard Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency for the BBC. Barnett was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
At times, MTV's foray into Fantasy -- their adaptation of The Shannara Chronicles -- was quite good, but late in the first season it became so jumbled I'm not sure anyone knew exactly what was going on. Still, kudos to Daniel MacPherson for his involvement in the property. MacPherson was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fantasies just don't get much richer than Immortals (2011) in which Ares (the Greek God of war) was played by Daniel Sharman. Sharman was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Jonathan Bailey had a terrific guest-starring gig on an eighth season outing of the BBC's uber-popular Doctor Who. In it, he played Psi, a psi-gifted thief who joined the Doctor himself for the immortal "Time Heist." Bailey was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1941 (in London), The Devil Bat sunk its fangs into audiences. Directed by Jean Yarbrough, the SciFi/Horror starred Bela Lugosi and Suzanne Kaaren, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A mad scientist develops an aftershave lotion that causes his gigantic bats to kill anyone who wears it."
"A mad scientist develops an aftershave lotion that causes his gigantic bats to kill anyone who wears it."
On this day in 1962 (in France), The Magic Sword swung onto the silver screen. Written and directed by Bert I. Gordon, the Fantasy feature starred Basil Rathbone and Gary Lockwood, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, embarks on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard."
"The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, embarks on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard."
On this day in 1968 (in France), the original Planet Of The Apes enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi feature starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
On this day in 1984 (in France), Panic broke out cinematically. Directed by Tonino Ricci, the SciFi/Horror starred David Warbeck and Janet Agren, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist's experiment with a deadly bacteria goes awry and leaves him horribly deformed. The monstrous man then runs amok in his town."
"A scientist's experiment with a deadly bacteria goes awry and leaves him horribly deformed. The monstrous man then runs amok in his town."
On this day in 1986 (in East Germany), Star Trek: The Motion Picture enjoyed a run at the theaters. Directed by Robert Wise, the SciFi feature brought William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley back into roles they created for television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When an alien spacecraft of enormous power is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk resumes command of the overhauled USS Enterprise in order to intercept it."
"When an alien spacecraft of enormous power is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk resumes command of the overhauled USS Enterprise in order to intercept it."
On this day in 1991 (in Peru), RoboCop 2 reported for duty on the silver screen. Directed by Irvin Kershner, the SciFi feature starred Peter Weller and Nancy Allen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a successful deployment of the Robocop Law Enforcement unit, OCP sees its goal of urban pacification come closer and closer, but as this develops, a new narcotic known as "Nuke" invades the streets led by God-delirious leader Cane. As this menace grows, it may prove to be too much for Murphy to handle. OCP tries to replicate the success of the first unit, but ends up with failed prototypes with suicidal issues... until Dr. Faxx, a scientist straying away from OCP's path, uses Cane as the new subject for the Robocop 2 project, a living God."
"After a successful deployment of the Robocop Law Enforcement unit, OCP sees its goal of urban pacification come closer and closer, but as this develops, a new narcotic known as "Nuke" invades the streets led by God-delirious leader Cane. As this menace grows, it may prove to be too much for Murphy to handle. OCP tries to replicate the success of the first unit, but ends up with failed prototypes with suicidal issues... until Dr. Faxx, a scientist straying away from OCP's path, uses Cane as the new subject for the Robocop 2 project, a living God."
A star is born! On this day in 1944, Hercules And The Amazon Women aired on US television, giving birth to the entire Hercules: The Legendary Journeys franchise! Directed by Bill L. Norton, the script was penned by Andrew Dettman, Jule Selbo, and Daniel Truly. The telefilm starred the incredible man himself Kevin Sorbo as the titular strongman and also cast Michael Hurst as his sidekick, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"Hercules and Iolaus take time out from Iolaus' wedding preparations, to help a distant village under attack from 'monsters.' When they reach their destination, they find the monsters are in fact Amazonian women who are controlled by Hera."
"Hercules and Iolaus take time out from Iolaus' wedding preparations, to help a distant village under attack from 'monsters.' When they reach their destination, they find the monsters are in fact Amazonian women who are controlled by Hera."
On this day in 2014 in the United Kingdom, a little SciFi ditty called Beyond premiered theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Beyond is a suspenseful sci-fi journey tracking the turbulent relationship of Cole and Maya as they struggle to survive in a world where the human population has been left decimated after an extra-terrestrial attack."
"Beyond is a suspenseful sci-fi journey tracking the turbulent relationship of Cole and Maya as they struggle to survive in a world where the human population has been left decimated after an extra-terrestrial attack."
A star is born! Or is that eaten? Hmm. As they say, "the more, the merrier!" On this day in 2015, the SciFi/Telefilm Lake Placid Vs. Anaconda pitted the giant gators of the world versus the giant anacondas. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A giant crocodile goes head to head with a giant Anaconda. The town sheriff must find a way to destroy the two monsters before they kill the whole town."
"A giant crocodile goes head to head with a giant Anaconda. The town sheriff must find a way to destroy the two monsters before they kill the whole town."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Plague From Space." This served as the thirtieth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"USAF Colonel Jeffrey Ward's abilities are put to the ultimate test when a Martian spaceship lands at his base. At first glance the craft has only one passenger, but when an infection breaks out it becomes clear that there was more than one Martian on the ship."
"USAF Colonel Jeffrey Ward's abilities are put to the ultimate test when a Martian spaceship lands at his base. At first glance the craft has only one passenger, but when an infection breaks out it becomes clear that there was more than one Martian on the ship."
On this day in 1953, Johnny Jupiter aired the sixth episode in the program's first season on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Johnny and Mr. Duckweather compare educational systems on Earth and Jupiter."
"Johnny and Mr. Duckweather compare educational systems on Earth and Jupiter."
"The Screaming Jungle" was an episode of Doctor Who that aired as part of its first season in 1964. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The search for the second key takes the travellers to a jungle where Ian and Barbara come under threat from rapidly growing plants."
"The search for the second key takes the travellers to a jungle where Ian and Barbara come under threat from rapidly growing plants."
On this day in 1965, Stingray aired "A Nut For Marineville." Officially, this served as the thirtieth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a seemingly indestructible craft is sighted heading towards Marineville on a collision course, the eccentric Professor Burgoyne is called in to help develop a new super missile with which to destroy it."
"When a seemingly indestructible craft is sighted heading towards Marineville on a collision course, the eccentric Professor Burgoyne is called in to help develop a new super missile with which to destroy it."
On this day in 1992, the venerable Capt. Jean-Luc Picard gets his heart broken (like a little schoolgirl!) in TV syndication with the airing of "The Perfect Mate." (Curse you, cruel fate!) This served as the twenty-first hour of Star Trek: The Next Generation's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"The Enterprise continues its mission to take cargo - an unusual cocoon - to meet Alrik of Volt so that two worlds can end centuries of conflict. Two Ferengi damage the cocoon, which melts away to reveal the empath Kamala who mistakes Picard for her mate."
"The Enterprise continues its mission to take cargo - an unusual cocoon - to meet Alrik of Volt so that two worlds can end centuries of conflict. Two Ferengi damage the cocoon, which melts away to reveal the empath Kamala who mistakes Picard for her mate."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Battle Lines." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After showing Bajoran spiritual leader Kai Opaka the wormhole, she, Sisko, Bashir and Kira crash land on a moon. Kai Opaka dies and the three meet the unfriendly locals."
"After showing Bajoran spiritual leader Kai Opaka the wormhole, she, Sisko, Bashir and Kira crash land on a moon. Kai Opaka dies and the three meet the unfriendly locals."
On this day in 1994, RoboCop: The Series aired "Zone Five." This served as the eighth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"OCP appoints a vigilante group as new neighborhood watch team in order to solve an ongoing drug problem. They are too hasty in their decision, as it becomes clear that they are actually the drug pushers, and using the watch group as a cover for their operation. RoboCop feels he must step in and expose the operation, especially when he finds his son has been recruited by the group."
"OCP appoints a vigilante group as new neighborhood watch team in order to solve an ongoing drug problem. They are too hasty in their decision, as it becomes clear that they are actually the drug pushers, and using the watch group as a cover for their operation. RoboCop feels he must step in and expose the operation, especially when he finds his son has been recruited by the group."
On this day in 1994, Time Trax aired "Catch Me If You Can." This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"While in pursuit of Morgan Pierce, a fugitive from the future Darien has spent a lot of time tracking in the past, Darien teams up with a female police captain, Sheriff Jobeth."
"While in pursuit of Morgan Pierce, a fugitive from the future Darien has spent a lot of time tracking in the past, Darien teams up with a female police captain, Sheriff Jobeth."
On this day in 1997, Sliders aired "Slither." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Quinn and Rembrandt get snared in a rare South American snake deal and wind up getting Maggie and Wade trapped during a rescue attempt."
"Quinn and Rembrandt get snared in a rare South American snake deal and wind up getting Maggie and Wade trapped during a rescue attempt."
On this day in 1999, The X-Files aired "The Unnatural." Officially, this episode served as the nineteenth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Searching through an FBI reference book, Mulder finds a photograph of Arthur Dales with a baseball team and the alien bounty hunter. Mulder goes to Arthur Dales' house to ask him about the photograph. There he finds Arthur Dales' brother, also named Arthur. Mr. Dales proceeds to tell Mulder a story of a 1940s Negro baseball player in Roswell named Josh Exley who was closing in on breaking some professional baseball records. Mr. Dales tells how he was assigned to protect this player from the KKK and that Exley was actually an alien."
"Searching through an FBI reference book, Mulder finds a photograph of Arthur Dales with a baseball team and the alien bounty hunter. Mulder goes to Arthur Dales' house to ask him about the photograph. There he finds Arthur Dales' brother, also named Arthur. Mr. Dales proceeds to tell Mulder a story of a 1940s Negro baseball player in Roswell named Josh Exley who was closing in on breaking some professional baseball records. Mr. Dales tells how he was assigned to protect this player from the KKK and that Exley was actually an alien."
The crew of Star Trek: Voyager were finally given a new mission from Starfleet in "Friendship One": recover a 21st century probe from a nearby planet. The episode first aired on this day in 2001.
On this day in 2003, Tremors: The Series aired "Hit and Run." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two Vegas mobsters arrive in Perfection, wanting to see El Blanco. After El Blanco eats one of them, swallowing an important key in the process, a hit is put on him, and Burt and the others must save him."
"Two Vegas mobsters arrive in Perfection, wanting to see El Blanco. After El Blanco eats one of them, swallowing an important key in the process, a hit is put on him, and Burt and the others must save him."
On this day in 2008, Syfy's Battlestar Galactica aired the fourth episode of its fourth season. It was an hour titled "Escape Velocity," and -- according to our friends at IMDB.com -- here's the plot summary:
"Gaius Baltar causes intense unrest within the fleet when he begins to openly promote belief in the Cylon god. Colonel Tigh, Galen Tyrol, and Tory Foster argue over how far they should go to ensure their secret is not revealed."
"Gaius Baltar causes intense unrest within the fleet when he begins to openly promote belief in the Cylon god. Colonel Tigh, Galen Tyrol, and Tory Foster argue over how far they should go to ensure their secret is not revealed."
On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Primeval aired the fifth episode of its third season on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An anomaly appears in the flat of unsympathetic millionaire Sir Richard Bentley, ultimately turning him into a flesh-eating monster, slowly evolving into a giant fungus. Sir James allows an enthusiastic Danny to replace Cutter at the ARC and, along with Connor, he destroys the former Sir Richard by exposure to extreme cold. Jenny sees an old photograph of herself from the days when she was Claudia and decides to move on."
"An anomaly appears in the flat of unsympathetic millionaire Sir Richard Bentley, ultimately turning him into a flesh-eating monster, slowly evolving into a giant fungus. Sir James allows an enthusiastic Danny to replace Cutter at the ARC and, along with Connor, he destroys the former Sir Richard by exposure to extreme cold. Jenny sees an old photograph of herself from the days when she was Claudia and decides to move on."
On this day in 2011, Sanctuary aired "One Night." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"What started as an innocent first date for Will and Abby turns into a dangerous kidnapping by a gang whose leader faces certain death without their help."
"What started as an innocent first date for Will and Abby turns into a dangerous kidnapping by a gang whose leader faces certain death without their help."
On this day in 2014 (in the United States), Continuum aired "A Minute Changes Everything." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As Kiera works to free a college student caught in a police cover-up, her perspective on police behaviour is thrown into question. Carlos discovers Liber8's influence reaches right inside of VPD. Alec secures an unlikely ally."
"As Kiera works to free a college student caught in a police cover-up, her perspective on police behaviour is thrown into question. Carlos discovers Liber8's influence reaches right inside of VPD. Alec secures an unlikely ally."
On this day in 2015 (in the United Kingdom), Thunderbirds Are Go aired "Fireflash." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by our friends at TV.com:
"Kayo is riding aboard Fireflash, a supersonic airliner invented by Brains, but she is unaware that its controls have been tampered with. International Rescue notices the plane has vanished from their monitors and attempt to locate it. Kayo realises that the plane is flying in the wrong direction, and manages to avoid a powerful gas attack that has knocked out both passengers and crew."
"Kayo is riding aboard Fireflash, a supersonic airliner invented by Brains, but she is unaware that its controls have been tampered with. International Rescue notices the plane has vanished from their monitors and attempt to locate it. Kayo realises that the plane is flying in the wrong direction, and manages to avoid a powerful gas attack that has knocked out both passengers and crew."
On this day in 2016 (in Spain), The Ministry Of Time aired "Oleo sobre tiempo." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team visits Madrid's Royal Palace in 1734 after paintings that were lost in a fire then begin to appear in modern day auctions."
"The team visits Madrid's Royal Palace in 1734 after paintings that were lost in a fire then begin to appear in modern day auctions."
On this day in 2018, The Expanse aired "Assured Destruction." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Earth strategizes a costly ploy to gain advantage in the war against Mars; Anna struggles to convince Sorrento-Gillis to do the right thing; Avasarala and Bobbie seek refuge aboard the Rocinante."
"Earth strategizes a costly ploy to gain advantage in the war against Mars; Anna struggles to convince Sorrento-Gillis to do the right thing; Avasarala and Bobbie seek refuge aboard the Rocinante."
