For a generation of filmgoers, the face of Ian McDiarmid is the face of ultimate evil. And why shouldn't he be? It was he, after all, who manipulated the Dark Lord of the Sith -- Darth Vader -- and seduced him to the Dark Side of the Force. Under his machinations, Vader rose to power, subverting control of the galaxy from the Republic and turning it into the Galactic Empire. Shame on you, Mr. McDiarmid! Shame on you! McDiarmid was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Leaving behind a resume of just over one hundred and sixty different screen credits, Lloyd Nolan was an Emmy-winning character actor whose versatility meant to could perform in any genre. Though fans of a certain era of film (the 1940's) will likely remember him as screen detective 'Mike Shayne,' he continued working in film and television up until his death in the mid-1980's. Genre fans will likely know him best from his work in The Outer Limits where he played the noble philologist 'Tom Kagan' tasked by the U.S. government with deciphering the speech patterns of the "Soldier" who found himself in lost from his future in our 1960's. Though he's no longer with us, Nolan was born on this day in 1902. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though I don't quite remember watching Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) when I was a young'un, I'm thinking that I probably did: it's definitely the kind of viewing that was part and parcel of my youth, but I've seen so many I honestly don't remember them all. Also, I suspect I'd remember seeing a vision as lovely as the great Arlene Dahl, so she'll have to pardon me if I've forgotten! Dahl was born on this day in 1925. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take note: we Star Trek fans love our Klingons. The great Charles Cooper had the chance to play one not once but twice, first in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and then again on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though he's no longer with us, Cooper was born on this day in 1926. [Source: IMDB.com]
There's a whole subculture to Science Fiction that principally concerns itself with the question of 'What if ...?' For example, what if we had discovered intelligent life when man first landed on the moon? What if time and space were as interchangeable as the shirt on your back? What if faster-than-light travel is possible? You get the idea. When it comes to Star Trek, perhaps the biggest 'what if' will always be, "What if the first pilot HAD been picked up by NBC?" For starters, we know that we'd have an entirely different crew, meaning that we'd all most likely be celebrity-worshipping a whole different crop of actors ... including the lovely Laurel Goodwin. In Trek's original pilot, she played Yeoman 'J.M. Colt.' Though she's no longer with us, Goodwin was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
"To know Stuart Gordon's work is to love Stuart Gordon's work." This guy dabbles on the edges of Science Fiction occasionally with more of a horror bent, but it's all good. He's the storyteller behind such entertainment as Re-Animator (1985), From Beyond (1986), Honey I Shrunk The Kids (1989), Robot Jox (1989), Body Snatchers (1993), Space Truckers (1996), and much, much more. Though he's no longer with us, Gordon was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Nick Holt -- pictured above from his appearance aboard the original Battlestar Galactica -- was only on our plane of existence for a brief time, but he still managed a role in one of my favorite SciFi properties. Though he's no longer with us, Holt was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
Elya Baskin -- shown above from his role as Cosmonaut 'Maxim Brajlovsky' from 2010: The Year We Make Contact (2004) -- has played Russians in all sorts of dramas and comedies. SciFi fans may recognize him from appearances in the cult flick, DeepStar Six (1989), Quantum Leap, VR.5, The Invisible Man, and the Spider-man films. Baskin was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though his IMDB.com profile suggests he hasn't work professionally all that much in the past few years, Lawrence Monoson still managed to work in some terrific roles in genre entertainment while 'in the biz.' He booked appearances aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Seven Days, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation (2004). Monoson was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Erm ... are those chicken fingers? 'Cause those look like chicken fingers to me. Now I'm hungry. Miguel A. Núñez Jr. is a great character actor who occasionally steers very near and dear to our beloved genre. Folks may remember seeing his work in Automan, The Twilight Zone (1985), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Babylon 5, Carnosaur 2 (1995), W.E.I.R.D. World (1995), Leprecaun 4: In Space (1996), and The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002). Núñez Jr. was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Embeth Davidtz has certainly come a long way from her role as Sheila in 1992's ultimate cult flick, Army of Darkness. She turned up as Dr. Unger in 2013's vastly underrated Europa Report, the professional who kinda/sorta narrates the more faux documentary pieces of the SciFi picture. Davidtz was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ender's Game (2013) came and went from theaters probably much more quickly than studio executives thought it would. Not quite Star Wars and not quite Star Trek, Game is about a future culture more than it is any relatable other concepts. Viola Davis had a role in the property, and Davis was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Like most fans, I wasn't all that enamored with how The Matrix trilogy of films ended up (it is what it is), but I can always appreciate big ideas when coupled with great performances. Collin Chou (above center) played Seraph in the big budget blockbusters, and Chou was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
If IMDB.com is to be believed, then the always impressive Anna Gunn got her professional start in an episode of NBC's long-running Quantum Leap. Gunn was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Born in California before moving to Hawaii, the lovely Pamela Holt enjoyed a small role aboard Proximity (2020), a SciFi/Indie feature from Demeusy Pictures. Holt was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Yes, yes, and yes! I've agreed before, peeps, that properties like Power Rangers are far more 'Fantasy' than they are 'Science Fiction,' but as Fantasy is SciFi's first cousin then I'm inclined to feature it in these birthday call-outs. (So there! It's good to be the king!) That said, Carla Pérez was a major player within that franchise back in its day, bringing to life the villainous Rita Repulsa for the program's youthful audience. Pérez was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
In her brief foray into screen roles, the late Jeannie Millar enjoyed eight appearances in film and video. Genre fans might recognize her from work aboard projects like Starquest II (1996), Black Scorpion II: Aftershock (1997), and an appearance in the subsequent Black Scorpion series. Though she's no longer with us, Millar was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
[NOTE: Sadly, Jeannie struggled with depression and took her own life. So if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.]
[NOTE: Sadly, Jeannie struggled with depression and took her own life. So if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.]
Chalk this one up to another case of "I Know That Voice, But I Don't Know That Face": the great Will Friedle has done live action work, but he has a far more substantive resume in the realm of voice acting. SciFi fans will, no doubt, know him best as the voice of Terry McGinnis from the legendary Batman Beyond (one of my personal favorite animations ever), and he's also contributed work to Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Kim Possible, Thundercats, Transformers, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Friedle was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Voice actor Roger Craig Smith has left an indelible vocal imprint on such fantastic properties as Iron Man (animated), Wolverine (animated), Star Wars: The Old Republic (video game), The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (animated), and Hulk and Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (animated), to name but a few. Smith was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Drew Nelson found genre fame with a role aboard FX Networks' The Strain adaptation from works by the visionary Guillermo del Toro. He's also appeared on Earth: Final Conflict, Smallville, and Fringe for good measure. IMDB.com reports he's also up for a role in something called People Of Earth which looks to be a SciFi-comedy. Nelson was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Pint-sized Bronx 'piece of sass' Lynn Adrianna Freedman continues to build a career making the best out of smaller and supporting roles. Her genre credentials -- at this juncture -- are relatively light: I do see a role in the SciFi/Comedy short The Time Machine (2010) that's deserving of our mention. In SciFi fandom, we've always learned to take what we can get! Freedman was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Holy moly! Unless I get the math wrong (which I'm occasionally guilty of), it looks like voice actress Meredith McCoy has been supplying a vast assortment of fictional characters with their voices in the wide, wide world of Dragon Ball since 1988, making her a veteran of that universe for over twenty years. That's some serious mileage. McCoy was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Good Lord! Merritt Wever suffered a horrible death aboard AMC's The Walking Dead, didn't she? Urgh. Just gruesome. The talented lady had a role in 2002's Signs from M. Night Shyamalan, so there's that to celebrate ... instead of that gruesome, gruesome, gruesome death. Urgh. Wever was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the popular Marvel movie universe, Chris Hemsworth plays Thor Odinson, and he definitely yields a mighty hammer. Also, Star Trek fans know him as George Kirk, the father to legendary James Kirk, in the rebooted JJ Abrams franchise. Hemsworth was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Pun alert: who can fault a girl for truly being hot? (Works? No?) Well, before she was heating up the small screen in period dramas, the perfectly fetching Jemima West heated up the silver screen with a top role in Fantasy's The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones (2013). West was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sorry, folks, but the one thing I've had little to no time for my research (thus far) is anime, but I do occasionally stumble across a few of these smilers listed on IMDB.com; when I do, I try to cite them here for posterity. And ... Alexis Tipton, anyone? Wowza. Presently, her resume is approaching an incredible three hundred different projects -- many of them animated with her supplying the acting and voicework -- and that's incredible. Tipton was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Award-winning actress and voiceover specialist Alyson Stoner supplies the vocals for no less than 'Batgirl' herself in a solid handful of animated properties for DC's animation wing. And I ask you: who doesn't love any version of Batgirl? She's the beauty under the cowl in Gotham City! Stoner was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Yes, yes, and yes: if you've ever played in the greater Sharknado universe, then SciFiHistory.Net is likely to find you ... even when that means you're a reality-star-turned-actress playing in the greater Sharknado universe ... as is the case with today's mention of the lovely Savannah Chrisley. Congrats, milady! You've made it! Chrisley was born on this day in 1997. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1962 (in Japan), two of cinema's biggest heavyweights met in one of their earliest matchups with the cinematic premiere of King Kong Vs Godzilla. Directed by Ishirô Honda, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Tadao Takashima, Yû Fujiki, and Kenji Sahara; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The advertising director of a pharmaceutical company seeks to boost the ratings of their sponsored TV program by capturing a legendary monster in a marketing scheme as Godzilla re-emerges."
"The advertising director of a pharmaceutical company seeks to boost the ratings of their sponsored TV program by capturing a legendary monster in a marketing scheme as Godzilla re-emerges."
On this day in 1962 (in Japan), Walt Disney's Moon Pilot launched itself into the box office stratosphere. Directed by James Nielson, the SciFi/Comedy starred Tom Tryon, Brian Keith, and Edmond O'Brien; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Away on a short leave before an upcoming moon launch, a NASA astronaut disappears and is feared kidnapped when the security services learn about his friendship with a suspected foreign female spy."
"Away on a short leave before an upcoming moon launch, a NASA astronaut disappears and is feared kidnapped when the security services learn about his friendship with a suspected foreign female spy."
On this day in 1964 (in Japan), the monsterific Dogora premiered theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Earth is attacked by a giant jellyfish monster from outer space that, for some reason, has a sweet tooth for diamonds."
"The Earth is attacked by a giant jellyfish monster from outer space that, for some reason, has a sweet tooth for diamonds."
On this day in 1972 (in Brazil), Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes delivered another chapter in the ongoing Apes saga. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, the SciFi/Drama starred Roddy McDowall, Don Murray, and Ricardo Montalban; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity."
"In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity."
On this day in 1982 (in France), Megaforce revved up its engines at the box office. Directed by Hal Needham, the SciFi/Thriller starred Barry Bostwick, Persis Khambatta, and Michael Beck; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ace Hunter is the leader of Megaforce, an elite group of American soldiers who travel the world to fight Evil. In this case, Evil is represented by a third rate dictator who they must blow to bits."
"Ace Hunter is the leader of Megaforce, an elite group of American soldiers who travel the world to fight Evil. In this case, Evil is represented by a third rate dictator who they must blow to bits."
On this day in 1995 (in Portugal), Judge Dredd served up his particular brand of justice on the silver screen. Directed by Danny Cannon, the SciFi/Thriller starred Sylvester Stallone, Rob Schneider, and Diane Lane; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a dystopian future, Joseph Dredd, the most famous Judge (a police officer with instant field judiciary powers), is convicted for a crime he did not commit and must face his murderous counterpart."
"In a dystopian future, Joseph Dredd, the most famous Judge (a police officer with instant field judiciary powers), is convicted for a crime he did not commit and must face his murderous counterpart."
On this day in 2006, the Horror/SciFi hybrid better known as Pulse tried to give the comely Kristen Bell a franchise. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When their computer hacker friend accidentally channels a mysterious wireless signal, a group of co-eds rally to stop a terrifying evil from taking over the world."
"When their computer hacker friend accidentally channels a mysterious wireless signal, a group of co-eds rally to stop a terrifying evil from taking over the world."
Pulse Pounders was a Horror/SciFi anthology feature shot back in 1988, but the print was lost until some time in 2011, at which point a home video release was arranged for this day in 2012. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what you need to know:
"In this 'sequel' anthology, the film offers a TRANCERS sequel written by original creators Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo, a new Lovecraft adaptation THE EVIL CLERGYMAN, featuring Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, and finally a sequel to THE DUNGEONMASTER."
"In this 'sequel' anthology, the film offers a TRANCERS sequel written by original creators Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo, a new Lovecraft adaptation THE EVIL CLERGYMAN, featuring Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, and finally a sequel to THE DUNGEONMASTER."
On this day in 1971 (in the United Kingdom), Ace Of Wands aired "Joker: Part 1." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Investigating why normally well-behaved children suddenly go berserk and wreck their school classrooms, Tarot and his companions find themselves up against the fiendish Uncle Harry and his strange troupe of travelling entertainers."
"Investigating why normally well-behaved children suddenly go berserk and wreck their school classrooms, Tarot and his companions find themselves up against the fiendish Uncle Harry and his strange troupe of travelling entertainers."
On this day in 1989 (in France), The Ray Bradbury Theater aired "A Sound Of Thunder." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A company provides big game hunters with expeditions to the past to kill dinosaurs. They only have one rule that's there to protect the timeline: Never ever get off the beaten path. Violation of this rule is punishable by death."
"A company provides big game hunters with expeditions to the past to kill dinosaurs. They only have one rule that's there to protect the timeline: Never ever get off the beaten path. Violation of this rule is punishable by death."
On this day in 1999, Crusade aired "The Memory Of War." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's only season on broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Galen warns Gideon not to explore a planet where the inhabitants were suddenly eradicated."
"Galen warns Gideon not to explore a planet where the inhabitants were suddenly eradicated."
On this day in the year 2000, Farscape aired "Beware Of Dog," the fourteenth episode of its second season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the hour's plot summary:
"Chiana returns from a Commerce Planet with a cute little creature called a Vorc that is said to be capable of hunting down parasites which may have inadvertently come on board with the crew's supplies. Aeryn thinks Chiana was swindled; the Vorc appears too scatterbrained and unimposing to hunt parasites even if Moya had parasites - and Aeryn doubts Moya does. But Crichton soon encounters a hostile beast eating its way through one of Moya's walls. However, when he tells the others about the sighting, they are reluctant to believe him. Crichton is having an increasingly difficult time coping with more and more frequent flashes of Scorpius. Who knows what else he's hallucinating?"
"Chiana returns from a Commerce Planet with a cute little creature called a Vorc that is said to be capable of hunting down parasites which may have inadvertently come on board with the crew's supplies. Aeryn thinks Chiana was swindled; the Vorc appears too scatterbrained and unimposing to hunt parasites even if Moya had parasites - and Aeryn doubts Moya does. But Crichton soon encounters a hostile beast eating its way through one of Moya's walls. However, when he tells the others about the sighting, they are reluctant to believe him. Crichton is having an increasingly difficult time coping with more and more frequent flashes of Scorpius. Who knows what else he's hallucinating?"
On this day in 2000, Stargate SG-1 aired "Watergate." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The SGC learn that the Russians have a Stargate of their own and they need the Americans' help with their problems with it that are affecting them both."
"The SGC learn that the Russians have a Stargate of their own and they need the Americans' help with their problems with it that are affecting them both."
On this day in 2000 (in Australia), Thunderstone aired the ninth episode in the program's third (and final) season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Moshi saves Drako from being trapped outside the Bioplex under the red giant sun. Ivan loses confidence in Drako's leadership and dishes out his own punishment to anyone who helped Arushka escape with the animals."
"Moshi saves Drako from being trapped outside the Bioplex under the red giant sun. Ivan loses confidence in Drako's leadership and dishes out his own punishment to anyone who helped Arushka escape with the animals."
On this day in 2001 (in Australia), Cybergirl aired the fourth episode in its only season on broadcast television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Cybergirl, as Ashley, has her first day in school. Kat is suspicious, however - how does Ashley know so much? Worse still, it transpires that Kat is the daughter of Rick Fontain, a sure fire way for Ashley's cover to be blown."
"Cybergirl, as Ashley, has her first day in school. Kat is suspicious, however - how does Ashley know so much? Worse still, it transpires that Kat is the daughter of Rick Fontain, a sure fire way for Ashley's cover to be blown."
On this day in 2006, Stargate Atlantis aired "Progeny." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Atlantis expedition encounters a highly advanced race, the Asurans. They initially believe them to be the Ancients. However, this new race is just a new face of an old nemesis."
"The Atlantis expedition encounters a highly advanced race, the Asurans. They initially believe them to be the Ancients. However, this new race is just a new face of an old nemesis."
On this day in 2006, Stargate SG-1 aired the fifth episode of its tenth and final season, an hour titled "Uninvited." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mysterious creature targets members of Stargate Command one by one."
"A mysterious creature targets members of Stargate Command one by one."
It all began right here: on this day in 2013, Almost Human aired the very first episode in its single season of televised broadcast existence. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A part-machine cop must pair with a part-human robot as they fight crime and investigate a deeper cover-up in a futuristic new world."
"A part-machine cop must pair with a part-human robot as they fight crime and investigate a deeper cover-up in a futuristic new world."
On this day in 2015, Zoo aired "Sleuths." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team heads to Paris to investigate a group of bears whose trackers have gone offline; Mitch makes a shocking new discovery about the Mother Cell; Chloe runs into her ex-fiancé."
"The team heads to Paris to investigate a group of bears whose trackers have gone offline; Mitch makes a shocking new discovery about the Mother Cell; Chloe runs into her ex-fiancé."
On this day in 2017, Killjoys aired "The Wolf You Feed." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Desperate for an advantage, Dutch goes AWOL and risks a dangerous procedure that connects her to Aneela's memories."
"Desperate for an advantage, Dutch goes AWOL and risks a dangerous procedure that connects her to Aneela's memories."
On this day in 2015, Kino Lorber dipped deep into the realm of SciFi/Fantasy with their Blu ray release of the 1965 alleged underwater stinker, War Gods of the Deep. (Chalk this one up to the 'I Haven't Seen It' variety.) There's a terrific review of the disc's merits -- along with the film's shortcomings -- right here, and -- as always -- here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In 1903, in Cornwall,a group of locals discover an underwater city, dating back to 1803, that hides a society of smugglers and aquatic creatures."
"In 1903, in Cornwall,a group of locals discover an underwater city, dating back to 1803, that hides a society of smugglers and aquatic creatures."
