Li'l Jake Sisko (not so li'l anymore) had a pretty sweet gig (well, until the Dominion War came along as part of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's epic storyline). He got to grow up on a space station on the edge of the galactic frontier. His dad was always busy, so he pretty much had the lay of the place to himself ... and his buddy, Nog. Not a shabby existence if you ask me! Join me in celebrating Cirroc Lofton's birthday, as he was born on this day in 1978.
Meh. There are those who'd insist that any discussion of the particular involved with the groundbreaking The Wizard Of Oz (1939) really has no place amongst serious investigation of Science Fiction and Fantasy ... and to those I say, "Bah!" Billie Burke shone as the original 'Glinda' in the feature, and I'm thrilled to give her a shout in this space. Though she's no longer with us, Burke was born on this day in 1884. [Source: IMDB.com]
On behalf of all mankind, Grandon Rhodes took charge of the U.S. military aboard Fred F. Sears' Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers (1956). Though he's no longer with us, Rhodes was born on this day in 1904. [Source: IMDB.com]
Following a fabulous acting start in the world of radio dramas, the lovely Jane Adams transitioned to motion pictures with relative ease, finding roles in such projects as House Of Dracula (1945), Batman And Robin (1949), and TV's Adventures Of Superman. Though she's no longer with us, Adams was born on this day in 1918. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dudley Foster enjoyed a terrific guest spot aboard "The Space Pirates," a 1969 serial of the BBC long-running Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Foster was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his short time on Planet Earth, the talented Steve Ihnat managed to rack up over seventy different screen credits, those most notably to genre fans being his appearances aboard In Like Flint (1967), Countdown (1967), and Star Trek. Though he's no longer with us, Ihnat was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sue Lloyd enjoyed guest spots aboard a handful of solid genre properties, including roles aboard The Avengers, Journey to the Unknown, and U.F.O. (1993). Though she's no longer with us, Lloyd was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though his IMDB.com profile boasts only a scant ten entries, the talented Bill Lithgow still found time for an appearance aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation. Lithgow was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
During her theatrical travels, the lovely Marlyn Mason left a few footprints in the world of Science Fiction with roles aboard The Invaders, Project U.F.O., The Amazing Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman. Mason was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
Here's a little known and/or little appreciated fact: James Cameron's 1984 Sci-Fi Classic The Terminator -- the film that sent Arnold Schwarzenegger's career into high gear -- featured not one but two signature cyborgs. Of course, the first was played by Arnie himself, but the other -- known only in the script as 'Future Terminator' -- was played by another strongman who answers to the name Franco Columbu. He also did some minor screen work alongside Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian and The Running Man. Though he's no longer with us, Columbu was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the guise of 'Professor Laird,' Chloe Ashcroft appeared in a pair of episodes aboard the Doctor Who serial "Resurrection Of The Daleks." Ashcroft was born on this day in 1942. [Source: Doctor Who Online]
As of late, actor Tobin Bell has found fame with the horror franchise Saw; as the chief antagonist Jigsaw, he puts various players through some fairly torturous paces to kinda/sorta find their freedom. However, he's also done some great work in Science Fiction, appearing in such genre properties as Alien Nation, Stargate: SG-1, The X-Files, and Decoys 2: Alien Seduction. Bell was born on this day in 1942.
I know most folks don't consider anything Superman related to be legitimate Science Fiction, but I've always thought tales of an alien hero coming to Earth kinda/sorta fits the bill. In that vein, let me give a shout out to veteran character actor John Glover, who played the sometimes-duplicitous-sometimes-not father to Lex Luthor -- Lionel Luthor -- to great delight on the WB's Smallville. In fact, I thought the show lost some of its charm when Lionel left. Glover was born on this day in 1944.
David Rasche (above right) -- whose work I've enjoyed since his days aboard the cult TV comedy Sledge Hammer -- had the role of 'Agent X' aboard 2012's Men In Black III. Rasche was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Seinfeld alum Wayne Knight ("Newman!") made a fateful trip to the island of Isla Nublar in the movie that begat a franchise: Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. Knight was born on this day in 1955.
One of the best things to happen to the world of DC Animation -- so far as this viewer is concerned -- is the hire of Paul Dini. The man handles comic book properties with great respect, and he has brought such properties to the small screen as Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and many, many others. Dini was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Shannon Cochran, you can play dress-up in our Trek universe any time you like! She's been seen aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) in supporting roles. Cochran was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'm one of those fans who think The X-Files is a franchise that really has no excuse for never being in production either on the small screen or the big. The way the Chris Carter franchise embraces both Science Fiction, mainstream horror, and political thriller makes it flexible in such a way to tell hundreds if not thousands of stories. And the man who put a face on the program -- David Duchovny as the singular FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder -- turns another year wiser today. Duchovny was born on this day in 1960.
The lovely DeLane Matthews joined Scott Bakula both in an episode of the long-running Quantum Leap as well as the mid-1990's The Invaders reboot. Matthews was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
The funny Maggie Wheeler took a spin with a guest spot aboard Fox TV's popular The X-Files during its run. Wheeler was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
I also understand that most folks consider ABC's Lost to be more fantasy than it ever was Science Fiction. In most regards, I'd agree, but around Season Three through Season Five it explored some up-close-and-personal stories relating to time travel and parallel universes in a very compelling way. One of the program's regulars -- Harold Perrineau -- calls today his birthday. He also played Link in The Matrix Reloaded (pictured above) and The Matrix Revolutions. Perrineau was born on this day in 1963.
I think the lovely Charlotte Lewis can to mankind's attention with her breakout role opposite Eddie Murphy in The Golden Child. Since then, she's also scored screen time aboard Embrace of the Vampire (1995), Viper, and Highlander: The Raven. Lewis was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Cathy Murphy is a veteran character actor who has filled out small roles aboard such entities as She-Wolf of London, Doctor Who, and The 7th Dimension. Murphy was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
About the same time she was finding critical success for her role opposite Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider (1985), the lovely Sydney Penny (above right) dabbled in Science Fiction with a role aboard Hyper Sapien: People From Another Star (1986). Penny was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
By God, that there is some serious, serious girl power: Rachel York voiced 'Circe' for her work aboard Justice League Unlimited. York was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Heather Kadin is a television producer who continues to draw accolades from fans of her work. She's helped bring such visionary projects to the small screen as Limitless, Sleepy Hollow, Star Trek: Discovery, and Salvation. Kadin was born on this day in 1972. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Greg Serano dipped his toes into the wide, wide world of Marvel Entertainment with a guest spot aboard TV's Agent Carter. He's also visited the universes of The Postman (1997), The Twilight Zone, The Dead Zone, and Terminator Salvation (2009). Serano was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critics seem to love the work of Michael Shannon. I'm a bit more reserved. While I enjoyed his take on General Zod in 2013's Man of Steel, I do prefer Terrence Stamp's version more. It was much less action-figure-ish. Shannon was born on this day in 1974.
Lovely Megan Gale proved she can brave the Australian Apocalypse with the best of them with a breakout role in 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road. Gale was born on this day in 1975.
For a while there, it looked like veteran actress Charlize Theron had become a go-to-gal when it came to a script requiring smart female leads in Science Fiction. She's been a part of The Astronaut's Wife (1999), Aeon Flux (2005), Prometheus (2012), and the wonderful Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Theron was born on this day in 1975.
Hans Matheson has left his acting imprint on such projects as The Mists of Avalon, Clash of the Titans (2010), and 300: Rise of an Empire (2014). Matheson was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young Eric Johnson suited up to play the original swashbuckling space hero -- Flash Gordon (pictured) -- for the WB (back when it was the WB). Unfortunately, the show just never caught on, leaving the actor lost in the shuffle. A veteran of Smallville, the actor has also boasted appearances aboard NightMan, The Dead Zone, Supernatural, Alcatraz, and Orphan Black. Johnson was born on this day in 1979.
London-born Simon Kassianides has turned up in a handful of great genre properties including Quantum of Solace (2008), How To Train Your Dragon 2 (animated), Zoo, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Kassianides was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 2014, Randy Wayne ventured dead into the heart of Science Fiction by playing a synthetic police officer paired up with seasoned veteran Michael Jai White. The film was titled Android Cop. Wayne was born on this day in 1981.
I've heard it said that women love their machines, but this is ridiculous! Abbie Cornish starred alongside Joel Kinnaman in the 2014 reboot of the beloved SciFi franchise Robocop. In it, she played Detroit police detective Alex Murphy's wife Clara, and, as such, she really became the 'heart' of that film. Cornish was born on this day in 1982.
Young actress Brit Marling has a way to go to earn her street cred in SciFi, but she has appeared in the critical favorite Another Earth (2011). Her star turn aboard Netflix's The OA has certainly elevated her standing amongst general fandom. Marling was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
In her youth, actress Mimi Paley brought to life the character of 'Samantha Mulder' for "Closure," an episode of Fox TV's popular The X-Files. Paley was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
All the way back to such flicks as Barbarella (1968) or Flesh Gordon (1974) or any number of early Roger Corman entries, filmmakers have found Science Fiction ripe for crossover into the -- ahem -- Adult film market. Today's exhibit: 2014's Apocalypse X gave the lovely Anikka Albrite to explore her sexuality against the landscape littered with the fall of man ... and bless her for doing so! Albrite was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Pretty Francesca Eastwood had her shot at the crown with a plum role aboard Kids Vs. Monsters (2015). She also enjoyed some screen time aboard Heroes Reborn. Eastwood was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Everyone has to start somewhere, so why not start with the end of the world as we know it? Young Liam James broke into stardom as part of the ensemble headlining Roland Emmerich's 2012 ... and nobody destroys planet Earth like Roland Emmerich! Good choice, little warrior. James was born on this day in 1996.
Young Aiden Longworth is well on his way toward building a resume genre fans will appreciate. He's already enjoyed screen time aboard Supernatural, The Tomorrow People, The Returned, The X-Files, Legends Of Tomorrow, and NBC's Timeless. Longworth was born on this day in 2004. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1942, Invisible Agent stirred up some Science Fiction intrigue. The feature starred Ilona Massey and Peter Lorre, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Invisible Man's grandson uses his secret formula to spy on Nazi Germany."
"The Invisible Man's grandson uses his secret formula to spy on Nazi Germany."
On this day in 1953, Spaceways gave mankind another of its early looks at life above the heavens. The feature starred Howard Duff and Eve Bartok, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A small group of closely-guarded British scientists test their first rocket amidst indications of matrimonial strife in the community. After the partial failure of the firing, a couple go missing - have they gone off together or are their murdered bodies circling the earth in the remains of the rocket?"
"A small group of closely-guarded British scientists test their first rocket amidst indications of matrimonial strife in the community. After the partial failure of the firing, a couple go missing - have they gone off together or are their murdered bodies circling the earth in the remains of the rocket?"
On this day in 1964 (in West Germany), Son of Flubber soared into theatres. The feature returned Fred MacMurray as the originally absent-minded professor, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Professor Brainard experiments further on Flubber derivatives, he gets in trouble and only his students can help."
"When Professor Brainard experiments further on Flubber derivatives, he gets in trouble and only his students can help."
1981's animated flick, Heavy Metal (based on the graphic magazine), is another one of those films whose fans seem to have fonder memories of it than I do. I recall seeing it theatrically and pretty much thinking, "Meh." Still, it had a few nice ideas, as well as a few nice sequences and a killer soundtrack. It premiered on this day back then, and, yes, I'll be the first to admit even I would welcome a reboot. Here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"A glowing green orb - which embodies ultimate evil - terrorizes a young girl with an anthology of bizarre and fantastic stories of dark fantasy, eroticism and horror."
"A glowing green orb - which embodies ultimate evil - terrorizes a young girl with an anthology of bizarre and fantastic stories of dark fantasy, eroticism and horror."
Eternia would never quite be the same when, on this day in 1987, Dolph Lundgren headlined an overwhelmingly lackluster version of Masters of the Universe ... and fans of the franchise are still waiting for a do-over today. I was never a big He-Man fan, but I'd welcome a reboot as would most.
On this day in 1990 (in Italy), the Horror/SciFi flick Metamorphosis opened in theatres. The feature starred Gene LeBrock and Catherine Baranov, and here's the premise that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Dr. Peter Houseman is a brilliant geneticist who is working on a serum which will stop human aging, but his colleagues don't believe in his work. When his university funding is threatened by his skeptical benefactors, the doctor takes a desperate measure to justify his work. He administers the serum to himself, but the results are unexpected and horrendous."
"Dr. Peter Houseman is a brilliant geneticist who is working on a serum which will stop human aging, but his colleagues don't believe in his work. When his university funding is threatened by his skeptical benefactors, the doctor takes a desperate measure to justify his work. He administers the serum to himself, but the results are unexpected and horrendous."
On this day in 1991 (in France), Hard To Be A God enjoyed a theatrical run. The feature starred Edward Zentara and Aleksandr Filippenko, and here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Another planet in the period of medieval times. An employee of the institute of experimental history from Earth, who is send under the name of noble don Rumata of Estor as a spy with a mission to contact the local resident of the institute, arrives in the city of Arkanar. But the resident perishes under an unlucky attempt to make a palace coup, and Rumata have to take his place as the resident. Soon he meets all the horrors of the medieval society - a peasant war, palace coups, mass executions. To continue to be an indifferent watcher of all these horrors turns out to be simply impossible..."
"Another planet in the period of medieval times. An employee of the institute of experimental history from Earth, who is send under the name of noble don Rumata of Estor as a spy with a mission to contact the local resident of the institute, arrives in the city of Arkanar. But the resident perishes under an unlucky attempt to make a palace coup, and Rumata have to take his place as the resident. Soon he meets all the horrors of the medieval society - a peasant war, palace coups, mass executions. To continue to be an indifferent watcher of all these horrors turns out to be simply impossible..."
On this day in 1993 (in Japan), the SciFi/Anime Patlabor 2 enjoyed its theatrical premiere. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the fuss was about:
"When a terrorist attack is blamed on the Air Force, Special Vehicle Unit 2 gets caught in the middle of a growing political conflict."
"When a terrorist attack is blamed on the Air Force, Special Vehicle Unit 2 gets caught in the middle of a growing political conflict."
On this day in 2007, Universal Soldiers marched onto the cinematic battlefield. The feature starred Kristen Quintrall and Dario Deak, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The U.S. government initiates a program to create genetically-modified cybernetic super soldiers, but it goes awry when the test subjects escape from their holding cells. Set on an island in an undisclosed location."
"The U.S. government initiates a program to create genetically-modified cybernetic super soldiers, but it goes awry when the test subjects escape from their holding cells. Set on an island in an undisclosed location."
On this day in 2010, Frost Giant (aka Arctic Predator) aired as a SciFi/Telefilm. The feature starred Dean Cain and Steven Waddington, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A dedicated explorer and his team search for a 19th century shipwreck off an island in the Arctic ocean. After the team digs up an alien ice creature that has been buried in the ice for over 200 hundred years, the creature kills the explorers to gain energy needed to return to it's original form."
"A dedicated explorer and his team search for a 19th century shipwreck off an island in the Arctic ocean. After the team digs up an alien ice creature that has been buried in the ice for over 200 hundred years, the creature kills the explorers to gain energy needed to return to it's original form."
On this day in 1998 (in the U.S.), Stargate: SG-1 aired "Message in a Bottle." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SG-1 discovers an ancient artifact and brings it back to the SGC. Ariving at the SGC, it becomes active, pins O'Neill to the gate room wall, and unleashes a virus into him."
"SG-1 discovers an ancient artifact and brings it back to the SGC. Ariving at the SGC, it becomes active, pins O'Neill to the gate room wall, and unleashes a virus into him."
On this day in 2001 (in Australia), Cybergirl aired the second episode of its only season. According to our friends at TV.com,here's the plot summary for the installment:
"Cybergirl knows that she has to do something in order to get the replicants off her trail. In order to do this, she has to ask a favour of Jackson and Hugh, and they have to agree - fast."
"Cybergirl knows that she has to do something in order to get the replicants off her trail. In order to do this, she has to ask a favour of Jackson and Hugh, and they have to agree - fast."
On this day in 2005 (in the U.S.), The 4400 aired "Hidden." Officially, this served as the ninth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"NTAC is keen to find Jordan Collier's killer as Tom is desperate to find Kyle."
"NTAC is keen to find Jordan Collier's killer as Tom is desperate to find Kyle."
On this day in 2011 (in the U.S.), TNT's Falling Skies closed out their first season with a special two-part event. Officially, the first hour was titled "Mutiny," and here's the plot summary for the show's ninth episode from IMDB.com:
"As the 2nd Mass. prepares for a major assault, divisions within the ranks threaten to tear the group apart. Tom has difficulty processing the profound implications of Anne's latest discovery."
"As the 2nd Mass. prepares for a major assault, divisions within the ranks threaten to tear the group apart. Tom has difficulty processing the profound implications of Anne's latest discovery."
On this day in 2011 (in the U.S.), Falling Skies closed out their first season with the airing of "Eight Hours." Officially, this served as the tenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"With Weaver leading several squads of fighters against the aliens, Tom remains behind to help protect the civilians as they evacuate. But a major breach in security endangers both the soldiers and the civilians. Tom is confronted with a decision that may lead him to discovering what the aliens want with the captured teenagers, humankind and the planet."
"With Weaver leading several squads of fighters against the aliens, Tom remains behind to help protect the civilians as they evacuate. But a major breach in security endangers both the soldiers and the civilians. Tom is confronted with a decision that may lead him to discovering what the aliens want with the captured teenagers, humankind and the planet."
On this day in 1940, The Adventures Of Superman Radio Serial aired "Taos: Pillar Of Fire At Graves End." According to our friends at The Old Time Radio Downloads, here's the plot summary:
"A strange evening with the elder of Gravesend, and then Lois Lane disappears from a locked room! Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound! Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s SUPERMAN!'"
"A strange evening with the elder of Gravesend, and then Lois Lane disappears from a locked room! Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound! Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s SUPERMAN!'"
