Kids of the 1970's rejoice! Actor Richard Anderson (show above, right, with Lee Majors) played "Oscar Goldman." He was the boss to Steve Austin, better known as The Six Million Dollar Man. This was one of the high points to 70's Science Fiction. Though he's no longer with us, Anderson was born on this day back in 1926.
In the role of 'Prince Thun,' James Pierce joined Buster Crabbe in SciFi History aboard the original Flash Gordon (1936). Though he's no longer with us, Pierce was born on this day in 1900. [Source: IMDB.com]
Reginald Lal Singh wore his Starfleet finest for his work aboard the classic Star Trek episode "Court Martial" in 1967. Though he's no longer with us, Singh was born on this day in 1905. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of the very last professional gigs was as the mildly confused Grandma Florence Norris -- the unexpected 'savior' of the human race -- in Tim Burton's delightfully zany Mars Attacks! (1996) She was Sylvia Sidney, and -- though she's no longer with us -- she was born on this day in 1910.
Veteran producer Dino De Laurentiis left behind a resume incredibly rich worthy of reflection and study, but genre fans will likely always sing his praises for bringing Flash Gordon (1980) to the silver screen in such a deliciously over-the-top treat. Though he's no longer with us, De Laurentiis was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you haven't seen Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988), then you're in for a campy treat: it features Roddy Piper in the leading role as a man tasks with repopulating the human race (sexually) after the Apocalypse. Rory Calhoun appears in the flick as a real looney tunes (hint, hint). Though he's no longer with us, Calhoun was born on this day in 1922. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delightful Nita Talbot enjoyed a supporting role aboard TV's short-lived Supertrain. In the late 1990's, she provided some voicework for Marvel's Spider-Man: The Animated Series. Talbot was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Where oh where would televised Science Fiction be without the works of Terry Nation? In his time on this Earthly realm, he contributed scripts for such properties as Doctor Who, Survivors, and Blake's 7. Though he's no longer with us, Nation was born on this day in 1930.
Keith Barron went back in time for Science Fiction with roles aboard The Land That Time Forgot (1974) and At The Earth's Core (1976) as well as appearing aboard The Avengers, Out Of The Unknown, Doctor Who, and Police 2020 (1997). Though he's no longer with us, Barron was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction fans all appreciate the terrific genre work of legendary TV producer Donald P. Bellisario. His late 80's creation of Quantum Leap gave viewers a weekly dose of time travel stories and helped make Scott Bakula a household name. Bellisario was born on this day in 1935.
Dustin Hoffman is far more well known for his work in contemporary dramas, but he has flirted with some quality genre projects from time to time. One such property he headlined was 1998's Sphere -- a SciFi flick based on a novel by Michael Crichton -- which had an underwater crew discovering a spaceship on the ocean floor. Hoffman was born on this day in 1937.
Oh, what could've been ... the late Adam Roarke enjoyed a reasonable amount of screen time aboard "The Cage," the original unaired pilot of the classic Star Trek. The actor also found notoriety aboard Women Of The Prehistoric Planet (1966), Cyborg 2087 (1966), The Six Million Dollar Man, Return From Witch Mountain (1978), and Salvage 1. Though he's no longer with us, Roarke was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fans of 1984's SciFi/Comedy The Ice Pirates might remember the talented Marcia Lewis who appeared in the film as the 'Frog Lady.' Though she's no longer with us, Lewis was born on this day in 1938.
The voluptuous Connie Stevens joined funnyman Jerry Lewis in the SciFi/Comedy Way Way Out (1966) for 20th Century Fox. Stevens was born on this day in 1938.
Earl Boen did such a great job in an otherwise small, forgettable role aboard 1984's SciFi juggernaut The Terminator that writer/director James Cameron had to bring him back to the sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). For an actor with nearly an incredible three hundred different screen credits, that popular franchise wasn't his only experience in genre. Fans can find him in roles aboard Wonder Woman, Buck Rogers In The 25th Century, Battle Beyond The Stars (1980), The Powers Of Matthew Star, Voyagers!, Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Fantasy Island, The Man With Two Brains (1983), Otherworld, Miracle Mile (1988), Alien Nation (1988), Star Trek: The Next Generation, and many, many more. Though he's no longer with us, Boen was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
By gosh, that officer sure had great hair, no? The lovely Brooke Bundy showed up for a guest spot early on in Star Trek: The Next Generation's TV run. So far as genre stuff goes, she also put in appearances on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Lost, Wonder Woman, Explorers (1985), and Starman. Bundy was born on this day in 1944.
The respected Keith Carradine made a rare appearance in Science Fiction when he took on a recurring role aboard Joss Whedon's short-lived Dollhouse on Fox TV. Carradine was born on this day in 1949.
Though I suspect most folks remember Don Most for his work as Ralph Malph on a certain sitcom, Don Most has dabbled in genre entertainment since Happy Days with work aboard Sliders, Dark Skies, and Star Trek: Voyager. Most was born on this day in 1953.
Playing the mysteriously named 'The Haitian,' Jimmy Jean-Louis smoldered his way through the small screen adventures of Heroes and Heroes Reborn. The talented actor also logged time aboard Arrow, Metal Hurlant Chronicles, and Extant. Jean-Louis was born on this day in 1968.
Tawny Cypress has had some smaller roles in such genre properties as Warehouse 13 and Elementary after bursting out of a breakthrough performance as part of the ensemble that was NBC's Heroes. In 2006, she also appeared in a telefilm titled The Time Tunnel about a U.S. Department of Energy experiment that changed human history. Cypress was born on this day in 1976.
Though her resume lends one to believe she prefers far more conventional fare, the lovely Lindsay Sloane has dabbled in the realm of Fantasy with work aboard Lands Of Lore III (video game), Batman Beyond (animated), Strange Frequency (2001), and Strange Frequency 2 (2002). Sloane was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Men In Black III (2012) had a central premise I loved -- and one I thought could've re-invigorated the franchise after a disappointing sequel -- but it just never quite came together the way it may have in another time and place. Still, Michael Chernus played a role in the motion picture, and Chernus was born on this day in 1977.
The lovely Meagan Good headlined Fox TV's high concept (but poorly received) Minority Report, a weekly TV SciFi procedural that tried to capture the spark of the 2002 motion picture from Steven Spielberg. (Sadly, it didn't.) Good was born on this day in 1981.
Bali Rodriguez enjoyed a great bit of screen time for her work aboard the SciFi/Thriller AE: Apocalypse Earth (2013) for The Asylum. Rodriguez was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Peyton List is one of the headliners bringing the future of human genetics to the CW's The Tomorrow People. In it, she plays Cara Coburn, one of several young people exploring the next generation of human beings on Earth. List was born on this day in 1986.
Oh, the things you ladies do in the pursuit of justice! Adult film temptress Charlotte Stokely properly suited up (and, probably, suited down) in the mature film version of Justice League XXX for Axel Braun. Yowza! That's one incarnation of Batwoman that wouldn't be cancelled for low ratings! Stokely was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Katie Leung was happy to share a wand with the young Harry Potter throughout seven films in the popular Fantasy franchise. Leung was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Well, deja vu! The young and suitably perky Laura Wiggins is only one of the stars of the CW's The Tomorrow People, a SciFi-lite program postulating that the next generation of humans will be endowed with special powers. Wiggins was born on this day in 1988.
Relative newcomer Devery Jacobs put herself on the Fantasy map with a role aboard the 2019 season of Starz Network's adaptation of American Gods. Jacobs was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1956 (in Mexico), one giant spider sent audiences scrambling for the theater exits with the silver screen premiere of Tarantula. Written (in part) and directed by Jack Arnold, the SciFi/Horror starred John Agar, Mara Corday, and Leo G. Carroll; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A spider escapes from an isolated Arizona desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants."
"A spider escapes from an isolated Arizona desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants."
On this day in 1964 (in Japan), Walt Disney's Son Of Flubber took flight in theaters. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the family-friendly SciFi/Fantasy starred Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, and Keenan Wynn; 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."
A star is born! On this day in 1965 (in Japan), Frankenstein Conquers The World (aka Frankenstein Vs. Baragon) enjoyed its first theatrical exhibition ever. Directed by the renowned Ishirô Honda, the film starred Nick Adams, Kumi Mizuno, and Tadao Takashima; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Near the end of WWII, Germans transport the immortal heart of Frankenstein's monster to Japan, where it is seeming lost in the bombing of Hiroshima. Years later a wild boy is found, born from the immortal heart."
"Near the end of WWII, Germans transport the immortal heart of Frankenstein's monster to Japan, where it is seeming lost in the bombing of Hiroshima. Years later a wild boy is found, born from the immortal heart."
On this day in 1977 (in Norway), Silent Running enjoyed its debut on that nation's television. Directed by Douglas Trumbull, the SciFi/Drama starred Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts, and Ron Rifkin; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is given orders to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft."
For the record:
At the 1973 Hugo Awards, Silent Running was nominated in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation,' but it failed to take home the coveted trophy.
"In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is given orders to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft."
For the record:
At the 1973 Hugo Awards, Silent Running was nominated in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation,' but it failed to take home the coveted trophy.
On this day in 1983 (in Denmark), everyone's Deadly Eyes were opened to the frightening reality of giant rats! Directed by Robert Clouse, the Fantasy/Horror starred Sam Groom, Sara Botsford, and Scatman Crothers; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Corn grain contaminated with steroids produces large rats the size of small dogs who begin feeding on the residents of Toronto. Paul, a college basketball coach, teams up with Kelly, a local health inspector, to uncover the source of the mysterious rat attacks and they eventually try to prevent the opening of a new subway line as well as find the mutant rats nest quickly, or there will be a huge massacre of the entire city!"
"Corn grain contaminated with steroids produces large rats the size of small dogs who begin feeding on the residents of Toronto. Paul, a college basketball coach, teams up with Kelly, a local health inspector, to uncover the source of the mysterious rat attacks and they eventually try to prevent the opening of a new subway line as well as find the mutant rats nest quickly, or there will be a huge massacre of the entire city!"
On this day in 1985 (in Australia), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi/Thriller starred Mel Gibson as Max himself, along with Bruce Spence and Tina Turner. Here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
For the record:
The third film in the Mad Max saga was not without its praises. At the 1986 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), the flick enjoyed four nominations (but no wins): 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
For the record:
The third film in the Mad Max saga was not without its praises. At the 1986 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), the flick enjoyed four nominations (but no wins): 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
A star is born! On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), the Autobots took their first journey up onto the silver screen in The Transformers: The Movie! Directed by Nelson Shin, the animated feature starred the voices of Orson Welles, Robert Stack, and Leonard Nimoy. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Autobots must stop a colossal planet consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons."
"The Autobots must stop a colossal planet consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons."
A star is born! On this day in 1989 (in the U.S.), The Abyss enjoyed its first theatrical exhibition ever when it premiered for the good people of New York City, New York. Written and directed by James Cameron, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth, Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A civilian diving team is enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine and faces danger while encountering an alien aquatic species."
For the record:
At the 1990 Academy Awards, The Abyss took home top honors in the category of 'Best Effects - Visual Effects' but had to settle for nominations alone in the categories of 'Best Sound,' 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction,' and 'Best Cinematography.' At the 1991 Saturn Awards, the film received an incredible seven nominations but only took home the trophy in the category of 'Best Director.' At the 1990 Hugo Awards, the feature enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"A civilian diving team is enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine and faces danger while encountering an alien aquatic species."
For the record:
At the 1990 Academy Awards, The Abyss took home top honors in the category of 'Best Effects - Visual Effects' but had to settle for nominations alone in the categories of 'Best Sound,' 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction,' and 'Best Cinematography.' At the 1991 Saturn Awards, the film received an incredible seven nominations but only took home the trophy in the category of 'Best Director.' At the 1990 Hugo Awards, the feature enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
A star is born! On this day in 1991 (in the U.S.), Subspecies was spawned onto home video. Directed by Ted Nicolaou, the Fantasy/Horror starred Angus Scrimm, Anders Hove, and Irina Movila; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three students get caught in the struggle between a good vampire and his evil brother in the Transylvanian mountains."
"Three students get caught in the struggle between a good vampire and his evil brother in the Transylvanian mountains."
On this day in 2000 (in the U.S.), the planet Earth was once more facing its doom when Tycus made its debut on home video. Directed by John Putch, the SciFi/Drama starred Dennis Hopper, Peter Onorati, and Finola Hughes; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An underground city is built to save a cross-section of humanity as a comet hurtles toward Earth."
"An underground city is built to save a cross-section of humanity as a comet hurtles toward Earth."
A star is born! On this day in 2013, the telefilm titled Invasion Roswell was first screened for the 'boob tube' masses at large. Directed by David Flores, the feature starred Denise Crosby, Greg Evigan, and Daniel Hugh Kelly. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After the American Army shot down a UFO in 1947, generations of elite commandos were secretly trained to deal with the aliens' feared return. However, the extra-terrestrials never came back and the elite force was disbanded. Sixty-six years after the Roswell crash, the aliens are invading Earth and only the over-the-hill retired commandos can stop them."
"After the American Army shot down a UFO in 1947, generations of elite commandos were secretly trained to deal with the aliens' feared return. However, the extra-terrestrials never came back and the elite force was disbanded. Sixty-six years after the Roswell crash, the aliens are invading Earth and only the over-the-hill retired commandos can stop them."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Ice From Space." This served as the forty-third episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"During a Congressional appropriations investigation, an Air Force sounding rocket returns to Earth with an unexpected cargo: a block of ice with unusual chemical properties. Soon the base commander, Major Dozier, is forced to deal not only with the bullheaded Congressman Burns, but the fact that the ice seems to be able to freeze everything around it."
"During a Congressional appropriations investigation, an Air Force sounding rocket returns to Earth with an unexpected cargo: a block of ice with unusual chemical properties. Soon the base commander, Major Dozier, is forced to deal not only with the bullheaded Congressman Burns, but the fact that the ice seems to be able to freeze everything around it."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who continued its journey through its inaugural season by airing the episode titled "A Land of Fear." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com: "The TARDIS lands during the French Revolution, where Ian, Barbara, and Susan become caught up in the politics of the day. When they are arrested and set to be executed, the Doctor must take on the disguise of a public official to try and save their lives."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1977, Holmes And Yoyo bowed out of televised existence with the airing of "Bye, Bye Bennie." This served as the thirteenth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from TVGuide.com:
"Holmes and Yoyo collar a fugitive only to release him to cohorts impersonating cops."
"Holmes and Yoyo collar a fugitive only to release him to cohorts impersonating cops."
On this day in 1997, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Emancipation." This served as the third episode to the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"While exploring a world populated by Mongol descendants, Capt. Carter is abducted as a wife of a local warlord."
"While exploring a world populated by Mongol descendants, Capt. Carter is abducted as a wife of a local warlord."
On this day in 1999, GvsE (aka Good vs Evil) aired "Gee Your Hair Smells Evil." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"His lack of success and lack of customers frustrates a young hairdresser. A Morlock arrives on the scene and tells him that she can arrange for him to become an overnight sensation. Will Chandler and Henry be able to stop another human falling into the grips of a Morlock?"
"His lack of success and lack of customers frustrates a young hairdresser. A Morlock arrives on the scene and tells him that she can arrange for him to become an overnight sensation. Will Chandler and Henry be able to stop another human falling into the grips of a Morlock?"
It all came down to this: on this day in 2003, Tremors: The Series bowed out with the airing of "Shriek and Destroy." This served as the thirteenth episode of the show's only season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Burt and Tyler travel to Juniper, Arizona to deal with a Shrieker infestation, and encounter some difficulties in fighting them."
"Burt and Tyler travel to Juniper, Arizona to deal with a Shrieker infestation, and encounter some difficulties in fighting them."
On this day in 2004, USA Network's The 4400 aired the fifth episode of its inaugural season, an hour going by the title of "White Light." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Baldwin's son Kyle has been kidnapped by agent Lytell for interrogation. Just when Tom and Diana are making plans to take him back, Maia has a premonition about Kyle being the answer to everything."
"Baldwin's son Kyle has been kidnapped by agent Lytell for interrogation. Just when Tom and Diana are making plans to take him back, Maia has a premonition about Kyle being the answer to everything."
On this day in 2011, Alphas aired "Never Let Me Go." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Agent Sullivan (guest star Valerie Cruz) credentials Dr. Rosen (David Strathairn) and his team as members of the Defense Criminal Investigation Service and their first case takes them to Pennsylvania where an outbreak of sudden deaths involving a local high school are suspected to be the work of an Alpha."
"Agent Sullivan (guest star Valerie Cruz) credentials Dr. Rosen (David Strathairn) and his team as members of the Defense Criminal Investigation Service and their first case takes them to Pennsylvania where an outbreak of sudden deaths involving a local high school are suspected to be the work of an Alpha."
On this day in 2011 (in Japan), Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Clone Cadets." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Unless they want to flunk out, the clones of Domino Squad must learn to work together during their training on Kamino."
"Unless they want to flunk out, the clones of Domino Squad must learn to work together during their training on Kamino."
Also on this day in 2011 (in Japan), Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "ARC Troopers." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"General Grievous and Asajj Ventress combine forces in an attack on Kamino. As Anakin and Obi-Wan rush to aid Tipoca City, the clones prepare to defend their home planet."
"General Grievous and Asajj Ventress combine forces in an attack on Kamino. As Anakin and Obi-Wan rush to aid Tipoca City, the clones prepare to defend their home planet."
It all began right here: on this day in 2012, the series H+ premiered. The first installment was titled "Driving Under," and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"A man wakes up in a hospital and realizes that everybody on earth is dead. Though he thinks. He then starts doing weird stuff like having sex with dead bodies and smashing stuff."
"A man wakes up in a hospital and realizes that everybody on earth is dead. Though he thinks. He then starts doing weird stuff like having sex with dead bodies and smashing stuff."
On this day in 2017, Somewhere Between aired "Fate Takes A Holiday." This served as the fourth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While working with Nico to try to stop the serial killer she believes is trying to kill Serena, Laura learns more about Nico's disturbing past; Tom worries Laura will discover his secrets."
"While working with Nico to try to stop the serial killer she believes is trying to kill Serena, Laura learns more about Nico's disturbing past; Tom worries Laura will discover his secrets."
