In Source Code, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Colter Stevens, a soldier who wakes up in the body of another man riding a commuter train destined to be subject to a terrorist attack. It's a brilliant little time travel yarn that's very smartly produced. (If you haven't seen it, then I encourage you to check it out.) Mr. Gyllenhaal was born on this day back in 1980.
Sir Ralph Richardson (above left) was a terrific choice to play 'The Supreme Being' in Terry Gilliam's deliciously wacky Time Bandits (1981). Though he's no longer with us, Richardson was born on this day in 1902.
With over six decades in the entertainment business, Aki Aleong has certainly built an incredible career for fans to follow. He's had roles aboard The Outer Limits, Airwolf, V, War of the Worlds, Dragonfight (1990), SeaQuest 2032, Babylon 5, Roswell, and Sci-Fighter (2004). Aleong was born on this day in 1934.
Popular Russian actress Anastasiya Vertinskaya made a splash in genre entertainment with a top role aboard Amphibian Man (1962) for Lenfilm Studio. Vertinskaya was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor, producer, and director Tim Reid is probably better known for his work in comedy than he is in the world of Science Fiction, but roles aboard Highlander and Limitless definitely deserve mention here. Reid was born on this day in 1944.
The late actor Robert Urich (above right) had a stellar career in television, headlining several TV properties that enjoyed great success largely due to his affable charm. However, in 1984, he took the lead in The Ice Pirates, a SciFi farce that pitted dueling rogues in pursuit of the most valuable substance in the galaxy: water. Though he's no longer with us, Urich was born on this day back in 1946.
Fans of 1980's era Doctor Who fondly remember Adric, one of the Doctor's companions who was played by the young Matthew Waterhouse. The actor was born on this day in 1961.
The movie Flashdance may've made Jennifer Beals a household name, but SciFi fans prefer the work she did in 2010's The Book of Eli. Beals was born on this day in 1963.
Canadian Jessica Steen has given fandom many great roles across a variety of franchises. She experienced some breakout success by appearing in the only seasons of both Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future and Earth 2 , followed up by roles in Armageddon, The Outer Limits, Mutant X, Stargate: SG-1, and Supernatural. Steen was born on this day in 1965.
Robert MacNaughton (above right) found big screen success playing Michael, the big brother to Elliott, in Steven Spielberg's E.T. - The Extraterrestrial. MacNaughton was born on this day in 1966.
Funnyman Ken Marino played it straight (mostly) for his work aboard Marvel's TV incarnation of Agent Carter. Marino was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Could it be that there would be such a specific niche for "an actress to play a newscaster in a SciFi property?" Lauren Sanchez would certainly fit the bill, playing a newsie aboard Babylon 5, The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Fantastic Four (2005), Zoom (2006), and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). Sanchez was born on this day in 1969.
The original vampire slayer, Kristy Swanson (above right) joined the cast of TV's The Black Hole (2006). She also provided voicework for a SciFi video game (Crysis) in 2007. Swanson was born on this day in 1969.
Actress Amy Locane dipped her toes briefly into the realm of Science Fiction with a role aboard Alien Express (2005). Locane was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Rosa Blasi developed superpowers and used them largely for laughs as part of Nickelodeon's The Thundermans. Blasi was born on this day in 1972.
The fresh-faced Alyssa Milano lent her talent to the realm of Fantasy with work aboard the long-running Charmed. She also appeared on the mid-1990's incarnation of The Outer Limits. Milano was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of Katrina McIntire, Blake Lindsley (above left) joined SciFi's Johnny Rico in preparing to defend the Earth from invading bugs aboard Starship Troopers (1997). Lindsley was born on this day in 1973.
The lovely Tanya Dempsey has built a small career around a handful of pretty solid B-Pictures, including work aboard Shrieker (1998), Guardian of the Realm (2004), and Driller (2006). Dempsey was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Model-turned-actress Irina Voronina played a brainy scientist aboard Rooster Teeth's Lazer Team (2015). Voronina was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
A fresh-faced Marla Sokoloff found herself between a rock and a hard place (FYI: a really, really BIG rock) aboard the TV miniseries Meteor in 2009. Sokoloff was born on this day in 1980.
Relative newcomer Libe Barer had a small but recurring role aboard USA Network's Colony during its first season. Barer was born on this day in 1991.
Newcomer Hermione Corfield joined The Resistance as an A-Wing pilot aboard Rian Johnson's Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017). Corfield was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1975 (in Ireland), Rollerball mashed up sports, business, and a government conspiracy for audiences. Directed by Norman Jewison, the feature film starred James Caan, Maud Adams, and John Houseman. According to IMDB.com:
"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."
For the record:
Rollerball is one of those Science Fiction films, in my humble opinion, that probably means more for its time and place in history than it does decades later. This is not to say that it hasn't aged well but rather its themes and underlying social commentary has been afforded deeper and perhaps more relevant exposure in SciFi films since its day. In any event, Rollerball won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film for the organization's 1974/1975 ceremony, no small feat indeed.
"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."
For the record:
Rollerball is one of those Science Fiction films, in my humble opinion, that probably means more for its time and place in history than it does decades later. This is not to say that it hasn't aged well but rather its themes and underlying social commentary has been afforded deeper and perhaps more relevant exposure in SciFi films since its day. In any event, Rollerball won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film for the organization's 1974/1975 ceremony, no small feat indeed.
On this day in 1980 (in West Germany), Nightmare City enjoyed its run on silver screens. Directed by Umberto Lenzi, the SciFi/Horror starred Hugo Stiglitz, Laura Trotter, and Maria Rosaria Omaggio; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An airplane exposed to radiation lands, and blood drinking zombies emerge armed with knives, guns and teeth! They go on a rampage slicing, dicing, and biting their way across the Italian countryside."
"An airplane exposed to radiation lands, and blood drinking zombies emerge armed with knives, guns and teeth! They go on a rampage slicing, dicing, and biting their way across the Italian countryside."
On this day in 1982 (in Spain), Capt. James T. Kirk faced off against one of his oldest enemies in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan for Paramount Pictures. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
A star is born! On this day in 1986 (in the U.S. and Canada), Hyper Sapien: People From Another Star enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever. Directed by Peter R. Hunt, the SciFi feature starred Dennis Holahan, Sydney Penny, and Rosie Marcel; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three aliens from the planet Taros land on Earth and are befriended by a Wyoming rancher's son."
"Three aliens from the planet Taros land on Earth and are befriended by a Wyoming rancher's son."
On this day in 1990 (in South Korea), audiences were sent on a wild mind trip in Paul Verhoeven's adaptation of the Philip K. Dick story, Total Recall. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?"
"When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?"
On this day in 1991 (in West Germany), Flesh Gordon Meets The Cosmic Cheerleaders crashed down to Earth on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Flesh Gordon is kidnapped by a group of space cheerleaders hoping to use him to save their planet."
"Flesh Gordon is kidnapped by a group of space cheerleaders hoping to use him to save their planet."
On this day in 1996 (in Germany and New Zealand), Capt. Picard and his crew went into the past to save their future in Star Trek: First Contact. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed."
"The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed."
On this day in 2000 (in West Germany), Deep Core enjoyed its release on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The future of Earth is in question when a strange reaction deep beneath its surface causes a massive rupture in the planet's inner structure."
"The future of Earth is in question when a strange reaction deep beneath its surface causes a massive rupture in the planet's inner structure."
On this day in 2003 (in Brazil), the director's cut of Ridley Scott's seminal SciFi/Horror Alien chewed its way onto silver screens for a limited engagement. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
On this day in 2004 (in Germany), Alien Nation: Dark Horizon played for those looking for 'closure' to the abruptly ended Alien Nation television program. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An Overseer named Ahpossno comes to Earth to take the slaves, and all humans, back to the mothership."
"An Overseer named Ahpossno comes to Earth to take the slaves, and all humans, back to the mothership."
On this day in 2006 (in Greece), the 1978-produced Superman enjoyed its release on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero."
"An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero."
On this day in 2009 (in Japan), Assault Girls enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever! Written and directed by Mamoru Oshii, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Yoshikazu Fujiki, Rinko Kikuchi, and Meisa Kuroki; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the aftermath of a global thermonuclear war three battle tested women wage war in a virtual video game against giant mutant sand whales."
"In the aftermath of a global thermonuclear war three battle tested women wage war in a virtual video game against giant mutant sand whales."
On this day in 2014 (in Barcelona, Spain), Ridley Scott's Alien enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom), Zombies Have Fallen enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever. Written and directed by Sam Fountayne, the Horror/Fantasy starred Finn H. Drude, Tony Gardner, and Heath Hampson; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young woman who possesses supernatural powers and visions of an upcoming apocalypse is aided by a retired bounty hunter who must protect her from those who wish to use her abilities for evil."
"A young woman who possesses supernatural powers and visions of an upcoming apocalypse is aided by a retired bounty hunter who must protect her from those who wish to use her abilities for evil."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "Treasure of the Incas." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While Lois is on her way to an auction featuring South American items, a man asks her to purchase an Inca tapestry for him. Soon after, the man is killed and the tapestry is stolen from Lois, so she, Jimmy, and Clark follow the murderer to Lima to find the tapestry and catch the criminals behind the murder."
"While Lois is on her way to an auction featuring South American items, a man asks her to purchase an Inca tapestry for him. Soon after, the man is killed and the tapestry is stolen from Lois, so she, Jimmy, and Clark follow the murderer to Lima to find the tapestry and catch the criminals behind the murder."
On this day in 1953, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Raiders of the Asteroids." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that adventure's plot summary:
"Space outlaws are preying on prospectors searching for uranium on remote asteroids. Tom and his fellow cadets are ordered to disguise themselves as miners in order to break-up the ruthless gang."
"Space outlaws are preying on prospectors searching for uranium on remote asteroids. Tom and his fellow cadets are ordered to disguise themselves as miners in order to break-up the ruthless gang."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who aired "The Waking Ally." This served as the eighth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor's party investigate the Daleks' central control in Bedfordshire while Barbara and Jenny's attempt to reach it are derailed when they are betrayed."
"The Doctor's party investigate the Daleks' central control in Bedfordshire while Barbara and Jenny's attempt to reach it are derailed when they are betrayed."
On this day in 1965, Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea aired "The Monster from Outer Space." This served as the thirteenth episode to the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In 1978, the first space probe to Saturn returns and the Seaview is sent to retrieve it. Despite their stringent decontamination procedures an alien life form survives and, once inside, begins to take over the ship."
"In 1978, the first space probe to Saturn returns and the Seaview is sent to retrieve it. Despite their stringent decontamination procedures an alien life form survives and, once inside, begins to take over the ship."
On this day in 1977, Logan's Run continued its single season existence with an episode titled "The Judas Goat." Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"A Sandman has plastic surgery so that he appears identical one of Jessica's friends. In this form he convinces the runners to return to the City of the Domes to supposedly assist other runners escape to the outside world."
"A Sandman has plastic surgery so that he appears identical one of Jessica's friends. In this form he convinces the runners to return to the City of the Domes to supposedly assist other runners escape to the outside world."
On this day in 1982, Voyagers aired "Merry Christmas, Bogg." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Phineas and Jeffery convince George Washington not the join the British during the American Revolution and steal back his plans from a British officer for attacking Trenton in 1776. While helping out American labor leader Samuel Gompers they meet an ancestor of Jeffery with whom Phineas wants him to live."
"Phineas and Jeffery convince George Washington not the join the British during the American Revolution and steal back his plans from a British officer for attacking Trenton in 1776. While helping out American labor leader Samuel Gompers they meet an ancestor of Jeffery with whom Phineas wants him to live."
On this day in 1992, audiences had it confirmed that Capt. Jean-Luc Picard could count to four with Star Trek: The Next Generation's airing of "Chains Of Command, Part 2." This served as the eleventh episode of the sixth season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"While the humorless Captain Jellico leads the effort to prevent a Cardassian invasion, Picard is captured and tortured by a ruthless interrogator in an attempt to break him."
"While the humorless Captain Jellico leads the effort to prevent a Cardassian invasion, Picard is captured and tortured by a ruthless interrogator in an attempt to break him."
On this day in 1993, SeaQuest DSV aired "Photon Bullet." This hour from the show's first season guest-starred Tim Russ (who would eventually join Star Trek: Voyager as Tuvok), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Lucas, dissatisfied with his job, is invited to stay with a group of IT workers - who moonlight as hackers stealing money for humanitarian purposes - and their charismatic leader."
"Lucas, dissatisfied with his job, is invited to stay with a group of IT workers - who moonlight as hackers stealing money for humanitarian purposes - and their charismatic leader."
On this day in 2000 (in the United Kingdom), Farscape aired "Die Me, Dichotomy." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Wealthy from their bank heist, Moya's crew heads straight for an ice planet to meet with Diagnosan Tocot, a famous surgeon whom they hope can heal Moya's burns as well as remove Scorpius' neural chip from Crichton's brain."
"Wealthy from their bank heist, Moya's crew heads straight for an ice planet to meet with Diagnosan Tocot, a famous surgeon whom they hope can heal Moya's burns as well as remove Scorpius' neural chip from Crichton's brain."
Ah, Journeyman! We hardly knew ye! Another terrific sci-fi series cancelled well before its time had come! "Perfidia" -- the program's final episode -- aired on this day in 2007; and, alas, there were few answers. Sure, Dan and Livia managed to aid a fellow time traveler in reconnecting with a lost love, but when we last saw Dan he was vanishing once more into the past, leaving his present -- much like the future of the show -- in question. Ever since, fans have been clamoring for a DVD release of the inventive, short-lived drama. Sadly, it appears like that'll never happen.
The deliciously monsterific Sanctuary had an impressive first season. On this day in 2008, it aired "Instinct," a story that explored the conflict that ensues when a reporter sneaks inside an evacuated building only to find Dr. Helen Magnus and her team hard-at-work doing what they do: capturing monsters.
On this day in 2011, Terra Nova aired "Occupation." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The 11th Pilgrimage arrives in Terra Nova and the mysterious Phoenix Group in 2149 makes its move to pillage the past with the help of Lucas and Mira."
"The 11th Pilgrimage arrives in Terra Nova and the mysterious Phoenix Group in 2149 makes its move to pillage the past with the help of Lucas and Mira."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2011, Terra Nova closed out its first (and only) season (a two-parter paired with the above hour) with "Resistance." Here's how it ended, according to the summary on IMDB.com:
"Jim and Taylor team up in a last stand against the Phoenix Group, a colonist makes the ultimate sacrifice and a decision is made that will change life in Terra Nova."
"Jim and Taylor team up in a last stand against the Phoenix Group, a colonist makes the ultimate sacrifice and a decision is made that will change life in Terra Nova."
On this day in 1954, The Shadow radio serial aired "Happy Doomsday." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, it appears that the details regarding this particular episode have been sadly lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
