As I've said many times before, I never much cared for Firefly or its subsequent theatrical outing Serenity. It was all well and good ... just not my cup of tea. But I love the work of Adam Baldwin. He's been a terrific addition to The Last Ship on TNT, if you caught any of its first season. Plus, I follow him on Twitter. Baldwin was born on this day in 1962.
With his time in the business, Donald Curtis amassed a resume of over one hundred different screen credits. Genre fans probalby know him best from work aboard Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe (1940), It Came From Beneath The Sea (1955), Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers (1956) or several appearances to Science Fiction Theatre. Though he's no longer with us, Curtis was born on this day in 1915. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Lynn Cartwright didn't leave behind a resume of great reknown so far as Science Fiction goes, but she did leave an imprint on such features as Science Fiction Theatre, Queen Of Outer Space (1958), The Wasp Woman (1959), Far Out Space Nuts, and The Lucifer Complex (1978). Though she's no longer with us, Cartwright was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
By no stretch of the imagination is Joanne Woodward known for her work in SciFi, but -- I kid you not -- IMDB.com reports that she enjoyed her professional debut in a role aboard 1952's Tales Of Tomorrow. Woodward was born on this day in 1930.
Late in her professional career, screen legend Elizabeth Taylor provided some voicework for TV's Captain Planet and The Planeteers. Though she's no longer with us, Taylor was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the mid-1960's, hunky Van Williams was contracted to bring the Fantasy-themed The Green Hornet to life for the small screen. Though he's no longer with us, Williams was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
As 'Dr. Hayashida,' the esteemed Yôsuke Natsuki faced down the threat of a generation when he went toe-to-toe with Godzilla 1985 (1984) from Toho Company. Natsuki was born on this day in 1936.
The lovely Barbara Babcock had several contributions to the SciFi classic Star Trek, but perhaps the most memorable was her turn as Mea 3 in "A Taste of Armageddon." Babcock was born on this day in 1937.
P. H. Moriarty had a small but critical role in Outland (1981), and he turned in a meatier performance in both Dune and Children of Dune television miniseries. Moriarty was born on this day in 1939.
Howard Hesseman has built a solid career in the entertainment business, but he hasn't done much Science Fiction. He has put in time aboard Flight of the Navigator (1986), The Ray Bradbury Theatre, The Outer Limits, and Level 9. Hesseman was born on this day in 1940.
Charlotte Stewart joined Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward in the brilliant SciFi/Comedy Tremors (1990). She's also boasted appearances aboard UFOria (1985), Journey to the Center of the Earth (1988), Twin Peaks, Dark Angel: The Ascent (1994), and Tremors 3: Back To Perfection (2001). Stewart was born on this day in 1941.
In the 1970's, the lovely Mary Frann joined Bill Bixby aboard an episode of TV's popular The Incredible Hulk. So far as genre work goes, the actress made visits to such worlds as The Fantastic Journey and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman. Though she's no longer with us, Frann was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Bolo Yeung -- aka 'the Chinese Hercules' -- joined fitness guru Billy Blanks aboard TC 2000 (1993) for Film One Productions. Yeung was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Roger Pratt helped bring to life some astounding visuals with his work aboard Brazil (1985), Batman (1989), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), Twelve Monkeys (1995), and a few of the Harry Potter features. Pratt was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Angela Aames is one of those ladies who, sadly, is no longer with us. It's hard to say the direction her career may've gone, but she certainly made the most of her time in the business, capturing hearts with her work aboard Mork & Mindy, Automan, The Lost Empire (1984), and Chopping Mall (1986). Though she's no longer with us, Aames was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though Timothy Spall's bigger roles of late have put him firmly in the realm of Fantasy (as seen from his above appearance in the Harry Potter saga), the actor dabbled in SciFi with a guest role aboard Red Dwarf in 1992. Spall was born on this day in 1957.
You say you were a Klingon? Then you'll definitely get a mention! James Worthy took time out of playing professional basketball player to suit up in the guise of a Klingon warrior aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation. Qapla', I say! Worthy was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious and leatherbound Andrea Savio did like most actresses who were delicious and leatherbound did in the 1980's: she braved one of the many cinema versions of the Apocalypse, this one titled Stryker for HCI International. Savio was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Seriously, one of my all-time favorite character actors is the talented and charismatic John Pyper-Ferguson. He first caught my eye in Fox TV's unappreciated The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., and -- since then -- he's continued to turn in noteworthy work on Highlander, Legend, Space Marines (1996), The Sentinel, The X-Files, The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy (1998), Millennium, Poltergeist: The Legacy, Viper, Harsh Realm, The Outer Limits, Jeremiah, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica (Syfy), Night Stalker, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Lost, Caprica, Fringe, Grimm, Alphas, The Last Ship, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Pyper-Ferguson was born on this day in 1964.
Noah Emmerich -- from the underrated time-travel gem Frequency as well as the grossly overrated Super 8 -- also celebrates his birthday today. More recently, he enjoyed much acclaim as the CIA officer torn between his duty to his home and his county in FX's The Americans. Emmerich was born on this day in 1965.
Earlier in his career, the talented Donal Logue enjoyed a guest role aboard Fox TV's long-running The X-Files. Logue was born on this day in 1966.
Ah, the dreamy Jacqueline Collen caught fandom's attention -- and a bird, from the looks of it -- with her work aboard the TV Fantasy adaptation of The Adventures Of Sinbad. Collen was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Breaking Bad's Charles Baker made an appearance in the pilot episode for USA Network's interesting Colony series. Baker was born on this day in 1971.
I kid you not: Grabbers (2012) was one of the funnest discoveries I had the good pleasure to experience. The SciFi flick bears a lot of similarities with another SciFi/Horror favorite of mine -- Tremors (1990) -- so I encourage folks to check it out when they can find it on home video or cable. In any event, the venerable Richard Coyle played a key role in the film, and Coyle was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Bingbing Li has found modest fame as a semi-regular in the Resident Evil franchise. She also recently appeared in the cast of Transformers: Age of Extinction. Li was born on this day in 1973.
In her youth, the lovely Christina Nigra built a solid resume in the world of genre entertainment, appearing in such projects as Goliath Awaits (1981), The Sword And The Sorcerer (1982), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Out Of This World, and Harry And The Hendersons. Nigra was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Australian-born Quentin Kenihan played a minor but nevertheless somewhat villainous role aboard Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Kenihan was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Nikki Amuka-Bird played the role of Diomika Tsing (second from right) aboard the Wachowskis' box office failure Jupiter Ascending for Warner Bros. Pictures. Amuka-Bird was born on this day in 1976.
English-born Stephen Wight has certainly built himself a few solid genre credentials with work aboard Hex, Highlander: The Source (2007), Ashes To Ashes, Apparitions, Misfits, and Men In Black: International (2019). Wight was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Stephanie Beran faced down the dangerous Planet Of The Sharks (2016) for Syfy and Asylum Pictures. Beran was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Think what you may, but I suspect lovely Kate Mara's star is on the rise. She turned in some pretty significant work on the Netflix original House of Cards, though fandom swooned for the woman when she appeared as Sue Storm in the newfangled version of the Fantastic Four. Also, she appeared in The Martian (2015). Mara was born on this day in 1983.
As 'Raven Reyes,' the lovely Lindsey Morgan plays one of the key regulars fighting for survival aboard The CW's The 100. Morgan was born on this day in 1990.
Newcomer Theo Stevenson played a big role in AMC's adaptation of the Swedish-language SciFi series, Humans. Stevenson was born on this day in 1998. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1970 (in Czechoslavokia), the SciFi/Comedy I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen enjoyed its theatrical premiere. The feature starred Jirí Sovák and Jana Brejchová, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"This futuristic science fiction comedy features an atomic bomb blast that causes women to grow beards and lose the ability to have children. A summit meeting is held at the United Nations, with the proposed solution of building a time machine. The decision is made to travel back in time and murder Einstein, with the hopeful result being that without the noted mathematician's research there will be no atomic bombs."
"This futuristic science fiction comedy features an atomic bomb blast that causes women to grow beards and lose the ability to have children. A summit meeting is held at the United Nations, with the proposed solution of building a time machine. The decision is made to travel back in time and murder Einstein, with the hopeful result being that without the noted mathematician's research there will be no atomic bombs."
On this day in 1974 (in West Germany), the SciFi-lite adventure Wonder Women enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Nancy Kwan and Ross Hagen, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An insurance investigator battles Dr. Tsu and her sexy all-girl army."
"An insurance investigator battles Dr. Tsu and her sexy all-girl army."
On this day in 1981 (in Portugal), The Final Countdown raced against the clock cinematically. Directed by Don Taylor, the SciFi feature starred Martin Sheen and Kirk Douglas, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor."
"A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor."
On this day in 1994, TekLab aired as one of the telefilms launching William Shatner's TekWar SciFi series. The film starred Greg Evigan and Eugene Clark, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"The actual sword of Excalibur has been stolen in London, and futuristic detectives Jake Cardigan and Sid Gomez are assigned to track it down and to find out who is trying to block the British reign from its rightful heir."
"The actual sword of Excalibur has been stolen in London, and futuristic detectives Jake Cardigan and Sid Gomez are assigned to track it down and to find out who is trying to block the British reign from its rightful heir."
On this day in 1998, Dark City brightened up moviehouses. The feature starred Rufus Sewell and Jennifer Connelly, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun."
"A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun."
On this day in 2004, the SciFi/Horror flick Decoys enjoyed its release. The feature starred Corey Sevier and Kim Poirier, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Luke and Roger are just another couple of college guys trying to lose their virginity. But when Luke sees something unusual, he begins to suspect that the girls on campus aren't exactly human."
"Luke and Roger are just another couple of college guys trying to lose their virginity. But when Luke sees something unusual, he begins to suspect that the girls on campus aren't exactly human."
On this day in 2017, Realive played at the Oporto International Film Festival. The feature starred Tom Hughes and Oona Chaplin, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Marc (Tom Hughes) is diagnosed with a disease and is given one year left to live. Unable to accept his own end, he decides to freeze his body. Sixty years later, in the year 2084, he becomes the first man to be revived in history. It is then he discovers that the love of his life, Naomi (Oona Chaplin), has accompanied him this entire time in a way that he'd never expected."
"Marc (Tom Hughes) is diagnosed with a disease and is given one year left to live. Unable to accept his own end, he decides to freeze his body. Sixty years later, in the year 2084, he becomes the first man to be revived in history. It is then he discovers that the love of his life, Naomi (Oona Chaplin), has accompanied him this entire time in a way that he'd never expected."
On this day in 2018, the U.S. suffered an Alien Psychosis via its internet release. Written and directed by Jason Mills, the feature starred Steve Baran and Jackson Berlin, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ryan O'Neil, a War Veteran suffering from PTSD after being wounded in combat, returns home to his pregnant wife, Stephanie. Her brother Tony, a corrupt cop, has been helping her out while her husband has been serving the country. Ryan and Tony have never been fond of each other, and things get heated as Tony attempts to meddle with their marriage. But when Ryan starts to have flashes and visions of killers, extraterrestrials, and other strange beings in his house at night, he's not sure whether it is real or if it is just in his mind. Stephanie, already on edge with Ryan, is deeply concerned about her husband's behavior. As the days go by, Ryan will soon find out what sinister presence has been haunting him in his nightmares."
"Ryan O'Neil, a War Veteran suffering from PTSD after being wounded in combat, returns home to his pregnant wife, Stephanie. Her brother Tony, a corrupt cop, has been helping her out while her husband has been serving the country. Ryan and Tony have never been fond of each other, and things get heated as Tony attempts to meddle with their marriage. But when Ryan starts to have flashes and visions of killers, extraterrestrials, and other strange beings in his house at night, he's not sure whether it is real or if it is just in his mind. Stephanie, already on edge with Ryan, is deeply concerned about her husband's behavior. As the days go by, Ryan will soon find out what sinister presence has been haunting him in his nightmares."
On this day in 1953, Adventures of Superman aired "Crime Wave." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As a massive crime wave unfolds, Superman vows to put top mobsters behind bars. His ultimate target is the mysterious "No. 1 man." The top criminal devises a trap for the Man of Steel."
"As a massive crime wave unfolds, Superman vows to put top mobsters behind bars. His ultimate target is the mysterious "No. 1 man." The top criminal devises a trap for the Man of Steel."
On this day in 1954, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "Rescue In Space." Sadly, neither IMDB.com nor TV.com are able to furnish us with any plot summary, so it would appear the details may be lost to history.
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation concluded the two-parter "Birthright," as part of its sixth season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Having discovered survivors from the Romulan attack on Kittomer (the famed attack that established peace between the Klingons and the Federation), Worf resists becoming one of them, even though he becomes a prisoner, himself. Instead, he begins to teach the younger Klingons about their ancestry and the proud tradition that exists among them, much to the chagrin of the Elders."
"Having discovered survivors from the Romulan attack on Kittomer (the famed attack that established peace between the Klingons and the Federation), Worf resists becoming one of them, even though he becomes a prisoner, himself. Instead, he begins to teach the younger Klingons about their ancestry and the proud tradition that exists among them, much to the chagrin of the Elders."
On this day in 1994, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "The Rival." This served as the seventeenth episode of the first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Metropolis Star seems able to scoop The Daily Planet on every story. Lois and Clark cannot discover how, until Clark embarks on a plan to investigate the Star and it's publisher Preston Carpenter, a man in the mold of Charles Foster Kane."
"The Metropolis Star seems able to scoop The Daily Planet on every story. Lois and Clark cannot discover how, until Clark embarks on a plan to investigate the Star and it's publisher Preston Carpenter, a man in the mold of Charles Foster Kane."
True story: a guy one time gave me the suggestion that should I ever get a screen-cap of the lovely Terry Farrell in a towel then I should run it. Best advice I ever got! On this day in 1994, TV audiences for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine were indeed treated to the lovely aforementioned Ms. Farrell in a towel as part of "Playing God." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"A Trill named Arjin comes to DS9 to learn what it is to be a Trill with a symbiont but finds his teacher, Dax, to be less than he expected."
Did I mention you get to see Terry Farrell in a towel?
"A Trill named Arjin comes to DS9 to learn what it is to be a Trill with a symbiont but finds his teacher, Dax, to be less than he expected."
Did I mention you get to see Terry Farrell in a towel?
Hey! O'Brien! Who's that good-looking guy over your shoulder? Why, it's you! On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine delivered audiences two O'Briens for the price of one as part of the storyline titled "Visionary." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"While a Romulan delegation tries to get information about the Dominion, O'Brien gets visions of unpleasant things that are about to happen in the future."
"While a Romulan delegation tries to get information about the Dominion, O'Brien gets visions of unpleasant things that are about to happen in the future."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Politics." This served as the twentieth episode of the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The Stargate team must justify the project's continuation when a doubtful senator, Head of the Congressional Military Appropriations Committee, comes to review the project's performance."
"The Stargate team must justify the project's continuation when a doubtful senator, Head of the Congressional Military Appropriations Committee, comes to review the project's performance."
On this day in 2009, the ending was in sight at Syfy aired the seventeenth episode of Battlestar Galactica's fourth and final season. This hour was titled "Someone To Watch Over Me," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Kara meets a pianist who reminds her of her father. She tries to play a melody she remembers from her childhood, and a drawing made by Hera helps her. Meanwhile, Boomer is to be tried for treason. Tyrol takes her side, and helps her escape."
"Kara meets a pianist who reminds her of her father. She tries to play a melody she remembers from her childhood, and a drawing made by Hera helps her. Meanwhile, Boomer is to be tried for treason. Tyrol takes her side, and helps her escape."
On this day in 2015, 12 Monkeys aired "The Keys." This hour served as the seventh episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Cole, Railly and Aaron race to stop the virus from being deployed as a bio-weapon in Chechnya."
"Cole, Railly and Aaron race to stop the virus from being deployed as a bio-weapon in Chechnya."
