Well, I'll be perfectly honest ... I was never all that much a fan of Neelix. To me, it seemed like he was a quick creation by the writers, solely for the purpose of injecting some humor into the oft-humorless world of Star Trek. I thought they used him wonderfully in the Star Trek: Voyager series premiere ("Caretaker, Parts 1 & 2"), but after that he was just reduced to a 'groaner' character. Sorry, Ethan ... erm ... Mr. Phillips, that is. Happy birthday, either way. He was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Where would Science Fiction be without the works of Jules Verne? To name but a few of his accomplishments would be an insult, but that's all one might have space for reasonably. Journey to the Center of the Earth. Mysterious Island. From the Earth to the Moon. Around the World in 80 Days. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Even today, Hollywood is quick to revisit these tales, and no doubt that'll continue in the decades ahead. Though he's no longer with us, Verne was born on this day in 1828. [Source: IMDB.com]
During his time on our Earthly plane, the great Truman Bradley hosted television's fondly remembered Science Fiction Theatre from 1955 through 1957. Though he's no longer with us, Bradley was born on this day in 1905. [Source: IMDB.com]
Roboticist-turned-robot 'Dr. Roger Korby' was one of the more memorable characters from Star Trek's first season ("What Are Little Girls Made Of?"), brought to life so winningly by actor Michael Strong. Though he's no longer with us, Strong was born on this day in 1918. [Source: IMDB.com]
Now THAT's what I'm talking about! Legendary composer John Williams has breathed musical life into so, so many of our beloved films and movie franchises today, can you possibly imagine what the worlds of science fiction would sound like with his many contributions? E.T.? Star Wars? Jaws? Good grief, the list is phenomenal. While it's been some time since he penned a genuinely brilliant score so far as I'm concerned, I'll still wish him the happiest of happy birthdays with many returns! Williams was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Roger Lloyd Pack turned in an exceptional performance in multiple appearances as John Lumic aboard the BBC's signature SciFi program, Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Pack was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alex Diakun is another one of those fantastic character actors who gets called on to do big things with the smallest of appearances, including roles aboard such favorites as Airwolf, Millennium, The X-Files, Robocop: Alpha Commando, The Outer Limits, Stargate: SG-1, and much, much more. Diakun was born on this day in 1946.
Brooke Adams found out she wasn't quite herself (ahem) in the critically acclaimed 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Adams was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've always loved Mary Steenburgen. (Hate her politics, but love her good looks!) I first remember her from one of my all-time favorites sci-fi romances -- 1979's Time After Time -- where her bank service rep Amy ends up romancing H.G. Wells who has followed Jack the Ripper forward in time. It's a great flick I encourage you to see if you haven't already. Steenburgen was born on this day in 1953.
Henry Czerny is a great character actor who ends up getting plenty of work in the entertainment industry. He was recently featured in a brief stint on TNT's sci-fi series, Falling Skies. Plus, he recently turned up as the Toyman in an episode of CBS's Supergirl. Czerny was born on this day in 1959.
Not even Vince Neil is headbanger enough to escape the power of the Shark ... the Sharknado, that is! The Motley Crue frontman played himself in Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens in 2016. Neil was born on this day in 1961.
International actor Martin Wuttke made an appearance aboard the Wachowskis' Cloud Atlas as well as their Netflix property, Sense8, during its run. Wuttke was born on this day in 1962.
Hubba-hubba Alert, people: I suffered an eye-opening experience searching the Internet for a usable photograph of the lovely Mathilda May! Anyone who knows a bit about her first entry into international film -- 1985's Lifeforce -- can appreciate my dilemma; May marched around most of the film without anything on! (Yes, all of the goods are on full display, folks.) I guess it helps when one looks dynamite in her birthday suit! May was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Gary Coleman turned in a terrific guest starring performance in an episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Though he's no longer with us, Coleman was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lovable and sassy Mary McCormack turned up as shuttle astronaut Andrea Baker in the underrated Deep Impact (1998). She also had a role opposite Kevin Spacey in K-PAX (2001). McCormack was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Susan Misner, FX's The Americans just doesn't give you enough to do! Talk to those producers! Ramp up that role! She's turned up in guest roles on a whole slew of mainstream series, but she's given SciFi a glance too with performances in Life On Mars, Fringe, and Person Of Interest. Misner was born on this day in 1971.
In the guise of an Orion Slaver for Star Trek: Enterprise, wrestler turned actor Paul Wight got the chance to (ahem) manhandle the lovely Commander T'Pol just a bit. Wight was born on this day in 1972.
Maybe he's not so much of a SciFi centerpiece as others mentioned in our hallowed cyberspace halls today, but Seth Green deserves a bit of a shout-out for no reason other than his contributions to lampooning so many things we love today with his work on Robot Chicken. Green was born on this day in 1974.
I kid you not: one of the greatest animation projects to spring from DC Comics EVER (sorry, folks, but that's my opinion) was the small screen's Green Lantern: The Animated Series. Sadly, the show just never quite 'caught on' with audiences, and I'm forever deprived its greatness each and every day. In any event, voice actor Josh Keaton did a spectacular job bringing both the Green Lantern and his Earthly counterpart Hal Jordan to life on the show, and Keaton was born on this day in 1979.
Dawn Olivieri has earned raves for her work on Showtime's House of Lies, but Science Fiction fans might recognize her from her work in Stargate: Atlantis, the short-lived Knight Rider reboot, and NBC's Heroes. Olivieri was born on this day in 1981.
It's a curious world we live in: I've talked to some folks who genuinely hated Battle: Los Angeles, and I've talked to some folks who thought it was the cat's meow. Me? I enjoyed it quite a bit, so I feel it necessary to give a shout out to actor Jim Parrack who celebrates his birthday today. He's also done some good work on HBO's True Blood, for anyone who watched. Parrack was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Don't tell me you've never seen Spartacus? Starz Network's smart historical sex, swords, and sandals tale was epic, and it only got better as it went. Liam McIntyre played the signature former slave (after stepping in with the sad death of the original lead), and he turned in brilliant work throughout. Thankfully, he's segued into the world of the CW's The Flash so that I can give him suitable props on these pages. McIntyre was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
The suitably sunny Anna Hutchison found fame filling out the uniform of the Yellow Cheetah Ranger aboard Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Meow! Hutchison was born on this day in 1986.
On this day in 1968, the original Science Fiction classic Planet Of The Apes enjoyed its initial theatrical premiere in New York City, New York. The feature starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
Oh, how we at SciFiHistory.Net do so appreciate good SciFi schlock! The dubiously titled Alienator was sprung on the masses on this day back in 1990, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kol is an evil guy about to be executed on a distant spaceship. He manages to escape on a shuttle and make his way to some woods in America. The commander of the spaceship decides to send out The Alienator to execute Kol at all costs. Kol meets up with some teens and Ward Armstrong and together they all try not to get killed by the pursuing Woman of Death - The Alienator."
By gosh, that's high drama right there, people.
"Kol is an evil guy about to be executed on a distant spaceship. He manages to escape on a shuttle and make his way to some woods in America. The commander of the spaceship decides to send out The Alienator to execute Kol at all costs. Kol meets up with some teens and Ward Armstrong and together they all try not to get killed by the pursuing Woman of Death - The Alienator."
By gosh, that's high drama right there, people.
On this day in 1991 (in Portugal), Future Force gave audiences another look into tomorrow. The feature starred David Carradine and Anna Rapagna, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In the future, a cop protects a reporter from crooked, renegade cops who think she knows too much about them."
"In the future, a cop protects a reporter from crooked, renegade cops who think she knows too much about them."
On this day in 1991, fans of Fantasy were treated to The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter. This installment starred Jonathan Brandis and Clarissa Burt, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A young boy with a distant father enters a world of make-believe and magic through a portal within an antique book."
"A young boy with a distant father enters a world of make-believe and magic through a portal within an antique book."
On this day in 2002 (in Japan), the Fantasy-themed Dinosaur Valley Girls enjoyed its release. The feature starred Jeff Rector and Griffin Drew, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Haunted by recurring dreams of Hea-Thor, a gorgeous cavegirl, and a menacing Allosaurus, action-movie star Tony Markham soon finds himself transported, by means of a magic Icon, back through time to Dinosaur Valley. Now trapped in world of dangerous dinosaurs, grunting cavemen and a tribe of exotic, love-starved cavegirls, Tony must put his modern-days skills to extreme tests in order to survive prehistoric perils, win the cavegirl of his dreams and (maybe) return to his own time?"
"Haunted by recurring dreams of Hea-Thor, a gorgeous cavegirl, and a menacing Allosaurus, action-movie star Tony Markham soon finds himself transported, by means of a magic Icon, back through time to Dinosaur Valley. Now trapped in world of dangerous dinosaurs, grunting cavemen and a tribe of exotic, love-starved cavegirls, Tony must put his modern-days skills to extreme tests in order to survive prehistoric perils, win the cavegirl of his dreams and (maybe) return to his own time?"
On this day in 2002, MGM went back to the SciFi well for a modernization of the mid-1970's Rollerball. This version starred Chris Klein and Jean Reno, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The big thing in 2005 is a violent sport which can have some pretty serious consequences... like dying."
"The big thing in 2005 is a violent sport which can have some pretty serious consequences... like dying."
On this day in 2009, audiences for the Berlin International Film Festival were treated to a screening of the 1981-produced Polish-language SciFi film The War Of The Worlds: Next Century. According to the folks at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Film opens on December 28, 1999, three days before the dawn of the new century. A local reporter, Iron Idem, announces that the Martians have landed. Shortly after that his program loses its independence: he is given the script telling the crowds how to welcome the invaders. Then the chaos breaks out: the Martians and police mistreat the populace; things become violent. Idem's own wife is kidnapped and it seems somebody is trying to reduce his effectiveness as a reporter. Idem decides to fight back: he illegally broadcasts a message during the rock concert, but nobody believes him anymore."
"Film opens on December 28, 1999, three days before the dawn of the new century. A local reporter, Iron Idem, announces that the Martians have landed. Shortly after that his program loses its independence: he is given the script telling the crowds how to welcome the invaders. Then the chaos breaks out: the Martians and police mistreat the populace; things become violent. Idem's own wife is kidnapped and it seems somebody is trying to reduce his effectiveness as a reporter. Idem decides to fight back: he illegally broadcasts a message during the rock concert, but nobody believes him anymore."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "What You Need." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An unscrupulous free-lance writer extorts the elderly owner of a seedy second-hand shop who is prescient about the future."
"An unscrupulous free-lance writer extorts the elderly owner of a seedy second-hand shop who is prescient about the future."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1957, Science Fiction Theatre aired its series finale, one titled "The Strange Lodger." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A scientist's new TV ratings device can tell what channel a person's watching just by aiming an antenna at their house. He's perplexed when it registers a channel 84--a channel that doesn't exist--coming from the apartment of an elderly gentleman. A government UFO investigator becomes involved, convinced the old man isn't receiving information, but transmitting it to an alien craft."
"A scientist's new TV ratings device can tell what channel a person's watching just by aiming an antenna at their house. He's perplexed when it registers a channel 84--a channel that doesn't exist--coming from the apartment of an elderly gentleman. A government UFO investigator becomes involved, convinced the old man isn't receiving information, but transmitting it to an alien craft."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who continued to make waves as part of its first season, airing an episode titled "The Edge of Destruction." Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"In this completely TARDIS-based story, the crew find themselves and their ship acting very strangely indeed. Blame runs high for the Ship's unusual behavior, until the Doctor realizes the TARDIS itself may be trying to warn them... (Originally broadcast in two parts; also known in fan circles as "Inside the Spaceship.")"
"In this completely TARDIS-based story, the crew find themselves and their ship acting very strangely indeed. Blame runs high for the Ship's unusual behavior, until the Doctor realizes the TARDIS itself may be trying to warn them... (Originally broadcast in two parts; also known in fan circles as "Inside the Spaceship.")"
On this day in 1971, Doomwatch aired "The Web Of Fear." This served as the eighth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doomwatch team investigate the mysterious outbreak of a deadly subtropical disease which somehow has cropped up on an isolated island off the coast of the UK."
"The Doomwatch team investigate the mysterious outbreak of a deadly subtropical disease which somehow has cropped up on an isolated island off the coast of the UK."
On this day in 1971, Timeslip aired "The Year Of The Burn Up: Part 8." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Traynor reveals his plan to destroy the world through accelerated global warming."
"Traynor reveals his plan to destroy the world through accelerated global warming."
Mike Donovan? Wanted by the Visitors? Say it isn't so! On this day in 1985, "The Champion" aired as part of V's ongoing television season. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Sent to investigate Charles' death, newly arrived Inspector General Philip allows Lydia to choose a trial by combat in a laser duel to the death with Diana."
"Sent to investigate Charles' death, newly arrived Inspector General Philip allows Lydia to choose a trial by combat in a laser duel to the death with Diana."
On this day in 1992, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired the thirteenth episode of its fifth season. The hour was titled "The Masterpiece Society," and here's the episode summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"The Enterprise is on a mission to warn the human colony of an artificial paradisiac biosphere on planet Moab 4's southern colony of the approach of a massive stellar fragment, which will impact with seismic force causing a tectonic disaster. However its competent, considerate leader Aaron Conor refuses to evacuate, confident their biosphere can withstand earthquakes. He does allow a small Enterprise party to visit their society, which they believe far superior after eight generations of selective breeding which nearly eliminated the remaining human risk factors."
"The Enterprise is on a mission to warn the human colony of an artificial paradisiac biosphere on planet Moab 4's southern colony of the approach of a massive stellar fragment, which will impact with seismic force causing a tectonic disaster. However its competent, considerate leader Aaron Conor refuses to evacuate, confident their biosphere can withstand earthquakes. He does allow a small Enterprise party to visit their society, which they believe far superior after eight generations of selective breeding which nearly eliminated the remaining human risk factors."
On this day in 1995, Babylon 5 aired "GROPOS." This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A task force of ground troops led by Dr. Franklin's father General Richard Franklin is assembled at Babylon 5, leading to some friction."
"A task force of ground troops led by Dr. Franklin's father General Richard Franklin is assembled at Babylon 5, leading to some friction."
On this day in 1998, The X-Files aired "Chinga." This served as the tenth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Rumors of witchcraft and sorcery surrounding a bizarre murder lead Scully to a little girl and a cursed doll that may be hiding a murderous presence."
"Rumors of witchcraft and sorcery surrounding a bizarre murder lead Scully to a little girl and a cursed doll that may be hiding a murderous presence."
On this day in 2000, Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired the episode "Ice-Olation" as part of its only season run. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Roughnecks crash on an asteroid after an infestation of tiny bugs appear out of Barcalow's neck. Can they survive the desolate chunk of rock long enough to be found?"
"The Roughnecks crash on an asteroid after an infestation of tiny bugs appear out of Barcalow's neck. Can they survive the desolate chunk of rock long enough to be found?"
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Fangs of the Enemy." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2016, The X-Files aired "Home Again." This served as the fourth episode in the program's tenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Scully receives bad news about her family while away on a case. Mulder finds a strange paint sample at the crime scene which leads him to the left-handed artist that created the main suspect. This brings back memories to Scully."
"Scully receives bad news about her family while away on a case. Mulder finds a strange paint sample at the crime scene which leads him to the left-handed artist that created the main suspect. This brings back memories to Scully."
On this day in 2017, The 100 aired "Heavy Lies The Crown." This served as the second episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The burden of leading weighs heavily upon Bellamy and Clarke when different challenges force them to determine who will live and die."
"The burden of leading weighs heavily upon Bellamy and Clarke when different challenges force them to determine who will live and die."
On this day in 2017, Syfy's The Expanse aired "Static." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Holden and Miller butt heads about how the raid was handled."
"Holden and Miller butt heads about how the raid was handled."
