Christian Bale's reputation took a bit of a drubbing when he appeared as the legendary John Connor in the poorly received Terminator Salvation (not to mention the time he was arrested for "drubbing" his family members), but, for all the beating it took (much like his family's), I enjoyed the film well enough. I thought Bale's performance as the leader of Earth's salvation had just the right amount of misplaced sanctimony and bravado to make it perfectly believable and perfectly acceptable given the overall tone of the film. Bale was born on this day in 1974.
Actor Hugh Marlowe (right, above) had a small from key role in 1951's spectacular The Day The Earth Stood Still. He also led the fight against another potential alien invasion in 1956's Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers. Though he's no longer with us, Marlowe was born on this day in 1911.
Though John Ireland is likely more remembered for his work in mainstream fare, he did manage to squeeze in a few genre appearances while in the business. Fans may remember him from stops aboard Planet of the Apes (TV), Salvage 1, The Shape Of Things To Come (1979), Airwolf, or War of the Worlds (TV). Though he's no longer with us, Ireland was born on this day in 1914.
And what kind of a weird cosmic coincidence is this? Actor David Wayne (pictured above, second from left) played Dr. Charles Dutton (?!?!) in the 1971 seminal sci-fi flick, The Andromeda Strain. (Did you miss the coincidence? Keep reading, my friends, keep reading.) Though Wayne's no longer with us, he was born on this day in 1914.
Star Trek's first season had so many great roles -- even for the guest stars -- and that includes David Opatoshu's performance as 'Anan 7' (above left) in "A Taste of Armageddon." The talented actor also appeared on The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Time Tunnel, The Invisible Man, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Salvage 1, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Alien Nation. Though he's no longer with us, Opatoshu was born on this day in 1918.
Director Michael Joseph Anderson has an impressive career in genre entertainment. He directed Doc Savage: Man of Bronze (1975), Logan's Run (1976), the TV-miniseries of The Martian Chronicles, and the time travel adventure Millennium (1989). Though he's no longer with us, Anderson was born on this day in 1920.
The luminous Dorothy Malone braved The Day Time Ended (1979), the story of a modern family sucked back into prehistoric times. Though she's no longer with us, Malone was born on this day in 1925.
Apologies, folks: I've searched, and I've searched, but I've never come up with a photograph for Peter Brachacki, the production designer credited for the pilot episode of Doctor Who. He's the genius believed to have designed the TARDIS' interiors. Though he's no longer with us, Brachacki was born on this day in 1926.
During Doctor Who's 1967 television season, the great Victor Winding appeared as 'Spencer' in "The Faceless Ones" storyline. Though he's no longer with us, Winding was born on this day in 1929.
Arguably, Gene Hackman's take on evil mastermind Lex Luthor was as much a part of the 1970's and 1980's cinematic adventures of Superman as was Christopher Reeve's 'aw shucks' charisma, though Luthor became a bit more comic with each successive outing. Still, I love what he did with the character. Hackman was born on this day in 1930.
The venerable Vanessa Redgrave brought her considerable gravitas to the 2009 TV retelling of the SciFi classic, The Day of the Triffids. Redgrave was born on this day in 1937.
Prolific author Gregory Benford knows more than a thing or two about the realm of Science, and he's used his smarts to bring to life such novels as Timescape (1980), Artifact (1985), Cosm (1998), and Eater (2000). Benford was born on this day in 1941.
Kudos to actor Jerry Sroka! It can't be easy to play a Talaxian, what with burying yourself under all of that makeup, but he did it for a guest spot aboard Star Trek: Voyager. Sroka was born on this day in 1946.
Actor Charles Dutton got what he deserved for thinking he could take on just a single one of the aliens in the oft-maligned Alien3. (There! Did you catch that cosmic coincidence?!) Dutton was born on this day in 1951.
Geesh! Keep your hat on, bubb! An angry Rab Affleck paid a visit to the BBC's long-running Doctor Who with a brief role aboard "The Name of the Doctor" in 2013. Affleck was born on this day in 1953.
How cool would your childhood be if you once spent time sitting on a car bumper with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock? Such is Sheldon Collins' claim to fame with his appearance aboard the signature Star Trek episode, "A Piece of the Action." The lad also made a visit to The Time Tunnel. Collins was born on this day in 1955.
Character actress Ann Dowd hasn't done much in the way of Science Fiction, but a guest appearance aboard Fox TV's stellar The X-Files has to count for something, no? Dowd was born on this day in 1956.
Early in his professional career, Jeremy Gittins appeared as Lazlo in the "Warriors Gate" storyline for the BBC's Doctor Who. Gittins was born on this day in 1956.
Dwier Brown found Heaven and then some in the form of the Fantasy-themed Field of Dreams (1989). The actor has also found good work aboard The Twilight Zone, Quantum Leap, Firefly, and Day Break. Brown was born on this day in 1959.
Some guys have all the luck! Alex Hyde-White had not one but two appearances aboard TV's original Battlestar Galactica. No stranger to quality genre projects, he's also booked time aboard Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Voyagers, Biggles: Adventures In Time (1986), Time Trackers (1989), M.A.N.T.I.S., Legend, Babylon 5, The Alien Within (1995), Mars (1997), and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Hyde-White was born on this day in 1959.
Earlier in his acting career, Tony O'Dell played a member of the Sterlings, a family who found itself magically transported to Otherworld. O'Dell was born on this day in 1960.
In the words of Mel Brooks: "It's good to be the king!" Abdullah bin al-Hussein -- aka the king of Jordan -- was able to finagle for himself a walk-on guest spot aboard UPN's Star Trek: Voyager during the program's run. I guess good things can happen for fans ... especially when you're king. His majesty was born on this day in 1962.
The lovely Daphne Ashbrook had only a single chance to serve as a companion to the Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who telefilm, but she's remained a part of fandom for some time. Also, she's got an impressive resume you can check out over on IMDB.com if you're inclined. Ashbrook was born on this day in 1963.
Actress Julie McCullough has braved the singular sensation of experiences a plethora of catastrophes in the cinema including but not limited to The Blob (1988), 2012: Ice Age (2011), and Sharknado (2013). The lovely lady has also billed hours aboard Superboy, Max Headroom, Relic Hunter, and Black Scorpion. McCullough was born on this day in 1965.
Tom McCarthy saw up-close what the Mayan Prophecy looked like in Roland Emmerich's 2009 movie exploring the end of life as we knew it, 2012. McCarthy was born on this day in 1966.
Wayne Wilderson has built a career out of small roles in some pretty big properties. Fans might recognize him from appearances in Independence Day (1996) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001). Wilderson was born on this day in 1966.
Character actor Tony Maudsley has found roles in such genre titles as Sleepy Hollow (1999), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), The Day of the Triffids, and Being Human. Maudsley was born on this day in 1968.
The lovely Fiona Dolman had a supporting role aboard the BBC's Paradox TV miniseries back in 2009. She also appeared in 1998's excellent Ultraviolet miniseries. Dolman was born on this day in 1970. [Source: the actress via Twitter]
Though his forays into the realm of Science Fiction have been few and fairly far between, Darren Boyd did enjoy significant exposure as part of ReGenesis in 2006 and the cult hit Dirk Gently in 2010 thru 2012. Boyd was born on this day in 1971.
When Marvel's Howard the Duck first found itself in theatres back in 1986, it was Jordan Prentice who was wearing all of the feathers as the central character. Prentice was born on this day in 1973.
The always great to watch Olivia Colman (above center) had a small but crucial (and villainous!) role in "The Eleventh Hour," Matt Smith's first outing as the venerable Doctor Who. Colman was born on this day in 1974.
Another day, another Power Rangers citation! The lovely Michelle Langstone portrayed Dr. Katherine 'Cat' Manx aboard Power Rangers S.P.D. She's also enjoyed screen time aboard Xena: Warrior Princess, Power Rangers Jungle Fury, Legend of the Seeker, and The Almighty Johnsons. Langstone was born on this day in 1979.
Sorry, Fez: due to the popularity of a certain teen comedy Wilmer Valderrama spent so many years as part of, it's increasingly difficult to take him seriously, especially when he plays the straight man as he did in the short lived Fox TV adaptation of Minority Report. Still, kudos for trying! Valderrama was born on this day in 1980.
The lovely Valene Kane had a brief role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) playing the ill-fated mother to the rebellious Jyn Erso. Kane was born on this day in 1987.
Kylie Bunbury experienced what life was like Under The Dome as part of the ensemble to the cancelled CBS SciFi drama adapted from the Stephen King novel. Bunbury was born on this day in 1989.
Early in his acting career, the young Jake Thomas joined Steven Spielberg in exploring the bounds of A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) for Warner Bros. Thomas was born on this day in 1990.
On this day in 1981, the SciFi/Telefilm Earthbound aired. The flick starred Burl Ives, Christopher Connelly, and Meredith MacRae, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A family of space aliens crash lands on Earth when their spaceship conks out."
"A family of space aliens crash lands on Earth when their spaceship conks out."
On this day in 1981, The Incredible Shrinking Woman went small for laughs. The feature starred Lily Tomlin and Charles Grodin, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When an ordinary woman is exposed to a unique mix of chemicals, she begins to uncontrollably physically shrink."
"When an ordinary woman is exposed to a unique mix of chemicals, she begins to uncontrollably physically shrink."
Remember, folks, that Science Fiction comes in all shapes and sizes: on this day in 1991, the Adult-themed Bad Girls From Mars had its debut poking fun at SciFi. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Someone is killing off the female leads of the movie production "Bad Girls from Mars." The producers feel they should try to finish the film, even though they're making a lucrative amount from insurance payoffs, so they fly in European sex bomb Emanuelle as the new lead. Emanuelle immediately begins embarrassing the producers by leading a wild party life around town. Meanwhile the killings continue, and detectives try to stop the fiend responsible."
"Someone is killing off the female leads of the movie production "Bad Girls from Mars." The producers feel they should try to finish the film, even though they're making a lucrative amount from insurance payoffs, so they fly in European sex bomb Emanuelle as the new lead. Emanuelle immediately begins embarrassing the producers by leading a wild party life around town. Meanwhile the killings continue, and detectives try to stop the fiend responsible."
On this day in 1991, Steel and Lace gave audiences an unusual twist on Beauty and the Beast together. The feature starred Clare Wren and Bruce Davison, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A rape victim returns from the dead to seek vengeance on her rapists in this gory horror film."
"A rape victim returns from the dead to seek vengeance on her rapists in this gory horror film."
On this day in 2010, the SciFi telefilm Meteor Storm gave audiences yet one more chance to relish star Kari Matchett's loveliness. Matchett was joined by Michael Trucco and Kirsten Prout, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"San Francisco becomes a target for waves of destructive meteors after a rogue comet orbits around the earth... For astronomer, Michelle Young, what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, soon turns into her worst nightmare as thousands of meteors break the surface of the atmosphere and bombard the city of San Francisco."
"San Francisco becomes a target for waves of destructive meteors after a rogue comet orbits around the earth... For astronomer, Michelle Young, what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, soon turns into her worst nightmare as thousands of meteors break the surface of the atmosphere and bombard the city of San Francisco."
FYI: 2015's Project Almanac isn't a bad film. The issue I had with it was two-fold: first, it wasn't very smart; and, second, it really brought nothing new to the whole 'time travel' concept. Still, it's entertaining enough for a one-off viewing, so long as you don't mind the whole 'found footage' format. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control."
"A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control."
On this day in 2015, Toxin gave audiences another look at mankind's viral demise. The feature starred Taylor Handley and Danny Glover, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A pharmaceutical company recruits a well-known scientist to help develop a vaccine against a deadly virus."
"A pharmaceutical company recruits a well-known scientist to help develop a vaccine against a deadly virus."
On this day in 1953, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Riddle Of Chinese Jade." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Harry Wong, manager of Lu Song's antique store, decides to help thief John Greer steal a priceless jade statue from Song. Although no one is supposed to get hurt, the plan changes when Song's niece Lily witnesses the robbery and is kidnapped by Greer. Superman, who, as Clark Kent, is interviewing Song for the scoop on his donating the statue to a museum, must solve the crime."
"Harry Wong, manager of Lu Song's antique store, decides to help thief John Greer steal a priceless jade statue from Song. Although no one is supposed to get hurt, the plan changes when Song's niece Lily witnesses the robbery and is kidnapped by Greer. Superman, who, as Clark Kent, is interviewing Song for the scoop on his donating the statue to a museum, must solve the crime."
On this day in 1954, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Iron Major." According to our friends at the reliable IMDB.com, here's that adventure's plot summary:
"A martinet refuses to grant the space cadets liberty when their ship lands after a long voyage."
"A martinet refuses to grant the space cadets liberty when their ship lands after a long voyage."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Romans: Conspiracy." This served as the fourteenth episode of the show's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ian and Delos are forced to fight each other for their freedom while the Doctor has to perform for Nero's court."
"Ian and Delos are forced to fight each other for their freedom while the Doctor has to perform for Nero's court."
On this day in 1971, Doctor Who aired "The Mind Of Evil, Part 1." This served as the fifth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Jo head to Stangmoor Prison to investigate the Keller Machine, which drains the evil impulses from prisoners' minds, while UNIT are handling security at the first world peace conference."
"The Doctor and Jo head to Stangmoor Prison to investigate the Keller Machine, which drains the evil impulses from prisoners' minds, while UNIT are handling security at the first world peace conference."
Logan's Run -- the TV series -- pitted the singular Sandman-on-the-run against a whole assortment of sci-fi-lite villains and situations. On this day in 1978, the penultimate episode -- "Turnabout" -- aired, and the action saw our hero captured by some desert people and condemned to death.
For those who truly want to know more, check out the preview over at IMDB.com:
http://youtu.be/tllu2FjzC3o
For those who truly want to know more, check out the preview over at IMDB.com:
http://youtu.be/tllu2FjzC3o
On this day in 1984, the United Kingdom was treated to the fourth episode of the first season of Chocky. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"It is the summer holiday for Matthew and Polly. Matthew's mum is tidying up Matthew's bedroom when she finds some strange art work. Matthew admits painting these but in the eyes of Chocky. Matthew is miserable as Chocky has deserted him for his holiday. They meet up with Colin and his family. The children are playing near the river when a boat breaks free and starts to drift downstream. Emma screams which alerts Polly and Matthew. The jetty is destroyed by the impact and Polly and Matthew fall into the water."
"It is the summer holiday for Matthew and Polly. Matthew's mum is tidying up Matthew's bedroom when she finds some strange art work. Matthew admits painting these but in the eyes of Chocky. Matthew is miserable as Chocky has deserted him for his holiday. They meet up with Colin and his family. The children are playing near the river when a boat breaks free and starts to drift downstream. Emma screams which alerts Polly and Matthew. The jetty is destroyed by the impact and Polly and Matthew fall into the water."
On this day in 1987, Starman aired "The Probe." This served as the fourteenth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Paul falls in love with an astronomer who is having a crisis of conscious over the military's funding of her research."
"Paul falls in love with an astronomer who is having a crisis of conscious over the military's funding of her research."
On this day in 1988, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired its fourteenth episode of its first season. The hour was actually a fairly solid adventure for the show, a clever little yarn titled "11001001." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Enterprise docks at a starbase for repairs where it is commandeered by a race of technologically-linked aliens intent on using the vessel for their own purposes."
"The Enterprise docks at a starbase for repairs where it is commandeered by a race of technologically-linked aliens intent on using the vessel for their own purposes."
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "He That Feedeth Among The Lilies." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"The aliens become desperate to learn the secrets of the human immune system. They begin abducting people, placing implants inside their bodies, and then releasing them with plans to take them back later for further study. One of these unfortunate victims is a beautiful woman for whom Dr. Blackwood has fallen in love."
"The aliens become desperate to learn the secrets of the human immune system. They begin abducting people, placing implants inside their bodies, and then releasing them with plans to take them back later for further study. One of these unfortunate victims is a beautiful woman for whom Dr. Blackwood has fallen in love."
I don't care what you say: Geordi LaForge had the WORST luck with women! On this day in 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired the next foray in Geordi's love life with "Aquiel." (It was part of the show's sixth season.) Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Murderous intrigue abounds for the Enterprise when one of the crew aboard a subspace station is believed dead, and suspected to have taken part in it until the Klingons show up with the young lieutenant, to Geordi's taste."
"Murderous intrigue abounds for the Enterprise when one of the crew aboard a subspace station is believed dead, and suspected to have taken part in it until the Klingons show up with the young lieutenant, to Geordi's taste."
The thirteenth episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's second season (1994) was called "Armageddon Game." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Chief O'Brien, who still doesn't like the good Doctor Bashir, must rely on him when the two are stranded on a planet and O'Brien is infected with a deadly, fast moving disease."
"Chief O'Brien, who still doesn't like the good Doctor Bashir, must rely on him when the two are stranded on a planet and O'Brien is infected with a deadly, fast moving disease."
On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired the episode "Life Support" as part of its third season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Dr. Bashir must use extraordinary measures to prolong Vedek Bareil's life long enough to allow Bareil to complete sensitive peace negotiations between the Bajorans and the Cardassians."
"Dr. Bashir must use extraordinary measures to prolong Vedek Bareil's life long enough to allow Bareil to complete sensitive peace negotiations between the Bajorans and the Cardassians."
Meanwhile -- all the way across the galaxy and on another network -- Star Trek: Voyager continued exploring a whole new world on this day in 1995. The UPN aired the episode, "Time and Again." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The Voyager crew discovers a planet which recently suffered a horrific catastrophe. Upon investigation, Janeway and Paris are sent back in time before the disaster and are faced with the decision of whether to try to stop it."
"The Voyager crew discovers a planet which recently suffered a horrific catastrophe. Upon investigation, Janeway and Paris are sent back in time before the disaster and are faced with the decision of whether to try to stop it."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Enigma." This served as the sixteenth episode of the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"On their first visit to a new planet, SG-1 finds it subject to totally destructive volcanic activity and saves ten natives, the Tollan, a far more technologically advanced society. Their leader Omoc isn't grateful, nor interested in such a primitive race as the earthlings or any of the 'even more primitive' planets which are prepared to host them. Only one Tollan, Narim, shows an active interest in life on earth, especially in captain Samantha Carter and the cat Schrodinger she gives him, explaining his planet was destroyed after the Tolan supplied an unlimited energy source to a primitive neighboring planet which abused it for a cataclysmic weapon. Meanwhile the White House authorized NID colonel Mayborn to take charge over the Tollan for military purposes, exactly Omoc's nightmare."
"On their first visit to a new planet, SG-1 finds it subject to totally destructive volcanic activity and saves ten natives, the Tollan, a far more technologically advanced society. Their leader Omoc isn't grateful, nor interested in such a primitive race as the earthlings or any of the 'even more primitive' planets which are prepared to host them. Only one Tollan, Narim, shows an active interest in life on earth, especially in captain Samantha Carter and the cat Schrodinger she gives him, explaining his planet was destroyed after the Tolan supplied an unlimited energy source to a primitive neighboring planet which abused it for a cataclysmic weapon. Meanwhile the White House authorized NID colonel Mayborn to take charge over the Tollan for military purposes, exactly Omoc's nightmare."
On this day in 2006, Surface aired its next-to-last episode. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Laura and Rich decide that it's time to get some answers from Lee. Miles gets in trouble with the local residents after a violent incident with a bully."
"Laura and Rich decide that it's time to get some answers from Lee. Miles gets in trouble with the local residents after a violent incident with a bully."
On this day in 2008, Torchwood aired "To The Last Man." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Every year since 1918, the team wakes Tommy from cryogenic sleep, because one day they will need his help. But they don't know which year, or for what. All indications are sealed in a box that will only open at the right moment."
"Every year since 1918, the team wakes Tommy from cryogenic sleep, because one day they will need his help. But they don't know which year, or for what. All indications are sealed in a box that will only open at the right moment."
On this day in 2009, the action cooled off quite a bit as Anakin Skywalker and his soldiers visited an ice planet in "Trespass." This was the fifteenth episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Obi-Wan, Anakin and a detachment of the 501st investigate the slaughter of a Republic outpost on Orto Plutonia. They soon find a Separatist base destroyed by the same aggressors, who turn out to be a clan of native Talz that just want to be left alone. Unfortunately Pantoran dignitary Chi Cho claims the planet to be under his people's jurisdiction and orders the unwanted aliens to be either removed or wiped out. As the Jedi cannot interfere, the only hope for a peaceful resolution lies with young senator Riyo Chuchi."
"Obi-Wan, Anakin and a detachment of the 501st investigate the slaughter of a Republic outpost on Orto Plutonia. They soon find a Separatist base destroyed by the same aggressors, who turn out to be a clan of native Talz that just want to be left alone. Unfortunately Pantoran dignitary Chi Cho claims the planet to be under his people's jurisdiction and orders the unwanted aliens to be either removed or wiped out. As the Jedi cannot interfere, the only hope for a peaceful resolution lies with young senator Riyo Chuchi."
On this day in 2009, "The Oath" aired on Syfy. It was the thirteenth episode of Battlestar Galactica's fourth and final season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Fleet refuses to cooperate with Cylon engineers and Adama decides to put and end to it. He sends the Quorum a message stating that unless they wish to join Zarek in the cell, they get their people in line. However, Gaeta is already freed Zarek with the help of other would-be-revolutionists. They allow Zarek to leave Galactica on a raptor. He lands on Colonial One and enters a gathering of the Quorum. Meanwhile, Anders gets ambushed and captured. At the CIC, Gaeta cleverly manipulates everyone else until the time is at hand for the revolution to begin."
"The Fleet refuses to cooperate with Cylon engineers and Adama decides to put and end to it. He sends the Quorum a message stating that unless they wish to join Zarek in the cell, they get their people in line. However, Gaeta is already freed Zarek with the help of other would-be-revolutionists. They allow Zarek to leave Galactica on a raptor. He lands on Colonial One and enters a gathering of the Quorum. Meanwhile, Anders gets ambushed and captured. At the CIC, Gaeta cleverly manipulates everyone else until the time is at hand for the revolution to begin."
On this day in 2015, the plot thickened and the mystery heated up as 12 Monkeys aired "Cassandra Complex." This served as the third episode to the first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cole is led to Haiti in 2014, where a dangerous outbreak proved to be a devastating moment in Dr. Railly's life."
"Cole is led to Haiti in 2014, where a dangerous outbreak proved to be a devastating moment in Dr. Railly's life."
