The incomparable Diana Rigg! Not only did she serve as one of the sexiest do-gooders in all of spydom ever aboard the fondly remember The Avengers from 1965 through 1968, but also she stole the heart of no less than James Bond himself aboard On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1968). A number of years later, she guested aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who on "The Crimson Horror." And even more recently she brought 'Olenna Tyrell' to life aboard HBO's epic Game Of Thrones. Though she's no longer with us, Rigg was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of legendary K.T. Stevens' last roles was a terrific guest spot as an aging Starfigher pilot pulled out of retirement for one more job aboard NBC's Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Though she's no longer with us, Stevens was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, Lola Albright made a splash in the SciFi feature The Monolith Monsters (1957) for Universal Pictures. Later in her career, she enjoyed guest spots aboard The Incredible Hulk and Airwolf. Though she's no longer with us, Albright was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sally Ann Howes joined Dick Van Dyke in silver screen history for her part aboard the Fantasy-themed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Howes was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
From 1966 through 1988, the venerable Roy Skelton served as one of the talented actors who supplied the voice to those menacing Daleks in the greater universe of Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Skelton was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Not only did Dick Giordano create some of the most interesting artwork for a generation of comic books readers but also for a time he served as the Executive Editorial Director for DC Comics. Perhaps his most notable work throughout his career was in the wide universe of Batman titles, but he also managed to contribute to the works of Superman, Wonder Woman, Jonah Hex, and even Star Trek. Though he's no longer with us, Giordano was born on this day in 1932. [Source: Memory Alpha]
I seriously don't know all that much about the late Natalie Wood. I know that the last film she appeared in was 1983's Brainstorm (above photo, right, in the blue sweater), a film I've tried to watch on a few occasions but have yet to successfully make it through. (Kinda slow.) I also know that there are some questions that still linger regarding her untimely demise. (It remains classified as an accidental drowning.) However, it's sad when we lose talent at any age, and, although she's no longer with us, Wood was born on this day in 1938.
The lovely Carolyne Barry only appeared briefly aboard the classic Star Trek episode "Arena," but she followed that up years later with an equally brief guest spot aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though she's no longer with us, Barry was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Randal Kleiser earned his place in Science Fiction History by directing a little something something called Flight Of The Navigator (1986). Kleiser was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is one of those films that methinks Hollywood had high hopes for, but (alas) it wasn't meant to be. If I remember correctly, there was a fair amount of scuttlebutt in the press regarding on-set troubles, and perhaps that ended up jinxing the high-profile property. Naseeruddin Shah appeared as Captain Nemo in the flick, and Shah was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fritz Sperberg is a character actor whose career boasts appearances aboard Legend, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. Sperberg was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
With over two hundred different screen credits to her name, Lee Garlington has to be one of the busiest actresses in the business. She hasn't done a wealth of Science Fiction and Fantasy, but she has appeared in Automan, The Seventh Sign (1988), Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988), Field Of Dreams (1989), Quantum Leap, Dark Skies, Invasion, Pulse 2: Afterlife (2008), and Flashforward. Garlington was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
The always beautiful Donna Dixon had a small role aboard Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) with John Lithgow. Dixon was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Never forget that for as many bright and creative people it takes to bring a program to life on screen there are at least as many behind-the-scenes working to make it all possible. Producer Merri Howard certainly left her imprint on the greater world of Trekdom by serving in production duties for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Howard was born on this day in 1957. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Funnyman Carlos Alazraqui (from Comedy Central's Reno 911) took time off from making laughs to lend his voice to the character of Bane aboard the Justice League: Doom (2012) animated feature. Check out his resume, and you'll find he's done a wealth of quality voice acting in other projects. Alazraqui was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Frank Whaley is a familiar face who pops up in an awful lot of unusual places and, while there, seems to make the best of them. Genre fans certainly know him best from his small role in Field of Dreams as well as his stint as 'Future Guy' from USA Network's The Dead Zone television show. More recently, he turned up aboard Netflix's Luke Cage series. Whaley was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dean Winters enjoyed a recurring role on Fox TV's underrated Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as Charley Dixon, a love interest for the fabled Ms. Connor herself. Winters was born on this day in 1964.
Character actor Reed Diamond played a role in Josh Whedon's SciFi-lite Dollhouse for Fox TV. He's also been a part of ABC TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and NBC's stellar Journeyman. Diamond was born on this day in 1967.
I remember saying at one time (in an online chat forum) that all of those characters from ABC TV's wildly popular Lost program would experience difficulty in 'breaking out of that mold' once they went to find work when that program ended, and it appears I was marginally correct. While stand-out island hunk Josh Holloway continues to find employment, nothing seems to have stuck for the long term. More recently he's headlined USA Network's Colony. Holloway was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Cosima Shaw explored the brave new world waiting for us out there on the Red Planet in the SciFi/Docudrama Mars. She also visited the greater worlds of Doctor Who. Shaw was born on this day in 1972. [Source: Doctor Who Guide]
Under her birth name of Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick, singer Vitamin C (above right) bared her teeth as required for Dracula 2000 (2000). Fitzpatrick was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Omar Epps helped elevate the storytelling aboard Resurrection for all of its twenty-one episodes. He also appeared in Dracula 2000 (2000). Epps was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take note, Star Trek fans: with the departure of JJ Abrams from his active role in the franchise, Paramount Pictures briefly flirted with the idea of giving the keys to the Roddenberry kingdom to this man -- Roberto Orci. Why was that important? Well, Orci's on record (in several instances) in spouting his rather vicious disdain for Trekkies. That's all you need to know when you ask what Paramount thinks of you and your beloved franchise. Orci was born on this day in 1973.
So zany it's sexy Judy Greer enjoyed a small but critical role in 2015's summer blockbuster Jurassic World. She's also the voice of Cheryl Tunt on FX's marvelous spy parody Archer. Greer was born on this day in 1975.
The lovely Aimee Mullins has appeared aboard the Netflix Fantasy-themed juggernaut Stranger Things. Mullins was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Proving yet once again that Science Fiction comes in all shapes, sizes, and degrees of sexiness, the lovely Penny Vital (as Penny Drake) delved into SciFi camp for her requirements in Star Chicks. Vital was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his youth, Charlie Korsmo lit up the silver screen alongside Warren Beatty in Walt Disney's adaptation of Dick Tracy (1990). Korsmo was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rory Jennings played an important role aboard "The Idiot's Lantern," a second season episode of the relaunched Doctor Who's second season. Jennings was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Osric Chau continues to dabble in quality genre projects. He's boarded such properties as 2012 (2009), Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, The Akira Project (2014), The 100, Demon X, Supernatural, and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Chau was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aside from an appearance aboard Clash Of The Titans (2010), Sinead Michael also enjoyed a run aboard the Doctor Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures. Michael was born on this day in 1998. [Source: Doctor Who Guide]
On this day in 1978 (in Iran), the original Star Wars opened theatrically. The SciFi/Fantasy film starred Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
On this day in 1981 (in Spain), the good people of Barcelona were treated to the cinematic Battle Beyond The Stars. The feature starred Richard Thomas and George Peppard, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
Although artificial intelligence of almost any kind usually ends up getting the dark and ominous treatment in most major motion picture films, every now and then there's one that comes along and treats it much differently. Exhibit A: Electric Dreams, which premiered on this day back in 1984. Believe it or not, the flick actually postulated a clever love triangle between a man, a woman, and a machine ... erm ... not that kind of machine. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An artificially intelligent PC and his human owner find themselves in a romantic rivalry over a woman."
"An artificially intelligent PC and his human owner find themselves in a romantic rivalry over a woman."
On this day in 2007 (in Italy), Altered delivered yet one more scare to SciFi/Horror audiences. The film starred Adam Kaufman and Catherine Mangan, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Fifteen years ago, a group of men's lives were forever changed by a strange occurrence. Now, the same group of men will spend a night together ... in terror."
"Fifteen years ago, a group of men's lives were forever changed by a strange occurrence. Now, the same group of men will spend a night together ... in terror."
On this day in 2015, the SciFi/Telefilm Shark Island (aka Zombie Shark) sunk its teeth into all of mankind. It starred Becky Andrews and Ross Britz, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A perfect getaway for four friends turns into survival when they fight an experimental shark."
"A perfect getaway for four friends turns into survival when they fight an experimental shark."
On this day in 2001, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Fifth Man." This served as the fourth episode to the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When SG-1 flees from an expedition with Col. O'Neill and some mysterious team member named, Tyler, whom no one else knows about, stranded, the fitness of the team is questioned."
"When SG-1 flees from an expedition with Col. O'Neill and some mysterious team member named, Tyler, whom no one else knows about, stranded, the fitness of the team is questioned."
On this day in 2008 (in Germany), Doctor Who aired "The Idiot's Lantern." This served as the seventh episode in the re-launched program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
On this day in 2010 (in Hungary), Doctor Who aired "Gridlock." This served as the third episode in the restarted program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor takes Martha to New Earth, where she is kidnapped by two carjackers and taken to an underground Motorway, where the remainder of humanity on the planet live in perpetual gridlock."
"The Doctor takes Martha to New Earth, where she is kidnapped by two carjackers and taken to an underground Motorway, where the remainder of humanity on the planet live in perpetual gridlock."
On this day in 2014, TNT's Falling Skies aired "Mind Wars." This served as the fifth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"After freeing Matt from the Espheni Youth Camp, Tom encounters two mysterious strangers in the woods, who attack his family before embarking with him on a violent journey. Hal faces almost insurmountable odds as he tries to lead the remaining Volm and 2nd Mass to a place of perceived safety. Lexi and Anne have a difference of opinions - resulting in dangerous consequences."
"After freeing Matt from the Espheni Youth Camp, Tom encounters two mysterious strangers in the woods, who attack his family before embarking with him on a violent journey. Hal faces almost insurmountable odds as he tries to lead the remaining Volm and 2nd Mass to a place of perceived safety. Lexi and Anne have a difference of opinions - resulting in dangerous consequences."
I don't know about you, but I completely missed the TV show called The Lottery. Never heard of it. Why that surprises me is that I'm a huge fan of the dreamy Marley Shelton -- who plays series regular Dr. Alison Lennon. I'm also a pretty big fan of the reliable Martin Donovan -- who plays Darius Hayes. However, it's apparently a SciFi drama that ended up being aired on the Lifetime Network of all places, so maybe I wasn't the target demographic. Meh. In any event, the premise sounds like it would've been in my wheelhouse, and I'm providing what I've learned of its pilot episode (it aired on this day in 2014) compliments of IMDB.com:
"One hundred eggs are inseminated by Dr. Alison Lennon as she convinces the president to hold a national lottery to see who will carry the prized embryos. However a battle over the embryos soon erupts."
"One hundred eggs are inseminated by Dr. Alison Lennon as she convinces the president to hold a national lottery to see who will carry the prized embryos. However a battle over the embryos soon erupts."
On this day in 2017, Zoo aired "Welcome To The Terra Dome." This served as the fourth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Abe and Dariela ponder over making a deal that will betray their friends. Abigail's game of cat and mouse continues. Clementine's past catches up to her."
"Abe and Dariela ponder over making a deal that will betray their friends. Abigail's game of cat and mouse continues. Clementine's past catches up to her."
