Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was one of those characters who -- despite an awful script -- truly lit up the screen when Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace premiered in theatres, and much of that gravitas is due to the presence of acting legend Liam Neeson. Neeson emboldened Jinn with the right amounts of nobility and (dare I say?) cynicism as the Jedi who sees the fate of the galaxy within his grasp as the Jedi Council starts to fracture at the mention of Anakin Skywalker possibly bringing "balance" to the Force. Mr. Neeson was born on this day back in 1952.
Late in her incredible career, Jessica Tandy was given the opportunity to appear on-screen not once but three times with her real-life hubby Hume Cronyn in sci-fi-themed films: first was in Ron Howard's Cocoon (1985), second was Matthew Robbins' Batteries Not Included (1987), and last was Daniel Petrie's Cocoon: The Return (1988). Though she's no longer with us, Tandy was born on this day in 1909.
Oh, the things we do for money. I can just hear the lovely Alix Talton right now saying "I was young and I needed the money" about her work aboard The Deadly Mantis (1957). Sure you did. Though she's no longer with us, Talton was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
Frank Bolle is an illustrator who has worked on such properties as Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Dr. Solar - Man of the Atom, Space Adventures, and The Avengers. Bolle was born on this day in 1924. [Source: Memory Alpha]
I know more people who flat-out hated Mars Attacks! when it premiered in theatres, but what I honestly don't understand is why. To be honest, I enjoyed its good-time shtick from start-to-finish, and, yes, I even loved it when legendary crooner and ladies' panties collector Tom Jones showed up in an absurd role. Jones was born on this day in 1940.
Take note: only an Imperial officer who was sure of himself would dare to march side-by-side with the lethal Darth Vader, but Michael Pennington gave it a go in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) ... though like so many others he probably never lived to tell the tale! Pennington was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she doesn't do that much acting these days, the lovely Pamela Susan Shoop booked time aboard such programs as Night Gallery, Gemini Man, Wonder Woman, Empire of the Ants (1977), The Incredible Hulk, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Galactica 1980, and Knight Rider. Shoop was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
One can't think about 1970's, 80's, and 90's flicks without thinking about Camp ... Colleen Camp, to be more accurate. This lovely damsel lit up the big and small screen usually in some small roles, but she did great things in them, including appearances aboard Man From Atlantis, Tales From The Darkside, D.A.R.Y.L. (1985), Tales From The Crypt, and Last Action Hero. Camp was born on this day in 1953.
Bobby Di Cicco played a soldier in the wrong time and the wrong place aboard the SciFi/Cult flick The Philadelphia Experiment (1984). Di Cicco was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
The reliable William Forsythe joined Denzel Washington in Virtuosity (1995), the SciFi police procedural about a virtual reality killer who manages to escape into the real world. Forsythe was born on this day in 1955.
The versatile Mark Ryan has definitely left an imprint on the world of genre entertainment with work aboard such properties as Robin Hood, First Knight (1995), Conan, and some major, major contributions to the entire Transformers cinematic saga. Ryan was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Judie Aronson had a small role in 2000's Deep Core, a SciFi thriller that saw a group of scientists racing against time to save planet Earth from an inner rupture. She also enjoyed modest exposure for her part aboard John Hughes' SciFi/Comedy Weird Science (1985). And -- for good measure -- her professional debut (according to IMDB.com) was in the cult SciFi series, The Powers of Matthew Star. Aronson was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delightfully delicious Gia Carides was one of the ensemble that brought the delightfully zany SciFi comedy The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space to life (on the boob tube), but sadly the program didn't last. Carides was born on this day in 1964.
Honestly, I couldn't tell you the last time I read a Star Trek novel that -- as a long-time fan -- I cared about, but that doesn't stop the world from spinning or publishers from issuing yet another tome. Dayton Ward is doing what he can as a scribe to keep the literary incarnation of Gene Roddenberry's final frontier alive, so methinks he's owed some kudos for that. Ward was born on this day in 1967.
Sarah Parish vamped up some serious evil (in spidery form!) for the BBC in an episode of the long-running SciFi franchise, Doctor Who. And she also brought a touch of class to Atlantis while it was on. Parish was born on this day in 1968.
Not only has Kim Rhodes dabbled in the realm of Star Trek, but she recently turned in some great work as part of USA Network's Colony. Rhodes was born on this day in 1969.
Some men just look better all grizzled, no? At least, that appears to be the case with the talented Francis Magee. Genre fans might recognize him from appearances in The Fades, Game Of Thrones, Misfits, Outlander, Black Mirror, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Justice League (2017), The Frankenstein Chronicles, Humans, and Into The Badlands. Magee was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
But Star Wars isn't the only franchise who had a warrior born on this day: back in 1969, Anthony Simcoe was brought into this world by way of birth. His face sans make-up is probably not all that recognizable to genre fans, but, once he's properly done up in the guise, he played Ka D'Argo on Syfy's absolutely stellar Farscape. Happy birthday, indeed!
Though she's probably remembered more for being "that Brit whom Ross Geller dumped" (on NBC's Friends), the Helen Baxendale helped bring Dirk Gently to small screen life. Baxendale was born on this day in 1970.
Star Trek. Dredd. Almost Human. Need I go on, or do you get the point? I penned an article for UnrealityMag.com not all that long ago about how Karl Urban had indeed become 'the Man' to watch in sci-fi. Although JJ's Trek films haven't exactly grown on me and although Almost Human didn't make it past its first season, I for one am holding out hope that someone greenlights a DREDD sequel for this man. Urban was born on this day in 1972.
Dave Filoni is one of the geniuses of modern day animation in that he's helped bring the projects of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels brilliantly to the small screen. Filoni was born on this day in 1974. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
Funnyman Bill Hader played it mostly for laughs (albeit briefly) with his work aboard Men In Black 3 (2012). Hader was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
The equally incomparable and delicious Anna Torv is what made watching Fox TV's Fringe such a delight. She put a human face on some otherwise inhuman science, and the opportunity to play both good and evil versions of one single persona gave her a chance to display her acting gifts. Torv was born on this day in 1979.
The lovely Cathy Baron has ably dabbled in the realm of genre entertainment. She had an uncredited role in Planet Terror (2007). She had terrific exposure aboard the Fantasy-themed series A Good Knight's Quest. Also, she set the web on fire in the Fantasy short ElfQuest: A Fan Imagining in 2011. Lastly, she had multiple appearances in Hollywood Wasteland. Baron was born on this day in 1982.
The lovely Ania Bukstein has put her beauty and talents to use in a guest spot aboard HBO's stellar Game Of Thrones adaptation. Bukstein was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delightful Ellen Wroe is certainly one to watch. Her genre credentials aren't exactly what one might call 'light,' but it would be great if she found more work in the realm of SciFi and Fantasy. She's enjoyed screen time aboard Final Destination 5 (2011), Grimm, and The Kid (2018). Wroe was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Michael Cera took a break from some more introspective-style roles to kinda/sorta mock introspective-style roles with his turn as 'Scott Pilgrim' in the Fantasy-themed Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010). Cera was born on this day in 1988.
When MTV decided they wanted to tap into some of the lucrative Fantasy business, they properly signed the delicious Poppy Drayton (above right) to bring 'Amberle Elessedil' to life for The Shannara Chronicles. Drayton was born on this day in 1991.
The delicious Alex McGregor has certainly established herself in the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with work aboard such projects as Charlie Jade and Syfy's short-lived Apocalypse series Blood Drive. McGregor was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
You can't get much closer to the world of cinematic Fantasy than films like Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005), and a young Jordan Fry enjoyed some work amidst all of its sugary goodness. Fry was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 2016, the SciFi/Thriller Independents' Day cleverly tried to 'cash in' on the popular franchise of another name, not that there's anything wrong with it. The film starred Fay Gauthier and Sal Landi, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Aliens invade, this time delivering a clear ultimatum. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the U.S. President and citizens decide if these aliens are to be trusted ...or feared."
"Aliens invade, this time delivering a clear ultimatum. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the U.S. President and citizens decide if these aliens are to be trusted ...or feared."
On this day in 2017 (in the Philippines), the Family-friendly SciFi flick A.R.C.H.I.E. enjoyed a theatrical run. The feature starred Michael J. Fox and Katharine Isabelle, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Isabel Sullivan, who's fifteen, has just moved to a small town to live with her Uncle Paul, who is the town's Mayor. Isabel has recently lost her parents in a car accident. Feeling very alone and friendless, Isabel befriends a stray robot dog named A.R.C.H.I.E. Though he looks like a normal dog, he is anything but. He can talk. He can run at blinding speed. He has super strength and x-ray vision. Isabel and A.R.C.H.I.E. become fast friends. She teaches him how to be a normal dog, while he helps her to fit in with the cool kid clique. Most of all, Isabel can confide in A.R.C.H.I.E. about what happened to her parents. A.R.C.H.I.E. can relate. He's never had a family, until now. As the summer progresses, things start to get tricky. Paul is up for re-election, and finds himself running against Veronica Taylor, who happens to be in cahoots with Burgertropolis, a national fast food franchise that has been trying to buy Paul out for years."
"Isabel Sullivan, who's fifteen, has just moved to a small town to live with her Uncle Paul, who is the town's Mayor. Isabel has recently lost her parents in a car accident. Feeling very alone and friendless, Isabel befriends a stray robot dog named A.R.C.H.I.E. Though he looks like a normal dog, he is anything but. He can talk. He can run at blinding speed. He has super strength and x-ray vision. Isabel and A.R.C.H.I.E. become fast friends. She teaches him how to be a normal dog, while he helps her to fit in with the cool kid clique. Most of all, Isabel can confide in A.R.C.H.I.E. about what happened to her parents. A.R.C.H.I.E. can relate. He's never had a family, until now. As the summer progresses, things start to get tricky. Paul is up for re-election, and finds himself running against Veronica Taylor, who happens to be in cahoots with Burgertropolis, a national fast food franchise that has been trying to buy Paul out for years."
It all began right here: on this day in 1997, Perversions Of Science premiered with an episode titled "Dream Of Doom." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Arthur Bristol is a college professor who is stuck in a series of dreams that he can't wake up from. Or is he?"
"Arthur Bristol is a college professor who is stuck in a series of dreams that he can't wake up from. Or is he?"
On this day in 1997, Perversions Of Science aired the second episode of its only season. It was called "Anatomy Lesson," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"On his eighteenth birthday, a psychotic young man decides to finally take down a mysterious bearded stranger who's been appearing to him ever since childhood warning him each time not to give in to his urge to kill."
"On his eighteenth birthday, a psychotic young man decides to finally take down a mysterious bearded stranger who's been appearing to him ever since childhood warning him each time not to give in to his urge to kill."
On this day in 1997, Perversions Of Science tried to prove the third time was a charm with its premiere event with the airing of "Boxed In." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sex farce about a horny faithful space ace who, after several years, finally arrives home for a tryst with his fiancee. Unfortunately, her admiral dad forces them to wait until marriage, so the pilot decides to use a sexbot. Big mistake."
"Sex farce about a horny faithful space ace who, after several years, finally arrives home for a tryst with his fiancee. Unfortunately, her admiral dad forces them to wait until marriage, so the pilot decides to use a sexbot. Big mistake."
On this day in 2002 (in the United States and Australia), Farscape premiered "Crichton Kicks" at the start of its fourth (and final) television season on Syfy. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"It's been several months. Since the crew disbanded, and Moya was sucked down a wormhole. Crichton is now on board aged Leviathan, working on wormholes. But some visitor arrive who want to harvest the Leviathan. Crichton reunites with some of his old crew, and meets a new ally."
"It's been several months. Since the crew disbanded, and Moya was sucked down a wormhole. Crichton is now on board aged Leviathan, working on wormholes. But some visitor arrive who want to harvest the Leviathan. Crichton reunites with some of his old crew, and meets a new ally."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "The Descending Sword." This served as the thirty-fifth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from 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 2008 (in the United Kingdom), TV audiences were first treated to the airing of Doctor Who's "Forest of the Dead." This served as the ninth episode in the relaunched program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"With the library darkening, the Doctor takes on the Vashta Nerada while figuring out what links River Song to his future. Meanwhile, Donna finds out the mystery of Dr. Moon and the Girl."
"With the library darkening, the Doctor takes on the Vashta Nerada while figuring out what links River Song to his future. Meanwhile, Donna finds out the mystery of Dr. Moon and the Girl."
On this day in 2016, the retooled, new, and improved Electra Woman and Dyna Girl aired what I've only seen labeled as "Episode 1.1." According to the citation on IMDB.com, here's the plot summation:
"Questioning if they are really making a difference, super-heroins Electra Woman and Dyna Girl get noticed by a famous super hero manager. This is framed as a prequel to the 1970's series."
"Questioning if they are really making a difference, super-heroins Electra Woman and Dyna Girl get noticed by a famous super hero manager. This is framed as a prequel to the 1970's series."
On this day in 1953, The Shadow radio serial aired "The Ring Of Zanlaghora." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, it seems that the details involving this particular tale have been lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
