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]
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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]
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]
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, 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 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!
