I could be wrong, but I strongly imagine that Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson wouldn't mind having a SciFi franchise all of his own. And who knows? Maybe one day he will. But -- in the meantime -- I suppose action fans will just have to settle for his great little cameo-style performance in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager as well as his commanding lead in the space-age shoot 'em up, Doom. Johnson was born on this day in 1972.
Emmy-winning actor Roscoe Lee Browne has a few great links to the world of genre entertainment. In the 1970's, he appeared in a guest role aboard the short-lived Planet Of The Apes television series before providing the voice for the robot Box in Logan's Run (1976). In 1990, he had a small role in the SciFi/Cult flick Moon 44 starring genre-favorite Michael Paré. Then a few years later he enjoyed a pair of visits to the world of TV's SeaQuest. Though he's no longer with us, Browne was born on this day in 1922. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Theodore Bikel beamed aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's fourth season in order to play the Earthly foster parent (father) to Mr. Worf. In his career, Bikel also booked guest roles on such franchises as The Twilight Zone, The Amazing Spider-Man, Knight Rider, Babylon 5, and The Burning Zone. Though he's no longer with us, Bikel was born on this day in 1924.
Veteran actor John Neville got to play in two very prominent science fiction properties: he scored a nice role in The Fifth Element, but perhaps The X-Files fans know him best as 'The Well-Manicured Man.' Though he's no longer with us, Neville was born on this day in 1925.
With over 100 different screen credits to his name, Bruce Glover still made time for an appearance aboard Battlestar Galactica's "The Young Lords" in 1978. Glover was born on this day in 1932.
For children of a certain generation of television, Lance LeGault was the consummate villain. Honestly, he's show up in everything, bringing along with him an almost token sneer that made him the envy of bad guys the world over. He appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation's exceptional second season outing, "The Emissary," as Klingon Capt. K'Temoc, whose arrival almost started a new war with the Federation. Otherwise, he was a regular guest star on The A-Team and Magnum P.I. Other SciFi appearances were booked on Logan's Run, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Battlestar Galactica, Airwolf, Automan, Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, Quantum Leap, Crusade, and Voyagers! Though he's no longer with us, LeGault was born on this day in 1935.
One of the realities so few fans appreciate these days is that so many of the guest stars who made memorable appearances on the original Star Trek went on to even greater work on other SciFi programs. For example, "The Galileo Seven" guest star Don Marshall 'cut his teeth' with a role for Starfleet and then went on to work in Land of the Giants, The Bionic Woman, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and The Incredible Hulk. Though he's no longer with us, Marshall was born on this day in 1936.
HubbaHubba Alert! The lovely Jo Ann Pflug got her start in a small role aboard the sometimes lampooned Cyborg 2087, but she went on to some wonderful work, including the animated Fantastic Four and appearances in Gemini Man and Knight Rider. Pflug was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alexis Kanner made a handful of contributions artistically to the SciFi/Cult series The Prisoner during its single season run. Though he's no longer with us, Kanner was born on this day in 1942.
Bianca Jagger has a slim acting resume, but she did manage to squeeze in an appearance aboard the SciFi/Horror flick C.H.U.D. II: Bud The Chud (1989). Jagger was born on this day in 1945. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable David Suchet enjoyed a small but curious role in a 2017 episode of the popular Doctor Who. Suchet was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Trivia like this always fascinates me, largely because it's so exceedingly rare: Brian Tochi is one of those actors who had an opportunity to appear in not one but two very different versions for Star Trek. Pictured above on the left, Tochi (as an urchin) had a guest role in Star Trek's third season outing "And The Children Shall Lead." Then -- over two decades later -- he returned to duty (as it were) in a guest role aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's fourth season outing, "Night Terrors." Tochi was born on this day in 1959.
Funnyman Matt Berry firmly planted his foot in the realm of Fantasy with work aboard the hilarious Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and (more recently) FX's TV adaptation of What We Do In The Shadows. Berry was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
A perfectly fetching Alicia Ziegler only increased her attractiveness when she suited up for combat against the Rise of the Dinosaurs (2013). She can visit our Jurassic Park any time she likes. Ziegler was born on this day in 1981.
The young Robert Buckley serves as one of the regulars aboard The CW's Fantasy-themed iZombie. He also enjoyed a role on the short-lived 666 Park Avenue. Buckley was born on this day in 1981.
The talented Elizabeth Ho provided a handful of supporting voice characters to Walt Disney's animated spin-off TRON: Uprising during its only season of existence. Ho was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Gaius Charles continues to seek out and explore new opportunities, but his SciFi creds remain a bit light. He has appeared aboard Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and we can be thankful for that. Charles was born on this day in 1983.
James Kirk most definitely has a name worthy of a SciFi mention. Since launching into the business, he's been involved with such genre properties as Seven Days, Taken, X2: X-Men United (2003), Smallville, Sanctuary, Caprica, Supernatural, and Somewhere Between. Kirk was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
The CW's Apocalypse drama The 100 remains one of my TV guilty pleasures; it's a program that never quite lives up to its potential. The young Thomas McDonell was one of its early stand-outs, though his character met an understandably grizzly fate. McDonell was born on this day in 1986.
Fresh-faced Kay Panabaker leapt into the realm of televised Fantasy with a top role in the short-lived Superhero/Drama No Ordinary Family. Panabaker was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1952 (in West Germany), the original SciFi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still enjoyed its theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
On this day in 1953, the 1944-produced silver screen Republic Serial of Captain America enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release in the United States. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations."
"Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations."
On this day in 1968 (in Australia), Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey enjoyed its general theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
On this day in 1968 (in Mexico), Around The World Under The Sea surfaced in theaters. Directed by Andrew Marton, the SciFi feature starred Lloyd Bridges and Shirley Eaton, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The crew of a five-man submarine travels the world oceans, planting sensors on the ocean floor to warn scientists of any impending earthquakes."
"The crew of a five-man submarine travels the world oceans, planting sensors on the ocean floor to warn scientists of any impending earthquakes."
On this day in 1985 (in Australia), Star Wars: The Ewok Adventure - Caravan Of Courage enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by John Korty, the SciFi/Fantasy feature starred Warwick Davis and Eric Walker, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Wicket the Ewok and his friends agree to help two shipwrecked human children, Mace and Cindel, on a quest to find their parents."
"Wicket the Ewok and his friends agree to help two shipwrecked human children, Mace and Cindel, on a quest to find their parents."
On this day in 1993 (in Japan), the 1989-produced Lords Of The Deep enjoyed its premiere on television. Directed by Mary Ann Fisher, the SciFi feature starred Bradford Dillman and Priscilla Barnes, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Man has finally conquered the ocean. America's first self-contained undersea laboratory is the pride of the nation, and expectations are high for an elaborate undersea mining operation. What wasn't expected was the inhabitants of an undiscovered world."
"Man has finally conquered the ocean. America's first self-contained undersea laboratory is the pride of the nation, and expectations are high for an elaborate undersea mining operation. What wasn't expected was the inhabitants of an undiscovered world."
You know, I'm not afraid to admit that the first Iron Man movie largely bored me to tears. I couldn't say why exactly. I thought it had a solid cast. I thought it had terrific visuals. I guess I just didn't see it worth getting all excited about. Meh. It first premiered theatrically on this day in 2008, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After being held captive in an Afghan cave, an industrialist creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil."
"After being held captive in an Afghan cave, an industrialist creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil."
On this day in 2008 (in Japan), Savage Planet enjoyed its release on home video. Directed by Andrew Wild, the SciFi/Drama starred Sean Patrick Flanery and Reagan Pasternak, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A team of scientists visit an unknown planet in hopes of finding a new, safe, world. Instead they find a mutated species that turns the expedition deadly."
"A team of scientists visit an unknown planet in hopes of finding a new, safe, world. Instead they find a mutated species that turns the expedition deadly."
On this day in 2011 (in the United Kingdom), Bloodrayne: The Third Reich enjoyed its release on home video. The Fantasy feature starred Natassia Malthe and Brendan Fletcher, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Rayne fights against the Nazis in Europe during World War II, encountering Ekart Brand, a Nazi leader whose target is to inject Adolf Hitler with Rayne's blood in an attempt to transform him into a dhampir and attain immortality."
"Rayne fights against the Nazis in Europe during World War II, encountering Ekart Brand, a Nazi leader whose target is to inject Adolf Hitler with Rayne's blood in an attempt to transform him into a dhampir and attain immortality."
Well, the good news is that Thor is back. The bad news? It looks like its community theater! On this day in 2011 (in Canada), Thunderstorm: The Return Of Thor enjoyed a limited theatrical release. Written and directed by Brett Kelly, the SciFi/Fantasy release starred Ray Besharah and Celine Filion, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of religious zealots known as The Death Risers have an evil plot to destroy the world by bringing to Earth the Norse God they worship: The Goddess of the Undead, known as Hel!"
"A group of religious zealots known as The Death Risers have an evil plot to destroy the world by bringing to Earth the Norse God they worship: The Goddess of the Undead, known as Hel!"
On this day in 2014, Rumors Of Wars enjoyed its U.S. theatrical release. Written (in part) and directed by Paul Tomborello, the SciFi/Drama starred Ben Davies and Jennifer Cooper, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A student keeps a journal while a one world government takes over the world. Years later, a soldier finds her journal and questions everything he believes."
"A student keeps a journal while a one world government takes over the world. Years later, a soldier finds her journal and questions everything he believes."
On this day in 2017, The Shadow Effect enjoyed its release on U.S. home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the SciFi/Drama release:
"A young man's life is turned upside down when his violent dreams begin to blend with reality."
"A young man's life is turned upside down when his violent dreams begin to blend with reality."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Red Dust." This served as the thirty-first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The first human mission to another solar system loses 2 crew on a red dust-covered planet, which once had an advanced civilization. Due to allergies, neither of the shipmates got anti-radiation shots, so the remaining crew aren't concerned about their own return to Earth. But then the red dust starts to appear everywhere on the space ship."
"The first human mission to another solar system loses 2 crew on a red dust-covered planet, which once had an advanced civilization. Due to allergies, neither of the shipmates got anti-radiation shots, so the remaining crew aren't concerned about their own return to Earth. But then the red dust starts to appear everywhere on the space ship."
On this day in 1963, The Twilight Zone aired "On Thursday We Leave For Home." This served as the sixteenth episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"A human colony is rescued from a forsaken planet. But their leader is having a hard time accepting that things will change when they get back to Earth."
"A human colony is rescued from a forsaken planet. But their leader is having a hard time accepting that things will change when they get back to Earth."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who continued the march through its first season, airing an episode titled "The Snows of Terror." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Searching for the third key, Ian and Barbara meet with the sinister trapper Vasor before following Susan and the others into a cave system guarded by the mysterious Ice Soldiers."
"Searching for the third key, Ian and Barbara meet with the sinister trapper Vasor before following Susan and the others into a cave system guarded by the mysterious Ice Soldiers."
On this day in 1967, The Invaders aired "Wall of Crystal." This served as the sixteenth hour to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"David has finally managed to convince both his brother and someone able to get the word out that he may be telling the truth about the alien invasion - but is it just in time?"
"David has finally managed to convince both his brother and someone able to get the word out that he may be telling the truth about the alien invasion - but is it just in time?"
On this day in 1983, the first V television miniseries concluded with the airing of its second part. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A resistance movement is formed in Los Angeles under the medical scientist Julie Parrish. Visitor dissidents opposing their leader's plans join their cause to fight the alien oppression by leader John and his right hand Diana."
"A resistance movement is formed in Los Angeles under the medical scientist Julie Parrish. Visitor dissidents opposing their leader's plans join their cause to fight the alien oppression by leader John and his right hand Diana."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1987, Starman bowed out of broadcast existence with the airing of "The Test." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's how it all ended:
"Forrester takes a job as a dish washer in a diner. Scott goes to school. His teacher tells Forrester that she doesn't approve of their nomadic life and that Scott needs stability. Forrester discovers that a guy he works with is illiterate and tries to get the teacher to help him."
"Forrester takes a job as a dish washer in a diner. Scott goes to school. His teacher tells Forrester that she doesn't approve of their nomadic life and that Scott needs stability. Forrester discovers that a guy he works with is illiterate and tries to get the teacher to help him."
On this day in 1990, Quantum Leap aired "Sea Bride." This served as the twenty-first episode to the popular program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Onboard an ocean liner Sam must prevent the marriage of his host's ex-wife."
"Onboard an ocean liner Sam must prevent the marriage of his host's ex-wife."
Viewer warning: kids and Science Fiction don't always mix. Exhibit A: Star Trek: The Next Generation's episode "Imaginery Friend" which first aired in TV syndication on this day in 1992. This served as the twenty-second episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TrekCore.com:
"An energy form enters the Enterprise, and materializes just as young Clara Sutter imagines imaginary friend Isabella to be. Meanwhile, other energy-beings begin to weave a web of strands around the ship."
"An energy form enters the Enterprise, and materializes just as young Clara Sutter imagines imaginary friend Isabella to be. Meanwhile, other energy-beings begin to weave a web of strands around the ship."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "The Storyteller." This served as the fourteenth episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"O'Brien and Dr. Bashir are responding to a distress call from Bajor stating an entire community is in jeopardy. They discover, when an elderly Sirah makes an appearance at a yearly festival, that the threat comes from the legendary Dal'Rok, a deadly mythical creature."
"O'Brien and Dr. Bashir are responding to a distress call from Bajor stating an entire community is in jeopardy. They discover, when an elderly Sirah makes an appearance at a yearly festival, that the threat comes from the legendary Dal'Rok, a deadly mythical creature."
On this day in 1994, Time Trax aired "Dream Team." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Darien protects a priest who is trying to bring some peace to a gang neighborhood in Washington. But he soon learns not only the priest, but he himself is also targeted by a fugitive from the future."
"Darien protects a priest who is trying to bring some peace to a gang neighborhood in Washington. But he soon learns not only the priest, but he himself is also targeted by a fugitive from the future."
On this day in 1998, Superman: The Animated Series aired "Little Girl Lost." Officially, this served as the twenty-seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Superman rescues and brings home the sole survivor of the lost Kryptonian colony of Argos, the rambunctious Kara aka Supergirl."
"Superman rescues and brings home the sole survivor of the lost Kryptonian colony of Argos, the rambunctious Kara aka Supergirl."
Also on this day in 1998, Superman: The Animated Series aired "Little Girl Lost: Part 2." Officially, this served as the twenty-eighth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Superman is captured by Granny Goodness and her Female Furies, Supergirl follows them to the planet Apokolips to rescue him."
"When Superman is captured by Granny Goodness and her Female Furies, Supergirl follows them to the planet Apokolips to rescue him."
On this day in 1999, The X-Files aired "Three Of A Kind." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While infiltrating a defense contractor conference in Las Vegas, The Lone Gunmen are reunited with Susanne Modeski, the mysterious woman who disappeared 10 years earlier after the trio first came together to help her."
"While infiltrating a defense contractor conference in Las Vegas, The Lone Gunmen are reunited with Susanne Modeski, the mysterious woman who disappeared 10 years earlier after the trio first came together to help her."
On this day in 2001, "Natural Law" first aired as part of Star Trek: Voyager's final season. The episode saw Commander Chakotay and Seven of Nine crash-landed on an alien world occupied by a primitive people.
The fourth season of Syfy's Battlestar Galactica was all about conflict. Humans versus Cylons. Cylons versus Cylons. Humans versus Humans. You name it. No matter where you looked nobody was getting along. On this day in 2008, they aired the season's fifth episode, and it was titled "The Road Less Traveled." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a Heavy-Raider manned by Leoben Conoy docks aboard the Demetrius, confrontations form between the crew over the possibility of a truce with Cylon rebels, while Starbuck puts her trust in an old enemy."
"When a Heavy-Raider manned by Leoben Conoy docks aboard the Demetrius, confrontations form between the crew over the possibility of a truce with Cylon rebels, while Starbuck puts her trust in an old enemy."
On this day in 2009, the Remastered version of Star Trek's "The Cage," the original pilot episode, aired in U.S. syndication. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions."
"Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions."
On this day in 2015, Thunderbirds Are Go aired "Unplugged." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"An anti-technology group calling themselves The Luddites power up an electromagnetic pulse device underneath London, crippling everything that uses electricity. The result is a near catastrophe as the entire city shuts down. Virgil and Grandma Tracy must find and disable the device - with the help of Lady Penelope and Parker."
"An anti-technology group calling themselves The Luddites power up an electromagnetic pulse device underneath London, crippling everything that uses electricity. The result is a near catastrophe as the entire city shuts down. Virgil and Grandma Tracy must find and disable the device - with the help of Lady Penelope and Parker."
On this day in 2017, scribe Carrie Patel released her Fantasy novel The Song Of The Dead to the masses at large. According to Amazon.com, here's the premise behind the tome:
"Finally, the lost histories of the Catastrophe will be revealed and with them the ultimate fate of the buried city of Recoletta in thedramatic conclusion to Carrie Patel’s trilogy. With Ruthers dead and the Library Accord signed by Recoletta, its neighbours, and its farming communes, Inspector Malone and laundress Jane Lin are in limbo as the city leaders around them vie for power. A desperate attempt to save Arnault from execution leads to Malone’s arrest and Jane’s escape. They must pursue each other across the sea to discover a civilization that has held together over the centuries. There they will finally learn the truths about the Catastrophe that drove their own civilization underground."
"Finally, the lost histories of the Catastrophe will be revealed and with them the ultimate fate of the buried city of Recoletta in thedramatic conclusion to Carrie Patel’s trilogy. With Ruthers dead and the Library Accord signed by Recoletta, its neighbours, and its farming communes, Inspector Malone and laundress Jane Lin are in limbo as the city leaders around them vie for power. A desperate attempt to save Arnault from execution leads to Malone’s arrest and Jane’s escape. They must pursue each other across the sea to discover a civilization that has held together over the centuries. There they will finally learn the truths about the Catastrophe that drove their own civilization underground."
Leave it to industry greats to know a good thing when they have it because also on this day in 2008 (to coincide with the release of the movie) Iron Man soared onto the home gaming market compliments of Sega!
