Well beneath that ape-ish exterior on Zira (above left) in the seminal Planet of the Apes was actress Kim Hunter. She reprised the role twice early in the Apes movie universe, giving fans a lasting impression of what a simian with a big heart and an even bigger mind looked like. Though she's no longer with us, Hunter was born on this day in 1922.
The original Battlestar Galactica benefited greatly from the welcome inclusion of so many exceptional guest stars, one of which was the great Ina Balin coming aboard "Baltar Escapes" as Siress Tinia. SciFi fans had previously enjoyed her work on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Invisible Man, The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, and Airwolf. Though she's no longer with us, Balin was born on this day in 1937.
When you think about alien species, how can you not think of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Grand Nagus? That's the role veteran character actor Wallace Shawn brought to life in amazing fashion. Shawn was born on this day in 1943.
The delicious Julie Ege certainly graced silver screens with her deliciousness with her time in the business. It was a relatively brief career -- one with a mere 24 screen credits -- but she made an impression with work in such timeless classics as On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Creatures The World Forgot (1970), and The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974). Though she's no longer with us, Ege was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
An utterly scrumptious Valerie Leon has built a career on stealing scenes throughout her illustrious career. SciFi fans might recognize her from appearances in Space:1999 and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), and -- once you've seen her -- you'll likely never forget her. Leon was born on this day in 1943.
Rom always was a bit of a doofus ... but a lovable one, at that. And who wouldn't celebrate his finally scoring the lovely Leeta, the Dabo Girl, to be his very own? Max Grodenchik must've had an awful lot of fun under all of that make-up; the evidence shows that he brought this uncharacteristically anti-wealth Ferengi to life for all of Trekdom's glee aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Join me in wishing Max a Happy Birthday, born on this day in 1952!
As an actress, comedienne, and host, Rhonda Shear has enjoyed a career that's taken her everywhere, including some memorable guest turns in such properties as Galaxina (1980), Spaceballs (1987), Frogtown II (1992), and Earth Minus Zero (1996). Shear was born on this day in 1954.
Actress and stuntwoman Karen Sheperd has the chops to appear onscreen alongside no less than Kevin Sorbo, Karl Urban, and even Angelina Jolie. She's chewed scenery in such projects as America 3000, Cyborg 2: Glass Shadow, Firestorm, and The Privateers. The lovely lady was born on this day in 1961.
Comic actor Sam Lloyd had a small role in 1999's wonderful SciFi comedy, Galaxy Quest (seen above right). Lloyd was born on this day in 1963.
Alex Carter has got to have one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. He's one of those tireless character actors who toils away in the background, always turning in solid performances against some of the best of the best. For the record, genre fans have seen his magic in such programs as War of the Worlds, Viper, The Sentinel, The Pretender, Dark Angel, Earth: Final Conflict, The Island, Jericho, The Dead Zone, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Carter was born on this day in 1964.
Daz Crawford has dabbled in the Marvel universe, playing Kebo in several episodes of ABC TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He's also appeared in The World Is Not Enough (1999), Blade II (2002), and Gemini Division. Crawford was born on this day in 1968.
In the guise of 'Haldir,' Craig Parker was just one of the many supporting players who helped flesh out the world of Middle-Earth aboard Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord Of TheRings. He's also served screen time aboard Xena: Warrior Princess, Power Rangers Ninja Storm, Legend Of The Seeker, Sleepy Hollow, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Parker was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sure, I get that Vin Diesel was the star of Pitch Black (2000), but it's also the movie that caused fandom to fall head over heels for the stunning Radha Mitchell. She was so tough, so vulnerable, so honest and compassionate -- everything you could want in a gal fighting for her life against some alien predators. Mitchell was born on this day in 1973.
Lovely Lourdes Benedicto had a little something in her tummy, something that might turn out to be more than just a bit unEarthly. The actress appeared as Valerie Stevens on the rebooted SciFi program V. Benedicto was born on this day in 1974.
The lovely Alexandra Maria Lara braved Geostorm (2017), a poorly-received SciFi thriller about mankind facing a potential Apocalypse of its own creation. Lara was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress and adventuress Ashley Williams has enjoyed a recurring guest star role as Sally Stukowski on Syfy's Warehouse 13. Williams was born on this day in 1978.
Hollywood favorite Ryan Gosling stepped into the realm of Science Fiction in a big way with a leading role aboard Blade Runner 2049 (2017), a return to the world created by Ridley Scott and Philip K. Dick with 1982's Blade Runner. Gosling was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Award-winning actor Gustaf Skarsgård joined HBO's Westworld in its second season as a corporate special hoping to put right what had so terribly gone wrong in the cybernetic theme park. Skarsgård was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, the lovely Heather Lauren Olson appeared as the young Cardassian girl whose charms won over Gul Madred in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Chains Of Command: Part 2." The actress also booked time aboard Quantum Leap in the early 1990's. Olson was born on this day in 1982.
Can anyone tell me what exactly is going on with Anne Hathaway? If the publicity shots from Christopher Nolan's Interstellar are any indication, then she's looking more and more like a handsome little boy, no? Hathaway was born on this day in 1982.
In 2008, the lovely Yvette Rachelle took on the role of Christy Harper, a woman committed to getting behind the secrets to the Alien Encounter. The film was loosely based on events better known as 'The Phoenix Lights,' a series of aerial globes that spooked Arizona residents a few years prior. Rachelle was born on this day in 1984. (Year provided by Ms. Rachelle's management firm.)
I tuned in and gave Syfy's signature series Defiance a chance to suitably 'wow' me. In fact, I tuned in several different times. Still, the program just never caught fire, so I tuned it out. But I always appreciate quality performances, and Raymond Ablack (above left) turned in just that in the role of Samir Pandey. Ablack was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1964 (in Mexico), Walt Disney's Son Of Flubber enjoyed its run in theatres. The SciFi/Comedy starred Fred MacMurray and Nancy Olson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Professor Ned Brainard's discovery of flubber hasn't quite brought him - or his college - the riches he thought. The Pentagon has declared his discovery to be top secret and the IRS has slapped him with a huge tax bill, even if he has yet to receive a cent. He thinks he may have found the solution in the form of flubbergas, which can change the weather. It also helps Medfield College's football team to win a game. At home, his wife Betsy is jealous of the attention lavished on him by an old high school girlfriend."
"Professor Ned Brainard's discovery of flubber hasn't quite brought him - or his college - the riches he thought. The Pentagon has declared his discovery to be top secret and the IRS has slapped him with a huge tax bill, even if he has yet to receive a cent. He thinks he may have found the solution in the form of flubbergas, which can change the weather. It also helps Medfield College's football team to win a game. At home, his wife Betsy is jealous of the attention lavished on him by an old high school girlfriend."
On this day in 1975 (in France), Rollerball scored SciFi thrills in a political context. Directed by Norman Jewison, the film starred James Caan and Maud Adams, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries, the violent game of Rollerball is used to control the populace by demonstrating the futility of individuality. However, one player, Jonathan E., rises to the top, fights for his personal freedom, and threatens the corporate control."
"In a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries, the violent game of Rollerball is used to control the populace by demonstrating the futility of individuality. However, one player, Jonathan E., rises to the top, fights for his personal freedom, and threatens the corporate control."
A star is born! On this day in 1993, The Philadelphia Experiment II enjoyed a super-rare theatrical exhibition in New York City, New York! Directed by Stephen Cornwell, the SciFi feature starred Brad Johnson, Marjean Holden, and Gerrit Graham; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"David Herdeg's participation in a failed 1943 experiment in radar invisibility has propelled him 40 years into the future. An aberration in his genetic makeup enabled him to pass through the portal of time. It has also made him sensitive to any alteration to the time continuum. Another disasterous experiment in 1993 sends a stealth aircraft through the time portal, into 1943 Germany. Simultaneously, Herdeg is pulled into the portal, and finds himself in the terrifying 1993 that resulted from a Nazi victory in World War II."
"David Herdeg's participation in a failed 1943 experiment in radar invisibility has propelled him 40 years into the future. An aberration in his genetic makeup enabled him to pass through the portal of time. It has also made him sensitive to any alteration to the time continuum. Another disasterous experiment in 1993 sends a stealth aircraft through the time portal, into 1943 Germany. Simultaneously, Herdeg is pulled into the portal, and finds himself in the terrifying 1993 that resulted from a Nazi victory in World War II."
On this day in 1994 (in Japan), Timecop went from the future to the past on silver screens. Directed by Peter Hyams, the SciFi film starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and Ron Silver, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Max Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future."
"Max Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future."
On this day in 1997, Spacejacked delivered high crimes and misdemeanors in space! Directed by Jeremiah Cullinane, the SciFi feature starred Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Luxury space cruiser Star Princess is hijacked by the treacherous second mate, who threatens to blow up the craft unless he gets access to bank accounts on Earth. A beautiful passenger and courageous first-mate attempt to thwart his schemes."
"Luxury space cruiser Star Princess is hijacked by the treacherous second mate, who threatens to blow up the craft unless he gets access to bank accounts on Earth. A beautiful passenger and courageous first-mate attempt to thwart his schemes."
On this day in 1999, Judgment Day enjoyed its release for the home video market. Directed by John Terlesky, the SciFi/Action feature starred Mario Van Peebles and Ice T, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cultists with an enigmatic leader (Mario Van Peebles) seize the only man capable of devising a way to stop a giant meteor from hitting the Earth. Agents (Suzy Amis, Ice-T) are then sent to his rescue..."
"Cultists with an enigmatic leader (Mario Van Peebles) seize the only man capable of devising a way to stop a giant meteor from hitting the Earth. Agents (Suzy Amis, Ice-T) are then sent to his rescue..."
On this day in 2004 (in Turkey), G.O.R.A. enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak, the SciFi/Comedy starred Cem Yilmaz and Özge Özberk, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A slick young Turk kidnapped by extraterrestrials shows his great humanitarian spirit by outwitting the evil commander-in-chief of the planet of G.O.R.A."
"A slick young Turk kidnapped by extraterrestrials shows his great humanitarian spirit by outwitting the evil commander-in-chief of the planet of G.O.R.A."
On this day in 2005, Locusts: The 8th Plague delivered its end-of-the-world goodness unto unsuspecting audiences. It starred Dan Cortese and David Keith, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A group of scientists try to stop a swarm of flesh-eating locusts that escape from a top secret government lab in the USA Midwest."
"A group of scientists try to stop a swarm of flesh-eating locusts that escape from a top secret government lab in the USA Midwest."
On this day in 2011, the SciFi/Telefilm Rage Of The Yeti growled. The feature starred David Chokachi and Matthew Kevin Anderson, and here's the plot summary provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"A quest for riches becomes a fight for survival after treasure hunters find snow monsters on a mountain in the Arctic."
"A quest for riches becomes a fight for survival after treasure hunters find snow monsters on a mountain in the Arctic."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "The Hastings Secret." Officially, this served as the twenty-ninth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A team of investigators go to Peru after incomplete notes are sent from Dr Hastings. They know he was working on new insecticides to use against termites, but when they arrive at the research station they discover something frightening and revolutionary."
"A team of investigators go to Peru after incomplete notes are sent from Dr Hastings. They know he was working on new insecticides to use against termites, but when they arrive at the research station they discover something frightening and revolutionary."
On this day in 1977, Space Academy aired "Life Begins At 300." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Gampu is humiliated by a cocky young Cadet and comes to believe that at 300 years of age he has nothing left to offer Space Academy except his resignation. Chris and the Cadets rally to restore their commander's self-confidence."
"Gampu is humiliated by a cocky young Cadet and comes to believe that at 300 years of age he has nothing left to offer Space Academy except his resignation. Chris and the Cadets rally to restore their commander's self-confidence."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1977 (in the United Kingdom), Gerry Anderson's Space:1999 bowed out of its broadcast existence with the airing of "The Dorcons." According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Dorcans demand that Moonbase Alpha hand over Maya so that the use of her brain stem can continue their immortal existence."
"The Dorcans demand that Moonbase Alpha hand over Maya so that the use of her brain stem can continue their immortal existence."
On this day in 1982, The Power of Matthew Star aired "Endurance." Officially, this served as the eighth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"A field trip for an outdoors survival course turns dangerous when Matthew and Walt encounter escapees from an asylum."
"A field trip for an outdoors survival course turns dangerous when Matthew and Walt encounter escapees from an asylum."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Boomtown." This (technically) served as the program's forty-sixth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"MacDonald finds a mother load of Starstones on C40. Settlers arrive to stake a claim. Bandits start attacking the prospectors, the Galaxy Rangers arrive to establish the law."
"MacDonald finds a mother load of Starstones on C40. Settlers arrive to stake a claim. Bandits start attacking the prospectors, the Galaxy Rangers arrive to establish the law."
"Space" was one of those rare episodes from The X-Files first season (in 1993) that just didn't quite seem all there. It started with a good idea, but then it really kinda/sorta went nowhere in its big finish. Still, you gotta admire writers for trying to do something relevant and timely with the current space program. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When a space shuttle mission is sabotaged, Mulder suspects it may be the work an alien spirit that inhabits the body of a former Gemini astronaut."
"When a space shuttle mission is sabotaged, Mulder suspects it may be the work an alien spirit that inhabits the body of a former Gemini astronaut."
On this day back in 1995, Space: Above and Beyond aired the episode "The Enemy." Here's the summary provided by TV.com:
"The soldiers of the 58th become their own worst enemies when a routine supply mission goes awry, leaving them stranded in alien territory and suffering from the effects of a mysterious Chig weapon."
"The soldiers of the 58th become their own worst enemies when a routine supply mission goes awry, leaving them stranded in alien territory and suffering from the effects of a mysterious Chig weapon."
On this day back in 1995, it looks like some enterprising TV types went and tried to do a modern day updating of the 60's classic The Invaders. I've done some scouring, but I can't find any really interesting reviews of the project, nor was I even aware of it. It starred Scott Bakula, Richard Thomas, and Elizabeth Pena, and -- thanks to our friends at IMDB.com -- here's the plot summary:
"The classic sci-fi series of the '60s returns as one man, Scott Bakula, tries to stop an invasion of the earth by aliens disguised as humans."
"The classic sci-fi series of the '60s returns as one man, Scott Bakula, tries to stop an invasion of the earth by aliens disguised as humans."
On this day in 1996, The Burning Zone aired "Hall of the Serpent." This served as the eighth hour of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"Cassian asks the team for a personal favour when his sick niece enters the compound of a self-proclaimed faith healer. Marcase uses drugs to make himself appear deathly ill and infiltrates the compound, trying to discover whether the healer is a charlatan or is twisting a genuine gift for profit."
"Cassian asks the team for a personal favour when his sick niece enters the compound of a self-proclaimed faith healer. Marcase uses drugs to make himself appear deathly ill and infiltrates the compound, trying to discover whether the healer is a charlatan or is twisting a genuine gift for profit."
Perhaps more than any other incarnation of the popular space franchise, Star Trek: Voyager relied heavily on the creative 'reset' button for far too many of its narrative adventures ... but occasionally it used the device effectively and to fans' acclaim. Such was the case with "Year Of Hell: Part 2," a fitting finale that suitably concluded a storyline that changed the stakes via some quick thinking in temporal mechanics. Here's the plot summary for the episode that aired on this day in 1997 from IMDB.com:
"A year after Voyager encounters the Krenim time ship, a badly damaged Voyager with a skeleton crew leads an armada of interplanetary ships against them."
"A year after Voyager encounters the Krenim time ship, a badly damaged Voyager with a skeleton crew leads an armada of interplanetary ships against them."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "All Fall Down." This served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"An informant tells Ethaniel and Laura that Banning is producing a new drug that will cause humans to collapse and go into a deep sleep, at his command. As he is telling them about this drug some of Banning's men activate the drug and their informant collapses. Tawrens fights of their attackers as Ethaniel and Laura get their now unconscious informant away. The only clue they have to try and find out more is a small picture of the man who has created the drug, Laura's father!"
"An informant tells Ethaniel and Laura that Banning is producing a new drug that will cause humans to collapse and go into a deep sleep, at his command. As he is telling them about this drug some of Banning's men activate the drug and their informant collapses. Tawrens fights of their attackers as Ethaniel and Laura get their now unconscious informant away. The only clue they have to try and find out more is a small picture of the man who has created the drug, Laura's father!"
On this day in 2001, Andromeda aired "Una Salus Victus." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In an effort to allow the Andromeda, and the unarmed fleet she is escorting, to pass through a Drago-Kazov controlled system, Dylan and Tyr assault a base controlling old High Guard turrets along the route. Along the way, one of the ships in the convoy gets lost, so Beka takes the Maru to find the lost sheep."
"In an effort to allow the Andromeda, and the unarmed fleet she is escorting, to pass through a Drago-Kazov controlled system, Dylan and Tyr assault a base controlling old High Guard turrets along the route. Along the way, one of the ships in the convoy gets lost, so Beka takes the Maru to find the lost sheep."
On this day in 2001, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Guilty Conscience." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A former Doors employee who has been turned into a hybrid tells Renee to stop a project just before he dies. The project seems to be an attempt to create Atavus hybrids faster."
"A former Doors employee who has been turned into a hybrid tells Renee to stop a project just before he dies. The project seems to be an attempt to create Atavus hybrids faster."
On this day in 2001, Mutant X aired "Lit Fuse." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Eckhart seeks a mutant who can absorb energy, one who Brennan becomes romantically involved with."
"Eckhart seeks a mutant who can absorb energy, one who Brennan becomes romantically involved with."
On this day in 2004, Andromeda aired "So Burn The Untamed Lands." This served as the eighth episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Harper discovers a new weapon in the system that is powered by a crystal, which Harper feels will be able to power the Andromeda. Rhade and Dylan must go undercover working for Cutter to obtain the crystal he mines. Meanwhile, Andromeda and Doyle conflict over who controls the ship."
"Harper discovers a new weapon in the system that is powered by a crystal, which Harper feels will be able to power the Andromeda. Rhade and Dylan must go undercover working for Cutter to obtain the crystal he mines. Meanwhile, Andromeda and Doyle conflict over who controls the ship."
On this day in 2004, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "The Augments." This served as the sixth episode of the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"In defiance of their "father," Arik Soong's Augments devise a heinous plot against the Klingons which will surely lead to interstellar war."
"In defiance of their "father," Arik Soong's Augments devise a heinous plot against the Klingons which will surely lead to interstellar war."
On this day in 2010, Sanctuary aired "Hero II: Broken Arrow." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"During an attempt by the creator of the suit to get the suit back, it latches onto Kate, who runs away to use it for her own purposes. Magnus turns to Walter to help get the suit, and Kate, back before the creator does."
"During an attempt by the creator of the suit to get the suit back, it latches onto Kate, who runs away to use it for her own purposes. Magnus turns to Walter to help get the suit, and Kate, back before the creator does."
On this day in 2010, Smallville aired "Abandoned." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's tenth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Clark accompanies Tess, who got childhood nightmares triggered by a mysteriously delivered music-box, to the orphanage where she was left behind by her parents. They find out the hard way 'Granny', who runs it, far from her philanthropic image, in fact ruthlessly rules a brain-washed power girls ring. The general finally sent Lois the video made by her late mother when dying from cancer. Dealing with painful and sweet memories, she ends up digging in Clark's Kryptonian parental antecedents in the fortress."
"Clark accompanies Tess, who got childhood nightmares triggered by a mysteriously delivered music-box, to the orphanage where she was left behind by her parents. They find out the hard way 'Granny', who runs it, far from her philanthropic image, in fact ruthlessly rules a brain-washed power girls ring. The general finally sent Lois the video made by her late mother when dying from cancer. Dealing with painful and sweet memories, she ends up digging in Clark's Kryptonian parental antecedents in the fortress."
On this day in 2010, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Hunt For Ziro." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Obi-Wan Kenobi and Quinlan Vos are assigned to retrieve Ziro the Hutt after his escape from prison. But Ziro is instantly put on trial by the five Hutt families on Nal Hutta, where his only ally may be an old lover."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi and Quinlan Vos are assigned to retrieve Ziro the Hutt after his escape from prison. But Ziro is instantly put on trial by the five Hutt families on Nal Hutta, where his only ally may be an old lover."
If you're even modestly afraid of bugs, then I'll encourage you to avoid "Fear of Flying," an episode of Primeval: New World that first aired on this day back in 2012. The plot featured the team of scientists encountered a portal to a prehistoric world with flesh-eating beetles and one big momma of a killer bug (shown above) about the size of a small truck. Where's the can of Raid when you need it?
