On this day back in 1990, Wesley Crusher kinda/sorta did the unthinkable: he grew up! "Final Mission" saw the ensign and Capt. Picard shipwrecked on a desert planet, and the circumstances brought out the best in the young Mr. Crusher on his 'final mission' as a crewmember of the Enterprise-D. Bon voyage, Wesley! (But good riddance, too, to a subpar character with very little use in the future.) We hardly knew ye!
Hollywood heavy Rock Hudson had a great one-two SciFi blitz toward the end of his acting career: in 1980 he headlined the NBC-TV adaptation of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, and -- in 1982 -- he served one term as the fictional U.S. President Thomas McKenna in the telefilm World War III. Though he's no longer with us, Hudson was born on this day in 1925.
Yeah. You just sit there and drink your morning coffee, actor Robert Brown, for in your role as Lazarus for Star Trek's first season episode -- "The Alternative Factor" -- your existence is about to get a whole lot less peaceful. Brown was born on this day in 1926.
The venerable Rance Howard has participated in nearly 300 different projects in a career spanning seven decades and counting. Fans might recognize him from roles in the original Battlestar Galactica, Mork & Mindy, Innerspace, Quantum Leap, Universal Soldier, Independence Day, and Babylon 5. Though he's no longer with us, Howard was born on this day in 1928.
One of the loveliest creatures ever born -- model-turned-actress Lauren Hutton -- dabbled briefly in the realms of Science Fiction when in 1983 she appeared in the telefilm Starflight One (aka Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land). Hutton was born on this day in 1943.
The lovely Roberta Collins built a wonderful career out of appearing in some mildly exploitative fare throughout the 1970's, the most significant contribution of which would probably be "Matilda the Hun" in Death Race 2000 (1975). Though she's no longer with us, Collins was born on this day in 1944.
Early in his career, Stephen Root played a small role in Robocop 3 (1993). He's also enjoyed exposure on Golden Years, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, and Amazon's The Man In The High Castle. Root was born on this day in 1951.
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio booked a rare appearance in Science Fiction by appearing in James Cameron's The Abyss from the summer of 1989. Mastrantonio was born on this day in 1958.
Early in his career, William R. Moses (above right) joined the lovely Kathy Ireland in the SciFi/Camp flick, Alien From L.A., for Golan-Globus Productions. Moses was born on this day in 1959.
Producer Frank Spotnitz is best known for his work on Fox's legendary THE X FILES TV show, but he's had a relatively successful run on a handful of other programs as well since those days. Spotnitz was born on this day in 1960.
Sophie Marceau decided she was going to make things a bit rougher for Pierce Brosnan's James Bond as he had anticipated in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Marceau was born on this day in 1966.
David Ramsey's star is on-the-rise within the greater DC Universe. He's played John Diggle (pictured above, center) on The Flash; he's slated to resume the character in a forthcoming arc on Arrow; and he's slated to appear in Legends of Tomorrow. Ramsey was born on this day in 1971.
Though he's probably more well known for his work in mainstream fare, Leonard Roberts played a role in NBC's Heroes back in the program's original run. Roberts was born on this day in 1972.
Funny lady Leslie Bibb turned on a more dramatic side with an appearance in Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010). Bibb was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Very early in her career, the highly photogenic Rachel McAdams made an appearance in the cult favorite series, Earth: Final Conflict. More recently, she dipped into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a prominent role aboard Doctor Strange (2016). McAdams was born on this day in 1978.
Odds are, you won't recognize Zoe Bell's face, but I've no doubt -- especially if you're a fan of genre entertainment -- that you're familiar with her work; as a stuntwoman, she's one of the most sought after women on film! Thankfully, she's also been given the opportunity to book some appearances within these various franchises, including some screen time in Cleopatra 2525, Planet Terror, ABC-TV's Lost, and Paradox (2016). Bell was born on this day in 1978.
Before going on to play Lucifer himself in the Fox series of the same name, Tom Ellis played a kindler, gentler spirit by helping out Martha and the Doctor aboard an episode of the BBC's Doctor Who. Ellis was born on this day in 1978.
The lovely Bojana Novakovic made a guest appearance aboard HBO's popular Westworld into something special. She'll also soon be seen in Beyond Skyline. Novakovic was born on this day in 1981.
HubbaHubba Alert! I fell in love with the stunning Viva Bianca as she played the scheming 'Ilithyia' aboard Starz Network's spectacular Spartacus reimagining; thankfully she appeared in a small role aboard a SciFi/Telefilm, Panic at Rock Island (2011), so that I can feature her loveliness here. More recently, she enjoyed a guest spot aboard Amazon's Fantasy-themed Just Add Magic. Bianca was born on this day in 1983.
Early in his career, Harry Lloyd had a great guest star turn aboard the 2007 season of the BBC's Doctor Who. More recently, the actor has turned in some incredible work as one of the regulars aboard Starz Network's 'parallel worlds' SciFi/Drama Counterpart. Lloyd was born on this day in 1983.
Slowly and surely, young Jon Cor has been building an impressive resume in some quality genre projects. He's scored some good screen time in Being Human, Lost Girl, Defiance, Dark Matter, and is getting a big star turn in the forthcoming Shadowhunters. Cor was born on this day in 1984.
On this day in 1994, Project Shadowchaser II followed up on the SciFi brilliance and action of the original. The feature starred Frank Zagarino and Brian Genesse, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Terrorists led by an android take over a nuclear plant and threaten to launch a missile at Washington. While the authorities desperately attempt to negotiate, the terrorists persue their real goal. A plant worker, her son and a tough-guy repair man have other ideas, and attempt to stop the terrorists from inside the plant."
"Terrorists led by an android take over a nuclear plant and threaten to launch a missile at Washington. While the authorities desperately attempt to negotiate, the terrorists persue their real goal. A plant worker, her son and a tough-guy repair man have other ideas, and attempt to stop the terrorists from inside the plant."
On this day in 2006 (in the United Kingdom), the SciFi/Comedy Special opened theatrically. The feature starred Michael Rapaport and Josh Peck, and here's the plot summary listed on IMDB.com:
"A lonely metermaid has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero."
"A lonely metermaid has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero."
On this day in 2011 (in Russia), the Fantasy-themed Bloodrayne: The Third Reich enjoyed its premiere on home video. The feature starred Natassia Malthe and Brendan Fletcher, and here's the plot summary from 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."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "The Secret of Superman." This served as the tenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Dr. H.L. Ort is using an advanced version of a truth serum to hypnotize employees of the Daily Planet in an attempt to discover Superman's secret identity."
"Dr. H.L. Ort is using an advanced version of a truth serum to hypnotize employees of the Daily Planet in an attempt to discover Superman's secret identity."
On this day in 1965, LOST IN SPACE aired the tenth episode of its first season. "The Sky Is Falling" pitted the Robinson family against an alien race called the Taurons.
You know how your mother tells you never to throw a good thing away? Well, here's why! The first season episode titled "The Menagerie, Part 1" actually utilizes footage from the original Star Trek pilot, "The Cage," to revisit those events through a narrative perspective involving Kirk and his crew. Spock seizes control of the ship in order to take his ailing former Captain Christopher Pike (see above) to Talos IV. It first aired in 1966, and it's a winner of an episode.
Another personal favorite of mine, Star Trek's "Journey to Babel" aired on this day in 1967. The Enterprise is tasked with escorting a whole cadre of intergalactic diplomats to some huge space convention; but our captain realizes that something strange is afoot when another alien race remains intent on keeping these guests from appearing. Plus, there's a terrific B story involving Spock and his parents, Sarek and Amanda, that truly gives the hour some human dimensions.
On this day in 1974, "At Planet Brumas" aired as an installment of Star Blazers first season. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Argo answers a distress call from Space Marines on planet Brumas."
"The Argo answers a distress call from Space Marines on planet Brumas."
On this day in 1976, Star Maidens aired the eleventh episode of its first and only season. The adventure was titled "Hideout," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"On the run, Adam and Shem find shelter in an apartment, but have been seen and reported. Adam is arrested, but Shem is rescued by Rose, whose fiancé has left her. The two start to grow close - but the police are closing in."
"On the run, Adam and Shem find shelter in an apartment, but have been seen and reported. Adam is arrested, but Shem is rescued by Rose, whose fiancé has left her. The two start to grow close - but the police are closing in."
The ultimate blemish on the entire Star Wars franchise when it was only in its creative infancy -- the Star Wars Holiday Special -- first aired on this day in 1978. Ugh. Seriously, the Force wasn't all that strong with that one. Here's the summary as provided by the good people at IMDB.com:
"Chewbacca and Han Solo try to get home to Chewie's family to celebrate Life Day, which includes various forms of entertainment."
"Chewbacca and Han Solo try to get home to Chewie's family to celebrate Life Day, which includes various forms of entertainment."
On this day in 1984, The Tripods aired "France: September, 2089 AD." This served as the tenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The boys stay on to help at a vineyard until after the grape harvest. When time comes to continue their journey, they find it hard to leave their new found friends."
"The boys stay on to help at a vineyard until after the grape harvest. When time comes to continue their journey, they find it hard to leave their new found friends."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Lord of the Sands." This (technically) served as the program's forty-ninth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A transport with Foxx, Gooseman, and Zozo is sabotaged and they crash land on planet. They have no communicator and Foxx's bionics are damaged. They have to contend with their environment and the locals."
"A transport with Foxx, Gooseman, and Zozo is sabotaged and they crash land on planet. They have no communicator and Foxx's bionics are damaged. They have to contend with their environment and the locals."
On this day in 1990, Super Force aired "Prisoners Of Love." This served as the ninth episode of the SciFi-crime-fighting program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Beautiful young women are disappearing which forces Carla and Zach to go undercover to find them. Will Carla fall victim to a madman's evil plot?"
"Beautiful young women are disappearing which forces Carla and Zach to go undercover to find them. Will Carla fall victim to a madman's evil plot?"
On this day in 1991, Super Force aired "Hank's Back: Part 2." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Hank helps Zach save F.X. who has been kidnapped by the same mob men that were after him. Will they reach F.X. in time?"
"Hank helps Zach save F.X. who has been kidnapped by the same mob men that were after him. Will they reach F.X. in time?"
On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Voyager found a very special way to interact with the history of the Alpha Quadrant with the airing of "One Small Step ..." This was the eighth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Voyager encounters a graviton ellipse, a phenomenon that emerges from subspace on rare occasions. The anomaly engulfed a manned vessel during a Mars mission in 2032 and Chakotay is determined to retrieve the debris from inside the ellipse. Chakotay, Paris and Seven take the Delta Flyer in, but when an asteroid strikes, Chakotay, obsessed with retrieving the module, disobeys Janeway's order to leave. The collision renders the Flyer flightless as the ellipse prepares to return to subspace."
"Voyager encounters a graviton ellipse, a phenomenon that emerges from subspace on rare occasions. The anomaly engulfed a manned vessel during a Mars mission in 2032 and Chakotay is determined to retrieve the debris from inside the ellipse. Chakotay, Paris and Seven take the Delta Flyer in, but when an asteroid strikes, Chakotay, obsessed with retrieving the module, disobeys Janeway's order to leave. The collision renders the Flyer flightless as the ellipse prepares to return to subspace."
It all began right here: on this day in 2001, the animated adventures of DC Comics' Justice League began on the Cartoon Network with an explosive three-part storyline titled "Secret Origins." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Batman and Superman team up to deal with an alien invasion, and a telepathic message leads the duo to a military base housing future ally J'onn J'onzz."
"Batman and Superman team up to deal with an alien invasion, and a telepathic message leads the duo to a military base housing future ally J'onn J'onzz."
On this day in 2003, Andromeda aired "Conduit To Destiny." This served as the eighth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After taking a wrong turn in slipstream, the Andromeda receives a distress call from a Commonwealth prison, experiencing a riot the likes of which thy have not seen before. Dylan and his crew quickly put down the rebellion, but Dylan keeps having flashbacks to the last time he was on this planet."
"After taking a wrong turn in slipstream, the Andromeda receives a distress call from a Commonwealth prison, experiencing a riot the likes of which thy have not seen before. Dylan and his crew quickly put down the rebellion, but Dylan keeps having flashbacks to the last time he was on this planet."
On this day in 2003, Mutant X aired "Wasteland." This served as the eighth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plotsummary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jesse is forced to reconnect with his former fiancé when the Mutant X team learns that her company is involved in the genetic manipulation of crops."
"Jesse is forced to reconnect with his former fiancé when the Mutant X team learns that her company is involved in the genetic manipulation of crops."
On this day in 2006, Syfy's Battlestar Galactica aired "Hero." This served as the eighth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A figure from Adama's past returns to haunt him. His return raises questions about why the Cylons launched their initial attack against the Twelve Colonies."
"A figure from Adama's past returns to haunt him. His return raises questions about why the Cylons launched their initial attack against the Twelve Colonies."
On this day in 2014, Star Wars: Rebels aired "Gathering Forces." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Kanan and Ezra try to protect an Imperial deserter by distracting the Imperial forces."
"Kanan and Ezra try to protect an Imperial deserter by distracting the Imperial forces."
Sorry, folks, I don't "game" (never quite had the hand/eye coordination to be any good at it), but I do respect folks who do. And can there be any greater gaming property than the various worlds of the Star Wars universe? On this day in 2015 the very first incarnation of Star Wars: Battlefront was released to the marketplace. According to our good friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the buzz was about:
"Join the battle and play an important part in the Star Wars Galaxy. Lead the battle as you fight against the powerful empire in hope to regain freedom for the Galaxy."
"Join the battle and play an important part in the Star Wars Galaxy. Lead the battle as you fight against the powerful empire in hope to regain freedom for the Galaxy."
