Ah, the lovely Cindy Morgan! Born on this day back in 1954, Ms. Morgan first came to fandom's attention as the lovely Lora (or was that Yori?) from 1982's Tron, Disney's foray into the high-tech SciFi frontier. Happy birthday, Cindy! You're as lovely as ever!
With over four decades in the motion picture business and one hundred and sixty roles to his name, Theodore Lorch (above right) certainly left an imprint on audiences, but perhaps none was as grand as playing the High Priest in Flash Gordon (1936). Though he's no longer with us, Lorch was born on this day in 1873.
In Superman - The Movie (1978), it was the great Trevor Howard (above center) playing the Kyptonian elder who warned Jor-El about the impending dangers of revealing a fragile truth to the planet. Though he's no longer with us, Howard was born on this day in 1913.
In the role of 'Apella,' the talented Arthur Bernard paid a visit to Star Trek's "A Private Little War" in 1968. Though he's no longer with us, Bernard was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Nora Hayden graced the silver screen with her presence aboard The Angry Red Planet (1959). Though she's no longer with us, Hayden was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 1966, international sensation Anita Ekberg went Way ... Way Out with Jerry Lewis and the equally yummy Connie Stevens for 20th Century Fox Studios. Though she's no longer with us, Ekberg was born on this day in 1931.
In his time in the acting business, Arch Whiting had the chance to not only explore the deep aboard Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea but also to check out the Final Frontier aboard Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek. Though he's no longer with us, Whiting was born on this day in 1936. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Claudio Cassinelli certainly left a mark on cult filmmaking with roles aboard such genre staples as Slave of the Cannibal God (1978), The Great Alligator (1979), Hercules (1983), The Adventures of Hercules (1985), and the SciFi/Actioner Hands of Steel (1986), which incidentally was one of his last roles (he was killed by an accident during filming). Though he's no longer with us, Cassinelli was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
If HBO's seminal Western Deadwood taught us anything, then it would be that screen veteran Ian McShane can swear better than possibly any other actor alive! The actor had a guest role in mid-1970's under-appreciated Space:1999 (pictured). In 1998, he had a role in a Babylon 5 TV movie. McShane was born on this day in 1942.
Veteran character actress Isla Blair has dabbled handily in some quality genre entertainment projects. She's appeared (twice!) aboard Space:1999; she had a guest role aboard Blakes 7; she visited the worlds of Doctor Who in 1983; and she even stopped by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade for a brief stint. Blair was born on this day in 1944.
Critically acclaimed Patricia Hodge gave SciFi drama a whirl with the 1992 miniseries, The Cloning of Joanna May. Otherwise, it appears she's more of a conventional drama lady. Hodge was born on this day in 1946.
Yes, Martin Ferrero played one of the victims in 1993's terrific Jurassic Park ... but isn't one of the hallmarks of a great actor knowing how to make a grand exit? Ferrero was born on this day in 1947.
The reliable Donovan Scott saddled up for action aboard Back To The Future 3 (1990). He's also enjoyed screen time aboard The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981), Sheena (1984), Homeboys in Outer Space, and Babylon 5. Scott was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Scott MacDonald has booked appearances in a wealth of smaller roles still deserving of his impressive range. He's been seen aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, Fire In The Sky (1993), Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Space: Above and Beyond, Babylon 5: A Call To Arms (1999), The X-Files, Stargate: SG-1, Star Trek: Enterprise, Carnivale, and CBS's short-lived Threshold. MacDonald was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dale Dickey seemingly makes it her business to steal quality scenes any chance she's given. Though she's definitely probably more well known for more traditional fare, she's also been a part of such entities as The X-Files, Changeling (2008), Iron Man 3 (2013), and HBO's True Blood. Dickey was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Since Doctor Who returned to the airwaves of the BBC for this renewed take on the beloved time traveler, actor Nicholas Briggs has been lending his vocal talents to the various incarnations of the Daleks on the show. Exterminate, indeed! Briggs was born on this day in 1961.
Roger Bart is one of those talented background players who shows up in practically every genre. So far as Science Fiction goes, he's booked screen time aboard The Stepford Wives (2004), The Lost Room (miniseries), The Event, and How To Build A Better Boy (2014). Bart was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though it would appear that her mainstay is work in the adult entertainment industry, the lovely Jeanna Fine has dabbled in less recreational fare in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (though still utilizing the -- ahem -- best parts of herself), including roles in Barbara the Barbarian (1987), Sex Trek (1990), Latex (1995), and The XXX Files: Lust In Space (1995). Fine -- who is indeed fine -- was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Luke Goss (pictured above from the SciFi-lite Death Race 3: Inferno) remains cinema's best kept secret. The actor has a terrific charisma that practically deserves its own franchise. He's been a part of Blade 2 (2002), Silver Hawk (2004), Frankenstein (2004), Unearthed (2007), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), and much much more. Goss was born on this day in 1968.
Another lovely lady who only flirted with sci-fi is Erica Eleniak. As a youngster, she appeared as one of Elliott's classmates in Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic, E.T. - The Extraterrestrial. For those of you who don't recall her bit, she was the little girl who gave Elliott his first kiss. Not too many years later, Ms. Eleniak posed for Playboy. Go figure. She was born on this day back in 1969.
Natasha Gregson Wagner made a run aboard the USA Network's The 4400 while it was in its heyday. Otherwise much of her acting time has been spent in more mainstream projects. Wagner was born on this day in 1970.
Hats off to Mackenzie Crook for making nerdy science looks so interesting on Fox TV's short-lived Almost Human. The comic found stardom in the BBC's original version of The Office (his Gareth Keenan is one brilliant character), but he continues to find greatness in one genre property after another. Crook was born on this day in 1971.
2008's Doomsday is one of those SciFi/Actioner that didn't quite live up to the potential of its great cast, of which Rick Warden played a role. Warden was born on this day in 1971.
There's definitely a smattering of quality genre appearance in the lovely Anna Khaja's resume that requires we give her a shout-out. She's been involved with FlashForward, HBO's True Blood, and Stitchers. Khaja was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 1994, young Alexis Cruz (pictured above) helped create the character of Skaara in the original Stargate motion picture, and it remained a part of the greater franchise all the way through 2009. Cruz was born on this day in 1974.
You want to know genre entertainment? Then Jorge Vargas knows genre entertainment! Since launching on his professional career, he's garnered screen time is such properties as The Odyssey, Poltergeist: The Legacy, The Sentinel, Stargate: SG-1, Millennium, Viper, First Wave, Dark Angel, Power Rangers Ninja Storm, Power Rangers DinoThunder, Smallville, Masters of Science Fiction, Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), Sanctuary, Supernatural, Alcatraz, Falling Skies, Arrow, and Beyond. Vargas was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
While Zibby Allen's resume might be a bit light (it includes around thirty different screen roles), her appearances aboard Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is definitely worth a mention. Allen was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Zachary Levi joined the cinematic Marvel Universe in a big way, joining the entourage behind Thor: The Dark World (2013). IMDB.com reports that he'll also be a part of the forthcoming Heroes Reborn program on television. Levi was born on this day in 1980.
Very early in her dramatic career, a young Shay Astar played the 'devil in a Blue Dress' Isabella (pictured above right), a vengeful spirit aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Imaginary Friend." Astar was born on this day in 1981.
The lovely Adriene Mishler is one of the regulars trapped within the SciFi/Mystery at the heart of Rooster Teeth's Day 5. Mishler was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 2001, the SciFi/Thriller Anthrax raged through mankind like a superbug. The feature starred Cameron Daddo and Ed Begley Jr., and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When cattle mysteriously start dying of anthrax in a small Alberta ranching community, an RCMP officer tries to keep the peace as ranchers lay the blame on a local agricultural research center. A reporter encourages the angry ranchers - led by the Mountie's mother-in-law - to stage a sit-in at the research center. When an eccentric old rancher dies after being exposed to a deadly strain of anthrax, the protesters are quarantined. No one notices that the reporter has disappeared - along with several vials of the deadly bacteria. The RCMP officer begins his own investigation, gleaning information from a U.S. government agent. He finds himself racing against time to recover the stolen anthrax."
"When cattle mysteriously start dying of anthrax in a small Alberta ranching community, an RCMP officer tries to keep the peace as ranchers lay the blame on a local agricultural research center. A reporter encourages the angry ranchers - led by the Mountie's mother-in-law - to stage a sit-in at the research center. When an eccentric old rancher dies after being exposed to a deadly strain of anthrax, the protesters are quarantined. No one notices that the reporter has disappeared - along with several vials of the deadly bacteria. The RCMP officer begins his own investigation, gleaning information from a U.S. government agent. He finds himself racing against time to recover the stolen anthrax."
On this day in 2004, the SciFi/Drama Deceived found life on home video. The featured starred Judd Nelson and Michelle Nolden, and here's the (edited) plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In a remote space observatory perched high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a needle frantically scratches erratic lines on a strip chart recorder confirming an extraterrestrial signal. Emmett Shaw, the powerful, charismatic billionaire who owns the observatory, rushes to the station, hungry to expose the discovery. This is the biggest moment in human history and he is the man responsible for it all."
"In a remote space observatory perched high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a needle frantically scratches erratic lines on a strip chart recorder confirming an extraterrestrial signal. Emmett Shaw, the powerful, charismatic billionaire who owns the observatory, rushes to the station, hungry to expose the discovery. This is the biggest moment in human history and he is the man responsible for it all."
On this day in 2010 (in the Philippines), the SciFi/Horror hybrid The Thaw melted hearts. The feature starred Val Kilmer and Alexandra Staseson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A research expedition to the Arctic discovers that a melting polar ice cap has released a deadly prehistoric parasite."
"A research expedition to the Arctic discovers that a melting polar ice cap has released a deadly prehistoric parasite."
On this day in 2012, the SciFi/Telefilm Lake Placid: The Final Chapter took a bite out of its TV audience. The feature starred Elisabeth Rohm and Yancy Butler, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Reba the poacher is back, now an EPA agent. Black Lake is turned into a crocodile sanctuary surrounded by an electric fence. When the fence gets left open one night, a high-school field trip bus unknowingly enters the park. It's up to Reba and the sheriff to save the kids from becoming crocodile chow."
"Reba the poacher is back, now an EPA agent. Black Lake is turned into a crocodile sanctuary surrounded by an electric fence. When the fence gets left open one night, a high-school field trip bus unknowingly enters the park. It's up to Reba and the sheriff to save the kids from becoming crocodile chow."
On this day in 1961, The Twilight Zone aired "The Shelter." This served as the third episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A suburban dinner party is interrupted by a bulletin warning of an impending nuclear attack. As the neighbors scramble to prepare themselves, they turn against the one family that installed a permanent bomb shelter."
"A suburban dinner party is interrupted by a bulletin warning of an impending nuclear attack. As the neighbors scramble to prepare themselves, they turn against the one family that installed a permanent bomb shelter."
On this day in 1965, Lost In Space continued to take the Robinson family to new frontiers. "Islands In the Sky" saw Dr. Robinson drawn down to a planet, and the crew of the Jupiter 2 go after him.
Oh, good grief: what some guys won't do to get their shirt off! Star Trek's "The Naked Time" explored the idea that the crew of our beloved starship were somehow intoxicated by a space virus; of course, this led to all kinds of crazy shenanigans, including trying to kill everyone on board. The program first aired on this day back in 1966, and it was eventually weakly copied in a TNG follow-up titled "The Naked Now."
Many folks felt -- understandably so -- that the premise of Star Trek: The Motion Picture was a bit too similar to themes already explored in the second season episode of Star Trek. "The Changeling" pitted the crew of the Enterprise against a satellite called Nomad who'd grow just a bit too big for its britches ... erm ... circuits. The episode aired on this day back in 1967.
On this day in 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons first premiered into Supermarionation SciFi history. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A war is started between humans and an alien race called The Mysterons."
"A war is started between humans and an alien race called The Mysterons."
On this day in 1968, Land of the Giants aired "Ghost Town." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While being chased by a hobo, the castaways find themselves trapped by a force field. They then find a town without any people in it. They soon find out that the town was built by a lonely old man who built the town based on pictures he found on a ship that crash landed on the planet years earlier. They appreciate the old man's kindness, but still try to find a way to escape. Compicating matters is the old man's sadistic granddaughter who is jealous of them and tries kill them."
"While being chased by a hobo, the castaways find themselves trapped by a force field. They then find a town without any people in it. They soon find out that the town was built by a lonely old man who built the town based on pictures he found on a ship that crash landed on the planet years earlier. They appreciate the old man's kindness, but still try to find a way to escape. Compicating matters is the old man's sadistic granddaughter who is jealous of them and tries kill them."
On this day in 1976, "Kidnap" aired as part of the cult favorite program, Star Maidens. This was the fifth episode, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While Shem repairs her ship, Fulvia allows herself to be used as a test subject for a human thought-transference machine similar to the ones on Medusa - but not similar enough, as it causes pain and distress. Who will save her?"
"While Shem repairs her ship, Fulvia allows herself to be used as a test subject for a human thought-transference machine similar to the ones on Medusa - but not similar enough, as it causes pain and distress. Who will save her?"
On this day back in 1979, the animated Flash Gordon aired its second episode: "The Monsters of Mongo."
"Recaptured by Ming, Dale is taken to the dictator's chambers while Flash and Thun are thrown into the pit mine. Aura's reluctance to lose her Earth man leads her to the mines and the trio escapes to the forest, right into Barin's clutches." (Plot summation compliments of IMDB.com.)
"Recaptured by Ming, Dale is taken to the dictator's chambers while Flash and Thun are thrown into the pit mine. Aura's reluctance to lose her Earth man leads her to the mines and the trio escapes to the forest, right into Barin's clutches." (Plot summation compliments of IMDB.com.)
On this day in 1979, Jason of Star Command aired "Web of the Star Witch." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Captured by Vanessa, an ally of Dragos, Jason is offered vast wealth and power to join her evil crusade."
"Captured by Vanessa, an ally of Dragos, Jason is offered vast wealth and power to join her evil crusade."
On this day in 1984, Airwolf aired "Firestorm." This served as the second episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Eddie, a chronically drunk friend of Dom's, spouts off about UFO-type lights he's been seeing near his desert trailer, everyone writes him off as a crackpot until one night while taking Eddie home, Dom spots them, too. He and String investigate and discover a military compound nearby headed by a renegade general who is planning a preemptive nuclear strike against the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, while escaping, Dom is shot and it's up to Eddie to ride shotgun aboard Airwolf with String even though he doesn't believe he can do what may be asked of him."
"When Eddie, a chronically drunk friend of Dom's, spouts off about UFO-type lights he's been seeing near his desert trailer, everyone writes him off as a crackpot until one night while taking Eddie home, Dom spots them, too. He and String investigate and discover a military compound nearby headed by a renegade general who is planning a preemptive nuclear strike against the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, while escaping, Dom is shot and it's up to Eddie to ride shotgun aboard Airwolf with String even though he doesn't believe he can do what may be asked of him."
On this day in 1984, The Tripods aired "The English Channel: July, 2089 AD." This served as the third episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Will and Henry eventually make the crossing to France only to be arrested on their arrival. In jail they meet a new friend who promises to help them escape, and join them on their trip to The White Mountains."
"Will and Henry eventually make the crossing to France only to be arrested on their arrival. In jail they meet a new friend who promises to help them escape, and join them on their trip to The White Mountains."
On this day in 1986, the United Kingdom was treated to the premiere of Chocky's Challenge, the third (and final) season of the Chocky franchise. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Albertine is studying at Cambridge University where she is excelling herself. She wishes to research about cosmic energy, but she meets resistance from Professor Ferris who is fascinated about her theories. Albertine uses an illegal radio telescope to carry out research, but she is discovered by Dr Liddle, who doesn't enjoy her presence. Chocky returns to reveal that her people are prepared to reveal the secret of cosmic energy to the human race."
"Albertine is studying at Cambridge University where she is excelling herself. She wishes to research about cosmic energy, but she meets resistance from Professor Ferris who is fascinated about her theories. Albertine uses an illegal radio telescope to carry out research, but she is discovered by Dr Liddle, who doesn't enjoy her presence. Chocky returns to reveal that her people are prepared to reveal the secret of cosmic energy to the human race."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Renegade Rangers." This (technically) served as the program's twenty-fourth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Tired of taking orders from B.E.T.A., the Rangers turn to a life of crime. No one can stop their crime spree. Have the Rangers really gone bad? Or is there something else going on?"
"Tired of taking orders from B.E.T.A., the Rangers turn to a life of crime. No one can stop their crime spree. Have the Rangers really gone bad? Or is there something else going on?"
On this day in 1990, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Family." This served as the second episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After defeating the Borg, the crew of the Enterprise experiences shore leave in various ways. Captain Picard's return to his family's vineyard in France has some extraordinary repercussions following his time spent as a member of the Borg collective."
"After defeating the Borg, the crew of the Enterprise experiences shore leave in various ways. Captain Picard's return to his family's vineyard in France has some extraordinary repercussions following his time spent as a member of the Borg collective."
On this day in 1995, The X-Files aired "Paper Clip." This served as the second episode to the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As a government hit squad closes in on the agents, Mulder searches for clues about his father's involvement in a top secret project."
"As a government hit squad closes in on the agents, Mulder searches for clues about his father's involvement in a top secret project."
On this day in 1996, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired "Battleground Earth." This served as the second episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Lord Nor still has Smallville under his control. Worse, he has managed to take Clark prisoner for treason, as he purposefully never consummated his marriage to Zara and has no intention to ever fulfilling his duty. The council sentences him to banishment. Just as he is about to be gone for good, a loophole in the system is found which states that Clark can challenge Lord Nor to a duel. While all this is going on, the military has other plans. They are convinced that the Kryptonians plan to take over earth and they have decided to kill them all, even if Superman might also be injured or die."
"Lord Nor still has Smallville under his control. Worse, he has managed to take Clark prisoner for treason, as he purposefully never consummated his marriage to Zara and has no intention to ever fulfilling his duty. The council sentences him to banishment. Just as he is about to be gone for good, a loophole in the system is found which states that Clark can challenge Lord Nor to a duel. While all this is going on, the military has other plans. They are convinced that the Kryptonians plan to take over earth and they have decided to kill them all, even if Superman might also be injured or die."
On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Voyager slipped comfortably into its sixth season with an episode titled "Survival Instinct." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Voyager docks at a large space station which trades with them. the crew see it as a bit of a vacation from alien species trying to destroy them. However, three Borg drones, separated from the collective, have their own plans, including injecting their tubules into Seven's neck, and accessing her memory files to find out what happened 6 years ago."
"Voyager docks at a large space station which trades with them. the crew see it as a bit of a vacation from alien species trying to destroy them. However, three Borg drones, separated from the collective, have their own plans, including injecting their tubules into Seven's neck, and accessing her memory files to find out what happened 6 years ago."
On this day in 2003, Andromeda roared back onto the airwaves with the premiere of its fourth season. The episode was titled "Answers Given To Questions Never Asked," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The crew encounters some ships, the remainders of the Commonwealth Fleet. The leaders went into hiding when the fighting broke out. They need to find them to restore order to the Commonwealth."
"The crew encounters some ships, the remainders of the Commonwealth Fleet. The leaders went into hiding when the fighting broke out. They need to find them to restore order to the Commonwealth."
On this day in 2003, Mutant X returned to the tube with the premiere of its third (and final) season. The episode was titled "Into The Moonless Night," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the exciting season opener, the surviving members of Mutant X emerge from a deadly explosion to meet the beautiful and mysterious Lexa, who makes them begin to question fundamental assumptions about their world."
"In the exciting season opener, the surviving members of Mutant X emerge from a deadly explosion to meet the beautiful and mysterious Lexa, who makes them begin to question fundamental assumptions about their world."
On this day in 2012, Green Lantern: The Animated Series came back into episodic run (after a summer hiatus) with the airing of "New Guy," the fourteenth episode of its only season. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Hal Jordan returns to Earth to resume his duties as the planet's guardian... only to discover that he's been replaced by Guy Gardner. The two of them don't get along, but discover they have no choice when the android killing machines--the Manhunters--launch an attack."
"Hal Jordan returns to Earth to resume his duties as the planet's guardian... only to discover that he's been replaced by Guy Gardner. The two of them don't get along, but discover they have no choice when the android killing machines--the Manhunters--launch an attack."
On this day in 2015, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. aired "Laws of Nature." This served as the first episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"Director Phil Coulson and Agent Daisy Johnson leading the charge as S.H.I.E.L.D. searches the world for more powered people in the aftermath of their epic battle with Jiaying and her army of Inhumans. However, Coulson and the team soon find out that they are not the only group looking for these new Inhumans."
"Director Phil Coulson and Agent Daisy Johnson leading the charge as S.H.I.E.L.D. searches the world for more powered people in the aftermath of their epic battle with Jiaying and her army of Inhumans. However, Coulson and the team soon find out that they are not the only group looking for these new Inhumans."
