Pat Jankiewicz | |
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Patrick Jankiewicz, known more often asPat Jankiewicz, is an American author, journalist, and media historian[1][2] specializing in companion books for genre media, and an actor. He has been a long‑time contributor to magazines such asFangoria,Starlog andFilm Review; and he has played many acting roles in television and film, centered on creature work.
Jankiewicz was raised in Michigan.[3] He has lived in Southern California, and honed his writing skills while working in public relations and copywriting.[4] He is the younger brother ofGrosse Pointe Blank screenwriterTom Jankiewicz, and actor Donald R. Jankiewicz.[5][6]
Jankiewicz began writing for genre magazines in the late 1980s, including articles, interviews and features forFangoria,Starlog andFilm Review, as well as working for years with theSyFy Channel. This background informed his research.[1] He contributed Star Trek profiles toStarlog in the early 1990s alongside writers such as Lee Goldberg and Craig Chrissinger.[7]
In 2014 hisFangoria article "Killer Thriller", revisiting John Landis'sMichael Jackson's Thriller music video, appeared on the ballot for the twelfth Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.[8]
In 2010, Jankiewicz’s first major work, the bookJust When You Thought It Was Safe: A Jaws Companion (BearManor Media, 2010), examines the production ofSteven Spielberg'sJaws andits sequels. Reviewer Robert Gold praised the book's extensive interviews.[1]
His 2012 bookYou Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry: A Hulk Companion is a detailed guide to the 1978–82 television seriesThe Incredible Hulk. The book surveys each episode and provides behind‑the‑scenes information about the production.
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: A TV Companion in 2015 covers the TV seriesBuck Rogers in the 25th Century. In his review for Bookpleasures, media historian Dr. Wesley Britton wrote that the book offers the "first in‑depth exploration ofBuck Rogers" and described Jankiewicz as a "media historian".[2] The volume includes new interviews and an episode guide.
Jankiewicz later wroteThe Greatest American Hero Companion in 2021, a reference guide to the 1981–83 superhero comedy seriesThe Greatest American Hero. Articles about the series have quoted his research; for example, a pop‑culture retrospective noted that Jankiewicz explained how the show was pitched as "The Rockford Files with a superhero".[9] He also recorded audio commentaries for several episodes of the series, and in 2023 contributed commentary tracks for the Kino Lorber Blu‑ray release ofBuck Rogers in the 25th Century, where he was credited as a film/TV historian and author of the companion book.[10]
In addition to his writing, Jankiewicz has appeared in small roles in films and television. He had bit parts in feature films includingBeethoven’s 2nd (1993),Fight Club (1999),K-PAX (2001) andThe Rundown (2003), and he played various creatures in independent horror films, includingThe Prey: Legend of Karnoctus[11] He has numerous uncredited appearances in episodes of many genre shows andStar Trek: Voyager as a Hanonian citizen and Klingon mourner, and he has lent his voice and likeness to several low‑budget productions.
Media historian Patrick Jankiewicz offers the first in-depth exploration of Buck Rogers.
Author Pat Jankiewicz shares his Michigan roots with listeners.
'Killer Thriller,' by Pat Jankiewicz, FANGORIA #326–327. Revisiting the John Landis/Michael Jackson video, which looms more influential than ever.
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