Brent Spiner

Brent Spiner

Birth name:

Brent Jay Spiner

Date of birth:

2 February1949

Place of birth:

Houston, Texas, USA

Awards forTrek:

Saturn Award winner

Roles:

Actor
Video game actor
Writer

Character(s):

Data;
Additional characters

Brent Jay Spiner (born2 February1949; age 76) is an actor best known for playing theandroidStarfleetofficer,Lieutenant CommanderData, onStar Trek: The Next Generation, in fourStar Trek films, several episodes ofStar Trek: Picard, and off-screen in "These Are The Voyages...", the final episode ofStar Trek: Enterprise.

He also played Data's "brother",Lore, and "father",DoctorNoonien Soong, in various episodes ofNext Generation. In2002, he playedB-4 inStar Trek Nemesis. He appeared asArik Soong in a three-episode arc onEnterprise, asAltan Soong andAdam Soong onPicard, and an alternate version of Data onLower Decks. He also co-wrote the story forStar Trek Nemesis withRick Berman andJohn Logan.

His portrayal of Data, the android in search ofHumanity, made him an invaluable member of theNext Generation cast. These skills were highlighted in the episode "Brothers", in which Spiner played all three main characters of the story, effectively turning the episode into a "one-man show".

He is one of only six actors to play seven or more different characters in the Star Trek franchise, the others beingJeffrey Combs,Randy Oglesby, Thomas Kopache,J.G. Hertzler, andVaughn Armstrong.

Biography[]

Spiner wasborn in Houston, Texas in1949. His father, Jack Spiner, died of kidney failure at the age of 29, when Brent was only ten months old. His mother, Sylvia, married again when Brent was about six years old. Brent and his elder brother, Ronald, were adopted and raised by their stepfather, Sol Mintz, but Brent changed his surname back to "Spiner" in 1975. He first obtained an interest in acting while attending Bellaire High School. He went on to graduate from Trinity College, but he never finished his studies at the University of Houston.

He worked as a cab driver in New York before he could get a job as an actor. In his early years on stage he played a number of roles in off-Broadway productions includingThe Seagull byAnton Chekhov. He soon received roles in several Broadway productions, most notablySunday in the Park with George, and also became active in film and television. In addition to his acting career, Spiner is also a professional singer and has released two albums.

Brent Spiner is married to publicist Loree McBride, with whom he has a son, Jackson Spiner, born 29 June 2002.

Film and television career[]

Early career and theNext Generation years[]

Spiner's first television work was a brief, uncredited role inMy Sweet Charlie (1970). His next TV appearance was not until 1978, when he became a cast member inThe Dain Curse, with his futureNext Generation co-star,Jean Simmons.

His first feature film appearance was a brief one inStardust Memories (1980). Also making his film debut in this film was futureStar Trek: Deep Space Nine starArmin Shimerman. Spiner next appeared in an uncredited role inLadies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1981, starringDavid Clennon). His first major film role – and his first and only starring role to date – was in 1984'sRent Control, a comedy in which Spiner played Leonard Junger, an aspiring TV writer who searches for a cheap apartment for his family only to become involved in a murder. One of his co-stars in this film wasRoy Brocksmith, who went on to co-star with Spiner in theNext Generation episode "Peak Performance".

It was also in 1984 that Spiner began appearing in episodic television, beginning with an episode ofTales from the Darkside withChristian Slater. This was followed with guest appearances onHill Street Blues (starring fellowTrek alumniBarbara Babcock,Barbara Bosson, andJames B. Sikking),Mama's Family (featuringAnne Haney),Hunter (withBruce Davison andNext Generation guest actressKatherine Moffat), andCheers. In the latter, he played a man who was accused of attempting to murder his wife.John Fleck played the bailiff at Spiner's character's court case;Kelsey Grammer also appeared in his role as Dr. Frasier Crane.

Between 1985 and 1987, Spiner andAnnie O'Donnell had recurring roles onNight Court, playing a Yugoslavian family pretending to be hicks from West Virginia and who often found themselves, through pure misfortune, as defendants in the courtroom. Besides series regularJohn Larroquette, otherTrek performers Spiner co-starred with on this series wereK Callan,Carlos LaCamara, andKenneth Tobey. In 1985, Spiner appeared inRobert Kennedy and His Times, which also featured the likes ofCliff DeYoung (asJohn F. Kennedy),Bruce French,Albert Hall, andHarris Yulin. In 1986, Spiner appeared in a segment of the 1980s version ofThe Twilight Zone, appearing with his futureNext Generation co-starJohn de Lancie. Additionally, Spiner appeared in a number of TV movies during the 1980s, including 1986'sSunday in the Park with George,Family Sins (1987, withMimi Kuzyk andMichael Durrell), andWhat's Alan Watching? (1987, starring and produced byEddie Murphy).

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Spiner focused primarily on his role as Data onThe Next Generation, although he did make occasional appearances in other projects. He had a role inMiss Firecracker (1989), starringHolly Hunter and his futureStar Trek: First Contact co-star,Alfre Woodard, withStar Trek: Deep Space Nine guest actorBert Remsen also appeared. That same year, Spiner made a cameo appearance inShocker. And in 1991, Spiner made an uncredited appearance in the TV movieCrazy from the Heart, which also featuredFran Bennett andBibi Besch.

Post-TNG[]

AfterThe Next Generation ended in1994, Spiner was seen inCorrina, Corrina, which starred Spiner's fellowNext Generation castmateWhoopi Goldberg, withWendy Crewson andJenifer Lewis. The following year, Spiner starred withStar Trek III: The Search for Spock actorChristopher Lloyd inDeadly Games. He was also seen inKingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long (1995, withBill Cobbs andBob Gunton, and made guest appearances on the showsMad About You (starringAnne Elizabeth Ramsay),Dream On (1990, starringWendie Malick), andThe Outer Limits (1996, withErich Anderson). Spiner also made a cameo inPie in the Sky (1996, starring his formerNext Generation castmateWil Wheaton andDey Young).

Spiner was one of the manyStar Trek performers who lent his voice to the animated Disney seriesGargoyles. Others who have done the same include hisNext Generation co-starsJonathan Frakes,Marina Sirtis,LeVar Burton,Michael Dorn, andColm Meaney,Deep Space Nine starAvery Brooks,Voyager starKate Mulgrew,Star Trek: The Original Series actressNichelle Nichols,Voyager guest actorJohn Rhys-Davies, andNext Generation guest actorsDavid Warner andPaul Winfield.

In 1996, not only did Spiner play Data inStar Trek: First Contact, but he also had a memorable role as eccentric scientist Brackish Okun inIndependence Day (which also featuredBill Smitrovich,Frank Novak,Leland Orser,Raphael Sbarge, Carlos Lacamara,Tim Kelleher,Robert Pine,Randy Nolen,Randy Oglesby, andErick Avari). Spiner additionally appeared as a psychologist in the dramaPhenomenon, co-starringEllen Geer,Richard Kiley, andDaniel Zacapa.

The following year, Spiner had a major supporting role as despotic cruise director Gil Godwyn in the comedyOut to Sea. In 1999, Spiner gave an acclaimed performance as Dorothy Dandridge's manager, Earl Mills, inIntroducing Dorothy Dandridge again working with Raphael Sbarge. He also lent his voice to a parody ofConan O'Brien forSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut that same year.

Spiner played the sinister Stromboli in the 2000 TV movieGeppetto, co-starringDeep Space Nine starRené Auberjonois. The following year, Spiner co-starred withScott Bakula andBruce Greenwood in the mini-seriesA Girl Thing. Spiner would go on to work with Bakula during thefourth season ofStar Trek: Enterprise.

Spiner's film credits following the turn of the century include a cameo appearance inDude, Where's My Car? (2000, withAndy Dick), a brief role in the 2001 dramaI Am Sam (co-starring formerNext Generation castmateRosalind Chao), and a role inThe Master of Disguise (2002, starringMichael Bailey Smith, Erick Avari, andLarry Cedar). He also made an appearance inThe Aviator (2004), a role he acquired due to his association with the film's writer, John Logan, with whom Spiner collaborated while writingStar Trek Nemesis.

His television credits include guest appearances onFrasier (starringNext Generation guest actor Kelsey Grammer, in an episode also guest-starringNext Generation performer,Bebe Neuwirth),Friends, andLaw & Order: Criminal Intent. Spiner also starred inThreshold, on whichNext Generation producerBrannon Braga served as executive producer;Michael Sussman wrote several episodes for this series.

Spiner next starred inMaterial Girls (2008) He was later seen inSuperhero Movie (2008), with his "Yesterday's Enterprise" co-starChristopher McDonald. He also lent his voice to a 3D computer-animated film calledQuantum Quest, which also features the voices ofJason Alexander,Robert Picardo,Chris Pine, andWilliam Shatner.[1][2] He also appeared onLeverage (2009, starringAldis Hodge, withArmin Shimerman andKitty Swink, directed by Jonathan Frakes).

In 2011, Spiner had a cameo onThe Big Bang Theory as himself, alongside recurring guest star Wil Wheaton. He also provided the voice of the Joker onYoung Justice, starringBruce Greenwood, withKevin Michael Richardson,Dee Bradley Baker andNolan North; he reprised the role in 2021.

In a 2012 five-minute behind-the-scenes interview, Spiner andSaul Rubinek discussed Spiner's multi-episode guest-starring role as Brother Adrian in Season 4 ofSyfy'sWarehouse 13. They revealed their long history of friendship since their stage acting days, with fond references to Rubinek's antagonistic portrayals opposite Spiner inTNG: "The Most Toys".[3]

Also in 2012, Spiner guested inepisode 503 ofThe Simpsons, "Them, Robot", in which he voiced all the robots.

Spiner later had a recurring guest role as therapist on the second season ofRay Donovan, in which he worked withPaula Malcomson,Michael McGrady,Josh Pais, and fellowNext Generation starDenise Crosby. He completed filming on the thrillerThe Midnight Man, withJeff Bornstein, in which he played the character Ezekiel.

Spiner reprised his role as Dr. Brakish Okun inIndependence Day: Resurgence (2016).John Stoneham, Jr. also worked on this sequel, as the film's stunt coordinator.[4]

In 2021 Spiner released the bookFan Fiction A Mem-Noir: Inspired by true events.

Stage work[]

Spiner's off-Broadway credits have includedLeave It to Beaver Is Dead and the aforementionedThe Seagull by Anton Chekhov. He has also starred in a number of Broadway stage productions, beginning withA History of the American Film in 1978.

From 2 May 1984 through 13 October 1985, Spiner appeared in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musicalSunday in the Park with George, in which he played two roles – Dennis the technician and Franz the servant.Harry Groener joined the cast in April 1985, replacing Mandy Patinkin in the lead role of George.

While still appearing inSunday in the Park with George, Spiner also played Aramis toRon Taylor's Porthos in a short-lived production ofThe Three Musketeers. In October 1985, Spiner took over the role of The Duke from DS9 star andGeppetto co-star René Auberjonois for the playBig River; Spiner himself was ultimately replaced in the role byKen Jenkins.Bob Gunton played The King during both Auberjonois' and Spiner's tenures.

Spiner returned to Broadway in 1997, starring as John Adams in the musical1776, which also starredMichael Cumpsty. For his performance in this play, Spiner was nominated for a Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actor in a Musical. More recently, Spiner starred with Helen Hunt and John Turturro inLife (x) 3.

His many other stage credits have included Chekhov'sThe Cherry Orchard (1976),Little Shop of Horrors (1985), andTom Stoppard'sEvery Good Boy Deserves Favour (1991).

Singing career[]

In a rather unexpected turn of events, in 1991, Spiner released an album of 1930s and 1940s pop standards calledOl' Yellow Eyes Is Back. Notably, the back-up vocals in the song "It's a Sin (to Tell a Lie)" were performed by "The Sunspots," aka his fellowNext Generation cast-membersLeVar Burton,Michael Dorn,Jonathan Frakes, andPatrick Stewart.Wendy Neuss andDennis McCarthy co-produced this album. This album may have influencedParamount Pictures enough to let him sing theIrving Berlin song "Blue Skies" in the movieStar Trek Nemesis.

Spiner also lent his singing talents to the filmOut to Sea. More recently Spiner performed inDreamland, a musical/radio play released as a CD album in 2008.

Star Trek appearances[]

Appearances as Data[]

Other roles[]

Lore
TNG: "Datalore", "Brothers", "Descent", "Descent, Part II"

Nagilum (in Data's form)
TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease"

Ira Graves (in Data's body)
TNG: "The Schizoid Man"

Nanites (in Data's body)
TNG: "Evolution"

Data (hologram,Barclay Program 15)
TNG: "Hollow Pursuits"

Data (hologram)
TNG: "Hollow Pursuits"

Noonien Soong
TNG: "Brothers"

Data (hologram)
TNG: "Future Imperfect"

Speaking asRaymond Marr
TNG: "Silicon Avatar"

Ux-Malcriminalpossessing Data
TNG: "Power Play"

Noonien Soong (illusion)
TNG: "Birthright, Part I"

Annie
TNG: "A Fistful of Datas"

Bandito
TNG: "A Fistful of Datas"

Henchman
TNG: "A Fistful of Datas"

Eli Hollander
TNG: "A Fistful of Datas"

Frank Hollander
TNG: "A Fistful of Datas"

Data (illusion)
TNG: "Frame of Mind"

Noonien Soong (hologram)
TNG: "Inheritance"

Data controlled byMasaka
TNG: "Masks"

Data controlled byIhat
TNG: "Masks"

Data controlled by aD'Arsay boy
TNG: "Masks"

Data controlled by Masaka's devotee
TNG: "Masks"

Data controlled by Masaka's father
TNG: "Masks"

B-4
Star Trek Nemesis;PIC: "Remembrance"

Arik Soong
ENT: "Borderland", "Cold Station 12", "The Augments"

Altan Soong
PIC: "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1", "Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2"

Adam Soong (holographic statue)
PIC: "Penance"(voice)

Adam Soong
PIC: "Fly Me to the Moon", "Two of One", "Mercy", "Hide and Seek", "Farewell"

Altan Inigo Soong (holographic recording)
PIC: "The Bounty"

Daystrom Android M-5-10
PIC: "The Bounty", "Dominion", "Surrender", "Võx", "The Last Generation"

Data (alternate)
LD: "Fully Dilated"(voice)

Star Trek video game credits[]

• Star Trek: Bridge Commander as Lt. Commander Data
• Star Trek: Away Team as Lt. Commander Data
• Star Trek: Hidden Evil as Lt. Commander Data
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Final Unity as Lt. Commander Data

Star Trek interviews[]

• TNG Season 1 DVD special feature "The Beginning"
• TNG Season 1 DVD special feature "Selected Crew Analysis" ("Character Notes")
• TNG Season 1 DVD special feature "The Making of a Legend" ("Make-Up")
• TNG Season 2 DVD special feature "Departmental Briefing Year Two: Memorable Missions" ("The Measure Of A Man"), interviewed on4 April1994
• TNG Season 3 DVD special feature "Mission Overview Year Three" ("The Offspring"), interviewed on 4 April 1994
• TNG Season 4 DVD special feature "Departmental Briefing Year Four" ("Make Up"), interviewed on 4 April 1994
• TNG Season 5 DVD special feature "Mission Overview Year Five" ("A Visit fromSpock"), interviewed on11 April2002
• TNG Season 5 DVD special feature "Intergalactic Guest Stars" (Main segment, "Presidential Visit:Ronald Reagan"), interviewed on 11 April 2002
• TNG Season 6 DVD special feature "Mission Overview Year Six" (Main segment, "Resolving the Cliffhanger", "Descent – Part 1 FeaturingStephen Hawking"), interviewed on 11 April 2002
• TNG Season 6 DVD special feature "Bold New Directions Year Six", interviewed on 11 April 2002
• TNG Season 6 DVD special feature "Departmental Briefing Year Six" ("Special Crew Profile: Lt. Cmdr. Data", "Doubling Data", "An Android Sings", Acting with Spiner"), interviewed on17 June1991 and 11 April 2002
• TNG Season 7 DVD special feature "Mission Overview Year Seven" ("The Final Episode"), interviewed on 11 April 2002
• TNG Season 7 DVD special feature "Starfleet Moments & Memories Year Seven" ("A Unique Family"), interviewed on 11 April 2002
• Trekkies
• Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Star Trek: First Contact (2009 DVD) special "Brent Spiner: Data and Beyond Part 2" (2009)
• "Brent Spiner – Lt. Commander Data",The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine issue 1, p. 45, interviewed by Marc Shapiro
• All Good ThingsBlu-ray special featureThe Unknown Possibilities of Existence: Making "All Good Things" (2014)

Writing credits[]

• Star Trek Nemesis (story, withRick Berman &John Logan).

Trivia[]

• Brent Spiner was afraid of heights so having to film the scene inStar Trek: First Contact where Data jumps down numerous levels down in the missile silo to confront an armedLily Sloane was terrifying to perform for him.^{(citation needed •edit)}
• Brent Spiner was not very fond of cats even though Data had a pet cat named Spot.^{(citation needed •edit)}

See also[]

• The Spin on Spiner

External links[]

• TheRealBrentSpiner.com^(X) – official site
• Brent Spiner atWikipedia
• Brent Spiner at theInternet Movie Database
• Brent Spiner at theInternet Broadway Database
• Brent Spiner atTriviaTribute.com
• Brent Spiner atX (formerly Twitter)