BRENT SPINER
Date of Birth: February 2, 1949
Brent Spiner swallowed the same fame pill that Leonard Nimoy took, resulting
in worldwide fame as the Star Trek character he portrayed. Nimoy's
name faded in the shadows as his character, Spock, became what the public
recognized him for the most. Spiner became the loveable android Lt.
Commander Data from highly popular The Next Generation series.
Born in Houston, Texas, Spiner learned the art of acting from Cecil Pickett.
When he went on to teach at the University of Houston, Spiner followed.
But the college life was not for him and he moved to New York before
completing his degree. In the Big Apple Spiner performed as both singer and
actor in numerous off-Broadway plays. After working on a production of The
Seagull, Spiner decided that acting was the path he would take in life.
Although he found work on several film and television productions, he moved
to Los Angeles hoping for more opportunities.
Within a year, Spiner had launched a career as a television guest star in
series and as a supporting actor in telefilms and miniseries. He most
frequently appeared on the sitcom Night Court as a Yugoslavian rube who
establishes a snack bar in the courthouse.
In the mid '80s, Spiner was strapped for cash, so he auditioned for
the part of Data in the new Star Trek The Next Generation series. Though he
was not particularly fond of science fiction and was not a big fan of the
original Star Trek, he won the part and became an icon for Trekkies
everywhere as the popular series lasted seven years.
During his time on the show, Spiner worked on other projects. He
co-produced and released his first album entitled 'Ol' Yellow Eyes is Back,'
with an 80-piece orchestra and fellow castmates Patrick Stewart, Jonathan
Frakes, and Michael Dorn. He also worked on telefilms and various feature
films like Miss Firecracher (1989) and Corrina, Corrina (1994).
The end of the series, however, didn't end his turn as the eager
Pinocchio-like android Data. Feature films like Generations (1994),
First Contact (1996), Insurrection (1998) and Nemesis
(2002) soon followed, compelling Spiner to don his green paint, contacts and
dye his hair black once again.
When his services weren't required on the set of a Star Trek film, voicing
for various Star Trek video games, or attending Star Trek conventions,
Spiner kept himself sane by working on other projects that had little or no
relevance to his sci-fi success. Films like Independence Day, Phenomenon
(both 1996), Out to Sea (1997), South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999), I
Am Sam (2001), The Master of Disguise (2002) and the critically acclaimed The Aviator (2004) evened out his resumé.
Spiner is married to publicist Loree McBride. They have a son together.
Filmography:
Superhero Movie(2008)
Material Girls(2006)
The Aviator(2004)
Star Trek: Nemesis(2002)
The Master of Disguise(2002)
Dating Service (2001)
I Am Sam(2001)
Dude, Where's My Car? (2000) (uncredited)
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999) (voice)
Star Trek: Insurrection(1998)
Trekkies(1997)
Out to Sea (1997)
Star Trek: First Contact(1996)
Phenomenon (1996)
Independence Day(1996)
Pie in the Sky (1996)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Corrina, Corrina (1994)
Shocker (1989) (uncredited)
Miss Firecracker (1989)
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1981) (uncredited)
Rent Control (1981)
Stardust Memories (1980)