Brent Spiner

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, Brent 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, Brent 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.

He can most recently be seen in the crime thriller Midnight Man (2016) and the action sequel Independence Day: Resurgence (2016).

He is married to publicist Loree McBride. They have a son together.

Filmography:

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
The Midnight Man (2016)
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)