Brent Spiner

He attended Bellaire High School, where he was active on the speech team. Brent later studied at the University of Houston and began performing in local theater productions during his university years, laying the foundation for his acting career.

Stage and Early Screen Career

In the 1970s, Spiner relocated to New York and established himself as a stage actor. He performed in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including notable roles in “Sunday in the Park with George” and “The Three Musketeers.”

He appeared in Woody Allen’s 1980 film “Stardust Memories,” although he had no speaking role. Spiner also made a guest appearance as a media technician in Season 2 of the TV series “The Paper Chase.” Following his move to Los Angeles in 1984, he appeared in a variety of made-for-TV movies.

Breakout Role: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Brent Spiner rose to prominence with his portrayal of Lieutenant Commander Data in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” which premiered in 1987. He remained with the franchise for 15 years, appearing in all seven seasons of the television series and four feature films. He also voiced the character in numerous Star Trek video games, solidifying Data as one of the most iconic characters in science fiction television.

Television and Voice Acting Roles

Beyond Star Trek, Spiner appeared regularly on various television shows. He played the recurring role of Bob Wheeler on the sitcom “Night Court” and was featured in a 1986 episode of “The Twilight Zone” on CBS.

His voice acting credits include roles in animated series such as “Gargoyles,” and he voiced the Joker in the series “Young Justice.” He also appeared in shows like “The Big Bang Theory,” “Joey,” “Mad About You,” “Friends,” and “Dream On.” On “Warehouse 13,” he portrayed Brother Adrian during its third and fourth seasons.