Brent Spiner

Brent Jay Spiner, aka Data (Star Trek:TNG), possibly the most beloved android in all of scifi history - was born in Houston, TX on Feb. 2, 1949 to Jack and Sylvia Spiner, proprietors of a furniture store. When Brent was only 10 months old, his father passed away due to kidney failure at the age of 29. Sylvia went on to marry Sol Mintz 6 years later, who also adopted Brent and his older brother Ron. Even though his mother divorced Mintz after only 7 years of marriage, Brent kept his stepfather's name up until the age of 26.

Brent caught the acting bug while he was still in high school, studying under the wing of one of the biggest influences in his life: drama teacher, Cecil Pickett. After high school, Brent went on to attend college at the University of Houston, as well as at other schools. While at university, Brent began working seriously on his acting career by appearing in several plays at the Houston Music Theatre, ect.. Also making his first televised appearance in 1970's My Sweet Charlie.

After a long hard road, and a few failures Brent finally made a name for himself as a stage performer appearing in a multitude of Broadway and "off" Broadway shows. One musical in particular Little Shop of Horrors lead him to Los Angeles where he decided to begin looking for more lucrative work. He appeared in many tv show and 'movie of the week' bit parts up until 1986 when he was selected for the role that would change his career.

Even though Brent didn't think the show would make it beyond a few episodes, he took the role of lovable android Lt. Commander Data on Roddenberry's new outing Star Trek: The Next Generation mostly because he said that he desperately needed the cash. After seven years of episodes, four films, and other various appearances on other ST shows he has joined other highly respected, and loved science fiction characters in popculture immortality.

Movie Credits
Material Girls (2006) - Tommy
The Aviator (2004) - Robert Gross
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) - Lt. Commander Data/B-4
The Master of Disguise (2002) - Devlin Bowman
I Am Sam (2001) - Shoe Salesman
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) - Lt. Commander Data
Out to Sea (1997) - Gil Godwyn
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) - Lt. Commander Data
Phenomenon (1996) - Dr. Bob Niedorf
Independence Day (1996) - Dr. Brackish Okun
Star Trek: Generations (1994) - Lt. Commander Data
Corrina, Corrina (1994) - Brent Witherspoon

... and many more.