Brent Spiner Movies
Best known for playing the android Data on the syndicated television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and in its feature film spin-offs, Brent Spiner is also a talented singer. Before agreeing to play Data, Spiner had spent a decade on the New York stage. A native of Houston, TX, he was raised by his mother and her second husband (Spiner's real father died when he was a baby). The Quaid brothers Randy and Dennis were among his high school classmates and the three learned about acting under Cecil Pickett. Eventually Pickett would leave the school to take a teaching job at the University of Houston. Spiner enrolled there soon after graduation, but only remained at the university through 1974 when he decided to become a professional actor in New York City.Like many other aspiring thespians, Spiner had dues to pay in the form of taking a job as a cab driver before launching his career off-Broadway. He made his Broadway debut with Sunday in the Park With George opposite Mandy Patinkin. He made his television debut in a miniseries, The Dain Curse, and first appeared in films with a bit part in Woody Allen's Stardust Memories (1980). Spiner had a rare starring role in Rent Control (1981). He moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and launched a career as a television guest star on series and as a supporting actor in telemovies and miniseries. He most frequently appeared on the sitcom Night Court as the man who establishes a snack bar in the courthouse. He then successfully auditioned for the role of Data. Interestingly, Spiner claims no particular love for science fiction and was not a big fan of the original Star Trek. He says he mainly took the job because he didn't think the new series would last and because he needed to pay a few bills. The show lasted seven years also spawning a successful film series, and from the start, his was the most popular character on the show. In an effort to capitalize and satirize his nonhuman role on the show -- and perhaps to poke fun at actors William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy who capitalized on their Star Trek fame by each recording equally awful albums (can anyone forget Nimoy's bouncy rendition of "Bilbo Hobbitt"?) -- Spiner recorded his own album, Old Yellow Eyes Is Back (1991), with an 80-piece orchestra and fellow castmates Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and Michael Dorn.
Though the bulk of his fame comes from being Data, Spiner is not content to spend the rest of his career typecast and so occasionally plays other characters. His portrayal of prissy singing cruise director Gil Godwin was the funniest thing about Martha Coolidge's waterlogged Out to Sea (1997). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Carla's hockey goalie boyfriend Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas) goes from a sizzling winning streak to a devastating slump. Can Carla possibly be a jinx? Elsewhere, Diane (Shelley Long) is somewhat put out when attempted-murder charges are dropped in the trial in which she served as jury foreperson. What Diane doesn't know is that her well-meaning interference caused the plaintiff to have a change of heart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this comedy-drama set in the late 1950s, Manny Singer (Ray Liotta) is a songwriter who makes his living penning jingles for radio and television commercials. Manny's wife has recently died, leaving him an emotionally broken man; Manny buries himself in his work rather than deal with his grief. His young daughter Molly (Tina Majorino) is taking it even harder; since her mother's passing, Molly has refused to speak. Manny realizes that he needs help taking care of the house and looking after Molly, so he places an ad looking for a maid who can double as a nanny. After a long series of unsuitable applicants, Manny meets Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg), who isn't much on cooking, cleaning, or domestic chores -- but who strikes an immediate chord with Molly. Corrina gets the job, and her vivacious, unconventional personality brings the joy of living back to the Singer home. A romance also begins to bloom between Manny and Corrina, though Manny quickly discovers that being in an interracial relationship in 1959 is not always easy or pleasant. Joan Cusack and Don Ameche highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Whoopi Goldberg, Ray Liotta, (more)
- 1991
In this frothy romantic comedy set in a small Texas town, a never-married high school principal starts a scandal when she falls in love with the handsome school janitor. Unfortunately, he is Mexican and she Anglo. The local community frowns on such relationships and ultimately, their new love seems doomed. This film was made especially for cable television. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christine Lahti, Rubén Blades, (more)
- 1985
In this prison drama, two adolescent girls are incarcerated with adults by an obsessive judge. There they are terribly exploited and abused. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Family Sins stars James Farentino as the old-fashioned, disciplinarian patriarch of a large family. Jill Eikenberry co-stars as Farentino's wife, who believes in standing by silently during her husband's tirades. The story's catalyst is Thomas Wilson Brown, the 11-year-old youngest son who is daddy's favorite. Sibling jealousy, coupled with the parents' inability to thoroughly understand what makes their children tick, leads to tragedy. Star Trek's Brent Spiner plays a supporting role in this made-for-TV film, which was first telecast October 25, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Frasier's mercurial ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) is back in town, and as usual she wants a favor. This time around, Lilith is determined to have another baby -- and she wants Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) to be the father. Although her plan is to rely upon artificial insemination, Frasier will have none of it, forcing Lilith to use a bit of -- yes -- psychology on her former husband. Meanwhile, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) goes ballistic over a "dirty" photo of Daphne (Jane Leeves). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bebe Neuwirth, Brent Spiner, (more)
- 2004
Upon discovering that she can now legally change her name to anything she likes, new bride Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) assumes the identity of "Princess Consuela Bananahammock," much to the bemusement of her husband, "Crap Bag" -- er, Mike (Paul Rudd). Elsewhere, a morose Joey (Matt LeBlanc) turns to an unlikely source for comfort as he prepares to bid farewell to Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry). And while Ross (David Schwimmer) gets good news at his job, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) gets bad news at hers...at least until she runs in to an old flame who makes an extremely tantalizing offer. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Rudd, Dakota Fanning, (more)
- 2000
Wise-cracking, beer-drinking comedy star Drew Carey makes a change of pace as he tops the bill of this made-for-TV adaptation of Carlo Collodi's classic children's fantasy. Geppetto (Drew Carey) is a bachelor woodcarver who loves children, but has none of his own. As he works on a wooden puppet he calls Pinocchio, Geppetto sadly wishes he could have a son; the Blue Fairy (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) decides to grant his wish, and Pinocchio comes to life. Geppetto is thrilled, but he soon discovers that taking care of the little wooden boy is more trouble than he ever imagined. As Geppetto struggles with the responsibilities of parenthood, Pinocchio is kidnapped by Stromboli (Brent Spiner), a traveling puppet master who wants to use the enchanted marionette in his traveling show. Though Geppetto has become disillusioned with his abilities as a father, he can't let Pinocchio be stolen away by an ill-meaning stranger, and sets out to find the wooden boy. En route, Geppetto meets a number of strange and remarkable characters, including the inept magician Lazardo (Wayne Brady), the mysterious Professor Buonragazzo (Rene Auberjonois), and the Ring Leader (Usher Raymond), who spirits wayward boys away to Pleasure Island. Geppetto features several original songs by Steven Schwartz; the film was produced for the ABC television network, where it first aired on May 7, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Drew Carey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, (more)
- 1986
Wealthy and powerful Roger Hennessy (Peter Haskell) insists upon calling all the shots as Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the kidnapping of Hennessy's young wife Laura (Katherine Moffat). Though Laura is returned unharmed once the ransom is paid, the case is far from closed: a witness who demanded a chunk of the ransom has turned up murdered. Going after the killer, the two detectives find that the trail of clues leads right back to Mr. and (especially) Mrs. Hennessy. Watch for a supporting appearance by a pre-Star Trek: The Next Generation Brent Spiner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A group of intrepid humans attempts to save the Earth from vicious extraterrestrials in this extremely popular science-fiction adventure. Borrowing liberally from War of the Worlds, Aliens, and every sci-fi invasion film inbetween, director Roland Emmerich and producer and co-writer Dean Devlin present a visually slick, fast-paced adventure filled with expensive special effects and large-scale action sequences. The story begins with the approach of a series of massive spaceships, which many on Earth greet with open arms, looking forward to the first contact with alien life. Unfortunately, these extraterrestrials have not come in peace, and they unleash powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities. Thrown into chaos, the survivors struggle to band together and put up a last-ditch resistance in order to save the human race. As this is a Hollywood film, this effort is led by a group of scrappy Americans, including a computer genius who had foreseen the alien's evil intent (Jeff Goldblum), a hot-shot jet pilot (Will Smith), and the President of the United States (Bill Pullman). While some critics objected to the film's lack of originality and lapses in logic, the combination of grand visual spectacle and crowd-pleasing storytelling proved irresistible to audiences, resulting in an international smash hit. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Pullman, Will Smith, (more)
Dorothy Dandridge was a singer, nightclub entertainer, and actress who became the first African-American woman to receive an Academy award nomination as Best Actress (for her standout performance in 1954's Carmen Jones; she lost to Grace Kelly). However, despite her striking beauty and obvious talent, Dandridge was a sexy, glamorous black femme fatale at a time when Hollywood pin-up queens were supposed to be giggly blondes. The film industry didn't know what to do with her, and while her nightclub act was a bit too smooth for the Southern roadhouse circuit, as a black performer she wasn't allowed to stay in many of the hotels and resorts where she performed. Dandridge also had a sad personal life, filled with tragedy and romantic disappointment, and she died of an overdose of pills in 1965, at the age of 41. This made-for-cable biographical drama stars Halle Berry as Dorothy Dandridge, supported by Brent Spiner, Obba Babatunde, and Klaus Maria Brandauer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Halle Berry, Brent Spiner, (more)
An adolescent who is sorting out his new sexual feelings is less than comforted by the example of his immediate family in this coming-of-age comedy drama. Jack (Anton Yelchin) is a boy in his early teens who is rolling headlong into puberty and trying to make sense of his feelings about girls, which are making themselves known at a less than opportune moment. Jack's parents, Paul (Ron Silver) and Anne (Stockard Channing), have just announced they're getting a divorce, which coincides with Paul's decision to come out as a gay man and move in with his boyfriend. Jack is certain his family has gone crazy, and tries to find suitable role models in his friends' families, although he soon discovers they have more than their share of their own troubles to deal with. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Originally made for cable television, this biographical drama chronicles the life of Huey P. Long (John Goodman), whose corrupt political machine dominated Louisiana for years. The movie opens with a 1930's newsreel giving a report on Long's plan to a run for U.S. President while depicting him as a demagogue in the tradition of Hitler and Mussolini. Shortly after the newsreel, Long is gunned down by an assassin, and the story is told in flashbacks as he reflects on his rise from humble beginnings, to Governor of Louisiana, and on to U.S. Senator. Long's power in his home state eventually bordered on dictatorship, but he received widespread support from the poor and disenfranchised because of his populist programs, such as providing free schoolbooks and building rural roads. The film also shows the private man behind the public persona, including a poignant scene at a relative's funeral where Long's father reproaches him for lying about his family to garner votes. Goodman was Emmy-nominated for his performance. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1982
- R
- Add Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains to QueueAdd Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains to top of Queue
A very inexperienced rock band flirts with fame thanks to a valuable assist from the media in this comedy-drama directed by veteran music producer Lou Adler. Corinne Burns (Diane Lane) is a fifteen-year-old orphan who gains a measure of local notoriety when she quits her job at a burger stand during a live television newscast. Corinne has few prospects but plenty of nerve, and she's formed a band with her sister Tracy (Marin Kanter) and cousin Jessica (Laura Dern) called the Stains. While checking out a gig by veteran hard rock band the Metal Corpses, led by flamboyant singer Lou Corpse (Fee Waybill), opened by British punk upstarts the Looters, Corrine sneaks backstage to ask advice just as Lou demands tour manager Lawnboy (Barry Ford) find a new opening act. Lawnboy impulsively gives the Stains the gig, and while the first show for the girls (who've had all of three practices) is little short of a disaster, Corrine's skunk-stripe hairdo, provocative clothes and defiant declaration "We don't put out" captures the attention of a television reporter who covered her before. A story on the evening news about the Stains turns the band into a cult sensation, and Looters lead singer Billy (Ray Winstone) tries to offer her some advice and emotional support as the Stains rise from opening act to headliners, but Corinne and her friends learn that their new fans are a very fickle breed. Shot in 1980 but released to only a handful of theaters in 1982, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains gained a potent cult following after it appeared on cable television, largely among punk rock fans -- the Looters featured Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols on guitar and drums as well as Paul Simonon from the Clash on bass, while L.A. punk troublemakers Black Randy and the Metrosquad briefly appear as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Lane, Peter Donat, (more)
- 1995
The Buchmans' dumb-dumb dog Murray lands a walk-on role in Paul's (Paul Reiser) commercial for Yum Yum Gum. In a twinkling, Murray has acquired an agent, an entourage, and a possible weekly series deal. Brent Spiner, late of the Star Trek franchise, guest stars as showbiz wheeler-dealer Bob -- and isn't that Jay Leno? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
On March 30, 1986, Claude Dallas, an Ohio-born trapper serving a 30-year sentence for a double murder, escaped from prison. He was still at large at the time the made-for-TV Manhunt for Claude Dallas first aired on October 28, 1986. Matt Salinger stars as Dallas in this gritty, Colorado-filmed effort, which begins with his relocating in Idaho, where he established a reputation of living well outside the law. In 1981, Dallas shot and killed two Fish and Game officers, sparking a 15-month manhunt. Before he was arrested, Dallas had become a folk hero in certain circles. John Gay's teleplay was adapted from Jeff Long's book Outlaw. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Dana Carvey ventures into the world of PG-rated, family-oriented entertainment as star and co-writer of this light adventure comedy, which requires the actor to assume more than three dozen different identities. Carvey's primary role in Master of Disguise, however, is that of Pistachio Disguisey, an ordinary waiter with a hidden, mostly untapped talent for transforming himself into any persona he wishes. When his kindly parents, Mama (Edie McClurg) and Frabbrizio (James Brolin), are kidnapped by the evil thief Devlin (Brent Spiner), the usually meek Pistachio is forced to rescue them. Enlisting the help of his grandfather (Harold Gould), Pistachio learns that he is one of a long line of family members to have the power of "Energico," a mystical means of changing one's identity to suit any given situation, and Pistachio learns to use these powers to their fullest to defeat Devlin and win back his folks. Carvey's original idea for Master of Disguise was helped to the screen by executive producer Adam Sandler, a buddy of his from their time on NBC's Saturday Night Live. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Carvey, Jennifer Esposito, (more)
Stripped of their wealth and forced to fend for themselves when the multi-million-dollar cosmetics company inherited from their father suffers due to controversy, two sisters who have never known the simple life must finally find out how the other half lives in a high-fashion comedy about hard times starring Hilary and Haylie Duff. Ava (Haylie) and Tanza (Hilary) are teen heiresses whose charmed lives consist of little more than showing up at all the hottest celebrity parties and putting in the occasional cameo at their company's board meetings while letting the responsible adults in charge handle all of the complicated details. All of that changes, however, when an unforeseen scandal robs the privileged "celebutantes" of their car, their cash, and even their lavish home; but what's a poor little rich girl to do when everything she's ever known is suddenly made null and void? In the case of Ava and Tanza, the only answer is to use their substantial setback as a means of realizing their true potential, and put the wisdom imparted to them by their father to use in clearing the family name and proving that there's much more to life than the almighty dollar. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff, (more)
A hot tamale tries to throw off a different sort of heat in this comedy of small-town manners. Carnelle Scott (Holly Hunter) is best-known in her hometown of Yazoo City, MS, for her unrepentant promiscuity. An orphan taken in by her genteel relatives, she idolizes her older cousin, Elain Rutledge (Mary Streenburgen), a former Fourth of July "Miss Firecracker" contest winner who is taking time out from her life as a pampered wife in Atlanta to give a speech on "My Life as a Beauty" at this year's pageant. Determined to follow in Elain's footsteps, Carnelle puts a damper on her libido and enlists the help of local seamstress Popeye Jackson (Alfre Woodard) in preparing for the pageant. She also implores Elain to let her borrow the red dress in which Elain won the contest in 1972. Meanwhile, Elain's brother, ne'er-do-well Delmount Williams (Tim Robbins), arrives with a get-rich-quick scheme that involves hocking the family estate. Into this mix steps Mac Sam (Scott Glenn), one of the men who contributed to Carnelle's scandalous past. Adapted by Beth Henley from her own play The Miss Firecracker Contest, Miss Firecracker finds Hunter reprising her stage role. The actress also starred in Henley's Crimes of the Heart on Broadway, although she did not appear in the 1986 film adaptation. Woodard and Steenburgen previously appeared together in Cross Creek. Miss Firecracker was shot on-location in real-life Yazoo City. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Holly Hunter, Mary Steenburgen, (more)
- 1987
In the first episode of a four-part story arc, Christine (Markie Post) fulfills a lifelong dream when she is appointed a judge. But what is good news to Christine is bad news for Dan (John Larroquette), who was passed up for the appointment--and for Judge Harry (Harry Anderson), whose reappointment has been turned down. Elsewhere, the zany Wheeler family of West Virginia is hauled into court on a charge of "detonating" chickens! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the second episode of a four-part story arc, newly appointed judge Christine (Markie Post) prepares to assume her Night Court duties, while her predecessor Harry (Harry Anderson), still brooding over not being reappointed, plots to get even on New York City by playing the "ultimate prank." Little does Harry know that at this very moment, Christine is pulling strings to have him reinstated. This final episode of Night Court's fourth season ends on a cliffhanger, not to be resolved until the outset of Season Five. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the first episode of a two-part story, New York City battens down in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Mel. Several people end up being trapped in Harry's courtroom, with no supplies or utilities. Among those huddled together are four very pregnant defendants--not to mention those inimitable indigents, the Wheeler family from West Virginia! Former blaxploitation-film diva Pam Grier plays one of the moms-to-be, while future Star Trek: The Next Generation costar Brent Spiner repeats his role as Bob Wheeler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hurricane Mel bears down upon New York City just as four very pregnant defendants simultaneously go into labor in Harry's courtroom. In the course of events, one of the mothers-to-be (played by action-film diva Pam Grier) decides it's about time to marry her baby's father, while Dan (John Larroquette) is pressed into service as an emergency obstetrician! And just to make things even more difficult, Harry (Harry Anderson) must deal with the trailer-trash excesses of the Wheeler family (headed by future Star Trek: The Next Generation costar Brent Spiner). Florence Halop makes her last appearance as court matron Florence Kleiner in this, the final episode of Night Court's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the first episode of a two-part story, the Night Court staff is cut off from their paychecks by a municipal budget crisis. This freeze could not have come at a worse time for Harry, who is trying to save a cleaning lady (Susan Ruttan) and her troubled son (Harold P. Pruett) from being tossed into the street by a nasty landlord (Charles Bouvier). Ultimately, tragedy strikes--and a frustrated Harry quits his job! This episode marks the first appearance of the Wheelers, a rambunctious family of indigents who claim to hail from West Virginia (future Star Trek: The Next Generation regular Brent Spiner is seen as Bob Wheeler). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Harry (Harry Anderson) has quit his job as Night Court judge, frustrated and disgusted by a municipal budget cut that has resulted in panic, hostility and tragedy. As the courtroom staffers try to lure Harry out of a seedy pool hall and back behind the bench, Harry's elderly replacement (Kenneth Tobey) drops dead in mid-sentence! Future Star Trek: The Next Generation regular Brent Spiner appears as the head of the Wheeler family, a collection of raucous rubes who may or may not be from West Viriginia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
