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Brent Spiner

Actor

Brent Spiner

Born February 2, 1949 in Houston - Texas - USA42 films

Brent Jay Spiner (born February 2, 1949) is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and four subsequent films. His portrayal of Data in Star Trek: First Contact and of Dr. Brackish Okun in Independence Day, both in 1996, earned him a Saturn Award and Saturn Award nomination respectively.

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He has also enjoyed a career in the theatre and as a musician.

He was born to Sylvia and Jack Spiner, who owned a furniture store. After his father's death, he was adopted by Sylvia's second husband, Sol Mintz, whose surname he used between 1955 and 1975. He was raised Jewish. He attended Bellaire High School, Bellaire, Texas. Spiner became active on the Bellaire Speech team, winning the national championship in dramatic interpretation. He attended the University of Houston where he performed in local theatre.

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The best way into Brent Spiner's work
I Am Sam posterFirst watchI Am Sam20017.6as Shoe SalemanSam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Independence Day poster6.9Independence Day1996The Aviator poster7.2The Aviator2004South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut poster7.3South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut1999Star Trek: First Contact poster7.3Star Trek: First Contact1996Star Trek: Generations poster6.5Star Trek: Generations1994Phenomenon poster6.5Phenomenon1996Independence Day: Resurgence poster5.4Independence Day: Resurgence2016Star Trek: Insurrection poster6.5Star Trek: Insurrection1998

Filmography

42 films as actor
  1. 2023Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale EventCommander Data
  2. 2018BrentwoodBrent Spiner
  3. 2016Independence Day: ResurgenceDr. Brakish Okun
  4. 2016The Midnight ManEzekiel
  5. 2014Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...Lt. Cmdr. Data
  6. 2014Star Trek: The Next Generation - Chain of CommandLt. Cmdr. Data
  7. 2013Star Trek: The Next Generation - UnificationLt. Cmdr. Data
  8. 2013Star Trek: The Next Generation - RedemptionLt. Cmdr. Data
  9. 2010Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space OdysseyCoach Mackey (voice)
  10. 2008Superhero MovieDr. Strom
  11. 2006Material GirlsTommy Katzenbach
  12. 2004The AviatorRobert Gross
  13. 2004JackVernon
  14. 2003An Unexpected LoveBrad
  15. 2002Star Trek: NemesisLt. Commander Data
  16. 2002The Master of DisguiseDevlin Bowman
  17. 2001I Am SamShoe Saleman
  18. 2001The Ponder HeartDorris Grabney
  19. 2000Dude, Where's My Car?Pierre (uncredited)
  20. 2000GeppettoStromboli
  21. 1999Introducing Dorothy DandridgeEarl Mills
  22. 1999South Park: Bigger, Longer & UncutConan O'Brien (voice)
  23. 1998Star Trek: InsurrectionLt. Commander Data
  24. 1997Out to SeaGodwyn
  25. 1996Star Trek: First ContactLieutenant Commander Data
  26. 1996PhenomenonDr. Bob
  27. 1996Independence DayDr. Brackish Okun
  28. 1996Pie in the SkyUpscale Guy
  29. 1995Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long(uncredited)
  30. 1994Star Trek: GenerationsLt. Commander Data
  31. 1994Corrina, CorrinaBrent Witherspoon
  32. 1992Star Trek: Federation ScienceData
  33. 1989Miss FirecrackerPreacher Mann
  34. 1989ShockerTalk Show Guest (uncredited)
  35. 1987Family SinsKen McMahon
  36. 1986Manhunt for Claude DallasJim Stevens
  37. 1986Sylvan in Paradise
  38. 1986Sunday in the Park with GeorgeFranz / Dennis
  39. 1985Crime of Innocence
  40. 1984Rent ControlLeonard Junger
  41. 1982Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous StainsCorinne's Boss
  42. 1980Stardust MemoriesFan in Lobby