Editing Brent Spiner (section)

== Career ==
[[File:BrentSpinerAugust2005.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Spiner in 2005]]

=== Early work ===
Spiner moved to New York City in the early 1970s,<ref>{{cite web| last= P. | first= Ken| url= http://uk.ign.com/articles/2002/12/09/an-interview-with-brent-spiner?page=2 |title=An Interview with Brent Spiner |website=[[IGN]].com |date=December 9, 2002 |access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref> where he became a stage actor, performing in several [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] and [[off-Broadway]] plays, including ''[[The Three Musketeers (musical)|The Three Musketeers]]'' and [[Stephen Sondheim]]'s ''[[Sunday in the Park with George]]''. As Brent Mintz, he appeared as an imposter on a 1972 episode of ''[[To Tell the Truth]]''.  He had a brief non-speaking role in the film ''[[Stardust Memories]]'', credited as Fan in Lobby, the one with a Polaroid. He can also be seen as a passenger on the train full of misfits that the Allen character is trapped on in one of the films-within-the-film.

Spiner appeared as a media technician in "The Advocates", a second-season episode of the Showtime cable series ''[[The Paper Chase (TV series)|The Paper Chase]]''.<ref>{{Cite episode|title= The Advocates|series  =[[The Paper Chase (TV series)|The Paper Chase]]|airdate=August 7, 1984|season=2|number=17}}</ref> In 1984, he moved to Los Angeles, where he appeared in several pilots and television films. He played a recurring character on ''[[Night Court]]'', Bob Wheeler, patriarch of a rural family. In 1986, he played a condemned soul in "[[Dead Run (The Twilight Zone)|Dead Run]]", an episode of the revival of [[Rod Serling]]'s series ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' on CBS. He made two appearances in season three (1986) of the situation comedy ''[[Mama's Family]]'', as two different characters. His first and only starring film role was in ''[[Rent Control (1984 film)|Rent Control]]'' (1984). In the ''[[Cheers]]'' episode "Never Love a Goalie, Part II", he played acquitted murder suspect Bill Grand. He also appeared in the ''[[Tales from the Darkside]]'' episode "A Case of the Stubborns" as a preacher, and portrayed Jim Stevens in the television film ''Manhunt for Claude Dallas''.

Spiner guest-starred in ''[[Friends]]'' as James Campbell, a man who interviews [[Rachel Green]] for [[Gucci]].<ref name="Brent Spiner- IMDb">{{cite web |title=Brent Spiner- IMDb |url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0000653/filmotype/actor?ref_=m_nmfm_1 |website=IMDb.com |publisher=IMDb, Inc. |access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref>

=== ''Star Trek'' ===
In 1987, Spiner was cast as [[Android (robot)|android]] [[Starfleet]] officer Lieutenant Commander [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]] on ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', which spanned seven seasons and four feature films. He appeared as Data in all but one of the series' 178 episodes, and reprised his role in the spin-off films ''[[Star Trek Generations]]'' (1994), ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'' (1996), ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection]]'' (1998), and ''[[Star Trek: Nemesis]]'' (2002). Although billed as the final ''Trek'' film for the ''TNG'' cast, the ambiguous ending of ''Star Trek: Nemesis'' suggested a possible avenue for the return of Data. However, Spiner felt he was too old to continue playing the part, as Data does not age.<ref>[https://trekmovie.com/2011/06/29/brent-spiner-talks-typcasting-death-of-data-bringing-back-soong-for-star-trek-sequel/ ""]. TrekMovie.com. June 29, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2018.</ref><ref>Polowy, Kevin (June 23, 2016). [https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/brent-spiner-on-reprising-star-trek-data-role-012732924.html "Brent Spiner on Reprising 'Star Trek' Data Role: 'I'd Look Ridiculous in That Makeup Now'"]. [[Yahoo! Entertainment]]. Retrieved September 3, 2018.</ref> He also played Lore, Data's evil android brother, in several ''Next Generation'' episodes; and B-4, another brother android with a less developed mind, in ''Star Trek: Nemesis'' (2002).

In 2004, Spiner returned to ''Star Trek'' as Dr. [[Arik Soong]], an ancestor of Data's creator Dr. [[Noonien Soong]], whom he also played in a three-episode [[story arc]] of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'': "[[Borderland (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Borderland]]", "[[Cold Station 12]]", and "[[The Augments]]".

Spiner also recorded dialogue as Data that was heard in the final episode of ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', "These Are the Voyages...", which aired in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title="These Are the Voyages..." Nine Years Later |url=https://www.startrek.com/article/these-are-the-voyages-nine-years-later |website=startrek.com |publisher=CBS Studios Inc. |access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref>

Eighteen years after last appearing as Data, he reprised the role in the 2020 ''Star Trek'' series ''[[Star Trek: Picard]]''<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/star-trek-picard/ |title = Star Trek: Picard (Official Site) Watch on Paramount+| date=January 22, 2020 }}</ref> as well as that of Dr. Altan Inigo Soong, the son of Data's creator. Spiner said that he does not intend to play Data again, though he might be open to playing Altan Soong.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/star-trek-ending-explained-what-happened-end-episode-10-s01e10-1x10-et-arcadia-ego-1494454|title=What happened at the end of 'Star Trek: Picard' and what it means for Season 2|last=Spencer|first=Samuel |date=March 26, 2020|website= Newsweek| language=en|access-date=April 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://trekmovie.com/2020/03/30/brent-spiner-and-patrick-stewart-saying-goodbye-to-data-on-star-trek-picard-and-forever/|title=Brent Spiner And Patrick Stewart: Saying Goodbye To Data On 'Star Trek: Picard'—And Forever|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=TrekMovie.com|language=en-US|access-date= April 6, 2020}}</ref> In Season 2, he plays another of Noonien Soong's ancestors, Dr. Adam Soong. In Season 3 of ''Picard'', he simultaneously played Noonien Soong, B4, Lore, and a version of Data that was designed to feel emotions and naturally use verbal contractions, which the original Data could not do.

In addition to the series and films, Spiner voiced his character in several ''Star Trek'' video games, including ''[[Star Trek Generations (video game)|Star Trek: Generations]]'', ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation – A Final Unity]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Hidden Evil]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Away Team]]'', and ''[[Star Trek: Bridge Commander]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Luaine|title=A Data with Star Trek again| url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=3050422|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=December 9, 2010|date=January 9, 2003}}</ref>

=== Music and stage ===
In 1991, Spiner recorded an album of 1940s [[Traditional pop|pop standards]], ''[[Ol' Yellow Eyes Is Back]],'' the title of which was a play on the yellow [[contact lens]]es Spiner wore as Data, and the title of a [[Frank Sinatra]] record, ''[[Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baio |first1=Andy |title=Brent Spiner's Ol' Yellow Eyes is Back |url=https://waxy.org/2008/02/brent_spiners_o/ |website=waxy.org |date=February 2008 |access-date=February 24, 2021}}</ref> In 1997, he returned to Broadway as [[John Adams]] in the [[Roundabout Theater Company]] revival of the musical ''[[1776 (musical)|1776]],'' whose production was nominated for a [[Tony Award]]. A cast recording was released.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/1776-New-Broadway-Cast-Recording/dp/B000000GU0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1318710009&sr=1-2-fkmr1 ''1776: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997)''], [[Amazon.com]]. Retrieved July 23, 2012.</ref>

=== After ''Star Trek'' ===
Spiner has appeared in many television series, including ''[[Deadly Games (TV series)|Deadly Games]]'', ''[[The Blacklist]]'', ''[[Dream On (TV series)|Dream On]]'', ''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]'', ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'', ''[[Mad About You]]'' and ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]''. In the series ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'' and ''[[Joey (TV series)|Joey]]'', he appeared as himself. He has acted in the films ''[[The Aviator (2004 film)|The Aviator]]''; ''[[Dude, Where's My Car?]]''; ''[[I Am Sam]]''; ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''; ''[[Independence Day: Resurgence]]''; ''[[The Master of Disguise]]'';<ref>{{cite web |first=Ken |last=P. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/09/an-interview-with-brent-spiner |title=An Interview with Brent Spiner |website= IGN.com |date=December 9, 2002 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Out to Sea]]''; ''[[Phenomenon (film)|Phenomenon]]''; ''The Ponder Heart''; and ''[[South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Brent-Spiner/ |title=Brent Spiner |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> His television-film appearances during this period include the 2000 musical ''[[Geppetto (TV musical)|Geppetto]]'' and the role of [[Dorothy Dandridge]]'s manager and [[confidant]], Earl Mills, in the [[HBO]] production ''[[Introducing Dorothy Dandridge]]''.{{fact|date=February 2023}}

In 2005, Spiner appeared in a short-lived science-fiction television series ''[[Threshold (TV series)|Threshold]]'', which was canceled in November of that year after 13 episodes. In 2006, he appeared in a feature film comedy, ''[[Material Girls]]'', with [[Hilary Duff|Hilary]] and [[Haylie Duff]].<ref name="Brent Spiner- IMDb" />

In the ''[[Frasier]]'' episode "[[Lilith Needs a Favor]]", Spiner made two brief cameos as a fellow airline passenger with [[Frasier Crane]]'s ex-wife, [[Lilith Sternin]].{{fact|date=February 2023}}

In March 2008, Spiner performed alongside [[Maude Maggart]] in a radio show/musical, ''Dreamland'', which was released as a CD album.<ref>Tenuto, John (April 27, 2008). [http://trekmovie.com/2008/04/27/review-brent-spiners-dreamland-interview-signed-cd-giveaway/ "Review: Brent Spiner's Dreamland + Interview + Signed CD Giveaway."] TrekMovie.com</ref>

In 2008, Spiner played [[Mendel Stromm|Dr. Strom]] in the feature film parody ''[[Superhero Movie]]''. In February 2009, he played William Quint in "The Juror #6 Job", an episode of the drama series ''[[Leverage (American TV series)|Leverage]]'' directed by his ''Next Generation'' co-star [[Jonathan Frakes]]. That same year, he voiced himself in the ''[[Family Guy]]'' episode "[[Not All Dogs Go to Heaven]]".{{fact|date=February 2023}}

{{stack|[[File:BrentSpinerWilliamShatnerLevarBurtonJuly2010.jpg|thumb|Spiner with [[William Shatner]] and [[LeVar Burton]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con|Comic-Con]] in [[San Diego]] (July 2010).]]}}
On January 13, 2010, Spiner and fellow ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' actor [[LeVar Burton]] appeared on [[TWiT.tv]]'s coverage of the [[Consumer Electronics Show]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Laporte |first=Leo |url=http://twit.tv/ces7 |title=TWiT Live Specials |publisher=TWiT |access-date=September 3, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425054747/http://www.twit.tv/ces7 |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |date=January 13, 2010 }}</ref>

In April 2011, Spiner began starring in ''Fresh Hell'', a comic webseries in which he plays a version of himself, attempting to put his career back together after falling out of the limelight.<ref>[http://www.treknews.net/2014/02/02/happy-birthday-brent-spiner-every-episode-fresh-hell/ "Celebrate Brent Spiner's Birthday With Every Episode of 'Fresh Hell'"]. TrekNews.net. February 2, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2018.</ref><ref>Pascale, Anthony (March 22, 2012). [https://trekmovie.com/2012/03/22/exclusive-interview-brent-spiner-talks-fresh-hell-and-star-trek-tng-25/ "Exclusive Interview: Brent Spiner Talks Fresh Hell and Star Trek: TNG @25"]. TrekMovie.com. Retrieved September 3, 2018.</ref>

Spiner appeared as Dr. Kern in the September 12, 2011, episode of the [[Syfy]] channel program ''[[Alphas]]'' entitled "Blind Spot". In October 2011, he appeared as himself in the episode "The Russian Rocket Reaction" of ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''. The day after his guest appearance, it was announced that Spiner would guest-star in the ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' episode "Revelation", providing the voice of [[Joker (comics)|the Joker]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Sands, Rich|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Young-Justice-Recruits-1038736.aspx |title=Young Justice Recruits Brent Spiner and Alyssa Milano for the Injustice League|newspaper=[[TV Guide]]|date=October 14, 2011 |access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref> Spiner has also guest-starred on the Syfy program ''[[Warehouse 13]]'' as Brother Adrian in the third and fourth seasons.{{fact|date=February 2023}}

In March 2024, Spiner reprised his role of the eternally downtrodden Bob Wheeler, in the 11th episode of the second season of ''[[Night Court (2023 TV series)|Night Court]].''