Data was an odd role for Brent Spiner

[@sparklefairykitten]

I always thought it was precisely BECAUSE he's naturally a "goofy clown" type that he was able to put so much personality and soul into a supposedly emotionless android. I don't think Data would be nearly as loveable if he actually came across as cold and unfeeling as he claims to be.

[@dougsmith6262]

Data was my grandma's favorite character on TNG. "The robot has more personality than the people", she said once, lol.

[@brianknapp6215]

He got to show his acting chops in episodes like "Masks" and the already mentioned "Fistful of Datas".

[@maxis2k]

Comedians play the best straight-men. Because they are constantly playing off of them. And learn what both sides need to do. So when the comedian is put in the opposite situation, they usually can not only pull it off but improve on the type.

[@KairuHakubi]

Just like how Frakes is an incredibly sweet teddy bear of a guy, and that's necessary to keep Riker from being a complete mary sue, a total unlikeable domineering jerk.. basically Ransom from Lower Decks, I'm pretty sure that's what he's parodying. What Riker would have been with any other actor. So even when the lines called for him to say something that should make you wanna punch him, that kindness oozes through and you realize he's only looking out for you.

[@ORam...]

I highly recommend watching Spiner as Bob Wheeler on Night Court. It's truer to his acting form. More akin to when Data was learning about comedy.

[@liquidpig]

Beat me to it! He’s so hilarious in that!

[@nukeninmgt1504]

I'll watch it as soon as those boys fix my VHS so I can watch my Night Court tapes

[@ORam...]

​@@nukeninmgt1504They actually did a series revival last year. He plays the same character in that as well. lol

[@luckygitane]

"We was seduced by the glamour of it all..."

[@seanspartan2023]

"We ate the Necco wafers."

[@ReachForTheSkyVideo]

Spiner is incredible in Out To Sea. Anyone who has worked in entertainment recognizes the character he was playing and how accurately he nails it.

[@ApostleO]

I saw that movie as a kid, before I ever got into Star Trek, and haven't seen it in ages. I never realized that was Brent Spiner! I might have to go back and re-watch it. Thanks!

[@Walexander3243]

When I met him, this was the movie he suggested I watch. I did and was not disappointed

[@penteractgaming]

Oh my god I just realized dr okin from independance day is data

[@dylangrizzle]

Same

[@jocax188723]

Brent is bar none the funniest member of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew.

[@Brian-uy2tj]

I think he had fun in "Independence Day"

[@edonslow1456]

I didn't even recognise him at first in Independence Day. Spend all of his scenes tearing my brain apart thinking "how do I know him, who the hell is he!?!"

[@edwxx20001]

First role I ever saw him in. good times

[@davidm4566]

Bro has fun in every roll he plays. He is a fantastic actor that can take on any character and looks like he's having a blast doing it.

[@0The_Farlander0]

He was a french emu farmer in Dude Where's My Car and that's about the only part of that movie i remember

[@Voxridian]

The only part of the film I remember is the repetitive "and theeeeen?" at the drive-thru

[@xanderholland6086]

Mine will always be: "Hey what does my tattoo say?" "Dude! What does mine say?" "Sweet!"

[@Voxridian]

@@xanderholland6086 Oh yeahhh thats a good scene

[@joescott778]

The only part of the film I remember is Marla Sokoloff.

[@rickandrygel913]

"Hey dude, we can speak Japanese" "Sugano!"

[@42x3]

It’s the number one reason I cheered when Data blew up in nemesis and the number one reason I cried when they brought him back for Picard

[@Zelmel]

Spiner seems genuinely a little unhinged but also a great character actor and not necessarily a bad person.

[@TheGreatSpaceApe]

Character actors are at best just a little unhinged.

[@PennsyPappas]

Thats probably what made Data so loveable. He basically did the whole dry hhumor thing so that while Data on the surface was plain jane he was actually goofy underneath. Its just that it was so well hidden that its not obvious at first.

[@LordBloodraven]

Those years of Night Court were amazing.

[@benjamindrake6065]

Spiner is a character actor, and a good one.

[@darkreyule]

Spider on Night Court was a thing of beauty.

[@Dr.Kryptanical]

@@darkreyule please don't get spiders involved in this

[@masere]

When the female Data is coming down the stairs, it sounds like you called him Brett Spider 😂

[@VGFlash]

The first role I ever actually saw Brent in, was a family-type live action movie called 'The Master of Disguise' where he plays the main bad guy. Wasn't till I watched it again after watching TNG that I realized that he looked familiar. Honestly still a fun enough watch for a laugh and laid back watching

[@ilpoomatili9549]

Oh god that movie was awful, Brent was fine but the movie sucked 😂

[@AltruisticWarrior]

Haha that movie was indeed terrible but Bret carried it as far as I'm concerned.

[@RageUnchained]

Devlin Bowman was the characters name 😂 even though that movie is awful it’s a childhood favorite of mine, the seen where he laughs and runs while farting still cracks me up

[@krim7]

Sooner is naturally over the top when acting, which is why data is such a great role for him. He holds back but gives enough to show depth

[@jess_n_atx]

I just now realized he was the scientist dude in Independence Day

[@AzraelThanatos]

He also plays a semi-similar scientist character in Threshold, but tends to end up being one of the joker characters and plays off of Dinkledge's character there

[@idontwantachannelimjustcom7745]

Holy cow. I thought Bret fell of the face of the earth. I didn't realize he was the Dr in independence day.

[@MichaelSHartman]

He was also was in "Threshold", and a few episodes of "Night Court".

[@polycrystallinecandy]

*Bent

[@youcanthandlemyname7393]

its ironic that spiner wanted so bad to be able to play a charachter with emotions in order to show off his acting skills when i always felt that his portrayal of data took more skill than any other character on that show.

[@metazare]

A Fistful of Data's is such a fun episode.

[@MrBigangry]

He spoke about not wanting the role. He also sloke abkut tje redeeming fact he was able to do so much. Honeslty though I remember him most for night court.

[@ryandubeau5298]

I love that name sounds like a mortal combat fashion move.

[@LogicalNiko]

Spiner loved playing strange bit characters. Most of his other roles involve him doing accents, changing his movement style, etc. Star Trek of course was a great job but it did limit him. Playing the same character year after year and dealing with long makeup sessions was not his favorite. On the other hand it was a one in a lifetime experience and the TNG cast loved to goof around.

[@turbopokey]

I got the impression Spiner’s regular style was more of a “JackBlack” theme with a touch of personal life horndog thrown in occasionally.

[@nickmccabe2327]

Fresh Hell is such an awesome show. Must watch for TNG fans

[@joepatbob]

Where can I find it to watch?

[@serfington3137]

I believe the episodes are still on KZbin actually

[@serfington3137]

Brent spiner basically plays a parody of himself as a "struggling actor" and it really is one of my favorites

[@valiantthorr7577]

It ended too soon

[@aeonjoey3d]

ROFL! what was that clip of Brent and Levar talking from?!??

[@JudeKane]

I have watched a lot of TNG crap, but this clip is escaping me. I think I have watched whatever it was from....

[@cirlincorvinus8293]

It's from a KZbin series Brent Spiner did called Fresh Hell. It's still up if you search for it.

[@cirlincorvinus8293]

@@JudeKane kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXPJhWx-lJedg5Y

[@mindyenglish5305]

I freaking loved that scene in Fresh Hell! It's still hilarious every time I see it.🤣😂😅

[@erictaylor5462]

I have to wonder if he was Data at anu time after the finally of Data-Lore and Brothers. At one point when Lore is passing himself off as Data he accidently uses a contraction and this outs his true identity. After the big fight between Lore and Data when we thing Data has beamed Lore off the ship into space. But when asked about his well being "Data' says "I'm fine" but this time no one notices it. So Data was actually Lore from that episode until the episode Brothers when Data is finally able to return.

[@AlienIOIandroktone]

His Joker did kinda suck. Every non Data Trek character he plays I'm not super hyped about, but he seems like he's having fun

[@k_a_y_l_e_e]

ooh i have to disagree. there are sooo many solid brent spiner roles that i thoroughly enjoy.

[@AzraelThanatos]

He kind of needed more background there, it's one of the issues for short bit characters with it, and he pops in for a teamup with other villains, so doesn't get much to build with there. And he really can't compete with Mark Hamill there for the role.

[@KairuHakubi]

His Joker sucked the first time he appeared, but later after the show got uncanceled (and became unwatchably bad) he came back again and was EXCELLENT this time. I can only think there was bad direction for the early appearance. Becuase how could Brent possibly screw up the Joker? He was PUCK for god's sake.

[@lordhosk]

Trek casts a LOT of actors against type. Voyager was almost entirely that. Picardo was a cut up playing a hologram with no personality. McNeill is a straight laced quiet leader playing a brash bad boy. Russ is a comic genius playing a emotionless vulcan. Wang is a Chinese American outgoing social butterfly playing a quiet reserved introverted Korean. Beltran is a Mexican poet playing a Indian... whatever Chakotay was supposed to be.

[@DembaiVT]

Russ being a comedian actually makes Tuvac so much more intense. Comedy is about creating tension, and breaking it. So never breaking the tension is so good. I love Tim Russ. 😊

[@DeltaElites]

Lever Burton was Kunta Kinte on Roots and was the host of Reading Rainbow but his role he is most famous for will always be Geordi. Anyone who has had a starring role on a Trek series will be forever known for that role over all.

[@protoroc]

You should have clipped the episode Masks for this one.

[@stephensmith7327]

He looks so good with that mustache .

[@Dragonite43]

I keep forgetting that Spiner was in Independence Day. XD

[@ShatteredAutomaton]

Patrick "The Gasbag" Stewart 😂😂

[@potatopirate5557]

Someone please tell me what the last clip is from. 😆

[@bigwomp932]

What was the clip at the end from?

[@distanthope9153]

It was a web show Spiner created called "Fresh Hell" where he played himself. It had 2 or 3 seasons but never got traction.

[@sanddagger36]

It was a decision that someone needed to keep a straight face and have a sense of humor in order to play such a stoic character.

[@kaitlint3987]

It is hilarious how he's moat famous for bot being his usual goofy guy. Also i distinctly remember data referring to Geordie as his best friend once

[@davidm4566]

No one seems to have mentioned it so I'm going to mention his take on Puck in Gargoyles (along with Sirtis, Mulgrew, Dorn, and of course Frakes). He can do any role and seems to have a blast at them all.

[@EnigmaticEffigy]

What's the clip at the end? It looks like a blooper, but from what show?

[@NewbieStarTrek]

Fresh Hell

[@michbenny1363]

My favorite holiday simulation with data was when he played a gentleman named Bob Wheeler.

[@brandonnewby178]

I would bet it's because he didn't want to wear the Data makeup. I always hear about how uncomfortable masks are...

[@geonerd]

PLEASE!! Where can I fid the rest of the skit at the end??

[@energicko]

"Master of Disguise" "Phenomenon" "Independence Day 1&2"

[@babymordred121]

"Fresh Hell" clip! Ah yis!

[@Sephiroth144]

It is a rarity to see FH; though I do wish they mentioned that in the clip (so people don't think that was "real" footage) =p

[@CybraFroggo]

I honestly feel so bad for him idk if any of you have heard of gail chord but jesus is that a rabbit hole.

[@spacewolf182]

I wish they would have used him more as the Joker on Young Justice.

[@Ickinot]

What was that clip from with the 2 actors?

[@ORam...]

I believe "Brentwood". I still need to watch it.

[@NewbieStarTrek]

It's a blooper from Fresh Hell

[@aeonjoey3d]

Fresh hell? Never heard of it! Googling

[@badwolf66]

In the future 55% of the genepool looks like Brent Spiner

[@Sephiroth144]

Which means, canonically, Spiner/Soong fuuuuuuuxx

[@hyhena-gaming9986]

The guy who played wolf was also more of a goofy guy made to play a super serious character

[@sh-ig9fm]

I think it was is best role I can't think of anyone else that could do the role as well also his acting is amazing I never thought of data as anything else other than a android.

[@queentron17]

Why did I not realize that was him in independence day

[@andrewharden2619]

I know him more from master of disguise 😂

[@liwiathan]

He's crazy did you see him that one John Travolta movie

[@rhocat362]

Bob Wheeler ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@williambuchan5637]

Never show that joker again

[@gustavgnoettgen]

Whoooow there is a Brent Spiner Joker?

[@jeepdude7359]

Someone should have stoped him before the weird TNG Mask episode. 🙄

[@9liveslie-cat-lie129]

Ha he got to play joker in.an audio

[@mrmackie-qp6lr]

Maybe

[@dsb227]

Hahahahha

[@bookie5667]

While I love Brent Spiner's Data I suspect I'm one of a very few people that dislikes ALL of the TNG episodes where he plays a different role. IMO "Masks", "A Fistful of Datas", "Datalore", "Brothers", "Descent" parts 1 and 2 etc are terrible mainly because of his overacting.

[@I_urge_to_count]

114

[@nemono-won7712]

I hate brent spiner ALMOST as much as WIL WHEATON

[@Stardust_7273]

Why is that?

[@nemono-won7712]

@Stardust_7273 I suspect he's my father , my mom worked on the set of INDEPENDENCE DAY, and I've seen pictures of them together. All he sent me when I was born was an autographed copy of HIS picture from the star trek set

[@Stardust_7273]

@@nemono-won7712 have you ever asked him for a DNA test? What does your mom say?

[@snarglblargn4986]

​@nemono-won7712 not me watching Independence Day right now

[@nemono-won7712]

@Stardust_7273 She doesn't say much , but the doctors tell me , coma patients tend not to be overly verbal ... I didn't want to bother him over DNA. I wasnt after the fame of being related to him, but I did mentioned it once and was handed a note by what must've been security guards that read. "If you want a DATA DAD , do the frontal chop , shove the phone up your azz, and identify as a "CYBORG" !!! I never pursued the matter after that .