Brent Spiner, the renowned actor best known for his iconic portrayal of Data on the hit television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, was born and raised in Houston, Texas. His parents, Sylvia (Schwartz) and Jack Spiner, owned and operated a furniture store, and were both descendants of Jewish immigrant families from Austria, Hungary, and Russia.
Tragedy struck when Brent was just 10 months old, as his father Jack passed away from kidney failure at the age of 29. Brent's mother later remarried Sol Mintz, who adopted Brent and his older brother Ron. Although his mother divorced Mintz after seven years, Brent retained his adopted father's last name until 1975, when he took back his birth name.
Spiner's interest in acting began to take shape during his high school years, where he was inspired by his drama teacher, Cecil Pickett, who also mentored a group of aspiring young actors, including Cindy Pickett, Randy Quaid, Dennis Quaid, Trey Wilson, Robert Wuhl, and Thomas Schlamme.
After high school, Spiner followed his mentor to the University of Houston and other local colleges, while simultaneously launching his professional acting career in theater and film. He appeared in regional productions, including The Houston Music Theater, and in films such as My Sweet Charlie, which was shot on location in Texas.
Spiner eventually established himself as a stage actor in New York, appearing in numerous off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including "A History of the American Film," "Leave It to Beaver is Dead," "Sunday in the Park with George," and "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." He also had a bit part in Woody Allen's Stardust Memories and starred in the independent film Rent Control.
In 1984, Spiner's play "Little Shop of Horrors" brought him to Los Angeles, where he eventually settled permanently. He then snagged the role of Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1986, after a string of character parts in television series and films.
Aside from his iconic portrayal of Data, Spiner has made cameo appearances in numerous films, including Miss Firecracker, Crazy from the Heart, and Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long, and has appeared in small roles in more recent films, such as Dude, Where's My Car? and The Master of Disguise.
One of his most notable film roles was Dr. Brakish Okun in Independence Day, a role that showcased his unique eccentricity and sense of humor. He reprised the character in the sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence.
Throughout his illustrious career, Spiner has demonstrated his versatility and range as an actor, captivating audiences with his performances in film, television, and theater.
