Jonathan Frakes

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9.2 Superb
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Biography

Recent Role:
on Leverage
Gender:
Male
Born:
8-19-1952
Birthplace:
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
Birth Name:
Jonathan Scott Frakes

Jonathan Frakes plays Commander William Riker, the U.S.S. Enterprise's executive officer and second-in-command. "Riker's job is to provide Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) with the most efficiently-run ship and the best prepared crew he can," Jonathan explains. "As a result, he maintains a more military bearing than the other characters, despite the fact that salutes and other military protocol no longer exist in the 24th century."
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Jonathan was an undergraduate at Penn

… More State and continued his education at Harvard, spending several seasons with the Loeb Drama Center. He then spent five years in New York, appearing on and off Broadway in several regional theater productions.

Prior to his role as Riker, Jonathan had recurring roles in such shows as Falcon Crest, Paper Dolls and Bare Essence, and for years was a contract player on the daytime drama The Doctors. His other television work includes the television movie "The Nutcracker" and the critically praised roles in the miniseries "Dream West" and "North & South" (Parts I and II).

During the third season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jonathan made his directorial debut with an episode of the series entitled "The Offspring." He so impressed the executive producers with his efforts that he directed a number of episodes in the remaining four seasons as well as episodes of Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Jonathan then had the double duty of acting and directing in his feature film directoral debut in Star Trek: First Contact. Jonathan repeated this effort to much success in Star Trek: Insurrection.

Frakeswas a executive producer/director on the TV series Roswell.

Jonathan is married to actress Genie Francis and resides in Los Angeles.

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  • Star Trek cast visiting Quahog

    Appearing as a guest voice on The Simpsons is a sure sign that one has made it in Hollywood. But lagging not too far behind is dropping by Fox's other animated hit, Family Guy. And with that, we say, "Congratulations cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation…you've made it!"

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  •  
    9.7 Superb
    Known for playing Commander William T Riker (and his double Lt. Thomas Riker) on the Star Trek spin offs (The Next Generation & onward), Mr.Frakes now spends most of his time directing (ST: First Contact, ST: Insurrection, Clockstoppers etc) . hide show

    He was often criticized for his "poor acting skills" on ST:TNG... which I couldn't really see. I thought he played Riker well and was underused. He would always get the same storylines, where he gets the girl and loses her. Audiences rarely got to see inside the character of William Riker (ie episode Future Imperfect). Of course it seemed like he could only act like the charming player, that's all that was consistently written for the character of William Riker! People who criticize(d) this charming man often neglect to talk about his amazing work in episodes like "Frame of Mind" or "Second Chances". I thought his work in Second Chances was even better than his work in Frame of Mind, as he had to play 2 characters but convey the message that they weren't radically different, but still different. He managed to find that balance and he carried the episode.

    Now in his 50s, he remains a handsome and charming man(with a great smile and nice eyes). I hope he chooses to act again.

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    frumpy_gnome Added Apr 20, 2008 All my reviews
  •  
    8.7 Great
    A luscious looking man even in his 50's. We need to see more of this man and that slick sly smile. HOT!!! hide show

    He was just the best second in command on the starship Enterprise. Besides being incredibly handsome he is also very talented. I love his acting and how he played the sax. Aside from his looks I would love to see him have his own show and I hope to see him in more onscreen stuff than just see his name attached to director. He has a refreshing sauve manner to him which I cant get enough of. He could really make me melt.

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    kit220 Added Aug 29, 2005 All my reviews
 

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