William T. Riker
Species: male human
Full name: William Thomas Riker
Rank: Captain
Date of birth: 2335
Place of birth: Valdez, Alaska, Earth
Father: Kyle Riker
Twin brother: Thomas Riker (technically a duplicate of Will Riker due to a transporter malfunction)
Marital status: married with Deanna Troi
Executive officer of the Starship Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") until its destruction and from 2373 to 2379 on the Enterprise-E. Starfleet serial number SC 231-427 (TNG: "Gambit, Part I"). Since 2379 commanding officer of the USS Titan ("Star Trek Nemesis"). In an alternate timeline, Riker would eventually have become an admiral commanding the still intact and refitted Enterprise-D in 2395 (TNG: "All Good Things").
William Thomas Riker was born in Valdez, Alaska, on Earth in 2335. Riker's mother died when he was only two years old, and he was raised by his father, Kyle Riker. The elder Riker abandoned his son at age 15, an act that William held against his father until 2365 when, at age 30, father and son were reunited aboard the Enterprise-D (TNG: "The Icarus Factor"). Riker graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2357, and was ranked eighth in his class at graduation. As of 2369, he had been decorated five times (TNG: "Chain of Command, Part I").
Riker's first assignment after graduating from the academy was as helm officer aboard the USS Pegasus, a ship that disappeared in 2358 under mysterious circumstances. Years later, it was revealed that Pegasus captain Erik Pressman had been illegally testing a Federation cloaking device in violation of the Treaty of Algeron. The crew of the Pegasus mutinied to try to prevent Pressman from testing the device. Riker fought to defend his captain, and Riker and Pressman were the only two to escape when the ship apparently exploded. Afterwards, Pressman suppressed all records of the incident (TNG: "The Pegasus"). Early in his Starfleet career, Riker was stationed on planet Betazed, (TNG: "Ménage a Troi"), where he became romantically involved with psychology student Deanna Troi. Riker, then a lieutenant, chose to make his Starfleet career his priority over his relationship with Deanna, and accepted a posting to the USS Potemkin.
While aboard the Potemkin, Riker led a rescue mission to planet Nervala IV and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant commander and commended for "exceptional valor" during the rescue. It was not realized until years later that a transporter malfunction during the final beam-out caused an identical copy of Riker to be created on the planet's surface (TNG: "Second Chances"). William Riker was later promoted to executive officer aboard the USS Hood, where he served under the command of Captain Robert DeSoto. The second Riker was discovered in 2369. He later changed his name to Thomas Riker and transferred to the USS Gandhi. In 2371 Thomas Riker, now working for the Maquis, stole the USS Defiant and was put into prison by the Cardassians (DS9: "Defiant").
Riker joined the Enterprise-D at planet Deneb IV, having transferred from the Hood (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint, Parts I and II"). Riker accepted the Enterprise-D posting, despite the fact that he'd been offered command of the USS Drake (TNG: "The Arsenal of Freedom"). One of Riker's greatest personal tests came in 2364 when the entity Q offered him a gift of supernatural powers, an offer that Riker was able to refuse (TNG: "Hide and Q"). Riker became the first Federation Starfleet officer to serve aboard a Klingon vessel when he participated in an Officer Exchange Program in 2365, serving as first officer aboard the Klingon ship Pagh (TNG: "A Matter of Honor").
Riker was offered command of the USS Aries in 2365, but he declined the appointment, preferring to remain on the Enterprise-D (TNG: "The Icarus Factor"). Riker suffered a near brush with death while on a survey mission to planet Surata IV, where contact with an indigenous plant form caused him to lose consciousness for several hours (TNG: "Shades of Gray"). Riker was charged with murder in the 2366 death of Dr. Nel Apgar at planet Tanuga IV after Apgar's research station exploded. He was acquitted after a holodeck re-creation of the events leading to the death demonstrated that Apgar had been responsible for the explosion (TNG: "A Matter of Perspective"). In late 2366, Riker refused a third opportunity to command a starship when he was offered the USS Melbourne during the Borg incursion that year (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I"). Shortly thereafter, Riker was granted a temporary field promotion to captain, and given command of the Enterprise-D following the capture of Captain Picard by the Borg. The Melbourne was later destroyed by the Borg in the battle of Wolf 359 (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"). Riker did, however, have ambitions of becoming a starship commander. After the loss of the Enterprise-D in 2371, Riker expressed regret that he would not have the opportunity of someday commanding that great ship (Star Trek: Generations). In an alternate quantum reality, Picard was lost to the Borg in 2366. In this reality, Riker was promoted to captain following Picard's loss (TNG: "Parallels").
Riker's approach to command was frequently unconventional. Prior to his service aboard the Enterprise-D, Riker had been a lieutenant aboard the Stars hip Potemkin. During a crisis aboard that ship, Riker positioned the Potemkin over a planet's magnetic pole, thus confusing his opponent's sensors. Indeed, Data once observed that Riker relied upon traditional problem-solving techniques less than one-quarter of the time (TNG: "Peak Performance").
As a boy, Riker was responsible for cooking for himself and his father. As Enterprise-D executive officer, Riker regarded cooking as a hobby (TNG: "Time Squared", ENT: "These Are The Voyages"). One of Riker's passions was for old Earth jazz music, and he was a pretty fair trombone player (TNG: "11001001"). He also enjoyed a good a game (TNG: "The Measure of a Man", "Legacy"). Riker had a brief affair with the Bringloidi colonist Brenna Odell (TNG: "Up the Long Ladder"). He was romantically involved with Yuta, the last survivor of the Tralesta clan of the Acamarians whose mission it was to eliminate the former enemies of her clan. Riker had to kill Yuta to prevent her from carrying out the plan (TNG: "The Vengeance Factor"). When their memories had been wiped out by the Satarrans, Riker and Ro Laren spent several nights together. Riker later fell in love with Soren, a member of the neutral J'naii species who was being discriminated for feeling like a woman (TNG: "The Outcast"). His romantic involvements also included Minuet, actually an advanced holographic character created by the Bynars to distract him (TNG: "11001001"). Under the influence of the metaphasic particles in the Briar Patch William Riker and Deanna Troi rediscovered their love ("Star Trek: Insurrection"). In 2379 the two finally got married ("Star Trek Nemesis").
Full name: William Thomas Riker
Rank: Captain
Date of birth: 2335
Place of birth: Valdez, Alaska, Earth
Father: Kyle Riker
Twin brother: Thomas Riker (technically a duplicate of Will Riker due to a transporter malfunction)
Marital status: married with Deanna Troi
Executive officer of the Starship Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") until its destruction and from 2373 to 2379 on the Enterprise-E. Starfleet serial number SC 231-427 (TNG: "Gambit, Part I"). Since 2379 commanding officer of the USS Titan ("Star Trek Nemesis"). In an alternate timeline, Riker would eventually have become an admiral commanding the still intact and refitted Enterprise-D in 2395 (TNG: "All Good Things").
William Thomas Riker was born in Valdez, Alaska, on Earth in 2335. Riker's mother died when he was only two years old, and he was raised by his father, Kyle Riker. The elder Riker abandoned his son at age 15, an act that William held against his father until 2365 when, at age 30, father and son were reunited aboard the Enterprise-D (TNG: "The Icarus Factor"). Riker graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2357, and was ranked eighth in his class at graduation. As of 2369, he had been decorated five times (TNG: "Chain of Command, Part I").
Riker's first assignment after graduating from the academy was as helm officer aboard the USS Pegasus, a ship that disappeared in 2358 under mysterious circumstances. Years later, it was revealed that Pegasus captain Erik Pressman had been illegally testing a Federation cloaking device in violation of the Treaty of Algeron. The crew of the Pegasus mutinied to try to prevent Pressman from testing the device. Riker fought to defend his captain, and Riker and Pressman were the only two to escape when the ship apparently exploded. Afterwards, Pressman suppressed all records of the incident (TNG: "The Pegasus"). Early in his Starfleet career, Riker was stationed on planet Betazed, (TNG: "Ménage a Troi"), where he became romantically involved with psychology student Deanna Troi. Riker, then a lieutenant, chose to make his Starfleet career his priority over his relationship with Deanna, and accepted a posting to the USS Potemkin.
While aboard the Potemkin, Riker led a rescue mission to planet Nervala IV and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant commander and commended for "exceptional valor" during the rescue. It was not realized until years later that a transporter malfunction during the final beam-out caused an identical copy of Riker to be created on the planet's surface (TNG: "Second Chances"). William Riker was later promoted to executive officer aboard the USS Hood, where he served under the command of Captain Robert DeSoto. The second Riker was discovered in 2369. He later changed his name to Thomas Riker and transferred to the USS Gandhi. In 2371 Thomas Riker, now working for the Maquis, stole the USS Defiant and was put into prison by the Cardassians (DS9: "Defiant").
Riker joined the Enterprise-D at planet Deneb IV, having transferred from the Hood (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint, Parts I and II"). Riker accepted the Enterprise-D posting, despite the fact that he'd been offered command of the USS Drake (TNG: "The Arsenal of Freedom"). One of Riker's greatest personal tests came in 2364 when the entity Q offered him a gift of supernatural powers, an offer that Riker was able to refuse (TNG: "Hide and Q"). Riker became the first Federation Starfleet officer to serve aboard a Klingon vessel when he participated in an Officer Exchange Program in 2365, serving as first officer aboard the Klingon ship Pagh (TNG: "A Matter of Honor").
Riker was offered command of the USS Aries in 2365, but he declined the appointment, preferring to remain on the Enterprise-D (TNG: "The Icarus Factor"). Riker suffered a near brush with death while on a survey mission to planet Surata IV, where contact with an indigenous plant form caused him to lose consciousness for several hours (TNG: "Shades of Gray"). Riker was charged with murder in the 2366 death of Dr. Nel Apgar at planet Tanuga IV after Apgar's research station exploded. He was acquitted after a holodeck re-creation of the events leading to the death demonstrated that Apgar had been responsible for the explosion (TNG: "A Matter of Perspective"). In late 2366, Riker refused a third opportunity to command a starship when he was offered the USS Melbourne during the Borg incursion that year (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I"). Shortly thereafter, Riker was granted a temporary field promotion to captain, and given command of the Enterprise-D following the capture of Captain Picard by the Borg. The Melbourne was later destroyed by the Borg in the battle of Wolf 359 (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"). Riker did, however, have ambitions of becoming a starship commander. After the loss of the Enterprise-D in 2371, Riker expressed regret that he would not have the opportunity of someday commanding that great ship (Star Trek: Generations). In an alternate quantum reality, Picard was lost to the Borg in 2366. In this reality, Riker was promoted to captain following Picard's loss (TNG: "Parallels").
Riker's approach to command was frequently unconventional. Prior to his service aboard the Enterprise-D, Riker had been a lieutenant aboard the Stars hip Potemkin. During a crisis aboard that ship, Riker positioned the Potemkin over a planet's magnetic pole, thus confusing his opponent's sensors. Indeed, Data once observed that Riker relied upon traditional problem-solving techniques less than one-quarter of the time (TNG: "Peak Performance").
As a boy, Riker was responsible for cooking for himself and his father. As Enterprise-D executive officer, Riker regarded cooking as a hobby (TNG: "Time Squared", ENT: "These Are The Voyages"). One of Riker's passions was for old Earth jazz music, and he was a pretty fair trombone player (TNG: "11001001"). He also enjoyed a good a game (TNG: "The Measure of a Man", "Legacy"). Riker had a brief affair with the Bringloidi colonist Brenna Odell (TNG: "Up the Long Ladder"). He was romantically involved with Yuta, the last survivor of the Tralesta clan of the Acamarians whose mission it was to eliminate the former enemies of her clan. Riker had to kill Yuta to prevent her from carrying out the plan (TNG: "The Vengeance Factor"). When their memories had been wiped out by the Satarrans, Riker and Ro Laren spent several nights together. Riker later fell in love with Soren, a member of the neutral J'naii species who was being discriminated for feeling like a woman (TNG: "The Outcast"). His romantic involvements also included Minuet, actually an advanced holographic character created by the Bynars to distract him (TNG: "11001001"). Under the influence of the metaphasic particles in the Briar Patch William Riker and Deanna Troi rediscovered their love ("Star Trek: Insurrection"). In 2379 the two finally got married ("Star Trek Nemesis").
Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Scott Frakes was born on August 19, 1952 in Bellefonte, in central Pennsylvania. He is the son of Doris J. (Yingling) and Dr. James R. Frakes, a professor. His parents moved with Jonathan and his younger brother Daniel to Bethlehem in eastern Pennsylvania. There, his father taught English at Lehigh University, where he held the Fairchild chair in American Literature until his passing in 2002. Frakes is of German, and some English, ancestry.
While growing up Jonathan was introduced to jazz by his father and started playing the trombone when he was in fourth grade. As a child Jonathan was always friendly, funny and somewhat of an actor according to a childhood friend. In high school he played in the band and ran track. He graduated from Liberty High in Bethlehem in 1970. The day after he graduated he started classes at Pennsylvania State University, enrolling as a psychology major. The next summer he worked as an usher for the local theater and observed his peers thoroughly enjoying acting. He was motivated to switch his major to theater arts and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1974.
At this point he decided to move to New York City and try to make it as an actor. The roles did not come easily so he had to take side jobs, such as a waiter, a furniture mover (where he injured up his back), and a stint as Captain America for Marvel Comics. Meanwhile he won roles in the Broadway musical "Shenandoah" and on the soap opera The Doctors (1969) as Vietnam veteran Tom Carroll from 1977 to 1978. At his agent's urging Jonathan moved to Los Angeles in late 1978 to try his hand at television guest appearances. He guest-starred on several of the big prime-time shows of the time, including Charlie's Angels (1976), Ostrov divokých fantazií (1977), Barnaby Jones (1973), Quincy M.E. (1976), Highway to Heaven (1984), The Waltons (1972), and The Dukes of Hazzard (1979).
During the 1980s Jonathan landed a starring role in a prime-time soap opera, Bare Essence (1983), which had spun off a successful miniseries of the same name. However the show did not take off with the viewers and was soon canceled. He went back to guest appearances for two more years until he got the part of Stanley Hazard in the Civil War epic Sever proti juhu (1985). After spending more than six months filming all over the southern United States, he and his co-star, Genie Francis, fell in love (he had met her three years before when they co-starred in Bare Essence (1983)). During that time he and Genie didn't have much to do with each other, other than his making fun of her hair, according to her. However three years later they were an item.
In early 1987 Jonathan went to an audition for a new television series at the urging of his soon-to-be wife and her family. After six weeks, and seven auditions, he won the role that would bring him worldwide fame: that of Commander William Riker on Star Trek: Nová generácia (1987). It was at this time, he and Genie announced their engagement. They would have to postpone their wedding twice because of his job but were finally married in the first-season hiatus on May 28, 1988. All of his new co-stars attended the wedding, along with Star Trek (1966) creator Gene Roddenberry. During the seven years Frakes starred on Star Trek: Nová generácia (1987), he not only acted but discovered that he had a talent for directing. He helmed eight episodes in all and was invited to direct on the Next Generation spin-offs, Star Trek: Hlboký vesmír deväť (1993) and Star Trek: Voyager (1995).
The day after his 42nd birthday, on August 20, his son, Jameson Ivor Frakes, was born. Jameson is named after both his grandfathers, the late James Frakes and the late actor Ivor Francis, Genie's father. During this time Jonathan actually turned down work, preferring to stay at home and raise his son with his wife. For the next two years he did a few guest appearances on television.
In 1996 it was announced that he was to be the director of the next Star Trek film, Star Trek VIII: Prvý kontakt (1996). He received critical praise for his work on the film and it became the highest-grossing entry of the franchise to date. He formed a production company, Goepp Circle Productions, named after the street he lived on in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Just two days after his ninth wedding anniversary in 1997, Elizabeth Francis Frakes was born. Sadly just two weeks prior Jonathan's brother, Daniel, passed away from pancreatic cancer. In 1998 he was asked to direct the ninth Star Trek film, Star Trek IX: Vzbura (1998). Following mixed reviews for this film he continued to direct in movies and television, act in a few non-Star Trek roles, and starred in the tenth Star Trek film, Star Trek X: Nemezis (2002).
While growing up Jonathan was introduced to jazz by his father and started playing the trombone when he was in fourth grade. As a child Jonathan was always friendly, funny and somewhat of an actor according to a childhood friend. In high school he played in the band and ran track. He graduated from Liberty High in Bethlehem in 1970. The day after he graduated he started classes at Pennsylvania State University, enrolling as a psychology major. The next summer he worked as an usher for the local theater and observed his peers thoroughly enjoying acting. He was motivated to switch his major to theater arts and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1974.
At this point he decided to move to New York City and try to make it as an actor. The roles did not come easily so he had to take side jobs, such as a waiter, a furniture mover (where he injured up his back), and a stint as Captain America for Marvel Comics. Meanwhile he won roles in the Broadway musical "Shenandoah" and on the soap opera The Doctors (1969) as Vietnam veteran Tom Carroll from 1977 to 1978. At his agent's urging Jonathan moved to Los Angeles in late 1978 to try his hand at television guest appearances. He guest-starred on several of the big prime-time shows of the time, including Charlie's Angels (1976), Ostrov divokých fantazií (1977), Barnaby Jones (1973), Quincy M.E. (1976), Highway to Heaven (1984), The Waltons (1972), and The Dukes of Hazzard (1979).
During the 1980s Jonathan landed a starring role in a prime-time soap opera, Bare Essence (1983), which had spun off a successful miniseries of the same name. However the show did not take off with the viewers and was soon canceled. He went back to guest appearances for two more years until he got the part of Stanley Hazard in the Civil War epic Sever proti juhu (1985). After spending more than six months filming all over the southern United States, he and his co-star, Genie Francis, fell in love (he had met her three years before when they co-starred in Bare Essence (1983)). During that time he and Genie didn't have much to do with each other, other than his making fun of her hair, according to her. However three years later they were an item.
In early 1987 Jonathan went to an audition for a new television series at the urging of his soon-to-be wife and her family. After six weeks, and seven auditions, he won the role that would bring him worldwide fame: that of Commander William Riker on Star Trek: Nová generácia (1987). It was at this time, he and Genie announced their engagement. They would have to postpone their wedding twice because of his job but were finally married in the first-season hiatus on May 28, 1988. All of his new co-stars attended the wedding, along with Star Trek (1966) creator Gene Roddenberry. During the seven years Frakes starred on Star Trek: Nová generácia (1987), he not only acted but discovered that he had a talent for directing. He helmed eight episodes in all and was invited to direct on the Next Generation spin-offs, Star Trek: Hlboký vesmír deväť (1993) and Star Trek: Voyager (1995).
The day after his 42nd birthday, on August 20, his son, Jameson Ivor Frakes, was born. Jameson is named after both his grandfathers, the late James Frakes and the late actor Ivor Francis, Genie's father. During this time Jonathan actually turned down work, preferring to stay at home and raise his son with his wife. For the next two years he did a few guest appearances on television.
In 1996 it was announced that he was to be the director of the next Star Trek film, Star Trek VIII: Prvý kontakt (1996). He received critical praise for his work on the film and it became the highest-grossing entry of the franchise to date. He formed a production company, Goepp Circle Productions, named after the street he lived on in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Just two days after his ninth wedding anniversary in 1997, Elizabeth Francis Frakes was born. Sadly just two weeks prior Jonathan's brother, Daniel, passed away from pancreatic cancer. In 1998 he was asked to direct the ninth Star Trek film, Star Trek IX: Vzbura (1998). Following mixed reviews for this film he continued to direct in movies and television, act in a few non-Star Trek roles, and starred in the tenth Star Trek film, Star Trek X: Nemezis (2002).