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Brent Spiner

Brent Spiner

Actor, also writer · Born February 2, 1949 (77) · Houston - Texas - USA

Brent Jay Spiner (born February 2, 1949) is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and four subsequent films. His portrayal of Data in Star Trek: First Contact and of Dr. Brackish Okun in Independence Day, both in 1996, earned him a Saturn Award and Saturn Award nomination respectively. He has also enjoyed a career in the theatre and as a musician. He was born to Sylvia and Jack Spiner, who owned a furniture store. After his father's death, he was adopted by Sylvia's second husband, Sol Mintz, whose surname he used between 1955 and 1975. He was raised Jewish. He attended Bellaire High School, Bellaire, Texas. Spiner became active on the Bellaire Speech team, winning the national championship in dramatic interpretation. He attended the University of Houston where he performed in local theatre.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 2, 1949 (77)
From
Houston - Texas - USA
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 86 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What are Brent Spiner's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
42%
Morality
19%
Bonds
18%
Society
14%
Power
5%
Survival
2%
Identity7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 6 · Serious 2 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Easy watch: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their easy watch movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 4 of 13 analyzed roles.

Shadow
4 of 13
Shapeshifter
3 of 13
Ally
3 of 13
Trickster
1 of 13
Threshold guardian
1 of 13
Herald
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Melancholic
6
Hopeful
7
Contemplative
4
Absurd
3
Other
15

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Brent Spiner's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 48 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Paramount+ (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Brent Spiner's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

86 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page; 17 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Commander Data

  • Night Court(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Wheeler · as Bobert 'Bob' Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Lower Decks(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Data (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Penny Dreadful: City of Angels(2020)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ned Vanderhoff

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Picard(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Data · as Data / Dr. Altan Inigo Soong · as Data / Lore · as Dr. Adam Soong · as Dr. Altan Inigo Soong · as Dr. Altan Inigo Soong / Daystrom Android M-5-10

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Brentwood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Brent Spiner

  • Justice League Action(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Nigma / Riddler (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Independence Day: Resurgence(2016)

    as Dr. Brakish Okun

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Outcast(2016)

    Show 20 episodes · as Sidney

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The Midnight Man(2016)

    as Ezekiel

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Blunt Talk(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Phil

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Librarians(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Puck (voice)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lt. Cmdr. Data

  • Star Wars: Rebels(2014)

    Show 4 episodes · as Gall Trayvis (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation - Chain of Command (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lt. Cmdr. Data

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Lt. Cmdr. Data

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Lt. Cmdr. Data

  • Ray Donovan(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Therapist

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Lt. Cmdr. Data (archive footage)

  • Comedy Bang! Bang!(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as The Sandman

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Fresh Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 15 episodes · as Brent Spiner

  • Alphas(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Kern

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Young Justice(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joker (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Purple Man (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey(2010)

    as Coach Mackey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Generator Rex(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Warehouse 13(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as Brother Adrian

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Leverage(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as William Quint

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Superhero Movie(2008)

    as Dr. Strom

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Brent Spiner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Guild(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Brent Spiner

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Material Girls(2006)

    as Tommy Katzenbach

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Threshold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 13 episodes · as Dr. Nigel Fenway

  • The Aviator(2004)

    as Robert Gross

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Jack(2004)

    as Vernon

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • An Unexpected Love(2003)

    as Brad

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Nemesis(2002)

    Story · as Lt. Commander Data

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Master of Disguise(2002)

    as Devlin Bowman

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • I Am Sam(2001)

    as Shoe Saleman

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Ponder Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Dorris Grabney

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Graham Barnes

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Enterprise(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Arik Soong

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • A Girl Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Bob

  • Dude, Where's My Car?(2000)

    as Pierre (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Geppetto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Stromboli

  • Introducing Dorothy Dandridge(1999)

    as Earl Mills

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut(1999)

    as Conan O'Brien (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Brent Spiner (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Insurrection(1998)

    as Lt. Commander Data

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Out to Sea(1997)

    as Godwyn

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: First Contact(1996)

    as Lieutenant Commander Data

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Phenomenon(1996)

    as Dr. Bob

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Independence Day(1996)

    as Dr. Brackish Okun

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Pie in the Sky(1995)

    as Upscale Guy

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Deadly Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Schlecht

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Trent Davis

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long(1995)

    as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Generations(1994)

    as Lt. Commander Data

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Gargoyles(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Puck (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Friends(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as James Campbell

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Corrina, Corrina(1994)

    as Brent Witherspoon

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob, the Dog Agent

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Federation Science (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Data

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Strongwater

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Robots (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Shocker(1989)

    as Talk Show Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Miss Firecracker(1989)

    as Preacher Mann

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Family Sins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Ken McMahon

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 176 episodes · as Data

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Manhunt for Claude Dallas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Jim Stevens

  • Sylvan in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Sunday in the Park with George (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Franz / Dennis

  • Crime of Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as (segment "Dead Run")

  • Robert Kennedy & His Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 3 episodes · as Allard Lowenstein

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Peabody

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Willie Vaughn

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Rent Control (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Leonard Junger

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 6 episodes · as Bob Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains(1982)

    as Corinne's Boss

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Grand

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Franz / Dennis

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Stardust Memories(1980)

    as Fan in Lobby

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Dain Curse(1978)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tom Fink

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 86 titles from 1978 to 2023; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

$146M worldwide

Highest rated

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

19782023

Peak 1997 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting86 of 86: 85 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stWriting1 of 86: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s20 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s19 · 19 acting · 1 crew2010s21 · acting2020s5 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 21 roles
829702

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Brent Spiner's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 27; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

93rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up29
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

28 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved16
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser28
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey (2010)

94th percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Brent Spiner's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles33–63 · median 50 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles17–52 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles21–67 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles20–47 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles31–56 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Brent Spiner work with?

People who share at least 2 of Brent Spiner's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jonathan Frakes shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers