Iconic characters return to stage, screen and convention hall when the words Star Trek are uttered. Bigger and with a depth that cannot be measured, the universe that holds the fandom that Gene Roddenberry created over 50 years ago is alive and well. It can be seen daily in the hearts of Trekkies and the actors that have portrayed beloved characters.
Among those gifted with a character that allowed true acting width and breadth to be achieved, is Brent Spiner. His portrayal of Data reached television audiences and movie goers with an ever changing and growing persona. An android that was not gifted with human emotions and understanding, but a resolve to reach for humanity and its ideals.
While beloved for his work as Data, true fans also know of his Broadway work, taking the stage to embody other beloved characters in such plays as ‘The Three Musketeers’, ‘1776’ and Stephen Sonheim’s ‘Sunday in the Park with George’. His love of performance did not settle with screen and stage though, as he ventured into his own musical endeavors. Releasing an album of pop standards he titled ‘Ol’ Yellow Eyes is Back’, in reference to his Star Trek characters famed yellow eyes.
I had a chance to speak with Brent about all of this and more as he prepares to visit Las Vegas for its famed Star Trek Convention. Where thousands of science fiction fans will descend on The Rio Resort and Casino to meet their favorite actors, take part in themed panels and purchase memorabilia. We discuss the convention and its Saturday night gala event ‘In Search of LosTime’, where he will be starring and performing. We also touch on his thoughts on the new Star Trek Picard, the return of Data and putting on the uniform and yellow contacts once again.
Star Trek Convention
Rio Suites Hotel and Casino
July 31 – August 4th
Information on convention here
Information on Saturday Night Gala here
Interview with Brent Spiner follows:
DS: Thank you for calling, I’m a big fan and looking forward to the upcoming Star Trek Convention and Events. For my first question, I’d like to know what your history with Las Vegas might be?
Brent Spiner: Well you know, it was Bugsy Siegal and I that started the place! Ha ha, no… I’ve been to Vegas many times. I remember one time years ago when I went with my brother, who was a bit of a gambler. So we went to Vegas for three days together and we stayed at The Desert Inn and I’ll never forget, by the end of the three days, we didn’t have a dollar between us. So we had to walk to the airport with our luggage. We luckily still had our clothes and our suitcases, but yeah, that was my most memorable ‘Las Vegas’ experience.
DS: Well we expect you’ll have a much better experience this time as you come to town for the Star Trek convention. Where you’ll be meeting fans and autographing, but also singing Saturday night at the Gala Event In Search of LosTime. What got you interested in singing and your love of this type of music?
Brent Spiner: It started when I was a child really, I had a stepfather who owned a record store, which he sold, but he kept all the records. And basically, what he had was the great American songbook. Great singers like Sinatra, Keely Smith, Louie Prima, Nat King Cole, Rose Byrne Clooney and on and on and on. So every night at dinner, that’s who we would listen to. And I just grew to love that music, and I still do.
DS: Did you ever have any dreams of headlining in Vegas in your youth? Somewhere like The Desert Inn or The Sands?
Brent Spiner: Not so much in my youth, but definitely now. I put this show together and I’m not really sure who it speaks to. I mean, I know the people at the Star Trek convention are going to enjoy it. Even though it’s not really Star Trek centric, it’s much broader than that. It really is, in some ways, a memoir with music.
DS: As someone who has been on this Star Trek adventure for some time. Do you feel the same way about the universe and the fans that you did when you last played Data, or do you redefine it for yourself constantly?
Brent Spiner: I think I probably do redefine it constantly. You know, I’m very grateful for having the experience and the opportunity. Star Trek is the great american epic, and I think all of us who have ever been a part of it are grateful. I’m delighted that the fans in general have had such affection for the character, and it’s hard for me to explain to them that I have great affection for the character, as well. But, you know, love is really personal and my to Data is completely different than theirs. So I have to balance that.
DS: So I was just at San Diego Comic-con, as were you. And we all had another fan moment, or for you, perhaps another benchmark in your career as we all got an extended look at Star Trek: Picard. Another story and another opportunity to take on the role of Data. So my first question is, what was the exact experience you felt putting on that makeup once again?
Brent Spiner: It was odd, I have to say. I mean, it was both odd and not odd at the same time. It felt like putting on an old pair of shoes, you know. I’ve been there so many time, and boom, there I was again. But there was something kind of magical sitting across from Patrick again, he was Picard and I was Data again. And it was like hmmm, this is unusual. Probably the most unusual thing about it though, is that I have an iPhone, with face recognition and when I was in the makeup, it didn’t recognize me. The face recognition didn’t see me, it was Data, so my phone just said “I’m sorry, this is Brent Spiner’s phone”!
DS: So you’re heading to Las Vegas for the Star Trek convention. what is it you look forward to most with events such as this? Positives or negatives?
Brent Spiner: It’s always rewarding and always a good experience. The only negative, is that it is exhausting, believe it or not. I have trouble convincing my family that sitting and saying hi to people, signing my name and taking pictures is exhausting. In my mind, it’s not about an autograph or a photograph or anything like that. It’s about every person getting a moment, a connection with you, and I try to remember that.
The best part of it all, is connecting with fans and just realizing what it means to them. I personally have had situations where kids and fans come to my table, and they say to me “I have Aspergers” and they’ll tell me that when they were kids, the only character they could relate to on TV was Data, and that’s just so moving.
