Jonathan Frakes, born on August 19, 1952, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is an American actor, director, and television host best known for his iconic role as Commander William T. Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent films.
Raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Frakes grew up in a family with a strong academic and cultural background.
His father, Dr. James R. Frakes, was a professor of English literature at Lehigh University and a book reviewer for The New York Times Book Review, while his mother, Doris J. Yingling, contributed to a nurturing household.
Frakes’ early exposure to the arts, particularly through his father’s love of jazz, shaped his creative inclinations, leading him to pursue theater arts at Pennsylvania State University and later a Master of Arts at Harvard University.
His career spans acting, directing, voice work, and hosting, with a significant impact on the science fiction genre, particularly within the Star Trek franchise.
Beyond his professional achievements, Frakes is also recognized for his charitable work, especially in raising awareness for pancreatic cancer, a cause close to his heart due to personal family loss.
Siblings
Jonathan had one sibling, a younger brother named Daniel M. Frakes.
The two shared a close bond, with Jonathan describing Daniel as his best friend and confidant, someone he could call in the middle of the night no matter the circumstances.
Growing up together in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the brothers embarked on adventures, including a cross-country move to New York in a 1967 Chevy Sportvan.
Tragically, Daniel was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away in 1997, just weeks before the birth of Jonathan’s daughter, Elizabeth.
This loss profoundly affected Jonathan and his family, with Jonathan noting that their father never fully recovered from the grief.
Daniel’s death inspired Jonathan to become an advocate for pancreatic cancer research, partnering with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) to raise funds and awareness, including through his “Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer” initiative.
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Career
Frakes’ career is a testament to his versatility in the entertainment industry, encompassing acting, directing, voice work, and hosting.
His early career began in the 1970s when he worked for Marvel Comics, appearing as Captain America at conventions, an experience that honed his ability to engage with audiences.
After moving to New York City, he joined the Impossible Ragtime Theater, performing in off-Broadway productions like Eugene O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape and making his Broadway debut in the musical Shenandoah.
Frakes also landed roles in television, including a stint on the NBC soap opera The Doctors and guest appearances on popular shows like The Waltons, Eight Is Enough, Hart to Hart, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Hill Street Blues.
His role as Damon Ross in Falcon Crest and Stanley Hazard in the miniseries North and South further elevated his profile.
Frakes’ career-defining moment came in 1987 when he was cast as Commander William T. Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Appearing in every episode of the series, he became a fan favorite, known for his distinctive “Riker lean” and unique way of sitting in chairs, a habit born from the low seating in the show’s Ten Forward set.
Beyond acting, Frakes discovered a passion for directing during the series, helming eight episodes and later directing episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
He also directed two Star Trek feature films, Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), with the former earning critical praise and becoming the highest-grossing Star Trek film at the time.
Outside of Star Trek, Frakes directed films like Clockstoppers (2002) and Thunderbirds (2004) and voiced characters such as David Xanatos in Disney’s Gargoyles.
He hosted the anthology series Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, narrated the History Channel documentary Lee and Grant, and even contributed trombone tracks to the Phish album Hoist.
Accolades
In 1997, Frakes won a Saturn Award for Best Director for Star Trek: First Contact, recognizing his ability to craft a compelling and visually dynamic film.
In 2024, he earned a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series for his role in Star Trek: Picard, reflecting his enduring impact as an actor.
Additionally, in 2013, Frakes and the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films, celebrating their collective contribution to the genre.
His work on Gargoyles earned a nomination for an Annie Award in 1996 for Best Individual Achievement in Voice Acting, and he was nominated for Hugo Awards in 1997 and 1999 for Best Dramatic Presentation for his directorial efforts on Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection, respectively.
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