Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Brent Spiner is best known for playing the android Lieutenant Commander Data, but he’s played numerous other androids and members of the Soong family. Spiner originated the role of Data in TNG's pilot episode "Encounter At Farpoint," immediately becoming a fan favorite. Created by the enigmatic cyberneticist Dr. Noonian Soong (Brent Spiner), Data possessed incredible physical abilities and computing power, but his only real desire was to become more human.
Spiner's performance as Data is one of the best in all of Star Trek. Owing more than a little to Star Trek: The Original Series icon Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Spiner played Data with a distinct lack of outward emotion, yet he could easily evoke laughs or tears from the audience in any given episode with his subtle, childlike portrayal of the 24th century Pinocchio. Data wasn't the only android Soong created, however, nor was Noonian the only member of the Soong family to grace the screen. Spiner would portray all of the Soongs and their android creations. Even when their stories were occasionally less than great, Spiner never gave a bad performance over several Star Trek films and series.
