Brent Spiner

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Brent Jay Spiner ˈspaɪnər born February 2 1949 height 5 10 178 m 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 Brent Jay Spiner was born February 2 1949 in Houston Texas to Sylvia and Jack Spiner who owned a furniture store After his fathers death Spiner was adopted by Sylvias second husband Sol Mintz whose surname he used between 1955 and 1975 Spiner 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