Jonathan Frakes

Jonathan Frakes is a renowned actor and director, best recognized for his iconic role as Commander William T. Riker in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ a role that led to extensive acting and directing opportunities across the ‘Star Trek’ universe and beyond. His career demonstrates a steady progression from stage and television acting to directing feature films and numerous television series, cementing his legacy in science fiction and mainstream entertainment. After securing the iconic role of Commander William T.

Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, Jonathan Frakes went on to lead the series for seven seasons, becoming a pivotal figure in the franchise and establishing a prolific career as both an actor and director. Prior to this breakthrough, Frakes made his Broadway debut in Shenandoah in 1976 and held a recurring role as Tom Carroll in the soap opera The Doctors from 1977 to 1978. He further honed his craft with guest appearances in popular television series including Charlie’s Angels (1978), Fantasy Island (1978), Barnaby Jones (1978), Quincy, M.E. (1978, 1982), and The Waltons (1979).

His enduring contributions to the industry were recognized with The Life Career Award at the Saturn Awards in 2013. Maintaining an active presence, Frakes has continued his prolific directing work across various iterations of the Star Trek universe, including episodes for Star Trek: Discovery (2018-2024), Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023), and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. He returned to acting in the critically acclaimed series Star Trek: Picard, a performance that earned him the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series in 2024. Frakes remains a highly sought-after talent, consistently delivering impactful performances and helming diverse projects across film and television.