Born on August 19, 1952, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, he is an accomplished actor and director best known for his role as Commander William Riker in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He graduated from Pennsylvania State University and earned an MFA from Harvard University. Transitioning to directing, he helmed several episodes of "Star Trek" series and films, including "Star Trek: First Contact." His career spans television, film, and voice acting, marking him as a beloved figure in the sci-fi genre.