Born on August 19, 1952, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, he is an accomplished American actor and director. He gained fame for his role as Commander William Riker in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Transitioning to directing, he helmed several "Star Trek" episodes and films, including "First Contact" and "Insurrection." Beyond the sci-fi realm, his directorial work spans TV series like "Leverage" and "The Librarians." He is also known for hosting "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction."