Biography
Jonathan Scott Frakes (born August 19, 1952) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his portrayal of Commander (later Captain) William T. Riker in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequent films and series. He has also hosted the series Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, voiced David Xanatos in the Disney animated series Gargoyles, and narrated the History Channel documentary, Lee and Grant. His other well known TV roles are as Stanley Hazard on the miniseries North and South, Sandy Parris on ABC's Paper Dolls, Marcus Marshall on NBC's Bare Essence, and Damon Ross, a recurring character on Falcon Crest. He began directing episodes of The Next Generation during its third season, and went on to direct the feature films Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and episodes of the later Star Trek series Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Discovery, Strange New Worlds, and Picard. He later directed the feature films Clockstoppers (2002) and Thunderbirds (2004). He has since directed prolifically for television, including for The Librarian television films and series, Leverage, Burn Notice, and Roswell (of which he is also a producer). He is the credited author of the novel The Abductors: Conspiracy, which was ghostwritten by Dean Wesley Smith. He has been married to actress Genie Francis since 1988 and they have 2 children.
Acted in 83
2020s
- 2026
A Grand Biltmore Christmas
Winston
- 2025
- 2023
Star Trek: very Short Treks
Riker (voice) · 3 episodes
Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event
Captain William Riker
- 2022
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
After Trek
TV
- 2016
- 2014
Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...
Cmdr. Will Riker
- 2013
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption
Cmdr. Will Riker
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
Cmdr. William Riker (archive footage)
- 2011
Truth Be Told
Radio Sound Engineer
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
- 2006
- 2005
- 2002
- 2001
1990s
- 1999
The Lot
Roland White · 5 episodes
Dying to Live
Will
- 1998
- 1996
Brothers of the Frontier
Ben Frye
- 1995
Time Travel Through the Bible
Time Traveler
- 1994
Phish: Tracking
Movie
- 1993
- 1992
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Chain of Command
Cmdr. Will Riker
- 1991
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification
Cmdr. Will Riker
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
The Cover Girl and the Cop
Joshua Boyleston
- 1987
Nutcracker: Money, Madness & Murder
Rosen · 3 episodes
- 1986
Dream West
Lt. Archibald Gillespie · 3 episodes
- 1985
- 1984
Paper Dolls
Sandy Parris · 11 episodes
- 1983
Five Mile Creek
Adam Scott · 1 episode
Bare Essence
Marcus Marshall · 11 episodes
- 1982
Bare Essence
Marcus Marshall · 2 episodes
- 1981
- 1980
The Night the City Screamed
Richard Hawkins
1970s
- 1979
Paris
TV
Beach Patrol
Marty Green
- 1978
- 1977
- 1976
- 1973
- 1972
Directed 45
2020s
- 2026
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
2010s
- 2017
- 2015
Hindsight
Director
- 2014
- 2013
- 2011
Truth Be Told
Director
Bar Karma
Director
- 2010
Persons Unknown
Director
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
Masters of Science Fiction
Director
- 2006
- 2004
- 2002
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
- 1996
- 1995
- 1993
1980s
- 1987
Produced 3
1990s
- 1999
Dying to Live
Executive Producer
Sound 1
1990s
- 1994
Phish: Tracking
Music
Created 1
2000s
- 2007
Masters of Science Fiction
Creator
Appearances30
2020s
- 2026
The Sixty Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World
Self
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Podcast
Self · 1 episode
- 2024
- 2022
- 2020
Star Trek Day
Self · 1 episode
2010s
- 2019
- 2017
- 2016
50 Years of Star Trek
Self
- 2014
- 2013
The Captains Close Up
Self · 1 episode
- 2012
Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation
Self
Megaquake 10.0
Narrator (voice)
- 2011
2000s
- 2009
That's Impossible!
Narrator (voice) · 6 episodes
Star Trek: The Captain's Summit
Self
- 2007
Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier
Self
- 2006
- 2005
How William Shatner Changed the World
Self
- 2000
Ghosts Caught on Tape: Fact or Fiction?
Narrator (voice)
1990s
- 1997
- 1996
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Self
- 1995
Alien Autopsy: (Fact or Fiction?)
Self - Host
- 1994
Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Host / Self
- 1993
Your Guide to Star Trek: Generations
Self
- 1991
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
Self
1980s
- 1989
Friend to Friend: Armenian Earthquake Relief
Self
- 1988
The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next
Self