What Really Happened to Jonathan Frakes from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”?

Born August 19, 1952, in Bellfonte, Pennsylvania, Jonathan Frakes grew up in a family steeped in academia—his father was an English professor, and his mother a dedicated teacher.

Early on, Frakes developed a love for music when he was handed a trombone in fourth grade, sparking a lifelong passion fueled by his father’s jazz influence.

He played in a celebrated high school band that won top honors, even earning a city street named in their honor.

Despite initially pursuing psychology at Penn State, a chance encounter at a theater festival inspired him to switch majors and embrace acting—a decision that would change his life forever.

After earning a BFA in theater arts from Penn State in 1974, Frakes honed his craft at Harvard’s professional acting program before moving to New York City.

There, he struggled like many aspiring actors—waiting tables, moving furniture, and performing in small theater productions.

His first real break came in 1977 with a role on the soap opera The Doctors, but it wasn’t long-lasting.

Frakes soon relocated to Los Angeles, where he built a steady TV career through guest roles on popular series like Charlie’s Angels and Fantasy Island.

Despite steady work, Frakes’ big break remained elusive until the mid-1980s.

His role as Stanley Hazard in the Civil War miniseries North and South earned him recognition, but it was his 1987 casting as Commander William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation that changed everything.

After multiple auditions and close calls, Frakes won the part thanks to the intervention of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who saw something special in him.

Frakes’ portrayal of Riker—confident, witty, and charismatic—quickly became a fan favorite, and his signature “Riker maneuver” (swinging his leg over the back of a chair) became legendary.

Frakes wasn’t just content acting; he also wanted to direct.

Initially met with skepticism by producers and castmates, he prepared meticulously, studying every aspect of filmmaking and even learning cinematography from the show’s director of photography over drinks.

His directorial debut on Star Trek: TNG with the episode “The Offspring” garnered praise, proving his talents extended behind the camera.

He went on to direct Star Trek: First Contact (1996), widely regarded as one of the best Star Trek films, and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), though the latter received mixed reviews.

However, Frakes’ career hit a major roadblock with the 2004 release of Thunderbirds.

Despite a strong cast and a beloved brand, the film was a critical and commercial disaster, losing around $57 million.

The fallout was brutal—studios stopped returning his calls, and he described the period as “movie jail.”

Forced to sell possessions and leave London for Maine, Frakes’ wife opened a store to help support the family.

For over 20 years, he did not direct another feature film.

Yet Frakes refused to give up.

He returned to television, directing episodes of various shows including Zoey 101, True Jackson VP, and later major network hits like NCIS: Los Angeles and Castle.

His steady work ethic earned him a reputation as a “genre whisperer,” a director who could bring structure and pace to struggling sci-fi and fantasy series such as Roswell, The Librarians, Warehouse 13, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Orphan Black.

By 2016, he had directed over 100 TV episodes, quietly rebuilding his career.

Frakes’ personal life has been marked by both joy and tragedy.

He met actress Jeanie Francis on the set of North and South, and despite a rocky start, they married in 1988 and have remained together for over three decades—a rarity in Hollywood.

Together, they raised two children, with their daughter Eliza now following in their footsteps as a writer and actress.

Tragedy struck when Frakes’ younger brother Daniel died of pancreatic cancer in 1997, just a week before Frakes’ daughter was born.

The loss profoundly affected him and motivated his long-term involvement with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).

For over 25 years, Frakes has been a passionate advocate for early detection and research, participating in fundraising walks and awareness campaigns alongside fellow Star Trek alumni.

In recent years, Frakes continued to pursue new projects, including hosting and directing for the reboot of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction.

Despite setbacks—such as CBS canceling the reboot days before production—he persevered, eventually bringing the show back in Germany under a new title.

His calm professionalism and steady presence have made him a respected figure behind the scenes.

Jonathan Frakes’ story is one of resilience in the face of Hollywood’s unforgiving nature.

From his early days as a struggling actor to his iconic role as Commander Riker, from the crushing blow of Thunderbirds’ failure to his quiet, determined comeback in television, Frakes exemplifies the power of persistence and reinvention.

Today, he stands not just as a beloved actor and director but as a testament to enduring passion and the ability to navigate the highs and lows of the entertainment world with grace.