Jonathan Frakes is an American actor, director, and author, best known for his role as Commander William T. Riker in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was born on August 19, 1952, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and has appeared in various films and TV shows throughout his career. In addition to acting, Frakes has directed several episodes of Star Trek series and other television programs. He is also known for hosting the paranormal television series Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, where he presented stories that blurred the lines between reality and the supernatural.