History Creator / JonathanFrakes

* ''Series/NCISLosAngeles''

Jonathan Frakes is the famed TropeMaker for GrowingTheBeard. Because there had been a writers' strike between the first two seasons of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', he literally [[TropeNamer grew a beard]] during the unexpectedly extended break -- see the page photo. Its presence at the script readthroughs for the second season was mere happenstance and he was planning on shaving prior to shooting, but ''Trek'' creator Creator/GeneRoddenberry felt it gave him a far more dignified appearance and decided to ThrowItIn to his character's appearance too. The beard staying then coincided with, and has become synonymous with, with the show's generally-agreed development from something good into something great in the next year or two. (This goes '''beyond''' ''Star Trek'', too, almost literally; he took over as narrator for the cult anthology series ''Series/BeyondBeliefFactOrFiction'' from the second season onwards, replacing Creator/JamesBrolin... and again, this was seen as a point when the show notably ticked up in quality, as Frakes narrated with a much more self-aware and humorous style loaded with some groan-worthy puns, which was widely beloved.)

Jonathan Frakes is the famed TropeMaker for GrowingTheBeard. Because there had been a writers' strike between the first two seasons of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', he literally [[TropeNamer grew a beard]] during the unexpectedly extended break -- see the page photo. Its presence at the script readthroughs for the second season was mere happenstance and he was planning on shaving prior to shooting, but ''Trek'' creator Creator/GeneRoddenberry felt it gave him a far more dignified appearance and decided to ThrowItIn to his character's appearance too. The beard staying then coincided with, and has become synonymous with, with the show's generally-agreed development from something good into something great in the next year or two. (This goes '''beyond''' ''Star Trek'', too, almost literally; he took over as narrator for the cult anthology series ''Series/BeyondBeliefFactOrFiction'' from the second season onwards, replacing Creator/JamesBrolin.)

Frakes is a part of one of the most successful Hollywood marriages in the history of celebrity-dom. He and his wife, actress Genie Francis (of ''Series/GeneralHospital'' fame, who he met while making ''Series/NorthAndSouthUS'') have been married since 1988.

* ''Series/{{Castle}}''

He also had a brief stint as a feature film director, making films that ran the gamut in terms of quality and acclaim. His films include ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'' (widely considered one of the finest ''Franchise/StarTrek'' movies ever) and ''Film/StarTrekInsurrection'' (widely considered one of the worst), as well as ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', ''Film/{{Clockstoppers}}'', and two ''Film/TheLibrarian'' movies. [[ShoutOut All of which have Star Trek references in them at his insistence.]] However, [[CreatorKiller his theatrical directing career was brought to a screeching halt]] with the notorious flop that was ''Film/{{Thunderbirds}}'' (he even called himself the "[[TakeThatMe alleged director]]" on the DVD commentary), although it was more Creator/{{Universal}}'s fault as well as the lengthy DevelopmentHell the film went through than anything he did as a director.

* ''Series/StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds: One episode (as of Season Two).

* ''Series/StarTrekDiscovery'': Two+ episodes

Jonathan Scott Frakes (born August 19, 1952 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania) is best known for two things: the voice of Xanatos ([[InkSuitActor whose design was based on him]]) in the animated series ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' and the role of Commander William Riker, aka NumberOne, in the critically acclaimed ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. Both of which were excellent showcases for his beard and BaritoneOfStrength voice. He is also one of the few actors to have appeared in all five TNG-era ''Trek'' series (TNG, [=DS9=], Voyager, Picard and Enterprise)

* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Two episodes and two guest appearances

Jonathan Scott Frakes (born August 19, 1952 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania) is best known for two things: the voice of Xanatos ([[InkSuitActor whose design was based on him]]) in the animated series ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' and the role of Commander William Riker, aka NumberOne, in the critically acclaimed ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. Both of which were excellent showcases for his beard and BadassBaritone voice. He is also one of the few actors to have appeared in all five TNG-era ''Trek'' series (TNG, [=DS9=], Voyager, Picard and Enterprise)

He is quite tall, standing at six-feet-three-inches in height, and towers over most of his ''TNG'' castmates. Because of this and a lingering back injury[[note]]that makes some movements and staying still for extended periods painful[[/note]], he popularized the "Riker Maneuver"[[note]]chairs on the ''Enterprise'' set were low to the floor, so he'd mount them by swinging a leg over the back instead of stepping around to the front[[/note]] and the CaptainMorganPose[[note]]to make himself shorter so he could fit into frame with others[[/note]] within the ''Trek'' fandom.