Beloved ‘Star Trek’ Actor, 76, Is Virtually Unrecognizable in Recent Video originally appeared on Parade.
As the android Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation (and other installments of the mega-popular sci-fi franchise), Brent Spiner possessed a super intellect to that of most humans. But in a recent video involving the actor and an uncooperative machine, Spiner showed he’s really just like everybody else.
In a clip shared to TikTok this week, Spiner, 76, attempted to purchase a beverage from a Starbucks vending machine at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, where he made an appearance at GalaxyCon Raleigh. Wearing a black jacket with blue jeans and black sneakers, the actor — who looks very different without his trademark Data makeup, of course — seemed confused as he tried to figure out how to make the vending machine work, finally walking away without buying a coffee.
Commenters couldn’t get over the hilarity of the situation.
“Data looking perplexed by a vending machine,” one person wrote, with a second joking, “Data can’t figure it out…what hope do we have?”
“Brent over there being peak old man talking to himself trying to figure out the Starbucks vending machine has me deceased,” someone else quipped, as another fan noted, “Replicators are much easier to operate.”
While Spiner will always have to deal with being in the public eye after playing such a popular character (as this video proves), in a 2021 interview with Daily Star Trek News, he expressed his appreciation for the extremely enthusiastic Star Trek fanbase.
“In general, the fans have been really sweet, and I have no complaints about Star Trek fans,” he said. “They’re the most devoted [fans]. It’s enviable to have fans like that. I haven’t had many negative experiences with the fans.”
“I’m a fan, too,” the actor added. “I really do think fandom is something we all participate in. I mean, everybody, every actor I know, every person I know, there’s somebody they admire, and they are enchanted by and overwhelmed by being in their company.”
Related: Rarely-Seen ’80s Actress, 62, Is Nearly Unrecognizable While Meeting ’90s Music Legend
Beloved ‘Star Trek’ Actor, 76, Is Virtually Unrecognizable in Recent Video first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
