Roy Thinnes
Roy Thinnes
The Invaders, X-Files
Roy Thinnes is the star of the groundbreaking science fiction TV series, The Invaders (1967), which inspired many other TV programs and science fiction films.
Roy started in show business at a radio station, where he did everything: engineering, DJ shows, news and dramatizations. His first regular TV work was as Phil Brewer on the daytime soap opera General Hospital (1963); during this period, the young actor became the television equivalent of a matinée idol, sparking a barrage of protest mail when he briefly left GH in pursuit of other acting jobs.
Aggressively campaigning for the starring role of Ben Quick on the 1965 weekly TV version of the 1958 film The Long, Hot Summer (1965), he won the part, as well as a whole new crop of adoring female fans.
Roy enjoyed a longer run as David Vincent on the Fugitive-like sci-fi series The Invaders (1967). This show spawned a comic book series in 1967, which ran for 1 year (4 issues) and is a hot collectible, often going for up to a hundred dollars each on the auction circuit. The Invaders ran from Jan. 10, 1967 to March 26, 1968 on ABC-TV.
In 1969, he starred in the movie Doppelgänger (aka Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun).
Though he'd occasionally show up in such theatrical features as The Hindenburg (1975), Airport (1974) and Blue Bayou (1990) (TV), Roy has remained essentially a TV star. Among his post-Invaders TV-series roles was Dr. James Whitman on The Psychiatrist (1971), Capt (and later Major) Holms on From Here to Eternity (1980), Nick Hogan on Falcon Crest (1981), and the dual role of Roger Collins and Reverend Trask in the 1991 prime-time revival of Dark Shadows (1991).
Roy's appearances on the The X Files (1993) put him back in the forefront. He appeared in two episodes in the 1990s. He revived his role as the enigmatic alien Jeremiah Smith, a turnabout role Chris Carter renewed for Roy in the February 25, 2001 episode (#8.14) of The X-Files, called This Can't Be Happening.
Roy continues to appear in television and theatrical films such as Undone, Spectropia and Leadcatcher, as well as a guest starring role in Conviction (2006). He has been a frequent guest star on the various incarnations of Law & Order. He has a background in stage as well, appearing in many plays, both as an actor and director. He is also known as an avid graphic artist, with gallery showings in Texas, California, and other areas over the past few years.
He occasionally appears at science fiction conventions to talk about his favorite TV role, as star of The Invaders, which remains a cult classic having celebrated it's 40th anniversary in 2007.
Roy Thinnes Official Website