The Sci-Fi/Fantasy Life and Career of Actor Roy Thinnes ('The Invaders,' 'Dark Shadows,' 'X-Files')

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He's charismatic, talented, and an actor best known for some of the most popular classic TV sci-fi/fantasy shows in history including The Invaders. His name is Roy Thinnes, and he recently turned 86 years old.

A Closer Look

Roy Thinnes was born on April 6, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. Before acting, he had early aspirations to have a career in the medical field and sports.

Thinnes's adventure in entertainment began in the radio field as an engineer, Disc Jockey, and dramatic voice actor.

Following a stint in the arm, Thinnes moved to New York and then on to California, where he found work in TV shows the daytime serial, General Hospital.

In 1965, he was cast as Ben Quick in the TV adaptation of The Long, Hot Summer, which failed to win viewers.

Two years later, however, Thinnes found fame with his portrayal of David Vincent on TV's now-legendary sci-fi cult favorite, The Invaders (ABC, 1967-1968).

Around this time, Thinnes married actress and future entertainment executive Lynn Loring, who performed with him in The Invaders, as well as the 1969 feature film, Journey to the Far Side of the Sun. In 1984, he and Loring (who recently passed away, divorced.

Thinnes' other big-screen movies include Airport 1975, released in 1974, and Blue Bayou, released in 1990.

Into the New Dark

In 1991, Roy Thinnes was cast into a new sci-fi/fantasy franchise. Namely, he was hired to play the new Roger Collins and Reverand Trask in the NBC TV prime-time reboot of the ABC 1966-1971 daytime gothic soap, Dark Shadows.

Two years after that, Roy was cast as Jeremiah Smith in the first of several appearances in The X-Files franchise.

Conclusion

Now an icon in the world of science fiction/fantasy television, Roy Thinnes, who has made countless other TV and film appearances, has gained legions of fans from around the world.