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| '''Roy Thinnes''' (born April 6, 1938) is an American television and film actor who portrayed [[Croft]] in the [[Original Series]]' "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]" and "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]." | | '''Roy Thinnes''' (born April 6, 1938) is an American television and film actor best known for his portrayal of lonely hero David Vincent in the ABC 1967–68 television series [[w:The Invaders|The Invaders]]. He also starred in the 1969 British science fiction film [[w:Journey to the Far Side of the Sun|Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun]]. He played the District Attorney in the original pilot episode of [[w:Law & Order|Law & Order]] but did not appear in the series when it sold due to a contractual commitment to the short-lived 1991 NBC remake of the vampire soap opera [[w:Dark Shadows (1991 TV Series)|Dark Shadows]]. |
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| Thinnes is best known for his portrayal of lonely hero David Vincent in the [[w:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] 1967–68 television series ''[[w:The Invaders|The Invaders]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_biography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=Roy%20was%20born%20on%20April%206%2C%201938%2C%201938%2C%20in%20Chicago%2C%20Illinois|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> He also starred in the 1969 British science fiction film ''[[w:Journey to the Far Side of the Sun|Journey to the Far Side of the Sun]]'' (also known as ''Doppelgänger'').<ref group="external" name="imdb_journey_thinnes">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064519/#:~:text=Roy%20Thinnes|title=Journey to the Far Side of the Sun|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | On {{TOS|Battlestar Galactica|Battlestar Galactica}}, Thinnes played [[Croft]] in [[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]] and [[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]. |
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| == Career ==
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| Thinnes was born in [[w:Chicago|Chicago]], [[w:Illinois|Illinois]], of German descent.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_chicago_birth">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=Roy%20was%20born%20on%20April%206%2C%201938%2C%20in%20Chicago%2C%20Illinois|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> During his formative years, he wanted to become either a doctor or a football player.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_early_aspirations">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=During%20his%20formative%20years%2C%20he%20had%20wanted%20to%20become%20a%20doctor%20or%20football%20player|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> He started in show business at a radio station, where he performed various duties including engineering, DJ shows, news broadcasts, and dramatizations, which sparked his interest in acting.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_radio_career">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=He%20started%20in%20show%20business%20at%20a%20radio%20station%2C%20where%20he%20did%20everything%3A%20engineering%2C%20DJ%20shows%2C%20news%20and%20dramatizations|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> After serving in the [[w:United States Army|United States Army]] as a [[w:Military police|military policeman]], he relocated to [[w:California|California]] and attended [[w:Los Angeles City College|Los Angeles City College]].<ref group="external" name="famouspeople_thinnes_army_education">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/roy-thinnes-46745.php#:~:text=He%20served%20a%20hitch%20in%20the%20US%20Army%20as%20a%20Military%20Policeman|title=Roy Thinnes Biography|publisher=The Famous People|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Thinnes made his professional acting debut in 1957 as a teenage firebug in an unsold pilot for the television series "Chicago 2-1-2", which was later included in the anthology series ''[[w:Cavalcade of America|Cavalcade of America]]''.<ref group="external" name="famouspeople_thinnes_debut">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/roy-thinnes-46745.php#:~:text=In%201957%2C%20Roy%20Thinnes%20made%20his%20professional%20acting%20debut%20as%20a%20teen-aged%20firebug|title=Roy Thinnes Biography|publisher=The Famous People|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Over the next several years, he worked various odd jobs between acting engagements, including positions as a hotel clerk, vitamin salesman, and copy boy for Chicago columnist [[w:Irv Kupcinet|Irv Kupcinet]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_survival_jobs">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=spent%20several%20lean%20years%20%22between%20engagements%22%2C%20working%20as%20a%20hotel%20clerk%2C%20vitamin%20salesman%20and%20copy%20boy|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| His first primetime role came in 1962 with "A Fist of Five", an episode of [[w:Quinn Martin|Quinn Martin]]'s ''[[w:The Untouchables (1959 TV series)|The Untouchables]]'', in which he portrayed a brother of an ex-policeman played by [[w:Lee Marvin|Lee Marvin]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_untouchables">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=His%20first%20primetime%20role%20was%20as%20a%20brother%20of%20ex-cop%20Lee%20Marvin%20in%20a%201962%20episode%20of%20The%20Untouchables|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Thinnes gained his first major break appearing on the daytime soap opera ''[[w:General Hospital|General Hospital]]'' as the philandering Dr. Phil Brewer from 1963 to 1965, becoming a television equivalent of a matinee idol and sparking protest mail from fans when he briefly left the show.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_general_hospital">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=His%20first%20regular%20TV%20work%20was%20as%20%22Phil%20Brewer%22%20on%20the%20daytime%20soap%20opera%2C%20General%20Hospital|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 1965-66, Thinnes starred as Ben Quick in the ABC television series ''[[w:The Long, Hot Summer (TV series)|The Long, Hot Summer]]'', a short-lived series produced by [[w:20th Century Fox Television|20th Century Fox Television]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_long_hot_summer">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=he%20appeared%20as%20Ben%20Quick%20in%20the%20short-lived%201965-66%20television%20series%20The%20Long%20Hot%20Summer|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> During its run, he received approximately 1,500 fan letters per week and appeared on the cover of ''TV Guide''.<ref group="external" name="alchetron_thinnes_tv_guide">{{cite web|url=https://alchetron.com/Roy-Thinnes#:~:text=During%20its%20run%20he%20received%20around%201%2C500%20letters%20a%20week%20from%20women%20and%20appeared%20on%20the%20cover%20of%20TV%20Guide|title=Roy Thinnes|publisher=Alchetron|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| During 1967 and 1968, Thinnes achieved his greatest fame starring in ''The Invaders'', portraying architect David Vincent who accidentally witnessed the arrival of aliens from another planet and waged a seemingly hopeless one-man campaign against them.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_invaders_role">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=During%201967%20and%201968%2C%20Thinnes%20starred%20in%20The%20Invaders%2C%20a%20TV%20series%20in%20which%20he%20portrayed%20an%20architect%20named%20David%20Vincent|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The series became a cult classic and led to other "aliens vs earthlings" films and television shows.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_invaders_legacy">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=The%20series%20became%20a%20cult%20classic%2C%20leading%20to%20other%20%27aliens%20vs%20earthlings%27%20films%20and%20TV%20shows|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In a 2008 interview, Thinnes noted that while ''The Invaders'' had not achieved cult status in the United States, it maintained such status in France, where audiences knew the dialogue and the series was shown on cinema screens.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_invaders_france">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=it%20was%20cult%20in%20France%3B%20it%20still%20is.%20In%20fact%2C%20they%20even%20show%20it%20on%20the%20big%20screen%20in%20the%20movie%20theaters|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 1969, Thinnes starred as Colonel Glenn Ross in the British science fiction film ''Journey to the Far Side of the Sun'' (known as ''Doppelgänger'' in the UK), directed by [[w:Robert Parrish|Robert Parrish]] and produced by [[w:Gerry Anderson|Gerry]] and [[w:Sylvia Anderson|Sylvia Anderson]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_journey_film">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064519/|title=Journey to the Far Side of the Sun|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> His then-wife [[w:Lynn Loring|Lynn Loring]] also appeared in the film as his character's wife Sharon Ross, having been cast as a last-minute replacement when the original actress became ill.<ref group="external" name="fanderson_journey_loring_replacement">{{cite web|url=https://fanderson.org.uk/productions/doppelganger-journey-to-the-far-side-of-the-sun/#:~:text=She%20was%20replaced%20at%20the%20eleventh%20hour%20by%20Lynn%20Loring%2C%20real%20life%20wife%20of%20Roy%20Thinnes|title=Doppelgänger (aka Journey to the Far Side of the Sun)|publisher=Fanderson|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In a 2008 interview, Thinnes reflected on the film's premise, noting that while space exploration has since proven there is no planet on the opposite side of the Sun, at the time the concept was both conceivable and potentially frightening.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_journey_premise">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=I%20thought%20%5Bit%5D%20was%20an%20interesting%20premise%2C%20although%20now%20we%20know%20that%20there%20isn%27t%20another%20planet%20on%20the%20other%20side%20of%20the%20Sun|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The production presented unique challenges, as Thinnes and co-star [[w:Ian Hendry|Ian Hendry]] had to match movements previously filmed with puppets, including weightless sequences where they were suspended by wires.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_journey_puppets">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=Ian%20Hendry%20and%20I%2C%20being%20astronauts%20in%20a%20weightless%20condition%2C%20we%20were%20actually%20suspended%20by%20wires|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The filmmakers occasionally chose to reshoot principal photography rather than alter the special effects created with puppets, an expensive decision that amused other directors working at [[w:Pinewood Studios|Pinewood Studios]].<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_journey_reshoots">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=we%20would%20reshoot%20principal%20photography%2C%20which%20is%20massively%20expensive%2C%20rather%20than%20change%20the%20special%20effects%20that%20were%20done%20with%20the%20puppets|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Thinnes continued working steadily in television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He starred as Dr. James Whitman in the short-lived 1970-71 series ''[[w:The Psychiatrist (TV series)|The Psychiatrist]]''<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_psychiatrist">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=%22Dr.%20James%20Whitman%22%20on%20The%20Psychiatrist|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> and portrayed David Norliss in the 1973 television film ''[[w:The Norliss Tapes|The Norliss Tapes]]'', a pilot for an unproduced series about a writer investigating the supernatural.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_norliss">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=intrepid%20writer%20and%20investigator%20of%20the%20supernatural%20David%20Norliss%20in%201973%27s%20The%20Norliss%20Tapes|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> He also appeared in the 1973 western ''[[w:Charley One-Eye|Charley One-Eye]]'', portraying a white deserter who encounters an African-American Union soldier and a half-breed Native American in the desert.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_charley_one_eye">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=It%20was%20very%20well%20written.%20Keith%20Leonard%2C%20yes.%20I%20thought%20he%20had%20a%20wonderful%20idea%20and%20it%2C%20too%2C%20was%20mainly%20a%20two-character%20film|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> He appeared in the disaster films ''[[w:Airport 1975|Airport 1975]]'' (1974) as the co-pilot and ''[[w:The Hindenburg (film)|The Hindenburg]]'' (1975) as a sadistic SS captain.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_disaster_films">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=Though%20he%27d%20occasionally%20show%20up%20in%20such%20features%20as%20The%20Hindenburg%20(1975)%2C%20Airport%201975%20(1974)|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Thinnes later described working on ''The Hindenburg'' as participating in a masterpiece, praising director [[w:Robert Wise|Robert Wise]]'s meticulous approach to filmmaking.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_hindenburg_masterpiece">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=%22The%20Hindenburg%2C%22%20that%20was%20working%20on%20a%20masterpiece|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Wise, who had worked as a film editor for [[w:Alfred Hitchcock|Alfred Hitchcock]], treated cinema as an art form and prepared everything through artist renderings before filming began, ensuring that only necessary shots were filmed.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_hindenburg_wise_approach">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=Robert%20Wise%20was%20originally%20a%20film%20editor.%20In%20fact%2C%20he%20edited%20films%20for%20Hitchcock.%20He%2C%20like%20Hitchcock%2C%20thought%20and%20prepared%20a%20film%20like%20%E2%80%93%20he%20treated%20cinema%20like%20an%20art|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The production utilized authentic details, including original dinnerware designed for the ''Hindenburg'' with manufacturer signatures and an aluminum piano, as everything aboard the airship was designed to be lightweight.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_hindenburg_authentic_details">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=The%20prop%20masters%20had%20located%20dinnerware%20that%20had%20been%20designed%20for%20the%20Hindenburg%2C%20so%20it%20had%20signatures%20underneath%20from%20the%20manufacturers.%20They%20were%20original.%20They%20had%20an%20aluminum%20piano|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Filming took place at [[w:Marine Corps Air Station El Toro|El Toro Marine Base]], which had hangars large enough to accommodate dirigibles, creating an immersive atmosphere with Nazi-era set dressing that Thinnes described as stepping into a time warp.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_hindenburg_el_toro">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=They%20had%20a%20couple%20of%20hangers%20there%20that%20were%20large%20enough%20for%20dirigibles|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Thinnes was cast in Alfred Hitchcock's 1976 film ''[[w:Family Plot|Family Plot]]'' as nefarious jeweler Arthur Adamson when Hitchcock's first choice, [[w:William Devane|William Devane]], was initially unavailable.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_family_plot_casting">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=Thinnes%20was%20cast%20in%20Alfred%20Hitchcock%27s%201976%20film%20Family%20Plot%20in%20the%20role%20of%20nefarious%20jeweler%20Arthur%20Adamson|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> However, after Thinnes had already shot several scenes, Devane suddenly became available and Hitchcock fired Thinnes without explanation, reshooting all of his scenes.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_family_plot_firing">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=Thinnes%20had%20already%20shot%20several%20scenes%20for%20the%20film%20when%20Devane%20suddenly%20became%20available.%20Hitchcock%20fired%20Thinnes%20and%20re-shot%20all%20of%20his%20scenes|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The unceremonious dismissal led to a famously public confrontation between Thinnes and Hitchcock at a crowded [[w:Chasen's|Chasen's Restaurant]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_hitchcock_confrontation">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=The%20way%20Hitchcock%20handled%20the%20firing%20led%20to%20a%20famously%20public%20confrontation%20between%20the%20two%20men%20in%20a%20crowded%20Chasen%27s%20Restaurant|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 1979, Thinnes appeared in the miniseries ''[[w:From Here to Eternity (miniseries)|From Here to Eternity]]'' as Captain Dana Holmes.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_from_here_eternity">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=%22Capt.%20(and%20later%20Maj.)%20Holms%22%20on%20From%20Here%20to%20Eternity|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> During the 1982-1983 season, he appeared as Nick Hogan in 35 episodes of the nighttime soap opera ''[[w:Falcon Crest|Falcon Crest]]'', with his character's 1983 on-air marriage to Victoria Gioberti (played by [[w:Jamie Rose|Jamie Rose]]) becoming a major ratings event.<ref group="external" name="rottentomatoes_thinnes_falcon_crest">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/roy_thinnes#:~:text=beginning%20in%201982%20the%20nighttime%20soap%20opera%20%22Falcon%20Crest%22%20as%20character%20Nick%20Hogan%2C%20whose%201983%20on-air%20marriage%20to%20Vickie%20Gioberti%20(Jamie%20Rose)%20was%20a%20major%20ratings%20event|title=Roy Thinnes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 1988, Thinnes appeared in the original pilot episode of ''[[w:Law & Order|Law & Order]]'', "Everybody's Favorite Bagman", as District Attorney Alfred Wentworth.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_law_order_pilot">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=He%20appeared%20in%20the%201988%20pilot%20episode%20of%20Law%20%26%20Order|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> When the show was picked up in 1990, Thinnes was contractually obligated to another television series - [[w:NBC|NBC]]'s 1991 remake of ''[[w:Dark Shadows (1991 TV series)|Dark Shadows]]'' - and his character was replaced by District Attorney Adam Schiff, played by [[w:Steven Hill|Steven Hill]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_law_order_dark_shadows">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=By%20the%20time%20the%20show%20was%20picked%20up%20in%201990%2C%20however%2C%20Thinnes%20was%20contractually%20obligated%20to%20another%20TV%20series%20(NBC%27s%20remake%20of%20Dark%20Shadows)|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In the 1991 ''Dark Shadows'' revival, Thinnes played the dual role of Roger Collins and Reverend Trask.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_dark_shadows">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=the%20dual%20role%20of%20%22Roger%20Collins%22%20and%20%22Rev.%20Trask%22%20in%20the%201991%20prime-time%20revival%2C%20Dark%20Shadows|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Thinnes appeared twice on the ABC soap opera ''[[w:One Life to Live|One Life to Live]]'', playing two different characters: Alex Crown from 1984 to 1985, and General Sloan Carpenter from 1992 to 1995.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_one_life">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=He%20appeared%20on%20One%20Life%20to%20Live%20as%20Alex%20Crown%20from%201984%20to%201985%2C%20and%20as%20Sloan%20Carpenter%20from%201992%20to%201995|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In the 1990s, Thinnes made two memorable appearances on ''[[w:The X-Files|The X-Files]]'' as Jeremiah Smith, an alien rebel with healing and shape-shifting abilities.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_x_files">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=Roy%27s%20more%20recent%20appearances%20on%20the%20The%20X-Files%20(1993)%20put%20him%20back%20in%20the%20forefront|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The casting came about when a friend sent Thinnes an interview with series creator [[w:Chris Carter (screenwriter)|Chris Carter]], in which Carter was asked if he had been influenced by ''The Invaders''.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_x_files_carter_interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=A%20friend%20had%20sent%20an%20article%20that%20Chris%20Carter%20had%20done%2C%20an%20interview%20from%20a%20magazine|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> While Carter did not directly answer the question about influence, he stated that he would love to have Thinnes on the show.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_x_files_carter_statement">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=he%20didn%27t%20answer%20that%20question%20directly%20but%20he%20said%2C%20%22Well%2C%20I%20sure%20would%20like%20to%20have%20Roy%20Thinnes%20on%20the%20show.%22|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Thinnes obtained Carter's office number and called him directly, catching the writer in the middle of a writing session.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_x_files_phone_call">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=So%20I%20called%20his%20number%20and%20caught%20him%20in%20the%20middle%20of%20a%20writing%20session|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> When Carter asked what kind of role he would like to play, Thinnes responded that Carter was a great writer and he would do whatever Carter thought best.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_x_files_role_discussion">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=And%20I%20said%2C%20%22You%27re%20a%20great%20writer%2C%20and%20I%27ll%20do%20whatever%20you%20think%20should%20be%20done.%22|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Carter created an alien character that appeared in two episodes, though the role did not continue as originally envisioned.<ref group="commentary" name="harris_premiumhollywood_x_files_two_episodes">{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumhollywood.com/2008/05/24/a-chat-with-roy-thinnes-the-invaders/#:~:text=Lo%20and%20behold%2C%20he%20wrote%20an%20alien%20character.%20It%20had%20an%20interesting%20possibility%20for%20the%20future%2C%20but%20the%20story%20didn%27t%20go%20that%20way.%20It%20lasted%20for%20two%20episodes|title=A Chat with Roy Thinnes ("The Invaders")|author=Will Harris|publisher=Premium Hollywood|date=May 24, 2008|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Series creator Chris Carter renewed the role for Thinnes in the February 25, 2001 episode "This Is Not Happening."<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_x_files_return">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=He%20revived%20his%20role%20as%20the%20enigmatic%20alien%2C%20%22Jeremiah%20Smith%22%2C%20a%20turnabout%20role%20series%20creator%20Chris%20Carter%20renewed%20for%20Roy%20in%20the%20February%2025%2C%202001%20episode|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Decades after portraying a man trying to convince others of an alien invasion in ''The Invaders'', Thinnes found himself cast as an extraterrestrial character, providing an ironic full-circle moment in his career.<ref group="external" name="rottentomatoes_thinnes_x_files_irony">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/roy_thinnes#:~:text=Ironically%2C%20many%20decades%20after%20playing%20on%20the%20latter%20show%20as%20a%20man%20trying%20to%20convince%20fellow%20townsfolk%20of%20the%20impending%20arrival%20of%20space%20aliens%2C%20Thinnes%20was%20cast%20as%20extra-terrestrial%20Jeremiah%20Smith|title=Roy Thinnes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 2001, Thinnes appeared in a small role as the Governor in [[w:Ron Howard|Ron Howard]]'s Academy Award-winning biographical film ''[[w:A Beautiful Mind (film)|A Beautiful Mind]]'', starring [[w:Russell Crowe|Russell Crowe]] as mathematician [[w:John Forbes Nash Jr.|John Nash]].<ref group="external" name="apple_tv_thinnes_beautiful_mind">{{cite web|url=https://tv.apple.com/us/person/roy-thinnes/umc.cpc.26cmyp6ponqaep3xof518wl3v#:~:text=His%20highest-profile%2C%20though%20fleeting%2C%20contemporary%20appearance%20in%20the%20movies%20was%20as%20the%20governor%20in%20Ron%20Howard%27s%20Oscar-winning%202001%20biopic%20%22A%20Beautiful%20Mind.%22|title=Roy Thinnes|publisher=Apple TV|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In 2005, he co-starred as Dr. Theophile Peyron in ''[[w:The Eyes of Van Gogh|The Eyes of Van Gogh]]'', a film about [[w:Vincent van Gogh|Vincent van Gogh]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_van_gogh">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=The%20Eyes%20of%20Van%20Gogh|title=Roy Thinnes|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| At one point, Thinnes was considered by [[w:Paramount Pictures|Paramount Pictures]] for the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in ''[[w:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', though [[w:Patrick Stewart|Patrick Stewart]] ultimately secured the part.<ref group="external" name="screenrant_star_trek_thinnes">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-trek-tng-picard-actors-patrick-stewart-rejected/#:~:text=Others%20considered%20to%20play%20Captain%20Picard%20were%20Mitch%20Ryan%2C%20Roy%20Thinnes%2C%20and%20Yapphet%20Kotto|title=Patrick Stewart Wasn't The First Choice for Captain Picard Star Trek: TNG|publisher=Screen Rant|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| == Personal Life ==
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| Thinnes was first married to Barbara Edna Ainslee from 1962 to 1967, with whom he had one child.<ref group="external" name="famouspeople_thinnes_first_marriage">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/roy-thinnes-46745.php#:~:text=Roy%20Thinnes%20was%20married%20to%20Barbara%20Edna%20Ainslee%20from%201962%20to%201967%2C%20and%20they%20had%20one%20child%20together|title=Roy Thinnes Biography|publisher=The Famous People|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> He married actress Lynn Loring on May 28, 1967, after she appeared with him in an episode of ''The Invaders'' titled "The Panic."<ref group="external" name="imdb_lynn_loring_invaders">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0521011/#:~:text=In%201967%2C%20Loring%20appeared%20with%20Thinnes%20in%20the%20episode%20%22Panic%22%20of%20The%20Invaders|title=Lynn Loring|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Loring gave birth to their son Christopher Dylan Thinnes on February 12, 1969, and their daughter Casey Thinnes in 1974.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_children_lynn">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=In%201969%2C%20Loring%20gave%20birth%20to%20their%20son%20Christopher%20Dylan%20Thinnes|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The marriage ended in divorce in 1984.<ref group="external" name="imdb_lynn_loring_thinnes_divorce">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0521011/#:~:text=Loring%20was%20married%20to%20actor%20Roy%20Thinnes%20from%201967%20to%201984|title=Lynn Loring|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Following their divorce, Loring went on to become president of [[w:MGM Television|MGM/UA Television Productions]], one of the highest-ranking female executives in Hollywood at the time.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_loring_executive">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lynn-loring-dead-search-for-tomorrow-tv-executive-1235864577/#:~:text=Loring%20was%20named%20president%20of%20the%20division%20%E2%80%94%20second%20in%20command%20to%20MGM%2FUA%20Television%20Productions%20chairman%20and%20CEO%20David%20Gerber%20%E2%80%94%20in%201989%2C%20becoming%20one%20of%20the%20highest-ranking%20female%20execs%20in%20Hollywood%20at%20the%20time|title=Lynn Loring, 'Search for Tomorrow' Actress Turned Producer and Top Television Executive, Dies at 80|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 2, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Loring died on December 23, 2023, at the age of 80 after a series of chronic illnesses, as confirmed by their son Chris Thinnes.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_loring_death">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lynn-loring-dead-search-for-tomorrow-tv-executive-1235864577/#:~:text=Loring%20died%20Dec.%2023%20at%20Providence%20Cedars-Sinai%20Tarzana%20Medical%20Center%20after%20a%20series%20of%20chronic%20illnesses%2C%20her%20son%2C%20Chris%20Thinnes%2C%20told%20The%20Hollywood%20Reporter|title=Lynn Loring, 'Search for Tomorrow' Actress Turned Producer and Top Television Executive, Dies at 80|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 2, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Thinnes subsequently married actress Catherine Smythe in 1987, with whom he had two more children.<ref group="external" name="famouspeople_thinnes_third_marriage">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/roy-thinnes-46745.php#:~:text=In%201985%2C%20he%20married%20a%20woman%20named%20Katherine%20Smythe%2C%20with%20whom%20he%20had%20two%20more%20children|title=Roy Thinnes Biography|publisher=The Famous People|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> This marriage also ended in divorce in 2001.<ref group="external" name="famouspeople_thinnes_third_divorce">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/roy-thinnes-46745.php#:~:text=However%2C%20his%20third%20marriage%20also%20ended%20in%20divorce%20in%202001|title=Roy Thinnes Biography|publisher=The Famous People|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In 2005, Thinnes married film editor Stephanie Batailler, to whom he remains married.<ref group="external" name="imdb_thinnes_fourth_marriage">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0858186/#:~:text=In%202005%20Thinnes%20married%20film%20editor%20Stephanie%20Batailler|title=Roy Thinnes - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| == References ==
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| === Commentary and Interviews ===
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| {{reflist|group=commentary}}
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| === External Sources ===
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| {{reflist|group=external}}
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| [[de:Roy Thinnes]] | | [[de:Roy Thinnes]] |
