JONATHAN FRAKES' Shocking Discovery About WIL WHEATON Life Outside of STAR TREK 

They should just give Frakes the keys to the Star Trek franchise. The guy gets it. When you see an episode that he directs, you know it will be great.

A friend of mine met Frakes at a convention. He said that he didn't talk down to him like "one of the fans" but instead treated him like an uncle treats a favorite nephew. He became an instant superfan that day and considers Frakes to be his favorite actor of all time

The friendship of the Next Generation cast is one of the most endearing friendships I've seen. I don't know many other shows where all the main cast members are still friends decades later. And Frakes just oozes charisma

I met Will Wheaton in a comic shop some years ago, and the dude stayed until every single one of us got to say hi, take a selfie with him, and he signed everything. I never cared for his character on ST, but as a human, Wheaton is A+ in my book.

I love how Frakes doesn't dwell on the tragedy, and builds up Wheaton's good points rather than letting him even tangentially be defined by what his parents did to him.

My wife got me a cameo from Jonathan Frakes because I absolutely love star trek and he's one of my favorite actors and directors on the show. It seemed so genuine and he included some life advice because my wife told him what I wanted to do career wise and it felt so genuine and so human. Just such an unbelievable actor and human being.

An absolutely true story: Wil Wheaton heard about a friend of mine's struggle, and he was about to lose his house. My friend established a GoFundMe, Wil posted it to his fans, and my friend had enough money to save his home with enough for him to do some crucial repairs. Wil is one of the greatest humans ever.

Johnathan Frakes - One of the few "real" people out there. The mutual respect he shares for Wil Wheaton and other cast members is really refreshing. Thanks for sharing.

What comes across in this is just how protective Frakes, and the rest of the crew, are to Wil. It's obviously a really strong bond that they all have, and I envy that hugely.

Ive met Frakes and several other actors and bands through my job and visiting cons. He's one of the rare ones that even if it's just 30 seconds in a line of hundreds makes you feel as if there's nothing else in the world he'd rather be doing than spending those 30 seconds with you

Oh man, Frakes is a fuckin' GEM. I had the honor and pleasure of working with him for a couple of years when he was directing The Librarians. He made EVERY set fun, he made EVERY person comfortable and he made EVERYONE feel important. The very first one-on-one meeting I had with him (I was doing storyboard art at the time) I walked into his office TERRIFIED -- I didn't want him to know what a huge Trek fan I was. He gestured for me to sit on the little couch that was across from his desk. I did, then he came over and sat by me. He was huge. I was sweating profusely and scared out of my mind. He let loose one of those gigantic smiles of his and we just shot the shit for a good 10 minutes before we even started talking about the show. By the time we did, I felt like I had known him for years and that we were long-lost buddies. That feeling never went away and he never did anything but earn my respect and admiration from that day forward. I know they say "Never meet your heroes, because they'll always disappoint you" but that adage does not apply to Frakes. You think Riker is a cool guy and a great leader? That he has a great sense of humor and a will of steel? That ain't NOTHIN' compared to reality. The real Jonathan Frakes makes Will Riker look like a plebian dick.

The STNG cast has to be one of the best ever. The amount of charisma, talent and love these people have is not seen much now days. I wish we could get stuck in a time loop with them so it never ends.

The more I learn about the Next Generation cast the more impressed I am about how much they liked each other.

How rare is it when you have a series on TV that you still love to watch, and then years later you find out that the people who were playing those characters are just as nice and genuine and warm as you wanted them to be deep inside? When I did public appearances as an air personality, that is exactly what I tried to bring to my fan experience when they would meet me at a show or a place where I was doing an MC gig. I saw other people in the industry who didn’t give a rat’s behind about the folks who made it possible for them to have a nice lifestyle. And yes….. I am old enough to have talked with Gene Roddenberry, and I’m also old enough to remember when Frakes’ wife Genie was everybody’s heartthrob in the “Luke and Laura” years.

Many child prodigies have tortured, sometimes narcissistic, parents, taking credit for their children's performance, and then, in private, destroying said child for perceived slights. Wil is not alone, and he has my deepest empathy.

They had no idea, but stepped up and gave him a family anyways. It's not just that they did the right thing when nobody was looking, they did the right thing when they didn't even know it was needed. That sort of love and support is their default setting.

Frakes seems like such a down-to-earth, genuine human being.

Jonathan Frakes was more of a big brother to Wil than his own brother, Gates McFadden was a real mother to Wil than his own, and Sir Patrick Stewart was more of a father to Wil watching TNG as a kid growing up, I'm almost 43 now. My heart got heavy just listening to Wil talk about how his parents treated Wil. His TNG family will always be his true family. We all love you Wil Wheaton!

Kudos to Frakes and the entire casts of TNG for unknowingly giving this young man the support, understanding, confidence, sense of self worth and love that he wasn't receiving at home. I feel bad for his sister. But it just proves that sometimes being "family" doesn't mean you have to have "blood ties". And seeing Frakes smile is one of my favorite things in the series. He gives a sense of warmth, serenity and everything will be okay. He is a great actor. Great interview.

I love Jonathan Frakes work on Next Generation. His performance as William Riker is so charismatic and such a great character for any kid growing up.

He did a good job not speaking the full of his mind on Wil's parents. You could tell he was choosing his words carefully.

I've read some of Weaton's work and know that he really admires and respects the people he worked with on Star Trek. It's lovely to hear Frakes reciprocating that.

I worked with Wil briefly a few years ago and he and his wife were some of the loveliest people I have ever met.

Frakes reminds me of that cool uncle who would probably buy you beer, but have a chat with you regarding it before you drank it. Just a good dude whos great with the fans...

Frakes dropping F-bombs is the most natural speech I have ever heard. I always expected it to fall out of Riker's mouth.

I have such fond memories of The Next Generation. If you line up all the good to great episodes of the Next Gen and put them up against the other Trek shows…The Next Generation is the best, without a doubt 👌

I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear Frakes swear so easily and proficiently until today. 🖖

Wil Wheaton is now older than Patrick Stewart when he first started TNG.... he must be a vampire.

It breaks my heart that WW wasn't able to reach out to people that obviously loved him and would of helped him as he struggled with being in a abusive position with his parents. But thats what abuser do, they isolate and shame and gaslight their victims so breaking away is so damn difficult. Glad WW is open about what happened to him and maybe someone hearing that will be able to break that pattern of abuse.

“You used to be cool!” If I was Jonathan, I’d make bumper stickers!

I had heard stories of Wil & Gates calling each other "space mom and space son" for years, and now of course stories of his past come to light & considering Frakes a father figure coming out not that long ago. All that into consideration, watching one of the latest "Ready Room" shows with Wil, Patrick and Gates. Hearing them use their nicknames really put a lot into perspective. Those actors from a TV show that ended nearly 30 years ago have a bond tighter than most real families.

The entire cast of the next generation created such an amazing familial bond to one another and it's that sort of chemistry that the camera captures and makes that series just magical in a way that will never be surmounted

It's weird to have a hectic TV production be a _stabilizing_ influence on one's daily life. Kudos to cast (and the ever-invisible crew).

He’s talking about Wil like a proud dad. ❤

Jonathan Frakes should've pitched Star Trek: TITAN sooner!!!

I'm not surprised the ST cast didn't know about WW's family. Kids living through trauma have a way of locking down their feelings. My closest childhood friend recently opened up to me about horrific stuff that happened in her home. As kids, we were inseparable. I stayed over at her house all the time. Her parents were respected members of the community and were good friends with my parents. None of us had a CLUE.

Odd hearing Frakes swearing like a dirty sailor.

Frakes sounds exactly the same as he did 30 years ago… Fact or Fiction and TNG

I remember Frakes had me rolling at a convention in NYC. He has natural comedic ability and just lights up a room with his personality.

My dad breifly met Jonathan Frakes at a bus stop in NYC once. My dad was pretty starstruck because he was a huge trek fan but Frakes was super chill and friendly towards him

Threw me off when Frakes swore haha. I had read that Weaton had a rough go of it as a kid. It's what made his character in "Stand By You" so authentic. Rosenbaum has such a cool room to have these podcasts.

I've always loved TNG for my own reasons, and loved the cast for who they have shown themselves to be off air....but knowing that despite the script and the dialogue saying "Shut up, Wesley", the cast was willing to say "We love you, Wil" in their own way....just makes me love Mr. Frakes and Sir Patrick and the rest of them all the more. Thank you for the interview, Number One.

To hear the voice of Xanatos cursing is so cool and refreshing!!! Shout out to Jonathan!!

Now Wheaton is triggered by Elmo.

An absolutely wonderful love letter to Will Wheaton whom more than definitely deserves it... He is often heard saying that Star Trek is family... with this interview with Jonathan Frakes certainly proving it.

Jonathan Franks is a good actor and I love how he directed Star Trek first contact

I love the Trek universe to a point. I only really go as far as the original series and the next generation. It is the cast of the next generation that makes me feel great about being a fan. These are good people. No back biting. No petty ego wars.

What did they not know ? Did I miss the plot cause I didn't catch what they didn't know about Wheaton.

"You used to be cool." That's the kind of thing my kids used to say to me, but now they've gotten to ages where THEY'RE the ones who used to be cool.

They can't be talking about the same Will Weaton

I still live in fear of the day Jonathan Frakes appears from around a corner saying "it's not true, none of it, a team of writers made you up and scripted your life into existence".

Saw Johnathan at a convention here in San Diego, and I have to say of all the guests that I have seen at these Star Trek conventions, he by far was the funniest most relaxed presenter I have seen.

The TNG cast were such a family. Love every story they tell.

I never realised how much Frakes carried the TNG show until I saw him in Picard season 3. Now I realise how great he was.

It's so nice to hear people speak well of other people.

I think JF is an amazing director and love seeing Rikker back in Piccard. He got a very unlucky situation with Thunderbirds that no-one could have predicted. It was actually very well directed and a movie my kids loved. The hard-core original series people didn't like any change from origins, and new people thought it would be a startrek first contact with serious themes and more adult nature, but the movie targeted around early teen age whom it fulfilled very well.

Frakes seriously needs to do an Orson Welles biopic or movie about his mid-later years in the industry; Homie looks just like him.

Always liked Wil on Star Trek. Seemed like a nice kid. Always loved his first foray into the Star Trek world where he meets Patrick Stewart's character. He was absolutely overjoyed just being there.

Maybe off topic, but I absolutely loved Johnathan Frakes work on Beyond Belief: Fact Or Fiction. He did an outstanding job! Loved the quips he gave at the end of each story!😂 The set was decorated awesome! I remember watching it back in the 90s with my mom when it first aired on Fox channel 5. So wish they would bring it back in syndication. 😊

I absolutely love that he wasn’t ignored or treated poorly by the cast. That Wil has been able to speak about horrible traumas he’s been through, yet can still look back and say, “that part was good. These people were good people.” Not having at least something positive makes healing so much harder to get through. I was emotionally and physically abused by my father and nobody had any clue whatsoever until I had an emotional meltdown in middle school/jr. high. I mean full on, ambulance hand to come and take me to the mental hospital for nearly three weeks. When I eventually did get back to school pretty much every person, student and teacher, told me they had no idea or they would have helped. And to this day, I actually believe that most of those people were being sincere. I went to a smaller school, graduated with 57 people. I was never popular, but I had two good friends and I would say I got along with everyone else. I knew everyone, worked on projects together, that type of thing. Nobody knew about wha I was going through because I didn’t want anyone to know. And the best way to do that is just blend in, no matter how much you were hurting that day, you put on your happy mask and make it through the day. Being the student that never talks is not blending in. And that’s how you survive. And fortunately, I too can look back and find people and experiences that I can say “these here were good experiences with good people.

We're all products of our childhood. I grew up in an abusive home and often wonder what my life would be if not for that. I do all I can to have empathy for my parents knowing they had many great hardships in their childhood that were over and above mine. My father grew up in mining camps running crews of men by age 13 (this was at the time when canaries were taken down into the mines as a warning of air quality. My grandfather beat my father so badly once when he was seventeen, he almost died). My mother, a poor bohemian farm girl in Nebraska, lived through the dust bowl. She was an emotional child and cried a lot. My grandmother didn't know what to do with her so she would lock her in the cupboard. My grandfather was an alcoholic. My grandmother attempted to hang herself in the pantry in front of my mother and her sisters around the age of 8. My mother recalls incidents of my grandmother chasing my grandfather around the 3 room farm house; built by my grandfather, with a knife. Again, I try to have empathy. Every one of my siblings and I suffer from a form of depression. Will wouldn't be who he is if not for that also, sad as it may be. We can only right the wrong by breaking the chain and being an advocate and support for others.

At approx 1:02 Frakes uses the descriptors, "copacetic" and "hunky-dory." Anyone who has those words/expressions in his diction is jake with me!

I had met Sir Patrick Stewart at comic con in 2019 got his autograph and such. I met Brent Spiner in 2021 promoting his book at the same time I was promoting my book. Both are amazing people. I now hope to meet more of the cast members. Frakes and Wil I would love to meet someday!

The next generation cast were pretty much handpicked by Gene to represent his vision of humanity (he personally gave Jonathan tips on how to ace the audition) and once again, Gene did a great job. Entertaining and great video as usual. Thank you,Michael PS-you were great on Smallville

Terrible what he went through. Shame Wheaton is an unbearable shill for Kuntzman Trek, now.

All the actors of TNG feel like they were/are my extended family. I can just sense how regular and special they are... and the closeness they share with each other. There were many a nights when things in my life could have been going a LOT better - but when I tuned into ST: TNG - all became better for that hour or so. Jonathan Frakes, Wil Wheaton, they are studs through and through.

My son and I have met both Wil and Jonathan at a Comicon. Both fantastic people! Very down to earth, respectful to the fans, very genuine people. I am a Star Trek fan and have loved them for those roles, as well as many others.

Back in the day, I was ambivalent about Ryker, but holy shit is Frakes a treasure. What a wonderful man!

I wasn't prepared for Riker f-bombs within 10 seconds.

Watch the convention video where Wil talks to the girl about bullying. He spoke with such elegance and human compassion that outside of Frakes, should have had his own arc show like Picard is doing now. I want to know what influence he has had being a traveler and how he evolved from the kid who dropped starfleet altogether and went a different path with no question about it.

I really like Jonathan Frakes in every interview I've ever seen him on. He seems so well read yet down to earth and real. I hope I get to meet him some day.

Wil Wheaton comes from the planet Tries Too Hard. He's in the same group as Mario Lopez, Chris Lemmon, Tony Danza, Alfonso Ribeiro, Carmine "The Big Ragu", etc. Always looking in, but never being invited in. Their existence is living in the past.

I absolutely love how, apparently, the entire TNG cast are all awesome human beings

Hearing Riker drop F bombs like photon torpedos brings a smile to my face.

Wil drank the liberal coolaid. I’m just left of center and believe resolutions won’t happen without discourse and he just wants an echo chamber like most on either extremes. Sad to be so smart and wanting only echo chambers. Will never accomplish anything that way.

What exactly was the "Shocking discovery about Wil Wheaton Life outside of Star Trek"? Ok, from what I watched, he had a problem at home, and the cast were there to support Wil (good on them, they are wonderful people), however, I want to hear, what this "Shocking Discovery" was.

There's GOT to be a clip of Frakes saying "Make it fuckin' so!"

If you think WW is well read and does any research..... I'm forced to doubt your sentience....

Thank you Jonathon for sharing your glowing praise of Wil Wheaton! It's one thing to know that you like and admire someone....it's another thing to hear the sincerity in your voice as you tell the stories!

I'm glad that Wil has a family that loves him even if it isn't his parents.

hearing Riker curse is awesome

Jonathan Frakes always came across as a really cool guy, who makes working on a show/film fun and treats his fellow cast/crew with respect.

It's fun to hear "Riker" using "human" language. I must admit though that I HATED Wesley Crusher. Wesley the Wimp. They should have made him a REAL teenager. "WESLEY! It's your Mother! Come out of that holodeck NOW!"

Wow I've never seen a better example of " Talking around an issue", without ever revealing what the issue was !

Frakes seems like an authentically decent human being. I'd love to meet him

Jonathan is something else. I never really cared for Star Trek, but I liked him in other things, and just hearing him talk is entertaining.

Wheaton has claimed that he hates acting and was forced into it by his parents yet he has pursued it as a career for most of his adulthood, long after his parents' influence had dwindled. Also, he spoke glowingly of his parents and his relationship with them up until the recent past. I find it interesting that his perspective on acting and on his parents seemed to change, coincidentally, around the time his acting roles dried up and he decided to write a book. For those who doubt my view, googling “is Wil Wheaton a jerk” will return a long list of results describing what an insufferable prick he is.

Wil carried some weight on his shoulders in the STU, being the over excited character and Picard fan boy and nexus to STNG's target audience. He was envied by many of us. Just now, after him being nerdy and much more relaxed as himself in Big Bang Theory we see, how long his path to independance was. Glad, he found family where none would have expected it.

I didn't like or dislike Wesley, he was a character with his merits, and he was the one character that could really get Picard to talk because of their past. Some people over use the wonder kid aspect of his character but he showed what it was like for some young people on big ships in trek if they were bright and dedicated.

Will Wheaton is the cringiest person in the star trek universe

I remember Jonathan's cameos in "Leverage" and "Castle", and practically giggled like a schoolgril seeing each, as they were both unexpected little treats. And awesome work as a director, too, as pretty much all the great eps were directed by him, and pretty much all the eps directed by him were great.

The amount of shit Wil's parents put him (and his sister) through is insane! I’m so happy he found a better family in Frakes and the other members of TNG!

Actually loved the episode where Picard said to Wesley. Shut up Wesley!

Ive bumped into Wheaton many times over the years at cons. Him just walking around not signing autographs and he is about the coolest dude. Always has time to chat and take pix. Not fake at all.

I met Jonathan Frakes in South Africa, they were doing some movie there in the Cederberg mountains. Nice guy, authentic , and tall, I'm 6'2 , and I looked up at him, so he's pretty tall I would say.

Jonathan: I think the word you were looking for was "complacent". Wil didn't let you be complacent. You had to be on it all the time. No slacking off. Bring your A game always.

I’m on the Star Trek Cruise right now. There are cast members from most of the shows here. They’re all super nice.

You can never tell what families are really like. Many issues only come out when surrounded by intimate relations. When in the outside world masks come up automatically.

I don't know Will Wheaton's struggles with his parents, but that dude is one of the worst, most hateful, spiteful people I've seen come out of Hollywood. He presents charismatically on screen, but just check out the vitriol he spews on social media.

The Ready Room is fantastic! Wil really found his niche.