BRENT SPINER / ACTOR

Loved by millions as the android Data on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Brent Spiner is proving to be anything but robotic as an actor. Spiner, 49, has shined as an eccentric scientist in “Independence Day,” a tormented dance instructor in “Out to Sea” and co-stars with Halle Berry in HBO’s bio-pic “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” The latest big-screen “Star Trek” installment (“Insurrection”) opens Friday.

ALIENATION: “The only irritating thing with ‘Star Trek’ is it’s become part of my name--Brent ‘Star Trek’ Spiner. And reviews of us in the cast use the line, ‘Best known for “Star Trek.” ’ Best known to whom? If you watch it you already know, and if not, then I’m not known to you for that.”

BOLDLY GO: “In terms of breaking out, I’m not really concerned. I’ve gotten a bit of other work, and it’s very difficult to typecast someone as an android--not that many android roles out there.”

THE WOOD MAN: “Woody Allen, everybody wants to work with him, and for good reason. He’s one of the few genuine American artists working in film. I actually worked for him briefly years ago, did a bit--and I emphasize bit--in ‘Stardust Memories.’ My first picture and also Sharon Stone’s. I like to think we started together.”

WANT AD: “I’d love to work with Stanley Tucci. ‘Big Night’ was the best film of that year. He makes my kind of movies. I read him saying that he uses his films as opportunities to work with his friends. I have to find out how to become his friend--maybe I can get him cast as a villain in the next ‘Star Trek’ movie.”

RAZZLE DAZZLE: “A lot of people have said that the ‘event picture’ is over. But a lot of people who paid to see a trailer of the next ‘Star Wars’ would disagree. Television is so good now at delivering a story that I think when people pay money to see something on a big screen, they want their eyes to be popping.”

NUMBER ONE: “Jonathan Frakes [“Star Trek” co-star and director of this and the last film] should be doing other films. He’s a tremendous director, knows how to work with actors and the camera. I’m kind of shocked I haven’t seen him get on another feature since ‘First Contact.’ ”

SAY THE SECRET WORD: “If I had my choice, which I don’t, the next thing I’d play would be Groucho [Marx]. That’s my wish list. It’s very short. Aside from that, I just enjoy working, so employment is really all I seek.”