Jonathan Frakes thinks he got the part because he fits the physical type that the producers had in mind: "I was tall and looked like a soldier."

Frakes said that serving on the USS Enterprise is like serving on a military ship. "The ranks on Star Trek are based on the British naval ranks."

After graduating from high school in Bethlehem, Pa., where he grew up, Frakes went on to Pennsylvania State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in theater. After leaving college, he moved to New York, and Frakes said he did what every other budding actor does _ "became the worst waiter in town."

Making personal appearances is something Frakes finds satisfying.

"Just to have that one-on-one contact with the people who watch the show and care so much about it is very rewarding," he said.

Frakes, who has directed some Star Trek episodes, has been trying to relax Riker's soldier image. "I think that Riker has a little more sense of humor, his posture has changed."