Hubbry Logo
Cliff BoleCliff BoleMain
Open search
Cliff Bole
Community hub
Cliff Bole
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Cliff Bole
Cliff Bole
Cliff Bole
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Clifford John Bole (November 9, 1937 – February 15, 2014) was a director of a number of American and Canadian television programs. He directed episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man, The Amazing Spider-Man, Vegas, Charlie's Angels, V: The Series, Baywatch, The X-Files, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager among others. The Star Trek alien race called the Bolians is named after him.[1]

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Bole grew up in the San Fernando Valley and described himself as a "set rat", sneaking into studio backlots to watch the filming taking place. He went on to train as a script clerk and as a production assistant before moving into directing.[2] One of his earlier roles was as script supervisor on McHale's Navy in 1964.[3]

Bole is perhaps best known for his directing work in the Star Trek franchise which began with the first season episode "Lonely Among Us" of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He went on to direct a further 24 episodes of that series, as well as seven episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and ten episodes of Star Trek: Voyager.[1] He was originally referred to the TNG production team by colleague Jeff Hayes, although Bole knew producer Rick Berman from when they both worked at Warner Brothers.[1] Bole directed the TNG episode "Conspiracy", which featured the first appearance of the alien race called the Bolians, who were named after Bole.[1] He subsequently described working on The Next Generation as "the biggest joy and ensemble I've ever worked with".[2]

His work on Deep Space Nine was delayed following a disagreement with Michael Piller over working practices.[2] However, his first directing position in that series was in the 18th episode, "Dramatis Personae". He had previously worked with Avery Brooks, who played Hawk on Spenser: For Hire. His recollection of working on Deep Space Nine wasn't as warm as The Next Generation, but Voyager was more similar to the earlier Star Trek series. Rick Berman brought him in for Voyager, which resulted in Bole directing, amongst others, "The Q and the Grey", one of the best-received episodes of Voyager. His final episode for Voyager and the franchise was the first part of the feature length episode "Dark Frontier".[2]

Bole was recognized with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California Walk of Stars at 255 South Palm Canyon Drive in 2005.[4]

He died at his home in Palm Desert, California on February 15, 2014.[5]

Selected filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cliff Bole

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cliff Bole was an American television director known for his prolific contributions to the Star Trek franchise, directing more than 40 episodes across Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. Born on November 9, 1937, in San Francisco, California, Bole began his career in television as a script supervisor and assistant director, working on series such as McHale’s Navy before transitioning to directing in the 1970s. He helmed episodes of numerous popular programs, including The Six Million Dollar Man, Charlie’s Angels, V, Fantasy Island, T. J. Hooker, MacGyver, Baywatch, The X-Files, and Supernatural. Bole's work on Star Trek stands as the most defining aspect of his career; he expressed that directing for The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager represented the highlight of his professional life. In recognition of his contributions, the recurring alien species known as the Bolians was named in his honor by the franchise's producers and writers. Cliff Bole died on February 15, 2014, at his home in Palm Desert, California, at the age of 76.

Early life

Background and education

Clifford John Bole was born on November 9, 1937, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where he developed a passion for film and television by frequently visiting studio backlots, often sneaking in with friends to watch productions in progress. Bole self-described himself as a "Set Rat" during this time, reflecting his deep fascination with the filmmaking process. He graduated from Harvard Military School and briefly attended the University of Southern California (USC). This early exposure to the entertainment industry sparked his interest in pursuing a career in television production.

Military service

Cliff Bole served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea.

Career

Entry into television production

Cliff Bole entered the television and film industry in the early 1960s, beginning his professional career in the script and continuity department as a script supervisor. His initial credits in this capacity included work on the film Showdown in 1963, The Lively Set in 1964, the television series McHale's Navy in 1965, and the film Fluffy in 1965, though these contributions were often uncredited. Bole advanced to a production role with his appointment as associate producer on the television series Daniel Boone, where he served from 1967 to 1968 across 17 episodes. He later took on assistant director responsibilities, including serving as assistant director on 7 episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man in 1975 and as first assistant director on the 1977 film September 30, 1955. These foundational positions in script supervision, production, and assistant directing provided Bole with comprehensive experience in television production processes.

Transition to directing

Cliff Bole transitioned to directing in 1975, making his debut behind the camera with episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man, where he helmed 11 episodes between 1975 and 1978. During the late 1970s and 1980s, he became a prolific director on episodic television, contributing to a wide range of action, adventure, and fantasy series. He directed 13 episodes of Vega$, 17 episodes of T.J. Hooker, 25 episodes of Fantasy Island, 6 episodes of Charlie's Angels, 15 episodes of MacGyver, and 3 episodes of V: The Series. Bole also directed episodes of other notable programs, including The Amazing Spider-Man, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Spenser: For Hire, and the 1988 revival of Mission: Impossible. As a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), he established himself as a reliable director within the television industry during this period. His extensive experience directing high-volume episodic content across these diverse series built a strong reputation that later opened doors to more prominent franchise work.

Star Trek franchise

Cliff Bole became one of the most prominent directors in the Star Trek television franchise, helming a total of 42 episodes across three series from 1987 to 2001. He directed 25 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, including notable installments such as "Lonely Among Us," "Conspiracy," the acclaimed two-part "The Best of Both Worlds," and "Unification, Part II." His work on the series built upon his prior experience directing action-oriented and science fiction programs in the 1980s. Bole also directed seven episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, among them "Dramatis Personae," "Defiant," and "Explorers," as well as ten episodes of Star Trek: Voyager, including "The Q and the Grey" and "Dark Frontier, Part I." The Bolian alien species was named in his honor, with the blue-skinned, seam-faced race making its first appearance in the Next Generation episode "Conspiracy," which Bole directed. Bole regarded his Star Trek work as the greatest part of his career, expressing that he looked forward to going to work each day on the franchise. His prolific contributions and evident pride in the series underscored his significant influence on the Star Trek universe during its late 20th-century expansion.

Other directing work

Following his prolific period directing episodes in the Star Trek franchise, Cliff Bole continued his television directing career through the 1990s and into the 2000s with credits on several other series. He directed five episodes of Baywatch from 1992 to 1994, four episodes of The X-Files between 1997 and 2002, three episodes each of M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994–1995) and The Untouchables (1993–1994), two episodes of Pointman in 1995, and single episodes of Millennium (1997), Harsh Realm (2000), Profiler (1998), and Supernatural (2007). The 2007 Supernatural episode marked his final directing credit before retirement. After retiring to the Coachella Valley, Bole contributed to local creative projects and completed the documentary Cars Under the Stars, which showcases the popular El Paseo Cruise Night event.

Personal life

Family and interests

Cliff Bole was married to Brenda Bole. The couple had two children: a daughter, Stacey Bole Harrison of Granite Bay, California, and a son, Curtis Robert Bole of Santa Monica, California. They were also grandparents to two grandsons, Connor and Cole. Bole was an avid pilot, boater, golfer, and dirt bike rider. He frequently participated in off-road motorcycle races hosted by Viewfinder MC, an off-road motorcycle club headquartered in Southern California that was originally organized by Hollywood stuntmen. He maintained strong ties with the stunt community, including close friendships with Ronnie Rondell, Roy "Snuffy" Harrison, and the late Hal Needham. Bole was a member of Desert Falls Country Club. These pursuits and relationships reflected his lifelong connection to the action and stunt elements of Hollywood.

Death

Passing and memorials

Cliff Bole died peacefully at his home in Palm Desert, California, on the morning of February 15, 2014, at the age of 76. In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his memory contribute to a cancer research organization of their choice or visit his Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, awarded in 2005 and located at 255 South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, California. A celebration of life was planned for later in the year. His passing was mourned by the Star Trek community.

Legacy

Recognition and influence

Cliff Bole's professional legacy is defined primarily by his extensive contributions to the Star Trek franchise, where he directed 42 episodes across Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager, making him one of the most prolific directors in the series during the 1980s and 1990s. StarTrek.com remembered him as a "prolific Trek director" who left "a massive mark on the Star Trek franchise." His influence within the franchise's lore is evident in the naming of the Bolians alien species after him, a tribute from the creative team that Bole proudly embraced, noting that he initially thought it was a joke but ultimately found it "great" and remained amazed that fans continued to inquire about it. Bole personally described his Star Trek directing work as "the greatest part of my career," highlighting his genuine enthusiasm by saying it was the rare job that made him excited to go to work each day. Colleagues and associates recalled his warmth and positive energy on set, with one describing him as "a good man, a great director and a wonderful human being" who "made it fun and tolerable," while others praised him as a mentor who was welcoming even amid demanding productions. In 2005, Bole received a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars at 255 South Palm Canyon Drive in recognition of his contributions to television directing.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.