Did You Know Star Trek’s Commander Riker and Happy Days’ Potsie Weber are the Same Person?

You have probably always suspected, and now you know, Star Trek: The Next Generation's Commander Riker and Happy Day's lovable buffoon Potsie Weber are in fact the same person.

Pictures don't lie. Obviously, they are identical in appearance. Have you ever noticed the other similarities? They both have gone on to become very successful directors. Both have logged consider time directing episodes from the various Star Trek franchises.

Both Potsie and Riker belonged to ensemble casts featuring a redheaded woman. Coincidence or fetish?

Today is "Commander Riker" actor Jonathan Frakes' 61st birthday, and it's time some things come out in the open. The charade has gone on long enough.

Happy Days ended its television run in 1984. Star Trek: The Next Generation began its run in 1987. During the few years in between, Potsie/Riker spent his time directing various television shows. Both Potsie and Riker spend their time hanging out with albinos, with Potsie running around with Ralph Malph, and Riker spending his time with Mr. Data.

It also seems like much more than coincidence that both would go on to become businessmen, with Potsie starting a cosmetics business, and Riker being the entrepreneur behind a home furnishings shop.

Even the fans agree. One chat room featured the following comment:

I always thought Jonathan Frakes looked like Anson Williams before Frakes grew his beard. I Kept expecting Picard to say, 'Potsie, you have the bridge.'"

Compare the photos and judge for yourself. No doubt you will agree that Potsie is in fact the first officer of the starship Enterprise.