William T. Riker is a character so central to the success of Star Trek: The Next Generation that the show's quality is regarded as being tied directly to actor Jonathan Frakes' facial hair—many fans claim that the show only became worth watching after Riker grew his beard. The character was envisioned by creator Gene Roddenberry as a strong and sexy second-in-command who would take up Captain Kirk's mantle as the show's action hero.