So we leave H2 as our default channel on the cable box because we rarely watch live TV (DVR FTW!) and it's always amusing, after a show is over, to hear Giorgio Tsoukalos waxing lyrical about aliens before we start watching the next DVRed show.
Except tonight there was an actual legit history documentary (I know, crazy!) on H2, about the Roman Empire. And we watch a little bit of it, and there's this familiar guy as one of the various academic types talking about interesting Roman bits. And suddenly they subtitle his name.
PETER WELLER
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
And I'm, like, Wait, that's not just a guy who has the same name as famous actor Peter Weller. That's actual Peter Weller.
Buckaroo Banzai Peter Weller.
Robocop Peter Weller.
Star Trek: Out of Darkness Peter Weller.
And, it seems, Doctor Peter Weller. According to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Weller):
'In 2004, Weller completed a master's degree in Roman and Renaissance Art at Syracuse University and occasionally taught courses in ancient history at the university. In 2007, Weller began a Ph.D. at UCLA, in Italian Renaissance art history. He filed his dissertation in October 2013, and revealed at the Official Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas on August 2, 2014, that he had been conferred his doctorate.'
And apparently, he teaches in the History Dept. at Syracuse University now (http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=688885) — and is considered a "hot" professor.
He also still acts and directs.
So, hats off to Dr. Weller. I had no idea.


Wow! Had no idea. Wonder how many students take his class just to say they had Robocop as an instructor.
I did the same double take watching a history documentary once. I guess the point of Buckaroo Banzai was that the dude's good at everything, so maybe we shouldn't be surprised.
I find it very difficult to believe that there was a legitimate history program on the Ancient Aliens network. 🙂
+Brian Si I know! Madness!
Go 'Cuse! 😉