John Fitzgerald Byers
Encyclopedia
John Fitzgerald Byers is a fictional character
in the television shows The X-Files
and The Lone Gunmen
, played by Bruce Harwood
.
John Fitzgerald Byers was born on November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy
was assassinated, in Sterling, Virginia
, and was named after the fallen president – his parents were originally planning to call him Bertram after his father. Byers idolized his namesake, but always had suspicions about the real cause of his death.
He worked as a public affairs officer for the FCC
in Baltimore
until May 1989. At this time he met Susanne Modeski at a consumer electronics show in Baltimore and fell instantly in love with her. Initially lying about her identity to him, she revealed herself to be a scientist working for the Army Advanced Weapons facility and appealed to him for help in stopping one of her developments (a gas causing fear and paranoia) being used by the military on innocent civilians. Enlisting the help of Melvin Frohike
and Richard Langly
who were also at the electronics show, they succeeded and, although Modeski was later kidnapped, she had awakened a desire in all three of them to uncover the truth, which subsequently led to the formation and publication of The Lone Gunman newsletter, providing information on government cover-ups and conspiracy theories. Leaving the FCC and publishing the newsletter led to estrangement from his father, although the two were briefly reconciled in 2001.
Byers is rarely seen without his suit and tie and always impeccably turned out, sporting a neatly trimmed beard. The most conventional dresser of all the Gunmen, he is a straight man whenever they need someone who looks respectable.
He appears to have at least some working knowledge of medicine
, genetics
and chemistry
; he is able to interpret DNA
strands, instantly informing Mulder
that Scully
's blood had been tampered with in "One Breath
".
All three of the Lone Gunmen died in the X-Files episode "Jump the Shark
", sacrificing themselves to save thousands from a terrorist-created plague by using fire doors to seal themselves in a closed hallway with the man carrying the plague. AD Skinner
pulls some strings and arranges for them to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery
as tribute to their brave deeds.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the television shows The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
and The Lone Gunmen
The Lone Gunmen (TV series)
The Lone Gunmen is a television show created by Chris Carter and broadcast on FOX. It was a spin-off of Carter's popular long-running television series The X-Files and a part of The X-Files franchise, starring several of the show's characters. The Lone Gunmen was first broadcast in March 2001 and,...
, played by Bruce Harwood
Bruce Harwood
Bruce Harwood is a Canadian actor best known for his role of John Fitzgerald Byers, one of the Lone Gunmen on the television series The X-Files. Harwood also trained for several years to be a professional figure skater before he started his acting career. His ice skating skills are on display in a...
.
John Fitzgerald Byers was born on November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
was assassinated, in Sterling, Virginia
Sterling, Virginia
Sterling, Virginia is a census-designated place in Loudoun County, Virginia. The population as of the 2010 Census was 27,822.It is located northwest of Herndon, east of Ashburn, and west of Great Falls, and includes part of Dulles International Airport and the former AOL corporate headquarters...
, and was named after the fallen president – his parents were originally planning to call him Bertram after his father. Byers idolized his namesake, but always had suspicions about the real cause of his death.
He worked as a public affairs officer for the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
until May 1989. At this time he met Susanne Modeski at a consumer electronics show in Baltimore and fell instantly in love with her. Initially lying about her identity to him, she revealed herself to be a scientist working for the Army Advanced Weapons facility and appealed to him for help in stopping one of her developments (a gas causing fear and paranoia) being used by the military on innocent civilians. Enlisting the help of Melvin Frohike
Melvin Frohike
Melvin Frohike is a fictional character in the television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, played by Tom Braidwood.Frohike was born circa 1953 in Pontiac, Michigan. Prior to joining The Lone Gunmen, he was an acclaimed tango dancer in Miami...
and Richard Langly
Richard Langly
Richard “Ringo” Langly is a fictional character in the television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen. He was played by Dean Haglund. Langly was born circa 1968/1969 and grew up on a farm in Saltville, Nebraska...
who were also at the electronics show, they succeeded and, although Modeski was later kidnapped, she had awakened a desire in all three of them to uncover the truth, which subsequently led to the formation and publication of The Lone Gunman newsletter, providing information on government cover-ups and conspiracy theories. Leaving the FCC and publishing the newsletter led to estrangement from his father, although the two were briefly reconciled in 2001.
Byers is rarely seen without his suit and tie and always impeccably turned out, sporting a neatly trimmed beard. The most conventional dresser of all the Gunmen, he is a straight man whenever they need someone who looks respectable.
He appears to have at least some working knowledge of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
and chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
; he is able to interpret DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
strands, instantly informing Mulder
Mulder
Mulder is a Dutch surname deriving from a former Dutch word for "miller", mulder.- People named Mulder :*Allan Mulder, Australian politician*Bob Mulder, Dutch football player*Boyito Mulder, Dutch figure skater...
that Scully
Dana Scully
FBI Special Agent Dana Katherine Scully, M.D. is a fictional character and protagonist on the Fox television series The X-Files , played by Gillian Anderson. She also appeared in two theatrical films based on the series...
's blood had been tampered with in "One Breath
One Breath
"One Breath" is the eighth episode of the second season of the science fiction television series The X-Files created by Chris Carter. This episode features the return of Scully from her abduction in a coma-like state.- Plot :...
".
All three of the Lone Gunmen died in the X-Files episode "Jump the Shark
Jump the Shark
"Jump the Shark" is the 197th episode and the ninth season's fifteenth episode of the science fiction television series The X-Files. The episode first aired in the United States and Canada on April 21, 2002 on Fox, and subsequently aired in the United Kingdom. It was written by executive producers...
", sacrificing themselves to save thousands from a terrorist-created plague by using fire doors to seal themselves in a closed hallway with the man carrying the plague. AD Skinner
Walter Skinner
FBI Assistant Director Walter Sergei Skinner is a fictional character in the American FOX television shows The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen, two science fiction shows about a government conspiracy to hide or deny the truth of Alien existence...
pulls some strings and arranges for them to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
as tribute to their brave deeds.
Appearances
Byers appears in the following X-Files episodes:Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
The X-Files: The Game The X-Files: The Game Reviews of the game were mixed, with many critics complaining about the large number of discs required to load the game... (Video game) Season 4
Season 5
The X-Files: Fight the Future The X-Files (film) The X-Files is a 1998 American science fiction-thriller film written by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz, and directed by Rob Bowman. It is the first feature film based on The X-Files series created by Carter that revolves around a fictional FBI paranormal investigation unit called the X-Files... (Movie) |
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Season 9
|