Edward James Olmos as William Adana
William Adama is played by Edward James Olmos on the television series,
Battlestar Galactica. William is a native of the Caprica colony. His father, Joseph Adama, was a civil liberties lawyer, while his mother, Evelyn Adama, was an accountant. Towards the end of the First Cylon War, William displayed his skills in flying, and because he was able to kill an enemy during his very first mission, he earned a commendation. As a Viper pilot, he was given the call sign “Husker,” but when the war ended, he suddenly found himself having to start from the bottom of the heap. He tied the knot with his first wife, Carolanne, with whom he had two sons, Zak and Lee. While he was working as a commercial freighter, he encountered Saul Tigh, a former Viper pilot like himself, and the two of them became very good friends.
William was able to get himself and Tigh reinstated into the military by using his wife’s connections in the Defense Council. After he and Carolanne separated, William served as Battlestar Atlantia’s Major, and subsequently became an executive officer of Battlestar Columbia. Ultimately, he gained the position of Commander and led Battlestar Valkyrie with Saul as his right hand man. He was transferred to Battlestar Galactica three years before the destruction of the Twelve Colonies.
Under his encouragement, both of his sons chose to take after his military career and trained to become Viper pilots themselves. Unfortunately, Zak had not inherited his father’s natural talent for flying, and only passed his flying exam because his teacher, Kara “Starbuck” Thrace, was also his fiancée. Zak lost his life during his first mission, and William’s other son, Lee, ended up blaming him for Zak’s death. After Zak died, William became estranged with Lee, but found himself acting fatherly towards Kara.
As the Commander of Galactica, William was respected and loved by his crew, but the civilian population did not share the same feelings, as William was notorious for making controversial decisions. He was also not spared from danger, having once been the victim of an assassination attempt carried out by Number Eight copy, Sharon “Boomer” Valerii. At present, William serves as the Rear Admiral. He received the promotion after the previous admiral, Helena Cain, was killed by a Number Six incarnation named Gina.
(Photo courtesy of Sci Fi)