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'Star Trek' Turns 55: Remembering Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Williams and Other Celebrity Guest Stars (Flashback)

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What do Dwayne Johnson , Whoopi Goldberg and Stephen Hawking have in common? They’ve all taken part in the phenomenon that is Star Trek . While their names were never featured in any of the iconic opening credits sequences, even passing appearances are enough to be considered an important figure in Gene Roddenberry’s universe. 

Since the franchise’s debut in 1966, celebrities from every quadrant of pop culture have continued to stop by the Star Trek TV shows. These notable names include professional wrestlers, theoretical physicists, iconic movie stars and future EGOT achievers. Special guest stars are a Star Trek trademark right up there with techno-babble dialogue and non-linear hallways. Most recently, the tradition has continued with legendary director David Cronenberg and comedian Tig Notaro taking up recurring roles on Star Trek: Discovery . 

Sept. 8 was designated Star Trek Day on account of the original series' premiere date -- 55 years ago this week! To celebrate this milestone, ET is looking back at some of the guest stars who brushed shoulders with our favorite Starfleet crews.

JOAN COLLINS - STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES , “THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER”

Before she portrayed one of the most popular TV characters of all time on Dynasty , one of Star Trek ’s earliest guest stars was English actress Joan Collins in a memorable episode from the first season of the original series. Transported back to 1930s New York City, Captain Kirk ( William Shatner ) is devastated upon discovering he must let kind-hearted woman Edith Keeler (Collins) die in a traffic accident in order to maintain the universe’s timeline. Her role as Keeler was miles apart from do-no-gooder Alexis Colby, which made the character’s fate that much more tragic. 

ET spoke with the TV icon at the “Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond” event in 1996. In response to what was the most fun part of the experience for her, Collins replied, “I think watching my stand-in get hit by the truck.”

“It was supposed to be me, but she did it very well,” she recalled.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG - STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION , VARIOUS

Just about everywhere Whoopi Goldberg appears, she’s in a category all of her own -- and the Star Trek universe was no exception. This EGOT recipient was no mere guest star during her stint aboard the Enterprise-D, nor was her character, Guinan, merely a bartender at Ten Forward in nearly 30 episodes of The Next Generation . A guru. An ombudsman. A listener. And most importantly: a friend. Following the original series, Goldberg appreciated how the spinoff was carrying on the franchise’s positive vision of the future.

“This is one of the few shows that take place in the future that I saw as a kid where there were any Black people. Lieutenant Uhura was there. That gave me a lot of hope,” Goldberg told ET on the set in between filming scenes for “The Measure of a Man,” one of the franchise's most cherished episodes. 

She added, “It's very important that the future be hopeful and that's what this is.”

Guinan’s alien origins and special abilities were never fully expanded upon, but fans may get a clearer picture if she once again shares the screen with Patrick Stewart  on Star Trek: Picard . Her casting hasn’t been made official yet, but Stewart has formally extended an invitation for his old pal to return to the 24th century.

STEPHEN HAWKING - STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION , “DESCENT”

In perhaps the only instance of someone portraying themselves onscreen in the Star Trek canon, Professor Stephen Hawking appeared in The Next Generation via the holodeck. The episode’s cold open sees Data (Brent Spiner) in the middle of a game night with holographic projections of history’s greatest minds. Speaking with ET on the set in 1993, the late theoretical physicist explained that he had made his desire to be on the series known to producers. 

“I said I would enjoy being in Star Trek ,” Hawking said. “Obviously, I live in a different time frame to the Enterprise, but they got around that difficulty with this idea of a poker game with [Isaac] Newton and [Albert] Einstein. I think it works rather well.”

If given a real-life opportunity to attend this poker game, Hawking revealed he could do without one of these famous brains at the table. 

“I would very much liked to have met and talked with Einstein. I'm not so sure about Newton. By all accounts, he was a bad tempered and unpleasant man,” he shared. “As for Data, I'm sure he would be interesting.”

Data himself, Brent Spiner, could hardly believe he was acting alongside the world-renowned academic. “I don't even know how to describe what it's like working with him. I feel incredibly fortunate to be here, and [to be] in a scene with him of all things,” Spiner told ET on the set.

“I'm not sure I would attempt to describe him other than to say I'm not particularly used to working with this intelligent of human. Not to put my other castmates down. They're all very bright,” Spiner said with a laugh. “But this is something quite exceptional.”

VANESSA WILLIAMS - STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE , “LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN…”

Come to Risa for the tropical paradise, but stay for elite concierge Arandis, played by Vanessa Williams . First appearing in “Captain’s Holiday” on The Next Generation , Risa was presented as the place where everyone goes to unwind and escape their day-to-day, quadrant-to-quadrant worries. Williams described the spa-like planet as “a Club Med in space.”

“When I actually saw the script it was quite provocative and alluring,” Williams told ET on the Deep Space Nine set in 1996. Once they started filming, the “Dreamin’” singer discovered just how talented Star Trek actors must be to recite the franchise’s trademark science jargon. “It looked relatively easy, but then once you actually have to say the dialogue and the techno-babble -- and [make it] sound responsible and clear -- that's when you have to take your hats off to these cast members.”

She added, “Luckily, my theater training is kicking in.”

JASON ALEXANDER - STAR TREK: VOYAGER , “THINK TANK”

“[This cast is] a wonderful group. They really have a lot of fun. This is a very goofy set,” Jason Alexander told ET behind the scenes while sitting in the makeup chair in 1999.  

Following the series finale of Seinfeld , Alexander transformed into one of the many aliens the Star Trek: Voyager crew encountered while traversing the Delta Quadrant. “I'm a die-hard Star Trek fan. Have been since I was 12,” Alexander said.

The cast provided him with some words of wisdom in regard to the famously lengthy prosthetic makeup sessions for the franchise’s extraterrestrials. 

“Kate Mulgrew advised me to run for the hills as fast as I can,” Alexander joked. “And poor Ethan Phillips, who goes through this for three hours every day, he said, ‘Well, a good book will do.'" 

DWAYNE JOHNSON - STAR TREK: VOYAGER , “TSUNKATSE”

When Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared on Star Trek: Voyager , the writers made him feel right at home. The WWE (previously known as WWF) superstar was dropped into a Delta Quadrant fight arena to face off against Seven of Nine ( Jeri Ryan ).

“[I’ve] beaten Stone Cold Steve Austin on numerous occasions. The Undertaker. Mankind. The list goes on and on and on,” Johnson explained to ET on the Voyager set in 1999. “But [Ryan,] she's probably one of the toughest, if not, dare I say, the toughest The Rock has ever faced.”

Johnson even got to plant Ryan with his signature move, “The Rock Bottom,” during their fight sequence. While he wasn’t familiar with Star Trek before stepping onto the set, dedicated fan bases were certainly among his areas of expertise at the time. 

“The following is tremendous,” Johnson said. “ Star Trek fans are very, very passionate. Very similar to the World Wrestling Federation fans, so I can appreciate that passion.”

RAINN WILSON - STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS & STAR TREK: DISCOVERY , VARIOUS

After originating his own unforgettable TV character, Rainn Wilson followed up The Office by stepping into the well-established role of Harry Mudd for Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Short Treks . The merchant con-man plagued the Enterprise crew more than once across the original series and the animated series. 

“A little bit charming. A little bit over the top. Kind of crazy,” Wilson described Mudd to ET at the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017. “He's totally unpredictable. You never know what Harry Mudd is gonna get into next.”

Like Alexander, Wilson had some Trekkie credentials before he was cast as one of Star Trek ’s most notorious antagonists. 

“I had an Enterprise model that [I hand-painted.] I spent hours gazing at it longingly,” Wilson said. “So, to get to be part of the show is really super awesome.”

Every Star Trek series is available to stream on Paramount+. 

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Introduction

Star Trek

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic sci-fi show take a look at some of the guest stars the show brought in who ended up being household names.

Tom Hardy

Long before Tom Hardy starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in films like “Inception” and “The Revenant,” he played Shinzon, the villain in “Star Trek: Nemesis.” Shinzon was a clone of Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Dwayne Johnson

An appearance on “Star Trek: Voyager” was one of the first non-wrestling roles that Dwayne Johnson took. He played the Pendari Champion who defeated Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine in combat.

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall

Before playing the fabulous Samantha Jones on “Sex and the City,” Kim Cattrall donned prosthetic ears to play the Vulcan helmsman Valeris in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.”

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst

“Spider-Man” and “Fargo” star Kirsten Dunst appeared in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” at the age of 11. She played Hedril, a young member of a telepathic alien race known as the Cairn.

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd

Most well-known for his role as Emmett “Doc” Brown in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Christopher Lloyd also played the Klingon Commander Kruge in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.”

Christian Slater

Christian Slater

Christian Slater played an unnamed officer in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.” Slater is known for “Interview with a Vampire,” “True Romance,” and most recently “Mr. Robot.”

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman

Comedian Sarah Silverman appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: Voyager” where the crew was sent back in time on Earth. Silverman played a scientist based in Los Angeles.

Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander

“Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander also appeared on “Star Trek: Voyager” as Kurros, a member of a group of scholars who traversed the galaxy looking for employment in solving problems.

Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher

“Desperate Housewives” and “Lois and Clark” star Teri Hatcher appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as a Starfleet lieutenant.

Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer

Frasier himself, Kelsey Grammer, appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as the captain of ship caught in a time loop and on a collision course with the Enterprise.

Bebe Neuwirth

Bebe Neuwirth

Kelsey Grammer’s TV wife — Bebe Neuwirth — also appeared on “The Next Generation.” She played an alien nurse who promised to help Commander Riker escape confinement in exchange for sexual favors.

Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley

Another “Cheers” star — Kirstie Alley — played Saavik in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is familiar with playing the villian. Before he was cast as baseball bat-wielding Negan in “The Walking Dead,” Morgan played a Xindi-Reptillian tasked with destroying Earth in “Star Trek: Enterprise.”

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop, the punk legend who created “The Passenger,” “Search and Destroy” and more, appeared in “Star Trek: Deep Space 9” as a Vorta negotiator named Yelgrun.

Famke Janssen

Famke Janssen

Eight years before Famke Janssen and Patrick Stewart would star together in “X-Men” the actress appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” where she seduced Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard.

Seth Macfarlane

Seth Macfarlane

Based on the sheer number of references in his shows “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and films “Ted” and “Ted 2,” it’s evident that Seth Macfarlane is a Trekkie. Happily, Macfarlane was able to appear in two episodes of “Star Trek: Enterprise” as a Starfleet engineer.

Andy Dick

“NewsRadio” alum Andy Dick was in an episode of “Star Trek: Voyager” as a holographic ship doctor.

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd

“Heat” and “Divergent” star Ashley Judd guest starred in two episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Judd also had her first on-screen kiss on the show with Wil Wheaton’s Wesley Crusher.

Terry O’Quinn

Terry O'Quinn

Before Terry O’Quinn headed to the island in “Lost” as John Locke, he appeared in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as an admiral and friend of William Riker.

Daniel Dae Kim

Daniel Dae Kim

Another “Lost” alum appeared in “Star Trek.” Daniel Dae Kim, who would go on to play Jin in “Lost,” appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: Voyager” and later as a different character in three episodes of “Star Trek: Enterprise.”

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams

“Eraser” and “Shaft” star Vanessa Williams guest starred on “Star Trek: Deep Space 9” as Arandis, an inhabitant of a pleasure planet.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as a holographic version of himself playing poker with Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton.

Adam Scott

“Parks and Recreation” and “Step Brothers” star Adam Scott had a blink and you’ll miss it role in “Star Trek: First Contact” as a crew member.

Kurtwood Smith

Kurtwood Smith

“That 70s Show’s” Kurtwood Smith has appeared in numerous Star Trek projects. He was an Efrosian Federation president in “Star Trek VI: Undiscovered Country,” as the predecessor to Odo in an episode of “Star Trek: Deep Space 9,” and as Annorax in two episodes of “Star Trek: Voyager.”

Mick Fleetwood

Mick Fleetwood

Mick Fleetwood, of Fleetwood Mac fame, underwent heavy make-up for a role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as an Antedean dignitary.

Tom Bergeron

Tom Bergeron

Tom Bergeron, host of both “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” appeared in two separate episodes of “Star Trek: Enterprise.”

Jane Wiedlin

Jane Wiedlin

“Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” featured a cameo from Trekkie and The Go-Go’s vocalist Jane Wiedlin.

John Tesh

The former “Entertainment Tonight” host and musician played a Klingon hologram who helped Worf complete his second right of ascension ceremony.

Tom Morello

Tom Morello

Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave fame, appeared twice in the “Star Trek” universe. He had a small cameo in the “Star Trek: Insurrection” and then appeared in an episode of “Star Trek: Voyager.”

Corbin Bernsen

Corbin Bernsen

“L.A. Law” and “Psych” alum Corbin Bernsen played a member of the omnipotent Q Continuum in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

James Avery

James Avery

“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s” Uncle Phil, James Avery, played a Klingon general in an episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise.”

Paul Sorvino

Paul Sorvino

Paul Sorvino, who starred in “Goodfellas,” “Romeo + Juliet” and the father of Mira Sorvino, played Worf’s foster brother in an episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Billy Burke

Billy Burke

“Twilight” star and “Revolution” alum Billy Burke made his first TV appearance on an episode of “Star Trek: Deep Space 9” as a Cardassian soldier.

Abdullah II ibn al Hussein

Abdullah II ibn al Hussein

Perhaps the most powerful guest star to appear in the show, King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn al Hussein had a non-speaking role in “Star Trek: Voyager” while he was still a prince.

John Larroquette

John Larroquette

Best known for playing a lecherous lawyer on “Night Court,” John Larroquette played the Klingon Maltz in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.”

Neal McDonough

Neal McDonough

Before “Arrow” and “Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” Neal McDonough played Lt. Hawk in “Star Trek: First Contact.”

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Star Trek: The Next Generation: The 10 Best Guest Stars in the Series, Ranked

The Next Generation had quite a few memorable, and even a few familiar guest stars during its run.

During its run, Star Trek: The Next Generation had many notable guest stars. Some were already well-known figures beforehand, while others would get their big break later in their careers. Some were the main focus of their stories, while others only appeared for short, yet memorable, scenes. Whether it was their performance or the character they played, these guest roles often left an impression on fans.

A few of these guest stars were also long-time fans of the series who ended up being a part of the franchise they loved. Many of the actors from the original series also made various appearances throughout the series. Quite often, they would reprise their original roles and usually help give their characters one more story for the fans at home.

10 John de Lancie (Q)

Q (John de Lancie) first appearance

John de Lancie 's Q appeared in around eight episodes, arguably making him more of a recurring character, but he left an impression nonetheless. Q belongs to the Q Continuum, powerful reality warpers who treat existence as their playground. Notably, Q appears in the pilot, claiming to pass judgment on humanity, and ultimately claiming to pass the sentence in the finale. Q, at first glance, behaves like a trickster god. In fact, supplementary material suggests he was the inspiration for quite a few of the trickster gods in antiquity. However, rather than being completely chaotic for its own sake, Q wants to keep the Federation humble.

In particular, Q has something of a competitive rivalry with Jean-Luc Picard , which is once compared to a master and his pet. Interestingly, the Q Continuum isn't too fond of Q's actions, once even punishing him by temporarily rendering him mortal.

9 Ashley Judd (Robin Lefler)

Star Trek Next Generation Ashley Judd

Actress Ashley Judd played Robin Lefler in the episodes "Darmok" and "The Game." Lefler serves as a Starfleet officer and engineer. Growing up as the lonely daughter of traveling plasma specialists, Lefler once joked her only friend was a tricorder. While serving as a mission specialist, Lefler briefly became romantically attached to Wesley Crusher. The two notably uncovered a Ktarian plot to overtake the Enterprise with a mysterious yet addictive game. During their investigation, Lefler would fall victim to the game herself, but she managed to analyze enough of the game to help Wesley stop it once and for all.

Lefler was also remembered for "Robin's Laws," a series of over one hundred sayings she used as personal advice. During their final scenes together, Lefler gives Wesley a hardbound copy of these laws, with him suggesting a new one: "A couple of light years can't keep good friends apart."

8 Stephen Root (Captain K'Vada)

Star Trek Next Generation Stephen Root

Actor Stephen Root played Captain K'Vada in the episodes "Unification I" and "Unification II." A Klingon and an officer, K'Vada was under orders to give transport Picard and Data to the planet Romulus. K'Vada was no exception to the Klingon dislike of humans and tried to make the trip an unpleasant one, from the sleeping quarters to the food. K'Vada also took his orders to the letter, promising no help to Picard and Data once they stepped foot on the planet. Despite this, Picard acts polite and unfazed to K'Vada's face.

Data eventually manages to get Captain K'Vada's help in accessing the Romulan Central Information Net, using Klingon computers, in exchange for sharing any found information. Root is unrecognizable in the part, often surprising viewers when learning he played the character.

RELATED: Star Trek: Geordi La Forge's 10 Best Quotes, Ranked

7 David Ogden Stiers (Dr. Timicin)

Star Trek Next Generation Dr. Timicin

Actor David Ogden Stiers played Dr. Timicin in the episode "Half a Life." Timicin was an alien whose world's sun is dying out, with Timicin himself believing he can save it. When the Enterprise is tasked with assisting Timicin, Lwaxana Troi also gets involved with the mission. In particular, Lwaxana takes an interest in Timicin, which he appears to somewhat reciprocate, but refuses to act on.

Unfortunately, when the experiment backfires, it comes to light that Timicin won't have time to try again. The people of his planet are euthanized after a ritual known as the Resolution upon turning 60, and Timicin has come of age. Timicin is spurred to seek asylum to at least continue his research, while the planet's fate looms in the background.

6 Kirsten Dunst (Hedril)

Star Trek Next Generation Kirsten Dunst

A young Kirsten Dunst appeared in the series as Hedril in the episode "Dark Page." Hedril was a member of the Cairn species, who were telepathic to the point of not having a concept of spoken language. Hedril reminded Lwaxana Troi, who served as an interpreter between the Federation and the Cairn, of her late daughter, Kestra. In particular, Hendril falling into a pond of water while playing reminded Lwaxana of Kestra's accidental death by drowning during a picnic. The painful memories of her child's death, which she blamed herself for, eventually drove Lwaxana into a coma.

When Deanna Troi entered her mother's mind to help, a manifestation of Hedril also appeared, representing her sister Kestra. In this state, Hedril appeared with Betazoid eyes and did not recognize her name. Prior to the incident, Kestra's existence had been kept secret from Deanna, who was born shortly before her sister's death. Deanna ultimately helps Lwaxana make peace with Kestra's death.

5 Bebe Neuwirth (Lanel)

Star Trek Next Generation Lanel

Actress Bebe Neuwirth of Cheers and Fraiser fame appeared as the Malcorian nurse Lanel in the episode "First Contact." Unlike other Malcorians, Lanel liked the idea of aliens from other worlds, even living among them and possibly starting a relationship with one. When William T. Riker was exposed as an alien, Lanel offered to help him escape, though she propositioned him beforehand. Riker offered to call the next time he visited her star system.

Neuwirth only appeared in one scene, but the comic relief role left an impression on viewers. Neuwirth had been interviewed over the part for The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine , where she believed that she got the part when the crew learned she was a fan of the franchise, even dubbing herself a "Trekkie."

4 Stephen Hawking (Himself)

Star Trek Next Generation Stephen Hawking

In the opening scene of “Descent – Part I,” Data creates holodeck versions of Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking , curious to see what a poker game between the three great intellects would be like. During the game, Hawking complains about having to hear Newton's "apple story" and ultimately beats Einstein in the game, complete with a smirk on his face.

The real life Stephen Hawking plays his own hologram, making it one of the rare times in the series where a guest star played themselves, barring archive footage. Allegedly, the noted scientist, a long-time fan of the franchise, asked Leonard Nimoy to visit the set during a screening of A Brief History of Time , a documentary based on Hawking's book of the same name. Hawking agreed to appear on the series during his subsequent visit. According to the DVD extras, Brent Spiner recounted a story where he later met up with Hawking, who jokingly asked for the money he won in this episode.

RELATED: Why It's Time for a Theatrical Star Trek Movie

3 Mark Lenard (Sarek)

Ambassador Sarek

Mark Lenard appeared in the original Star Trek series as Sarek, Spock's father. Notably, Lenard appeared as one of the first Romulan characters in the original series, even before being cast as Sarek. Lenard had made other appearances throughout the franchise, such as the animated series , as well as the Next Generation episodes, "Sarek" and "Unification I."

Sarek appears in his eponymous episode, where he boards the Enterprise as part of his latest diplomatic mission: a treaty with the Legarans. During a concert prepared for him, Sarek displays an unusual amount of emotion, amidst crew members also developing strange tempers. It soon comes to light that a disease is forcing Sarek's emotions to come out and influence the physical world. Picard becomes tasked with melding his mind with Sarek's to ensure the diplomatic meeting goes well. "Unification I" features the death of Sarek, who gives Picard the dying words, "Live long and prosper."

2 James Doohan (Scotty)

Star Trek Next Generation Scotty

Actor James Doohan played Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the original series. Doohan reprised the role in the Next Generation episode, "Relics." The Enterprise uncovers a missing ship, the USS Jenolan, where Scott materializes, saying the ship crashed on the way to his retirement. Scott initially assumes Kirk has come to save him before realizing there's a new crew. After meeting the new crew, Scott is eager to help, but proves too unfamiliar with the new technology. Scott also gets to make a holodeck recreation of the original Enterprise and offers a toast, with Scott soon sharing a drink with Picard. Eventually, Scott even begins to bond with Lt. Commander La Forge.

By the end of the story, Scotty has reconfigured the Jenolan and is loaned an Enterprise shuttle, meaning he will depart for more adventures. Archive footage of Doohan later appeared in the episode, "Trials and Tribble-ations."

1 Leonard Nimoy (Spock)

Star Trek Next Generation Spock

Leonard Nimoy , who played Spock in the original Star Trek series, among other parts of the franchise, reprised the role in the “Unification” two-parter, where he was billed as a "Special Guest Star." In the story, an Ambassador has disappeared and is suspected of having defected. Soon, it comes to light that the Ambassador is none other than Spock. Picard travels to the planet Romulus to find Spock, encountering him by the end of the first half.

As his actions have spooked the Starfleet, Spock claims to be on a personal peace mission. It soon comes to light that Spock has been caught up in reunification efforts between the Vulcans and Romulans. However, treachery may be afoot, with reunification coming in the form of an invasion. By the end of the story, Spock decides to change Romulan society from the inside, in the hopes of one day paving the way for a proper reunification. As a parting gift, Picard shares Sarek's feelings from their mind-meld with Spock, allowing him to know his father's true feelings.

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Famous People You Didn't Know Were In 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' And 'Star Trek: Voyager'

Damon Davis

As the Star Trek franchise grew in popularity, it became more and more common for the show to feature celebrity cameos. Though neither  Voyager nor  Deep Space Nine  ever reached the levels of popularity that the original series or The Next Generation did, the shows boasted a number of recognizable celebrities – both before and after they became household names.

These are some of the most recognizable  DS9  and  Voyager  guest stars to boldly venture into the final frontier.

Dwayne Johnson ('Tsunkatse')

Dwayne Johnson ('Tsunkatse')

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Sarah Silverman ('Future's End')

Sarah Silverman ('Future's End')

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Jason Alexander ('Think Tank')

Jason Alexander ('Think Tank')

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Ed Begley, Jr. ('Future's End')

Ed Begley, Jr. ('Future's End')

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James Cromwell ('Starship Down')

James Cromwell ('Starship Down')

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Vanessa Williams ('Let He Who Is Without Sin')

Vanessa Williams ('Let He Who Is Without Sin')

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Iggy Pop ('The Great Ferengi')

Iggy Pop ('The Great Ferengi')

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Kurtwood Smith ('Things Past')

Kurtwood Smith ('Things Past')

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Wallace Shawn ('The Nagus')

Wallace Shawn ('The Nagus')

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Virginia Madsen ('Unforgettable')

Virginia Madsen ('Unforgettable')

Michael McKean ('The Thaw')

Michael McKean ('The Thaw')

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Louise Fletcher ('In The Hands Of The Prophets')

Louise Fletcher ('In The Hands Of The Prophets')

Joel Grey ('Resistance')

Joel Grey ('Resistance')

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John Rhys-Davies ('Scorpion')

John Rhys-Davies ('Scorpion')

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Zach Galligan ('In The Flesh')

Zach Galligan ('In The Flesh')

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Tony Todd ('The Visitor')

Tony Todd ('The Visitor')

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Original Series Trivia

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10 Star Trek Guest Star Actors You Forgot About

  • Star Trek has featured many surprising guest stars, from wrestlers to movie stars, making memorable appearances.
  • Some actors, like Kelsey Grammer and Ashley Judd, appeared in Star Trek episodes before reaching peak fame.
  • The franchise has attracted a wide range of talent, from Terry O'Quinn to Iggy Pop, showcasing diversity in guest appearances.

Many well-known actors have guest-starred in Star Trek over the years, and some of them may come as a surprise. Actors like William Shatner and Patrick Stewart, gained much of their fame from Star Trek and remain forever connected to the franchise. Many famous Star Trek guest stars, however, are known for their work in other projects, either before or after their Star Trek guest roles. With Star Trek's lengthy history and passionate fanbase, the opportunity to step onto a starship or a space station has been a goal or a springboard for plenty of actors.

While most of these guest stars may not have had large roles on Star Trek , some played memorable characters who left quite an impression. Star Trek: The Next Generation , Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , and Star Trek: Voyager ran throughout the 1990s when most of these actors were just beginning their careers. Other stars already had well-established careers and just wanted a chance to don alien makeup or a Starfleet uniform. From pro wrestlers to punk rockers to movie stars, you may have forgotten that these 10 actors made an appearance in Star Trek .

Every Star Trek Actor Who Won An Oscar

Dwayne "the rock" johnson, star trek: voyager: season 6, episode 15 ("tsunkatse").

When Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) and Lt. Tuvok (Tim Russ) are captured by an alien vessel, Seven is forced to participate in Tsunkatse combat matches for a crowd's entertainment. In one of her matches, Seven is pitted against a Pendari man played by Dwayne Johnson. Johnson performed his own stunts, which included several wrestling moves, among them one of The Rock's signatures known as "The Rock Bottom." Seven's final match, against a Hirogen opponent, is meant to be to the death, but the USS Voyager rescues her before either opponent has to kill the other.

Star Trek regular Jeffrey Combs also appears in this episode as Penk, the fight promoter. Combs plays Vorta Weyoun on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Andorian Shran on Star Trek: Enterprise, as well as many other Trek characters.

Ashley Judd

Star trek: the next generation season 5 episode 2 ("darmok") & episode 6 ("the game").

One of Ashley Judd's first roles was Ensign Robin Lefler in two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation ​​​​​​. Lefler was a young officer on the USS Enterprise-D who assisted Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) and had a brief romance with Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) . In "The Game," Wesley visits the Enterprise while on leave from Starfleet Academy, and he and Robin help "rescue" the crew after they have become addicted to a Ktarian game. Producers reportedly planned for Ashley Judd's Ensign Lefler to appear in more episodes, but the timing did not work out.

Teri Hatcher

Star trek: the next generation season 2, episode 4 ("the outrageous okona").

In Star Trek: The Next Generation 's "The Outrageous Okona," the Starship Enterprise rescues a roguishly charming space captain named Thadiun Okona (Billy Campbell) . In an uncredited role, Teri Hatcher plays transporter chief Lt. B.G. Robinson, who finds herself charmed by Captain Okona after she beams him aboard the Enterprise. Robinson never appears again, and Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) soon takes over the role of transporter chief. Teri Hatcher would go on to star as Lois Lane in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and as Susan Mayer Delfino in Desperate Housewives .

Billy Campbell was considered for the role of Commander Riker before Jonathan Frakes was cast.

Kelsey Grammer

Star trek: the next generation season 5, episode 18 ("cause and effect").

A Star Trek fan himself, Cheers and Frasier's Kelsey Grammar appeared as Captain Morgan Bateson of the USS Bozeman in TNG's "Cause and Effect." When the USS Enterprise-D finds itself caught in a time loop, the ship keeps exploding as it crashes into the Bozeman emerging from a wormhole. Eventually, Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) finds a way out of the loop, and the Enterprise crew members discover they have been trapped for 17 days. The Bozeman has been missing for over 90 years, so Captain Picard and his crew welcome Captain Bateson to the 24th century.

10 Best Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes To Hook New Fans

Bibi neuwirth, star trek: the next generation season 4, episode 15 ("first contact").

Bibi Neuwirth starred as Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane, Frasier Crane's wife, on both Cheers and Frasier throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. During this time, she appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation about a year before her on-screen husband, Kelsey Grammer, would also make a cameo appearance. In "First Contact," Neuwirth plays an alien nurse named Lanel who tries to help an injured (and disguised) Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) escape from a hospital . The locals have discovered that Riker is not a member of their species, and Lanel helps him escape because she wants to "make love with an alien."

Rainn Wilson

Star trek: discovery season 1 episode 5 ("choose your pain") & episode 7 ("magic to make the sanest man go mad").

Best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on "The Office," Rainn Wilson appeared in two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery as the con artist and smuggler, Harry Mudd . Played by Roger C. Carmel in Star Trek: The Original Series , Mudd had two run-ins with Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew. Rainn Wilson's Mudd makes his first appearance in "Choose Your Pain," where Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs) encounters him in a Klingon prison. Mudd's next appearance comes in one of Discovery's most fun episodes, as Mudd attempts to steal the USS Discovery by controlling a time loop.

Rainn Wilson also appeared as Harry Mudd in the Star Trek: Short Treks episode, "The Escape Artist," which he directed and was written by Star Trek: Lower Decks ' creator Mike McMahan.

Christian Slater

Star trek vi: the undiscovered country.

Christian Slater appeared as an unnamed Communications Officer who worked the night shift on the USS Excelsior in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country . When the ship receives a message from Starfleet asking about the USS Enterprise-A, Slater's character must wake Captain Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) to pass on the message. Slater had already achieved fame with roles in Heathers and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and he would go on to appear in numerous popular films and television shows. A huge Star Trek fan, Slater got the part because his mother, Mary Jo Slater, was the casting director for the film.

Kirsten Dunst

Star trek: the next generation season 7, episode 7 ("dark page").

About a year before her breakout role in Interview with the Vampire, a young Kirsten Dunst played Hedril, a member of the Cairn species on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) has been teaching the Cairn how to speak, and she visits the Enterprise with the Cairn Ambassador and his daughter, Hedril . Lwaxana's daughter, Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) , soon notices that Lwaxana is not her usual flamboyant self. Deanna eventually uncovers a memory that her mother had long repressed. Before Deanna, Lwaxana had a daughter named Kestra, who died as a child. Hedril subconsciously reminded Lwaxana of Kestra, and caused her repressed memories to resurface.

Deanna Troi and William Riker later named their daughter Kestra, after Deanna's late sister.

All 9 Lwaxana Troi Star Trek Episodes Ranked, Worst To Best

Terry o'quinn, star trek: the next generation season 7, episode 12 ("the pegasus").

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7's "The Pegasus," Commander Riker's former Captain, now-Admiral Erik Pressman, visits the Enterprise-D, played by none other than Lost's Terry O'Quinn. While commanding the USS Pegasus, Pressman participated in experiments to create a Federation cloaking device , despite the development of such technology being prohibited by the Treaty of Algeron with the Romulans. Pressman's experiments eventually led his crew to commit a mutiny, but the truth behind the incident was covered up. Riker struggles with his loyalty to his former captain, but he eventually reveals the truth to Captain Picard, and Pressman and his peers are arrested.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 6, Episode 10 ("The Magnificent Ferengi")

"Godfather of Punk" Iggy Pop plays a Vorta negotiator named Yelgrun in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 's "The Magnificent Ferengi," which sees Quark (Armin Shimerman) and his brother Rom (Max Grodénchik) put together a team of Ferengi to rescue their mother from the Dominion . With a much lighter tone than most of the Dominion War episodes, "The Magnificent Ferengi" is an incredibly fun episode and Iggy Pop delivers a memorable performance. People may not think of Iggy Pop when they think of Star Trek , but he's just one of the surprising actors you may have forgotten made guest appearances in the franchise.

Star Trek: The Next Generation , Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager , & Star Trek: Discovery are available to stream on Paramount+. The first 10 Star Trek movies are available on Max.

10 Star Trek Guest Star Actors You Forgot About

20 Actors Who Were on Star Trek Before Becoming Famous

From Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to Sarah Silverman, CBR runs down the most surprising faces to have graced Star Trek before they were more widely known.

Once upon a time, Star Trek was looked down on by some TV critics. It was just a cheesy science fiction show with aliens, not exactly the kind of series a major actor would take part in. Things would change with the original Trek having some big name guest stars like Ricardo Monalbaln and Frank Gorshin. The later series have also been using some big names as special guest stars. Everyone from Whoopi Goldberg to Jean Simmons to Kurtwood Smith to Stephen Hawking would make appearances on Trek . Whether a human or alien, good guy or villain, they seemed to love taking part in the saga and becoming part of the Trek lore.

However, given how many shows there have been and how long they’ve lasted, it’s probably no surprise that Trek boasts a lot of “before they were famous” faces. Many actors have made appearances that would go on to be famous later on. Sometimes, they make a small appearance that has an impact so they’re brought back later in another role. Other times, they can just make a cameo before ending up having a pretty big career on their own. Some are more TV actors well known for their small-screen roles. Other cases can be actors who balance out movies and TV well. And one case is a man who went on to become the biggest box office star on the planet. A few are known but others may be a surprise to even their biggest fans. Here are 20 actors who were on Star Trek before becoming famous and a great reason to rewatch some episodes.

20 NEAL MCDONOUGH

star trek guest actors

Today, Neal McDonough will joke about his white hair being part of his entire persona. So it’s fun to look back when it was much darker. In First Contact , McDonough is Hawk, the young helmsman for the Enterprise as they take on the Borg. Hawk gets good screen time with some action scenes and even aiding Worf and Picard in a fight outside the Enterprise . He was assimilated and then taken out by Worf and when you see he was wearing a red shirt under his uniform, that should have been no surprise.

McDonough got attention for the part to boost himself up in Hollywood. This led to roles on Boomtown and Desperate Housewives and playing Dum Dum Dugan in Captain America . Arrowverse fans known McDonough well for his role as the twisted but hilarious Damien Darkh who’s made life miserable for Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow . Those used to him as that sharp villain can enjoy seeing him as a hero in Trek.

19 BILLY CAMPBELL

star trek guest actors

The first two seasons of Next Generation were filled with some poor episodes. A big example is “The Outrageous Okana” as the ship is forced to take on the title character as part of a mission. A pirate and rogue, Okana is talked about as a dashing hero with a fun style, a ladies’ man and a sharp conniving mind. However, fans tend to loathe the character as not belonging in Star Trek and the writers more in love with him than actually showing him an effective character. Billy Campbell was the young actor cast in the role and didn’t seem comfortable with the part. The plan was for Okana to be a recurring character but the negative fan reaction ended that.

Campbell bounced back nicely. He landed the lead role in the cult comic book movie The Rocketeer just a year later. While not an A-list star, Campbell has become a successful TV actor. His credits include Once & Again, The 4400, The Killing, Helix and more. Known for some darker roles in his later years, it’s somewhat bizarre to see Campbell in this early part.

18 KIM RHODES

star trek guest actors

Fans of a certain current genre hit may be surprised by this one. Kim Rhodes was a rising actress when she landed the part of Lyndsay Ballard on the Voyager episode “Ashes to Ashes.” Lyndsay had been a crewmember of the ship who appeared to be killed. Her body was recovered by an alien race who revived and remade her into one of them. Getting away, Lyndsay does her best to rejoin Voyager and also has a romance with Harry. Eventually, her now-alien biology forces her to return to her new home planet.

Rhodes was fun in the role with a sparkling wit and got along great with the cast. She would continue work such as playing the mom on the Disney Channel comedy The Suite Life of Zack and Cody . She’s also known for her role as a director on Criminal Minds . To Supernatural fans, Rhodes is loved as Jody Mills, the tough sheriff who helps the guys out and was even planned for her own spin-off. It was Voyager that helped boost Rhodes up for genre fans.

17 ANDREAS KATSULAS

star trek guest actors

With the Klingons now allies of the Federation in TNG , this made the Romulans the major villains when the series started. The Enterprise would soon have run-ins with Tomalak, a stern Romulan commander. Cool and conniving, the man had some charm but also loved doing his best to get one over on Picard. Plans were for him to be a regular enemy but it never came off due to shifts in storylines although the character did pop up in the series finale.

A big reason he never became a regular was that actor Andreas Katsulas would be rather busy. While featured as the one-armed man in The Fugitive , Katsulas would become known for another iconic sci-fi series. Buried under makeup, he played the noble G’Kar on Babylon 5 and made the character a beloved fan favorite. Katsulas sadly passed away in 2006 but left behind a legacy of being on two of the greatest sci-fi series of all time.

16 KIRSTIE ALLEY

star-trek-saavik-kirstie-alley

It’s a famous case to be sure but it has to be counted. Star Trek II is often considered the best of all the movies. It kicks off with young Vulcan officer Saavik taking part in the famed Kobayashi Maru test. She’s soon part of the main plot as Kirk finds himself tangling with old enemy Khan in a wild battle. Alley imbued the role with some warmth as her character realizes you can’t always go by the rules. She was to appear in the sequel but various issues prevented it and so Robin Curtiss played the role.

Alley did get good attention for the part which would lead to her Emmy-winning turn on Cheers . She scored movie hits like Look Who’s Talking and later shows such as Veronica’s Closet . While known for some nutty stuff in her personal life, Alley keeps busy and many Trek fans still wish she’d have continued longer with this notable part.

15 JONATHAN BANKS

star trek guest actors

A long-dependable character actor, Jonathan Banks is well known for her dour expression that makes him a natural for bad-guy roles. He had finished up a stint on the crime drama Wiseguy when he appeared in the first season DS9 episode “Battle Lines.” Sisko, Bashir, Kira and Kai Opaka crash on a world at war. The Kai is killed in the crash but then pops up alive again. It turns out that the planet’s energy field keeps resurrecting the fallen soldiers. Banks is the leader of one side of the conflict who, like his counterpart, is convinced they’re being punished for the long war that devastated their world.

Banks is good in the part with a dark tone of a man who accepts he’s been horribly cursed. The actor has continued to mark up numerous TV credits. He’s gotten more famous playing enforcer Mike on the Emmy-award winning hit Breaking Bad and its prequel Better Call Saul. Given how long he’s been on TV, it’s no shock Banks has a Trek credit on his resume.

14 DANIEL DAE KIM

star trek guest actors

“Blink of an Eye” is an interesting Voyager episode. The ship finds itself in orbit over a planet with a unique temporal field around it. For every moment that passes on Voyager , a year goes by on the planet. The episode shows how their society evolves from superstitious worshipping of Voyager to scientific realization it’s a spaceship. Eventually, their technology advances enough to let a probe ship of their own reach Voyager . One pilot doesn’t survive but the other does and amazed to finally meet “the Sky People.”

Daniel Dae Kim handled the role pretty well as he adapts to the ship and even some bantering with the Doctor (who had spent time on the planet himself). He pops up as a future version of himself to thank Voyager for inspiring his entire culture. Kim would have roles on Angel and  Crusade  before breaking out big as Jin on Lost . He followed that with a long stint on Hawaii Five-O and thus, in its own way, Voyager inspired his own career trajectory.

13 NIKKI COX

star trek guest actors

The WB’s Unhappily Ever After seemed a clone of Married With Children about a rough family. Nikki Cox was the breakout as the hot teen who was a lot smarter than she looked. Before all that, Cox was on the second season TNG episode “Pen Pals.” She was part of the “B” plot as Data finds himself swapping radio messages with a young alien girl named Sarjenka. As her race is unaware of other worlds, Data lets her think he’s from another part of her planet. As earthquakes threaten her world, Data has to debate breaking the Prime Directive to help his friend out.

Data does end up saving the girl from an eruption and even bringing her on the Enterprise . It’s fun to see Cox as a child under that makeup, reacting in wonder to it all. Cox would go on to success on TV with her own sitcom and the NBC series Las Vegas . She’s mostly retired from acting today so it’s interesting to see this young beauty as an alien kid.

12 FAMKE JANSSEN

famke-janssen-star-trek

Usually, when people think of Patrick Stewart and Famke Janssen, they think of X-Men . But long before they were Professor X and Jean Grey, the actors worked together on the TNG episode “The Perfect Mate.” Janssen is the well-named title character, an empath who’s been promised in marriage to end a planetary war. She and Picard click together and before long, he’s fallen in love with her. But duty has to come first and Picard must let her go to fulfill her own destiny.

Janssen was good in the role and her beauty on display. It was a few years later that she got her breakout role as Xenia Onatopp in the James Bond movie Goldeneye . That led to further success such as X-Men and TV shows like Hemlock Grov e. It’s no wonder Janssen and Stewart got along well on X-Men as their chemistry had been set a decade earlier.

11 GABRIELLE UNION

star trek guest actors

It’s fun to see the number of major actors who have played Klingons from Christopher Lloyd to Christopher Plummer. It’s even crazier to see some women donning that wild makeup. The DS9 episode “Sons and Daughters” has Worf leading a Klingon ship in an attack on the Dominion. Worf is troubled by the fact his son, Alexander, is among the recruits. The ship is involved in some battles with N’Garen the feisty female weapons officer who proves herself as capable as any of the guys.

Look closely and under all that makeup, you’ll see N’Garen was played by a young Gabrielle Union. The actress has gone on to score hits like Bring It On, Bad Boys II and Think Like a Man . She also had a big TV hit with Being Mary Jane and the upcoming L.A.’s Finest series. It’s fun to watch that famous beauty hidden under Klingon features.

10 SARAH SILVERMAN

star trek guest actors

In the two-part “Future’s End”, the Voyager crew get a classic case of good news/bad news: Good news is they’ve reached Earth but the bad news is that it’s 1996. The group realize a billionaire has managed to get hold of tech from the future and using it in a plan that can alter history. Several members beam down and try to fit in on Earth to stop him. They run into Rain, an astronomer who was the only one to spot the ship and figures they’re aliens. She takes them being from the future in stride and helps them out.

Cast in the role was a young stand-up comic named Sarah Silverman. Her performance won over the crew with her great humor and banter with the cast. Indeed, the producers even toyed with the idea of having Rain join the ship when they returned to the present. That never happened while it did inspire the idea of Seven of Nine. Silverman is known today for her wild comedy routines so it’s fun to imagine how close she came to being a Trek star.

9 TOM HARDY

star trek guest actors

Nemesis was the final movie for the TNG crew and was a letdown to some fans. The plot had promise with Shinzon, a clone of Picard, striking out on behalf of Romulus. Shinzon feels his empire has grown too weak and plans to make it stronger by devastating Earth. The movie was criticized for some rough storytelling and the way it wrote off a major Trek character. However, Tom Hardy was praised for his role as Shinzon. Even the movie’s detractors credit Hardy with wonderfully mimicking a young Patrick Stewart to fire the movie up.

Today, Hardy is best known as a major Hollywood leading man. He was Mad Max in Fury Road , Bane in The Dark Knight Rises and scored a huge hit with Venom . Given his tendency for playing strong muscle-men, it’s fun to see Hardy as a smaller but still sinister character to fire up this movie.

8 TERI HATCHER

star trek guest actors

Teri Hatcher’s road to fame had a few interesting detours. She was a dancer on the final season of The Love Boat and some movies such as Tango and Cash and Soapdish . In the second season TNG episode “The Outrageous Okana,” Hatcher played B.G. Robinson, a transporter room technician. She’s among the first to welcome dashing smuggler Okana and clearly some flirtation. Indeed, he’s seen coming to her room later.

As it happened, Hatcher had shot a lot of scenes that hinted she could be a bigger character. However, they pretty much all ended up being cut and Hatcher thus asked her name be removed from the credits. It was a couple of years later that Hatcher broke out playing Lois Lane in the hit Lois & Clark series. After a career slump, Hatcher bounced back with Desperate Housewives and recently showed up on Supergirl to show she can never leave sci-fi behind.

7 ADAM SCOTT

star trek guest actors

Here’s a very brief appearance so it’s no surprise it’s been overlooked a lot. First Contact is the best of the TNG movies as the Enterprise crew have to stop the Borg from changing history. The opening is fantastic as a Federation fleet battle a Borg cube which easily dispatches several ships. Among them is the Defiant , taking a major beating with Worf in command. A helmsman (simply identified as “conn officer” in the script) gives a damage report. Declaring that “today is a good day to die”, Worf orders the ship to ram into the cube. Luckily, the Enterprise shows up just in time to help them.

That’s all we see of that officer as the scene belongs to Worf. The actor in the role was Adam Scott who spent a few years bouncing around various guest starring parts in TV shows. He finally hit the big time as Ben Wyatt on Parks & Recreation . He makes more appearances like Big Little Lies and The Good Place but some of his own fans may forget his brief Trek appearance.

6 TERRY O'QUINN

star trek guest actors

For some time, Terry O’Quinn had long been one of those “hey, it’s that guy” actors in TV and movies. He’d played Howard Hughes in The Rocketeer and a good guest star in various TV shows. In the TNG episode “Pegasus,” O’Quinn is Admiral Pressman who’d been Riker’s first captain. He enlists the Enterprise to find the Pegasus which had gone missing after a mutiny on board the ship. Pressman clearly has an agenda as he clashes with Picard and Riker.

It turns out Pressman was working on a Federation cloaking device which was a violation of a major treaty with the Romulans. He’s taken into custody despite defending his actions. O’Quinn spent a few more years bouncing around before landing his iconic Emmy-award winning role of John Locke on Lost . O’Quinn continues to be a steady TV star, including the Castle Rock series and thus little surprise he counted Trek among his numerous credits.

5 KIRSTEN DUNST

star trek guest actors

Usually, when Troi’s mother, Laxwana, showed up on the Enterprise , it meant some comedy was in store. But for her final appearance in season seven’s “Dark Page,” the show went for pure drama. During a conference, Laxwana shows signs of fatigue and collapses into a coma. Troi enters her mind to find Laxwana haunted by an alien girl named Hedril. It turns out Hedril resembles Kestra, Troi’s older sister who drowned as a child. Laxwana was so rocked by the tragedy that she never told Troi she had a sibling and buried the entire memory.

It was a tricky dual role but it was pulled off by the young actress Kirsten Dunst. A year later, Dunst got her breakout role as vampire Claudia in Interview With the Vampire . She’s managed to balance films from Bring It On to playing Mary Jane in the Spider-Man trilogy as well as the TV show Fargo . It all started with a good turn showing Dunst’s talent at a young age

4 SETH MACFARLANE

star trek guest actors

True, in 2004, some might have known Seth MacFarlane already. The comedian was the creators of the animated comedy Family Guy and supplied several of the voices but he actually wasn’t that famous on camera. In the Enterprise episode “Afflicted,” MacFarlane is Rivers, one of several techs in engineering being talked to by Tuck. MacFarlane just has a couple of lines and pretty much vanishes after that.

While continuing to make Family , MacFarlane branched out into live-action comedy hits like Ted and A Million Ways to Die in the West as well as stuff like hosting the Oscars. MacFarlane showed his love for Star Trek with his series The Orville which plays like a loving homage to the franchise. Yet even those fans may not know MacFarlane was part of Trek for real.

3 ASHLEY JUDD

star trek guest actors

With her mother Naomi and sister Wynonna major country superstars, one would think Ashley Judd would follow in their footsteps. Instead, she chose acting with one of her early notable parts in the TNG episode “The Game.” She played Robin Lefler, a young officer who strikes up a romance with Wesley on the ship. They end up having to team up to stop a plot by aliens to take over the Enterprise by brainwashing the crew with a video game. Judd was fun in the part but plans for her to become a recurring character never came to be.

Peter David ended up being a fan of the character and would use Robin in his popular New Frontier novel series. Judd has gone on to star in movie hits like Double Jeopardy and also a notable TV face with Sisters and Berlin Station. Still, it’s fun to look back at how she was one lady who actually liked Wesley.

2 JOAN COLLINS

star trek guest actors

Jim Kirk had a lot of romances over the course of Star Trek . But Edith Keller was always “the one.” In the classic episode “The City on the Edge of Forever,” Kirk and Spock travel back in time to 1930 New York. They’re befriended by Edith, a young woman who’s leading a crusade for peace. Kirk is taken by her beauty but also her courage and beliefs that match the Federation’s. However, Spock learns that Edith is meant to be killed in a car accident. If she lives, her crusade will delay the U.S. in entering World War II which will allow the Nazis to win the war.

Kirk is thus forced to allow his love to die to save his future. It affected him deeply and it’s believable thanks to Joan Collins’ performance in the role. Just another actress at the time, Collins would continue to show off her beauty in various movies. She hit the big time with her role as Alexis Carrington in the hit 1980s series Dynasty . Given how wicked she was in that show, it’s fun to see her young and bright in one of the best Trek episodes ever.

1 DWAYNE JOHNSON

star trek guest actors

In early 2000, UPN was airing WWF’s SmackDown program with wrestling quite hot in the mainstream. The network did some cross-promotion by having WWF stars show up in various UPN shows. In the Voyager episode “Tsunkatse”, Seven of Nine and Tuvok are captured by the conniving promoter of a popular galactic fighting ring. Seven is forced to go into the arena and faces off against a member of the Pendari race. Playing the role was one of WWF’s biggest names of the time, the Rock.

The scene is short with Rock and Seven doing some fighting before the Rock hits his “Rock Bottom” finisher to defeat her. It was a brief cameo but in the long run, it ended up being important. It marked the first ever acting credit of Dwayne Johnson who has gone on to become one of the biggest box office stars in the world. Thus, Voyager can be credited with helping launch Johnson’s amazing career.

Screen Rant

Every star trek actor who has appeared on the orville.

Seth MacFarlane's The Orville is a loving parody of the Star Trek franchise, but the comedy borrows more than just tropes and uniforms from Starfleet.

Which Star Trek characters have made appearances in The Orville ? Premiering in 2017, The Orville came from Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy , American Dad and Ted fame, and acts as a homage to the world of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek . MacFarlane had already been packing his animated fare with Star Trek gags (who can forget Family Guy 's Captain Kirk skit?), but The Orville gave the actor a chance to live out his Starfleet fantasies in live-action. Despite being firmly rooted in comedy, The Orville successfully delves into the same science fiction action and drama that made the Enterprise famous.

The Orville stars MacFarlane himself as Mercer, a down-on-his-luck captain sent to explore the galaxy on behalf of the Planetary Union... alongside his unfaithful ex-wife. Set 400 years in the future, The Orville represents a throwback to the early days of Star Trek - a reprieve from the darker, serialized direction the franchise has taken in recent years.

Related: Star Trek: DS9's James Bond Episode Saved Dr. Bashir

As well-connected as MacFarlane is, it's no surprise that The Orville features a bevy of A-list guest stars from Liam Neeson and Charlize Theron to Bruce Willis and Rob Lowe, but the three seasons released thus far have also included an array of names from the world of Star Trek , some more recognizable than others. Here are all the actors to appear in both The Orville and Star Trek .

Marina Sirtis

star trek guest actors

The wonderful Marina Sirtis is a well-known figure in the world of Star Trek , bringing life to Deanna Troi as part of Star Trek: The Next Generation 's main cast. Sirtis reprised her role in Star Trek: Voyager , Enterprise and most recently, Star Trek: Picard , in which she and Riker enjoyed a touching reunion with their former captain. Since Troi was the counselor of Picard's Enterprise, it's fitting that Sirtis plays a teacher in The Orville . Even better, the episode in question was directed by one Jonathan Frakes, better known as Will Riker himself.

Robert Picardo

Star Trek - Robert Picardo as The Doctor

Robert Picardo enjoyed a scene-stealing turn as The Doctor in Star Trek: Voyager . Despite being part of the main crew, The Doctor was an Emergency Medical Hologram, but one of the show's biggest characters regardless, with his witty retorts and less-than-comforting bedside manner. Picardo made a brief cameo as an EMH character in Star Trek: First Contact . In The Orville , Picardo plays IIdis Kitan, father of Alara Kitan.

Tim Russ glowers as Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager.

Spock may remain the most famous Vulcan in the Star Trek universe, but Tim Russ's Tuvok earned plenty of fans during his time as one of the primary Star Trek: Voyager cast. After serving under Captain Sulu on the Excelsior , Tuvok earns the position of second officer on the Voyager and, despite his emotional restrictions, becomes a trusted member of the team. Russ appears as Mirror Tuvok in Deep Space Nine and had small roles in both Star Trek: Generations and The Next Generation . The actor portrays Dr. Sherman in The Orville , a human historian with an interest in the 21st century.

Related: How DS9 Season 4 Saved The Darkest Star Trek Series

Seth MacFarlane

Seth-MacFarlane-The-Orville

Fans of The Orville may not be aware that the series' own lead character is actually a member of the Star Trek family, albeit not one that might spring to mind immediately. Seth MacFarlane played Ensign Rivers in several episodes of Enterprise in 2004 and 2005. An engineer on both Star Trek 's Enterprise and the Columbia, Rivers is a minor character in the vast tapestry of Star Trek , and it's strange to think that after these brief cameos, MacFarlane would go on to create and star in his own Star Trek -inspired series.

Penny Johnson Jerald

star trek guest actors

Penny Johnson Jerald made her Star Trek debut in a 1993 episode of The Next Generation as Dobara, but it is her appearances in Deep Space Nine for which the actress is better known. Kasidy Yates was the love interest of Deep Space Nine protagonist Benjamin Sisko and a successful freight captain in her own right. Johnson's Kasidy Yates eventually marries Sisko in DS9 and the couple become pregnant, but her ending is ambiguous, with Sisko taken to the Celestial Temple and promising to return at some point in the future. Jerald is a main member of The Orville 's cast, playing Claire Finn, the ship's chief medical officer.

F. Murray Abraham

F Murray Abraham as RuAfo in Star Trek Insurrection

The Oscar-winning F. Murray Abraham joined the Star Trek fraternity with 1998's Insurrection movie. Leader of the Son'a and a budding plastic surgery enthusiast, Ru'afo was the main villain of their piece, going up against Picard and the Enterprise crew. Ru'afo sought to wipe out the Ba'ku so that his own people could recapture their youth, but was killed when Star Trek: The Next Generation 's Picard set off an explosion and promptly beamed to safety aboard the Enterprise. Abraham briefly appears in The Orville with a cameo as a Xelayan council chairman in season 2's "Sanctuary."

John Billingsley

star trek guest actors

John Billingsley will be familiar to Star Trek fans thanks to his time as one of the main crew in Enterprise . Playing a Denobulan by the name of Phlox, Billingsley is yet another Orville actor who was once a doctor on a major Star Trek series. Phlox was, however, almost the antithesis of the Voyager's EMH program, so it's interesting that both actors appear in The Orville together, with Billingsley's Cambis Borrin harboring a deep, resentful grudge towards Robert Picardo's character.

Related: Star Trek Voyager: Why Kes Actress Jennifer Lien Left The Series

Scott Grimes

The Orville Gordon Malloy

Scott Grimes did not have a significant role in Star Trek . In fact, the actor wasn't even credited for his appearance in The Next Generation season 3's "Evolution". Instead, Grimes' role as Eric was almost entirely cut from the Star Trek series ' episode. Eric was intended as a friend of Wesley Crusher and can still be seen in the background of the episode. Having already voiced Steve Smith in Seth MacFarlane's American Dad , Grimes was cast as Malloy in The Orville , the best friend of Captain Mercer, and a helmsman with an immature streak.

Brian George

Seth MacFarlane, Penny Johnson Jerald, Adrianne Palicki, Halston Sage and Brian George

Brian George will be well known to fans of Seinfeld , The Big Bang Theory , and The Expanse , but the veteran actor also played Julian Bashir’s father Richard in Deep Space Nine . Bashir Sr. was responsible for having his son genetically enhanced following difficulties at school. George also showed up in Star Trek: Voyager season 7 as O’Zaal, a race coordinator for the Antarian Trans-stellar Rally. Appearing in The Orville 's very first episode, Brian George is Aronov, the director of the Epsilon Science Station under threat from the Krill.

Jason Alexander

star trek guest actors

George isn't the only actor linking Star Trek , The Orville and Seinfeld - Jason Alexander also boasts the full trifecta. An avid Star Trek fan with an outstanding Shatner impersonation, Alexander guest starred as Kurros in Star Trek: Voyager season 5's "Think Tank," acting as a spokesman between the titular group of mercenary scholars and various other races. Like so many male characters in Star Trek: Voyager , Kurros has designs on Seven of Nine, but unlike the others, it's really just her mind that attracts Kurros to Seven of Nine . Jason Alexander enjoyed a small role in season 2 of The Orville , playing the ship’s bartender, Olix.

Molly Hagan

Molly Hagan as Eris in Star Trek Deep Space Nine

Molly Hagan only made a single appearance in Deep Space Nine , but the part was a significant one in the franchise's history. As Eris, Hagan has the dubious honor of being the first Vorta seen in the series, featuring in season 2 episode "The Jem’Hadar." Writers hoped to bring Eris into further Vorta-centric Deep Space Nine episodes, but couldn't due to the actress' limited availability. In The Orville , Hagan plays Drenala Kitan, mother of Alara Kitan.

Related: Star Trek: Why Major Kira Was Pregnant In DS9 Season 5

Tony Todd as Kurn in Star Trek

Tony Todd had the honor of guesting as Kurn, the younger brother of Worf, in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine . After falling into dishonor, Kurn requested his brother kill him as per Star Trek 's Klingon tradition, but this was swiftly nixed by Sisko and the Deep Space Nine crew. Todd would also play an older iteration of Jake Sisko in the acclaimed "The Visitor" and also featured briefly as an Alpha-Hirogen in Star Trek: Voyager . Todd was a Moclan ambassador in The Orville , guesting alongside F. Murray Abraham in an episode centered around a refugee colony for Moclan females.

Other Star Trek Actors In The Orville

Victor Garber as Admiral Halsey in The Orville

  • Philip Anthony-Rodriguez - Juan in Enterprise 's second season and Fadolin in The Orville .
  • Lisa Banes - Doctor Renhol the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Equilibrium" and Speria Balask in The Orville season 3.
  • J. Paul Boehmer - Multiple roles in both franchises.
  • Ron Canada - Canada has been in The Next Generation , Deep Space Nine and Voyager playing a judge, a Klingon Advocatem and a conscientious sculptor/waste controller, respectively. In The Orville , Canada plays Admiral Tucker.
  • JD Cullum - The Klingon Toral in The Next Generation was also a Calivon zoo administrator in The Orville .
  • Steven Culp - Played Riker's replacement in the final act of Star Trek: Nemesis but the scene was cut. Culp also played Major Hayes in Enterprise season 3. Can be seen as Willks the publicity officer in The Orville .
  • Ted Danson - Hosted the 1996 television special Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond. Played Admiral Perry in season 3 of The Orville .
  • Michael Duisenberg - Lurking in the background of both The Orville and Enterprise 's debut seasons.
  • John Fleck - Silik the genetically enhanced Suliban in Enterprise . Ended up teaming with Archer in an alternate 1944 where he died. Has a cameo as a Krill ambassador in The Orville .
  • Victor Garber - The Orville 's Admiral Halsey had a role as a Klingon interrogator cut from J.J. Abrams' 2009 Star Trek movie .
  • James Horan - Has done the Star Trek rounds. Plays High Priest Sazeron in The Orville .

Related: Star Trek: All 9 Characters Played By Jeffrey Combs

  • Matthew Kaminsky - Played Cunningham in several episodes of Enterprise and more recently an interviewer in The Orville .
  • Robert Knepper - Had turns in both The Next Generation and Voyager then as Hamelac in The Orville .
  • Loren Lester - Had a brief appearance in Deep Space Nine and portrayed Lewis in The Orville .
  • Jack McBrayer - Voiced Badgey in Star Trek: Lower Decks and played himself in season 3 of The Orville .
  • Derek Mears - A Star Trek stuntman/alien but an ambassador in The Orville .
  • Corey Mendell Parker - Enterprise 's Paul Mayweather and The Orville 's "Policeman #1."
  • James Read - Jaffen in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Workforce" and Vice Admiral Paul Christie in The Orville season 3 .
  • Brett Rickaby - Guests as Yerdrin Lek in Enterprise 's third season and as the suspiciously similar sounding Lurenek in The Orville 's first season.
  • Joel Swetow - Appeared in The Next Generation as Yog, in Deep Space Nine 's premiere as an angry Cardassian, and in Enterprise as a rather less angry Andorian. Coincidentally appeared in the first episode of The Orville playing an angry Krill Captain.
  • Brian Thompson - Drogen in one of The Orville 's darker episodes. Has a litany of Star Trek credits including Klingons on the big and small screen, a Jem’Hadar soldier and male member of the Dosi in Deep Space Nine , and Admiral Valdore in 3 episodes of Enterprise .
  • Lamont Thompson - The Orville 's Kaybrak also appeared in Enterprise .
  • Gwen Van Dam - Van Dam's small role in Star Trek Generations came before a part as Grandmother in The Orville.
  • D. Elliot Woods - This member of The Orville 's Moclan council was also in Star Trek : Insurrection and Deep Space Nine.

Den of Geek

Star Trek Voyager: 10 Great Guest Performances

Remember when Sarah Silverman was in Star Trek: Voyager? We salute that and 9 other great guest stars on the show...

star trek guest actors

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Star Trek: Voyager doesn’t share the good reputation of its predecessors The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine , with some fans disappointed that the inherent conflict between Starfleet and Maquis characters was not explored further, others perhaps put off by the really rather dull and occasionally ridiculous second season. However, Voyager was as capable as any other Star Trek series of producing memorable stories and excellent performances, and for those of us for whom it is our favorite branch of the Star Trek franchise (yes, we do exist) it is worth celebrating some of the things it did really well – in this case, the actors and actresses who came to join the show for guest performances.

Note: This list is celebrating guest performers who came in for one, or at most two, guest performances as a specific character (though their character may have made more appearances in other branches of the franchise, or the actor may have appeared as other characters). This is why you shouldn’t expect to see characters like John de Lancie’s Q or Dwight Schultz’s Reg Barclay on the list – although they were guest stars, they recurred several times.

10. Sarah Silverman as Rain Robinson in Future’s End Parts 1 & 2

Sarah Silverman is best known as a comedian, but in Voyager she played the fairly straight role of Rain Robinson, perky astronomer and brief love interest for Tom Paris. It’s a fairly thankless role, mostly requiring Silverman to stand up for herself while utterly confused, but she does it well, standing up to Ed Begley Jr’s maniacal scientist and offering Paris a genuine reason to hesitate as he leaves her behind in the twentieth century.

9. Mark Harelik as Kashyk in Counterpoint

Janeway had a few one-off love interests over the course of the show, plus her ongoing seven-year flirtation with Chakotay and a thoroughly indecent proposal from Q. Kashyk, however, was one of the most interesting, a ruthless Space Nazi Janeway never quite trusts, but very much wants to. Mark Harelik walks a fine line as he makes Kashyk simultaneously charming enough to provide a believable match for the Captain, but slimy enough not to appear entirely trustworthy. A good performance in a nicely put-together episode.

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8. Lori Petty as Noss in Gravity

We’ve seen a few variations of the story of an emotional human falling in love with an emotionally unavailable Vulcan since Christine Chapel’s unrequited love for Spock in the early years. For Noss and Tuvok in Gravity , this uncomfortable situation is amplified by their situation, stranded on a hostile planet with only Tom Paris and the Doctor for company, not even sharing a common language.

Lori Petty’s performance is fragile and brittle, but tough at the same time, her high-pitched voice put to excellent use making Noss sound foreign and alien as she struggles to learn English with the universal translators broken. To be alien and relatable at the same time is not easily done, and she does it very well.

7. Henry Woronicz as Quarren in Living Witness

The story in this season four episode is carried by one of Voyager ’s most popular characters, the Doctor, and Henry Woronicz as a man whose entire world-view is turned upside down over the course of the story. Woronicz, playing a historian with a serious attitude but also a more romanticising side, gives a performance that’s quiet but intense, helped by nice chemistry with Robert Picardo. An episode like this rests on the abilities of the guest performer, and Woronicz pulls it off perfectly.

6. Lindsey Haun as Belle in Real Life

Real Life is an odd episode in many ways, partly rehashing elements of The Next Generation ’ s The Offspring , adding a dose of soap opera, and mixing them in with some very odd attitudes on the part of some characters. What does work about it, though, is the Doctor’s relationship with his holographic daughter, Belle, and that couldn’t work without a lively performance from a young Lindsey Haun (later to appear in a rather different role as Hadley in True Blood ).

The character has the potential to be rather grating, but Haun brings a humanity to her non-human role that makes the story’s emotional climax work and work surprisingly well.

5. Vaughn Armstrong as Telek R’Mor in Eye Of The Needle

Eye Of The Needle is an early classic, making use of Voyager ’s unique situation in a well-structured episode with a gut punch of an ending. That ending couldn’t work without a performance from the guest star that makes Telek both believably cold and Romulan, and simultaneously extremely likeable.

Vaughn Armstrong holds the record for playing the largest number of separate characters across four series in the Star Trek franchise (12), and the reason various producers and casting directors kept asking him back is because he can always be relied upon to give a heartfelt, nuanced performance, inhabiting each different alien, human or cybernetic character in a different way. Of his five roles in Star Trek: Voyager , Telek R’Mor is the most memorable and, along with Lansor/Two of Nine in season six’s Survival Instinct , the most touching.

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4. Susan Diol as Denara Pel in Lifesigns and Resolutions

Season two, overall, was not a high point for Voyager , but one of its genuine high points was Lifesigns , also the episode that made the most effective use of the permanently unhealthy Vidiians (though season one’s Faces come close). Much of the episode’s success is down to Susan Diol’s quietly emotive performance as Denara Pel, a woman living with a serious chronic illness who gets the chance, for just a few days, to live without it, and who takes full advantage of that opportunity.

The story is designed primarily to provide character growth for the Doctor, but Diol’s sympathetic performance ensures that it is also a story about the on-going effects of chronic illness on the sufferer’s sense of self, told through her carefully understated but heartfelt reactions to her situation.

3. J. Paul Boehmer as One in Drone

J. Paul Boehmer gave tow equally impressive performances in Voyager , and it’s hard to say which is the more effective between his chillingly authoritarian Nazi officer in season four’s The Killing Game , or his innocent, childlike baby Borg in season five’s Drone . Both are effective, but Drone just pips it, because the Nazi officer, as well done as he is, is something we’ve seen before (owing a little to Ralph Fiennes’ performance in Schindler’s List , and helped by the fact the Boehmer actually looks a bit like Fiennes).

In Drone , however, Boehmer takes a character we’ve already seen two iterations of, the Borg drone learning to be an individual, and adds his own special sense of vulnerability. Comparisons with The Next Generation ’s Hugh are inevitable, but Boehmer makes the role his own despite the obvious similarities.

2. Kurtwood Smith as Annorax in Year Of Hell Parts 1 & 2

It would have been easy to overplay the time-altering villain of arguably Voyager ’s best two-parter (perhaps its best episodes). Over the course of two episodes, it becomes increasingly clear that Annorax has started to become a little unhinged in his endless quest to repair the damage he did the first time he used his reality-changing device, convinced that Time itself has a grudge against him.

However, former President of the Federation (in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country ) Kurtwood Smith plays Annorax with a quiet intensity that only slowly allows the extent of his mania to be revealed, making Chakotay’s initial sympathy with him plausible and ensuring that he is a tragic and understandable character, rather than a simple moustache-twirling villain.

1. Gerrit Graham as Q2/Quinn in Death Wish

Some Q episodes can be a bit like marmite, beloved by some, heartily disliked for their occasional silliness or stretched plausibility by others. Some, however, are genuine classics, and this is one of them, thanks in no small part to Gerrit Graham’s whimsical but simultaneously sad performance as a suicidal member of the Q Continuum. An episode that essentially debates the right to die, the underlying moral question is one for which there is no simple resolution, but Graham’s thoughtful performance ensures that the episode as a whole works well, presenting a character the audience can sympathise with regardless of whether or not they agree with his ethical point of view, and offering a neat balance to John de Lancie’s more emotive, extravagant Q.

Honorable mention: both Susannah Thompson and Alice Krige do excellent work as the Borg Queen (Thompson in Dark Frontier and Unimatrix Zero Parts 1 & 2 , Krige in Endgame ) but while each actress only appears once or twice, the character recurs too often to count for this list. I don’t make the rules. OK, that’s a lie, I do make the rules, but we have to draw a line somewhere!

Juliette Harrisson

Juliette Harrisson | @ClassicalJG

Juliette Harrisson is a writer and historian, and a lifelong Trekkie whose childhood heroes were JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. She runs a YouTube channel called…

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‘The Twilight Zone’: Every ‘Star Trek’ Actor Who Guest Starred

Craig Garrett

The Twilight Zone and Star Trek are cornerstones of classic TV, entertaining generations of viewers and still influencing popular culture. However, even die-hard fans of both shows may not realize that four original cast members of Star Trek took a pit stop at Rod Serling’s fantasy series before Gene Roddenberry’s space saga even began production.

William Shatner starred in two iconic episodes of ‘The Twilight Zone’

Of course, Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, made two famous starring appearances on The Twilight Zone . Shatner’s second guest spot on the series is perhaps his most iconic and often referenced. Season five’s “Nightmare at 30,000 Feet” finds the future Starfleet captain tormented by a furry gremlin hanging out on the wing of an airplane he’s flying in.

The episode, penned by prolific writer Richard Matheson ( I Am Legend ), is so memorable that it was remade as a segment in The Twilight Zone: The Movie . However, Shatner made an earlier appearance on a fan favorite of the legendary series. In season two’s “Nick of Time”, he plays a man obsessed with a small fortune-telling machine in a diner. The little devil-headed device has become a symbol of the series.

Leonard Nimoy

That’s right, the legendary Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy, also made a stop over at The Twilight Zone . “A Quality of Mercy” is a season three episode of the series, and Nimoy has a small part in the proceedings. Nimoy portrayed Hansen, an American soldier, while Dean Stockwell played the lead, an officer who led a charge on Japanese soldiers during WWII.

Of course, supernatural shenanigans are afoot, and Stockwell’s character trades places with a Japanese officer, allowing him to earn true empathy for his enemy. Again, the future Vulcan’s part is small, but Nimoy still manages to stick out with his trademark charm and deep voice.

George Takei starred in a controversial episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’

Sulu himself, George Takei appeared in an episode tackling racial prejudice. In “ The Encounter” from season five , Takei plays Arthur Takamori, a man in search of work who visits the home of Fenton, a World War II veteran. A samurai sword that Fenton took home from the war seems to possess both men, leading to a tense showdown in an attic. The acting between Takei and his co-lead, Neville Brand is electric and tense. Though the lesson about racial intolerance may seem heavy-handed by today’s standards, it likely packed quite a punch in the 1960s.

James Doohan

Chief Engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott appeared in season four’s “Valley of the Shadow.” James Doohan manages to cut his sci-fi chops in this episode, which unfolds as a journalist finds themselves ensnared within the enigmatic confines of a secluded town, concealed from the world, brimming with extraterrestrial advancements beyond imagination.

Like Leonard Nimoy’s appearance in The Twilight Zone , Doohan’s role is fleeting. He plays an inhabitant of the town (and without his iconic Scottish accent he put on for Star Trek ). Though over-stuffed as an hour-long episode, the twist and moral dilemma still are effective.

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The Greatest 'Star Trek: Voyager' Guest Stars (That You Probably Forgot About)

Did you know these actors had boldly gone to the Delta Quadrant?

How has it been 20 years since Star Trek: Voyager ended? The fourth live-action show in the franchise has found a resurgence in fans of late thanks to streaming, and rightly so. Star Trek: Voyager has its flaws, but the show also has a diverse cast, some fascinating storylines, and cool guest stars.

Star Trek as a franchise is known for its surprising cameos and guest performances. Since there are so many shows and characters, you’d be forgiven for forgetting a few notable actors who appeared during Star Trek: Voyager ’s seven seasons. If you’re wondering which names you’re missing, here are nine famous faces who appeared on the show.

RELATED: 'Star Trek: Picard' Season 2 Trailer Teases Some Wild Returns and Twists for the Paramount+ Show

Michael McKean as The Clown

star-trek-voyager-michael-mckean

Michael McKean is a veteran actor who has appeared in… just about everything. Before his recent critically acclaimed work on Better Call Saul , McKean was perhaps best known for his role in This is Spinal Tap , and has had a formidable career as a comedian. His role in Star Trek: Voyager Season 2, Episode 23, however, is anything but a laugh riot. In “The Thaw,” Harry Kim ( Garrett Wang ) and B'Elanna Torres ( Roxann Dawson ) are trapped in a computer program with the Clown (McKean) and his cohorts. Harry spends the entire episode being terrorized by this maniac, while the crew of Voyager try and figure out how to save him. The episode is an obvious attempt to subvert the expectation of both McKean’s presence and the circus iconography. Let’s just say, if you have Coulrophobia, this episode will likely exacerbate it.

Ed Begley Jr. as Henry Starling

star-trek-voyager-ed-begley-jr

Multiple Emmy nominee and Golden Globe nominee Ed Begley Jr. has had a prolific career playing so many different kinds of characters that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Begley Jr. guest starred in the Season 3 two-parter “Future’s End,” and boy, was he evil. He played Henry Starling, a futurist from 20th century Earth who becomes embroiled with Voyager, as the crew is trapped in the past, but can’t return to their own time without stopping Starling and correcting the timeline. Star Trek loves a time travel storyline, and an insidious villain like Starling ups the stakes considerably. He’s smarmy and considers himself the smartest person in the room, but he’s also extremely nasty. The scene where he captures the Doctor ( Robert Picardo ) is brief but still distressing to watch all these years later.

Sarah Silverman as Rain Robinson

star-trek-voyager-sarah-silverman

She's a household name nowadays for her comedy, but one of Sarah Silverman ’s earliest on-screen acting roles was as Rain Robinson, also in the Season 3 two-parter “Future’s End.” Rain is a scientist in the 20th century who is the first person to spot an anomaly in the skies (Voyager’s warp signature). This information puts her life in danger, but luckily Tom Paris ( Robert Duncan McNeill ) and Tuvok ( Tim Russ ) come to her aid. Despite Tom and Tuvok’s attempts to disguise their true identities as time travellers, Rain deduces that there’s something fishy about them, and helps them on their mission against Starling. Silverman played the character with her quintessential wry humor and sarcasm, and her easy chemistry with Duncan McNeill made their characters’ budding and brief romance an adorable subplot in the episodes.

John Rhys-Davies as Leonardo da Vinci

star-trek-voyager-john-rhys-davies

John Rhys-Davies has such a towering presence that I could have sworn he appeared in several Star Trek: Voyager episodes. Turns out, he only starred in two of them, the Season 3 finale “Scorpion” and Season 4’s “Concerning Flight.” Rhys-Davies played the holographic version of Leonardo da Vinci, Captain Janeway’s ( Kate Mulgrew ) mentor, on the holodeck, pulling out his best Italian accent to take the captain under his wing. Leonardo acted as the captain’s confidante, as well as a sounding board for her ideas; while the character’s appearances were more ponderous than plot specific, “Concerning Flight” did give Rhys-Davies more work to do when the holographic character was accidentally transported to an alien planet. Hilarity definitely ensued.

Lori Petty as Noss

star-trek-voyager-lori-petty

Lori Petty has such a wide-ranging filmography, but somehow her Star Trek: Voyager guest appearance is still a surprise. When Tom Paris and Tuvok are stranded on a mission in the Season 5 episode “Gravity,” they cross paths with Noss (Petty), an alien scavenger, and the trio form an unlikely bond as they remain trapped for months in the desolate landscape. Noss even learns to speak English to communicate better with Tom and Tuvok, after their universal translators are destroyed upon landing. It’s not long before Noss becomes attracted to Tuvok – his enigmatic, Vulcan aloofness was always appealing – but despite Noss’ overtures, Tuvok remains dedicated to his wife and family. Petty’s performance is more in line with her Point Break character Tyler; she’s sweet and naïve but can hold her own in difficult circumstances.

Jason Alexander as Kurros

star-trek-voyager-jason-alexander

For many, Jason Alexander has become synonymous with Seinfeld , but his role in the Season 5 episode “Think Tank” was far removed from his signature character. Alexander plays Kurros, the leader of a group of highly intelligent aliens. The Think Tank, as they call themselves, claim to have a way to prevent dangerous bounty hunters from pursuing Voyager. But the group soon show their true colors when they insist on recruiting crewmember Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan ). Alexander plays against type here — the episode would have been completely derailed if Alexander had been over the top, but instead he plays Kurros as calm and sinister, which makes the character even scarier.

Daniel Dae Kim as Gotana-Retz

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In the Season 6 episode “Blink of an Eye,” Voyager gets accidentally trapped in a planet’s orbit, thereby inadvertently altering the planet’s history forever. The planet experiences a time differential which causes years to pass on the surface without much time going by for Voyager’s crew. As the generations are influenced by Voyager’s presence, two astronauts land on the titular ship. Daniel Dae Kim ’s Gotana-Retz survives the landing and although his character is mostly offscreen, he plays a significant part in helping Voyager break free. Dae Kim only appears in the fourth act, but his character arc is remarkably memorable. The last shot of his character remains a bittersweet moment in the show’s history. Star Trek has been at the forefront of diverse casting choices, and Dae Kim is part of a still short, but brilliant, list of Asian guest stars in the franchise.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as The Champion

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Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest movie stars today, but his road to stardom had an unlikely pitstop aboard the starship Voyager. Admittedly, the role of the Champion in the Season 6 episode “Tsunkatse” wasn’t very different from playing The Rock on Monday Night Raw. In the episode, the crew of Voyager are invited to watch a gladiatorial tournament, but their excitement dissipates when one of the fighters is revealed to be their own Seven of Nine. She and Tuvok had been captured by aliens, and Seven is subsequently forced to fight in the match in order to save Tuvok. Johnson is very much in his element in this role, playing to his strengths as a famed wrestler. It's more of an extended cameo than a role, but you will still be on the edge of your seat waiting to see if The Rock can beat a Borg.

Mark Sheppard as Leucon

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As prolific character actors go, Mark Sheppard is high on the list. He’s appeared in everything in every genre, so why would a Star Trek show be any different? Late in Season 6, Sheppard guest-starred as Leucon Icheb, the long-lost father of Voyager’s latest resident, Icheb ( Manu Intiraymi ). Icheb was a child who had been assimilated by the Borg before being rescued by the crew of Voyager. In “Child’s Play,” Voyager locates his parents on the Borg-ravaged Brunali homeworld. Sheppard is infamous for playing morally ambiguous characters, and this episode plays to his strengths as it keeps you guessing about Leucon’s actions and motivations. In the end, this is a heartbreaking installment, and much of that comes down to Sheppard’s scene-stealing turn as a parent with a difficult decision to make.

Star Trek: Voyager is streaming on Paramount+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu.

KEEP READING: 7 Sci-Fi Shows to Binge If You Love ‘Star Trek’

Star Trek Actors You May Not Know Passed Away

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In  "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner), attending a diplomatic dinner aboard the Enterprise, raises a toast to "the undiscovered country ... the future." But Gorkon, who's quoting Shakespeare, has the Bard's meaning wrong: in "Hamlet," the title character uses the phrase to refer not to the future, but to death, what lies beyond it, and our fear of what that might be.

Sadly, Gorkon himself crosses over to the "undiscovered country" shortly thereafter, and actor David Warner himself exited stage left in 2022. We're equally sorry to say that a lot of actors from the "Star Trek" universe — the now-vast spectrum of TV shows and movies that the franchise has generated — have also made that journey to the great unknown that waits beyond this plane of existence.

It's hardly surprising that many talented actors involved with a decades-old property have moved beyond the realm of human understanding. But while some left us years ago, others have only passed on more recently. Regretfully, a lot of names didn't make the already sizable list we've compiled, but the ones we have included all made a mark on "Trek" history in some large or small fashion, whether you knew they had passed away or not.

Jeffrey Hunter (Captain Christopher Pike)

Before Captain James T. Kirk took the center seat on the Enterprise, she was commanded by Captain Christopher Pike. Jeffrey Hunter played Captain Pike in the original "Star Trek" pilot, "The Cage," but when NBC asked for a second pilot, Hunter refused to return. Multiple accounts by other key "Star Trek" personnel suggest that his wife at the time played a major role in his decision, which led "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry to cast William Shatner as the newly rechristened Captain Kirk.

Pike remained part of "Trek" canon, with Roddenberry incorporating footage from "The Cage" into a two-part episode called "The Menagerie." As for Hunter, his modestly successful career had already included roles in the groundbreaking Western "The Searchers" (1956) and the Biblical epic "King of Kings" (1961), in which he played Jesus Christ. He continued to work in films and TV after "Trek," but suffered a brain hemorrhage on May 26, 1969, at his home in Van Nuys, California, and fell down some stairs, fracturing his skull. The 42-year-old Hunter died the next morning, on May 27, 1969.

Roger C. Carmel (Harry Mudd)

While the Klingons and Romulans were recurring enemies on the original "Star Trek," only one individual villain appeared on the show more than once: Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd, interstellar con man, indelibly portrayed in Season 1's "Mudd's Women" and Season 2's "I, Mudd" by character actor Roger C. Carmel.

In his early 30s when he played Mudd, Carmel had already racked up a sizable amount of credits on Broadway, TV, and in film when he got the nod. He voiced the character once more for "Mudd's Passion," a 1973 episode of "Star Trek: The Animated Series," and made guest appearances on "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "The Dick van Dyke Show," "Batman," "The Munsters," "Hawaii Five-0," "All in the Family," "Laverne and Shirley," and many others. Carmel later shifted mostly to voice work before playing "Senor Naugles" in a successful but short-lived ad campaign for a Mexican restaurant chain called Naugles.

Carmel died at age 54 on November 11, 1986. Although the official cause of death was "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" — a disease of the heart muscles — rumors persisted for years that he either committed suicide or overdosed.

Merritt Butrick (Dr. David Marcus, T'Jon)

In  "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," Admiral James T. Kirk finally confronts a secret from his past — namely, that he has a grown son named David from a previous relationship with Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch), head of the Genesis Project. Although father and son are initially not on good terms, they reconcile by the end of the film — only for David to meet his death at the hands of the Klingons in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock."

David was played by Merritt Butrick, a Florida native who amassed a steady amount of work between 1981 and 1989 — mostly on TV — that included a regular role as Johnny Slash on "Square Pegs" and a guest appearance on the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Season 1 episode "Symbiosis" as an alien named T'Jon. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he died at age 29, due to complications from AIDS, on March 17, 1989.

Susan Oliver (Vina)

Susan Oliver had been working since 1955 in TV and movies when she was asked to appear as Vina, a human woman imprisoned on the planet Talos IV in "The Cage," the first, unsold pilot for "Star Trek." Vina appears in different guises throughout the show, most notable as a green Orion slave girl who does an erotic dance to tempt Captain Christopher Pike. Oliver's green-painted visage — the result of a long, tedious make-up process — became an enduring image of "Star Trek" after footage from "The Cage" was recycled for the two-part Season 1 episode "The Menagerie."

Oliver continued to act and even direct, mostly on TV, into the late '80s and was nominated for an Emmy for a supporting role in the 1976 TV movie "Amelia Earhart." She was also a licensed commercial pilot who attempted to become the first female pilot to fly from the U.S. to Moscow, but was refused entry to Soviet airspace. She died from lung cancer on May 10, 1990 at the age of 58. A documentary about her life, "The Green Girl," was released in 2014.

Jill Ireland (Leila Kalomi)

One of the most memorable episodes of "Star Trek: The Original Series" was Season 1's "This Side of Paradise," in which the crew comes under the influence of a euphoria-inducing spore while visiting a space colony. One of the colonists, Leila Kalomi, once had an unrequited crush on Mr. Spock, who of course could not return her love — until she exposed him to the spores in a bid to keep him with her on the planet.

Leila was played by Jill Ireland, an English actor who also appeared in '60s TV staples like "Ben Casey," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "My Favorite Martian," and five episodes of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," the latter with then-husband David McCallum. But she was perhaps best known for her personal and professional collaboration with tough-guy actor Charles Bronson, whom she married in 1968. She made some 15 films with him, including "The Valachi Papers," "The Mechanic" (both 1972), and  "Death Wish II"  in 1982. Ireland and Bronson remained married until her death at age 54 from breast cancer — for which she became a dedicated awareness advocate — on May 18, 1990.

Bibi Besch (Dr. Carol Marcus)

Like many "Star Trek" veterans, Vienna-born actor Bibi Besch developed an extensive career in television and film since making her debut in 1966, turning up on hit shows like "The Rockford Files," "Murder, She Wrote," and "The Golden Girls." But she did not appear on a "Trek" TV series — instead, she played Dr. Carol Martin, inventor of the Genesis Project and mother of James T. Kirk's estranged son David in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

Besch's post-"Khan" work included a reunion with that film's director, Nicholas Meyer, for the disturbing 1983 nuclear war TV film "The Day After," along with recurring roles on "Falcon's Crest," "Northern Exposure," and "The Jeff Foxworthy Show." Besch kept working right up until her death from breast cancer at the age of 54 on September 7, 1996, and even showed up in an episode of "Melrose Place" that aired two days after her passing.

Mark Lenard (Romulan Commander, Sarek)

After the original regular cast, there may have been no "Star Trek: The Original Series" actor more closely associated with the show than Mark Lenard. The actor first appeared in the classic Season 1 episode "Balance of Terror" as the commander of a Romulan vessel playing a deadly cat-and-mouse game with the Enterprise. He returned in Season 2 as Sarek, the estranged father of Mr. Spock, in the equally popular episode "Journey to Babel."

Lenard voiced Sarek for the "Yesteryear" episode of "Star Trek: The Animated Series," and showed up as a Klingon commander in 1979's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" — making him the only actor to play a member of the three major "Trek" alien races. He donned the ears again as Sarek for three feature films, also reprising the character in the "Sarek" and "Unification Part I" episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Sarek was clearly Lenard's most famous role, but his journeyman career also included extensive work on the stage as well as guest spots on "The Incredible Hulk," "Hawaii Five-0," "Mission: Impossible," and a recurring role as General Urko on the short-lived 1974 "Planet of the Apes" series. Lenard died on November 22, 1996, at the age of 72 from cancer.

Persis Khambatta (Lieutenant Ilia)

Born in Bombay in 1948, Persis Khambatta became, in 1965, just the third Indian woman in history to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Her work as a model led to small roles in a handful of Bollywood and British pictures before she was picked to play Lieutenant Ilia, the bald Deltan navigator of the Enterprise. Khambatta agreed to shave her head for the role, which was initially developed in 1977 for the  "Star Trek: Phase II" TV series before that was abandoned in favor of the 1979 film "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." 

Her appearance in "ST: TMP" led to more roles in films like "Nighthawks" and "Megaforce," and although she was a contender for the title role in the James Bond thriller "Octopussy," the part went to Maud Adams. Guest shots on shows like "MacGyver" and "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" followed. Plagued since 1980 by health problems, Khambatta succumbed to a heart attack in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on August 18, 1998, at the age of 49.

DeForest Kelley (Dr. Leonard McCoy)

Born in Georgia in 1920, DeForest Kelley pursued acting after serving in World War II and landed his first role in the 1946 film "Fear in the Night." A consistent if not especially remarkable stream of film, stage, and TV gigs followed, with his role as Morgan Earp in 1957's "Gunfight at the OK Corral" getting him cast mostly as villains for the next nine years.

Although he was at one point considered for the role of Mr. Spock, Kelley appeared in neither of the show's two pilots, "The Cage" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Series creator Gene Roddenberry offered him the role of the Chief Medical Officer, renamed McCoy, prior to the beginning of production on Season 1, and Kelley went on to appear in all but three episodes during the show's three-year, 79-episode run. He also voiced McCoy in "Star Trek: The Animated Series."

Like many "The Original Series" cast members, Kelley hit a dry spell in the 1970s until he got the call for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." That led to five subsequent films and a brief cameo on the premiere episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." McCoy's signature line — "I'm a doctor, not a..." — his mix of sarcasm and compassion, and his chemistry with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy made "Bones" McCoy an indispensable part of "Star Trek." Kelley died of stomach cancer at the age of 79 on June 11, 1999.

John Colicos (Commander Kor)

Canadian actor John Colicos made "Star Trek" history as Kor, the show's first major Klingon adversary, in the original series' Season 1 episode "Errand of Mercy." According to Marc Cushman's "These Are The Voyages," Colicos was supposed to play Kor again in Season 2's "The Trouble with Tribbles" and Season 3's "Day of the Dove," but was unavailable both times. He — along with the actors who did play the main Klingon antagonists on those segments — later appeared on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," reprising Kor in the episode "Blood Oath."

In addition to two more episodes of "Deep Space Nine," Colicos' other sci-fi credentials include the role of Count Baltar on  the original 1978 "Battlestar Galactica" and voicing Apocalypse on "X-Men: The Animated Series" in the mid-1990s. Before his death at age 71 on March 6, 2000, after several heart attacks, Colicos had compiled nearly a hundred screen credits — but he'll always be the first Klingon.

Frank Gorshin (Commissioner Bele)

Actor and impressionist Frank Gorshin was at the center of one of "Star Trek"'s most overt studies of bigotry and racism, the Season 3 episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." Gorshin played Commissioner Bele of the planet Cheron, whose skin was white on the left and black on the right. Bele was in pursuit of an escaped political prisoner named Lokai (Lou Antonio), who sought asylum on the Enterprise — and whose crime was being white on the right and black on the left.

Gorshin is best known for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of the Riddler on the 1960s "Batman" TV series and its spinoff movie. According to CBR , his version of the Riddler was actually influenced by the villain's return in the comics, where the Riddler had been dormant for more than a decade.

Along with the usual gamut of TV and movie credits, Gorshin was popular in Las Vegas nightclubs for his impressionist act. He performed the same act several times on "The Ed Sullivan Show," including on the historic night in 1964 that the Beatles made their US debut on the program. A lifelong smoker, Gorshin died of lung cancer and emphysema on May 17, 2005, at the age of 72.

James Doohan (Chief Engineer Scott)

No one loved the Enterprise more than her Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott, and James Doohan's portrayal of the "miracle worker" is a cornerstone of the "Star Trek" universe — even if, according to  "Inside Star Trek: The Real Story," creator Gene Roddenberry almost fired him following his debut in the second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Instead, Doohan's "Scotty" was an integral part of all three seasons of the original series, the animated series, and seven of the feature films, as well as a sixth season episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

A veteran of World War II, the Canadian-born Doohan saw combat and was wounded during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He already had a vast trove of TV and radio work under his belt when he boarded the Enterprise, and was quite adept at voiceover work — he often voiced aliens, computers and other non-humanoids on "Star Trek: The Original Series," and performed multiple roles on the animated series. While work outside of "Star Trek" dried up in his later years, he remained enormously popular at "Star Trek" conventions until 2004, when Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease forced him out of the spotlight. He beamed up for good on July 20, 2005, and some of his ashes made it into space in 2008 and 2012.

Jane Wyatt (Amanda Grayson)

While Jane Wyatt had a long and distinguished career in film and TV that stretched from 1934 to 1992, she is probably best remembered for two roles: as homemaker Margaret Anderson for six seasons and some 200-plus episodes of the sitcom "Father Knows Best" (1954-1960) and as Amanda Grayson, the human mother of the Enterprise's First Officer, Mr. Spock.

She first played Amanda on the Season 2 episode "Journey to Babel," one of the best episodes of the original series , which movingly explored the back story of Spock and his strained relationship with his father Sarek (Mark Lenard). Wyatt reprised the role in 1986's "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." She won three Emmys for "Father Knows Best" and worked consistently for the rest of her life, even scoring a recurring role on "St. Elsewhere" from 1985 to 1987. With us until the age of 96, Wyatt passed away on October 20, 2006, in Bel-Air, California.

Lee Bergere (Abraham Lincoln)

Lee Bergere's one appearance on "Star Trek: The Original Series" was a memorable one: In the Season 3 episode "The Savage Curtain," he played President Abraham Lincoln — or rather, a simulacrum of Lincoln created by the aliens known as the Excalbians to fight alongside Kirk, Spock and a similar recreation of the Vulcan philosopher Surak in a contest staged to explore the nature of good vs. evil.

While the episode is considered among the silliest in the "Trek" canon, Bergere did bring a certain dignity and gravitas to the role. As with many "Trek" guests, the Brooklyn-born Bergere was the very definition of a working character actor, with more than 150 TV credits. He appeared regularly as head servant Joseph Anders on the first three seasons of "Dynasty" (1981-1983), and showed up in the 1975 ABC series "The Hot l Baltimore" as one half of a middle-aged gay couple — at the time a groundbreaking scenario for network TV. Bergere died at the age of 88 on January 31, 2007, in Fremont, New Hampshire from undisclosed causes.

Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Number One, Nurse Chapel, Lwaxana Troi)

Known as "The First Lady of 'Star Trek,'" Majel Barrett Roddenberry's long personal and professional history with the franchise is almost too extensive to go into here. But we'll try: The aspiring actor met then-married "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry in 1961, and at some point, the pair began an affair. Roddenberry cast Barrett as Number One in the first "Trek" pilot, "The Cage," but was asked to remove the character for the second pilot and subsequent series. Nevertheless, Roddenberry snuck her back onto the series in the role of Nurse Christine Chapel — a move that (according to the book "Inside Star Trek: The Real Story") almost got the both of them fired by Desilu Studios head Lucille Ball, who had backed "Trek."

Roddenberry and Barrett stuck around, however, and Barrett — who married Roddenberry in 1969 — played Chapel in 25 original series episodes, as well as "The Animated Series" and two of the feature films. She later played Lwaxana Troi, mother of ship's counselor Deanna Troi, on multiple episodes of "The Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine." She also provided the voice of the ship's computer on "The Original Series," "The Animated Series," "The Next Generation," "Deep Space 9," "Voyager" and "Enterprise," as well as for the 2009 reboot film, "Star Trek," for which she completed her work shortly before her death. A regular on the convention circuit, she was devoted to Roddenberry — who died in 1991 — and "Trek" until she died of leukemia on December 18, 2008, at the age of 76.

Ricardo Montalban (Khan Noonien Singh)

Khan Noonien Singh is generally considered  one of the greatest "Star Trek" villains — if not the greatest — in the series' long history. One of a group of genetically enhanced humans who tried to conquer Earth in the late 20th century, he and his followers put themselves in suspended animation aboard an interstellar vessel and slept for centuries, waking up and trying to take over the Enterprise in the classic episode "Space Seed."

Khan returned 15 years later in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," out for revenge against Captain Kirk for the death of Khan's wife. Khan was played both times by the Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban, who would also star as Mr. Roarke on the hit 1970s TV series "Fantasy Island" and also play the key role of circus owner Armando in two of the "Planet of the Apes" movies from earlier that decade. A star in Mexico since the 1940s, he kept working right into his 80s, landing late roles in the "Spy Kids" series. Montalban also co-founded the Nosotros Foundation to advocate for the better portrayal of Latinos in the entertainment industry. He died at age 88 from heart failure on January 14, 2009.

William Campbell (Trelane, Captain Koloth)

Born in Newark, New Jersey, veteran actor William Campbell had the distinction of playing two of the best-known villains on the original "Trek" series. First up in Season 1 was Trelane, the super-powered being known as "The Squire of Gothos" who turns out to be a spoiled child using the Enterprise and its crew as literal playthings. In Season 2, he played Captain Koloth, the slippery Klingon commander who clashes with Kirk in "The Trouble with Tribbles" — a role he reprised for the "Blood Oath" episode of "Deep Space Nine."

Among Campbell's other credits were the 1954 disaster movie "The High and the Mighty," 1956's "Love Me Tender," which was Elvis Presley's screen debut, 1963's "Dementia 13," which was Francis Ford Coppola's first directorial effort, and the 1964 psychological thriller "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte," with Bette Davis and Olivia De Havilland. He passed away on April 28, 2011, aged 87, from an undisclosed illness.

William Windom (Commodore Matt Decker)

Veteran actor William Windom had the opportunity to appear in three of sci-fi's greatest screen franchises during his almost 60 years in the business: He starred in the classic "Twilight Zone" episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit" in 1961, played the President of the United States in 1971's  "Escape from the Planet of the Apes," and guest-starred as the obsessed Commodore Matt Decker in the Season 2 "The Original Series" episode "The Doomsday Machine."

In this widely acclaimed favorite among fans, Decker's own vessel is wrecked and his entire crew killed by a giant alien robot that smashes planets to pieces, so he hijacks command of the Enterprise in a quixotic attempt to destroy the automaton before it ventures into the rest of the galaxy.

In addition to his top-shelf sci-fi credits, the gruff-voiced Windom made his film debut in 1962 in "To Kill a Mockingbird," and guested on just about every major network TV series around between the 1950s and early 2000s, including a longtime recurring role on "Murder, She Wrote." Congestive heart failure took his life at the age of 88 on August 16, 2012.

Michael Ansara (Commander Kang)

Of Syrian descent, actor Michael Ansara was often cast as Native American, Latino, and Middle Eastern characters in a long variety of films and TV shows. Before playing the brutal yet reasonable Commander Kang on the Season 3 "The Original Series" adventure "Day of the Dove," he was best known for playing the legendary Native American Cochise on the TV series "Broken Arrow." Fans will also remember him as King Kamehameha in a segment of "I Dream of Jeannie" opposite Barbara Eden, to whom he was also married for 16 years, a killer from the future in the 1964 "Outer Limits" episode "Soldier," and as the voice of Mr. Freeze on  "Batman: The Animated Series."

Along with fellow "The Original Series" Klingons John Colicos and William Campbell, he got to reprise the role of Kang on the "Deep Space Nine" episode "Blood Oath" and essayed the role again in the "Voyager" segment "Flashback." Ansara died on July 31, 2013, at the age of 91, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock)

What can be said about the great Leonard Nimoy and his truly iconic portrayal of Vulcan science officer Mr. Spock that hasn't already been said? Cast by Gene Roddenberry in the role for the very first "Trek" pilot, "The Cage,"  Nimoy's Spock was the only character that survived a complete cast overhaul for the show's second pilot and the series — even though the network (NBC) was against his inclusion. The cool, logical, half-human (and Emmy-nominated) Spock became the show's most popular character and remains a bracing combination of rationality, intellect, compassion, and loyalty.

Nimoy's place in pop culture history had long been secured when he passed away at age 83 on February 27, 2015, from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In addition to his extensive acting and directing credits — which included two of the "Star Trek" feature films — Nimoy was a longtime advocate for the arts, a devotee to science, and an activist for Jewish causes. And how many legendary actors can say they've had an asteroid named after them?

Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand)

Grace Lee Whitney appeared as Yeoman Janice Rand in just eight episodes of "Star Trek: The Original Series," but she is nevertheless an enduring character and image from the show's early days. Halfway through the first season, despite heavy promotion as a cast member, Whitney was released from her contract. Reasons given for her exit include budget cuts and a desire on the network's part to let Kirk pursue women on the show without having Rand around — although she later alleged that a sexual assault by an unnamed studio exec may have contributed as well.

Whitney did return for brief appearances in four of the "Star Trek" feature films and remained popular on the "Trek" convention circuit. She had a long screen and singing career before "Trek" and continued to work afterward, although she dedicated much of her later years, as a survivor of substance and alcohol abuse, to helping others with their recovery. She died on May 1, 2015, at the age of 85 from natural causes.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Yvonne Craig (Marta)

Actor and dancer Yvonne Craig was just the second green-skinned woman to appear on "Star Trek: The Original Series," after Susan Oliver in "The Cage," but her turn as Orion asylum inmate Marta in the Season 3 episode "Whom Gods Destroy" was a memorable one. Unlike Oliver, Craig was trained as a dancer and used those skills to remarkable effect in the episode, one of the show's campiest.

Although her long film and TV career began in 1957, Craig of course rocketed to fame a decade later when she was cast as  Barbara Gordon/Batgirl on the third season of the ABC-TV series "Batman." According to  Huffington Post , Craig said she did all her own stunts for the show, and her combination of "ass-kicking" crime fighter and brainy librarian made her a "pioneer of female superheroes" on television. She died of breast cancer at age 78 on August 17, 2015.

Anton Yelchin (Ensign Pavel Chekov)

His too-brief career only hinted at his talent and potential, but during his 27 years on Earth, Russian-born Anton Yelchin still managed to make an impact on audiences around the world. Yelchin was cast as Ensign Pavel Chekov in J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot of "Star Trek," also playing the role in 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness" and 2016's "Star Trek Beyond" (the latter released after his death). Franchise producers announced that the role would not be recast after Yelchin's death in a freak accident on June 19, 2016.

Before finding mainstream fame with "Trek," Yelchin first made an impression in 2002 in the TV series "Taken" and went on to star in films such as "Alpha Dog," "Terminator Salvation," "Like Crazy," "Fright Night," and "Green Room." He also voiced Clumsy Smurf in three "Smurfs" movies and provided the voice of Jim Lake Jr. in the animated series "Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia." A documentary about his life, "Love, Antosha," premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Robert Walker Jr. (Charlie Evans)

Born in Queens, New York to actors Robert Walker and Jennifer Jones, Robert Walker Jr. made his mark in spectacular fashion on "Star Trek" as Charles Evans, the teenage boy at the center of "Charlie X." The second "The Original Series" episode ever aired focused on Charlie's inability to integrate back with other humans after living for 14 years on a planet by himself. The incorporeal aliens on the planet, the Thasians, gave Charlie vast powers so that he could survive — powers he was too immature to use among his own kind.

Although Walker continued to work sporadically through the '70s, '80s and '90s, his greatest success came in the 1950s and '60s. In addition to "Charlie X" — considered one of the best "Trek" episodes of all time — he appeared in the 1969 counter-culture classic "Easy Rider," alongside John Wayne and Kirk Douglas in 1967's "The War Wagon," and in TV shows such as "Bonanza," "Columbo," "Quincy, M.E.," and "L.A. Law." He died on December 5, 2019, at age 79 from undisclosed causes.

René Auberjonois (Odo)

Born in New York City of Swiss and French descent, René Auberjonois began his career in the theater and landed three Broadway plays during the 1968-1969 season, earning a Tony Award for his work in the third, "Coco." More theater work followed, while his first big film breakthrough was as Father Mulcahy in Robert Altman's 1970 film "M*A*S*H." Auberjonois appeared in several more Altman films, along with movies like "The Hindenburg," the 1976 remake of "King Kong," 1980's "Where the Buffalo Roam," and 1995's "Batman Forever."

He had a brief role in 1991's "Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country," but his lasting contribution to the franchise was on  "Deep Space Nine," where he played the title station's shapeshifting head of security, Odo. The conflicted character — who helped the Federation battle his own race, the Founders — was a fan favorite. Auberjonois died of lung cancer at age 79 on December 8, 2019.

Brock Peters (Admiral Cartwright)

By the 1980s, "Star Trek" already had a long history of high-caliber guest stars, including Jane Wyatt, Joan Collins, and Ricardo Montalban. For "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" they added Brock Peters, star of the Academy Award-winning 1962 classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird." In the film, he starred as Admiral Cartwright, and he returned for "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" where it was revealed that he had betrayed the Federation and allied with a group of dissident Klingons to sabotage peace talks. 

Peters would be cast a second time in the franchise in 1996, in a very different role. That year he joined the spin-off series,  "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," as Joseph Sisko, father to Captain Benjamin Sisko. He'd play the role in six episodes, including the acclaimed installment, "Far Beyond the Stars." 

Outside of "Trek," Peters also starred in a number of famous films, including "Soylent Green" and "Porgy and Bess," which was adapted from the musical he'd also starred in on Broadway years earlier. Sci-fi fans may also recognize him as the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" radio dramas where he stood in for the inimitable James Earl Jones. Peters died after a battle with pancreatic cancer in 2005 at the age of 78.

Cecily Adams (Ishka)

In the 1995 "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode, "Family Business," renowned comedian Andrea Martin was cast to play the Ferengi bartender Quark's mother, Ishka. But once the series decided to make her something of a recurring character, veteran character actor Cecily Adams was brought in to fill the role in four additional episodes of the series. Despite playing the mother of regulars Quark and Rom, Adams was actually younger than the actors who played them, leaving it to the series' impressive makeup effects to make her appear as an elderly alien.

The daughter of "Get Smart" star Don Adams, Cecily wasn't as much of an actor as her father, making only brief on-screen appearances in small roles in shows like "Party of Five," "Just Shoot Me!," and "Home Improvement." For most of her career, Adams was actually a casting director, and worked on classics like "That '70s Show" and "Third Rock from the Sun." Sadly, in 2004, Adams passed away from lung cancer at the young age of just 46.

Ray Walston (Boothby)

In a key episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that sees the Enterprise return to Earth, producers needed a veteran actor to play an enigmatic character known as Boothby, who had been mentioned before by Picard as a wise and sagely groundskeeper at Starfleet Academy. They turned to Hollywood legend Ray Walston, who would join the cast of the hit series, "Picket Fences," later that same year.

Walston had a long and varied career, but might be best known for his iconic role as the titular alien in the 1963 series, "My Favorite Martian," or perhaps as Mr. Hand in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." With a list of credits too long to rattle off every classic series he popped up in, it's enough to say that he was a mainstay on screens big and small across many decades. He'd even return to the role of Boothby (sort of) when he guest starred in two episodes of "Star Trek: Voyager," once as an alien posing as the Starfleet gardener, and a second time in an elaborate dream sequence. He continued acting right up until his death in 2001 at the age of 86.

Robert Lansing (Gary Seven)

Television audiences of the 1960s knew Robert Lansing well, as he could be seen all over the dial on some of the biggest TV shows of the day. He made appearances in episodes of "Wagon Train," "The Twilight Zone," and "Gunsmoke" among countless others, but that was hardly the end of his illustrious television career. Into the 1980s he played Control, the mysterious supervisor of Robert McCall in the hit action series, "The Equalizer," and Lt. Jack Curtis in the short-lived sci-fi adventure show, "Automan."

During his heyday, Lansing was brought in to play Gary Seven in the classic "Star Trek" episode, "Assignment: Earth." The original idea was for the episode to serve as a backdoor pilot for Lansing and fellow guest star Terri Garr, who would potentially star in a spin-off series centered around Seven — a human visitor from another world who watched over the affairs of mankind in the 20th century. Though it never came to fruition, the role of Gary Seven has become a fan favorite over the years. Lansing passed away in 1994, and his legacy lives on as the story of Gary Seven's people and their mission was continued in Season 2 of "Star Trek: Picard" in 2021. 

Kevin Conway (Kahless)

In "Star Trek" lore, there are few mythological figures that conjure up as much mystique and reverence as the great Klingon warrior known as Kahless. First mentioned in an episode of the original "Star Trek," he is said to be the founder of the Klingon Empire. In "Star Trek: The Next Generation" his legend grew and was said to be the greatest warrior in Klingon history, an almost Christ-like figure who united his people and who was prophesied to return one day to lead his people to new glory. When he did, resurrected by genetic engineering in the episode "Rightful Heir," he was played by Kevin Conway.

But playing Kahless wasn't Conway's only contribution to science fiction. Fans know Conway's voice well in fact, as he provided the intro and outro narration for the 1995 reboot of "The Outer Limits." He also had a lengthy career on the big screen, mostly playing supporting roles in movies like "Slaughterhouse-Five," "Jennifer 8," and "The Quick and the Dead." He had countless credits on TV, and in the late 2000s he joined "The Good Wife" in a recurring role as Jonas Stern, his final on-screen role. He died in 2020. 

Paul Sorvino (Nicolai)

When "Star Trek: The Next Generation" launched in 1987, the franchise was already a global icon, and stars big and small lined up with offers for guest spots on the series, with the likes of Mick Fleetwood, Stephen Hawking, and Whoopi Goldberg all asking to appear and getting their wish. In Season 7 of the series, another star got the chance to play "Trek," with Paul Sorvino joining the 1994 episode, "Homeward," as Worf's human brother, Nikolai.

In that episode, Nikolai breaks the Prime Directive to help save a village of a primitive civilization whose planet is dying, eventually leaving his life in the 24th century to join them at the story's conclusion. Sorvino was already a legend by 1993 when the episode aired, famous for his role as Paul Cicero in "Goodfellas," and later as Sgt. Cerreta for a season in "Law & Order" early in its run.

He often found himself starring as a father figure, including in Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" as Juliet's father, and as Bruce Willis' dad in "Moonlighting." In real life, he is the father to Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino. In July 2022, Sorvino passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind many well-loved film and television roles for his fans to remember him by.

Sally Kellerman (Elizabeth Dehner)

With a career that touched parts of seven decades, members of every generation would recognize Sally Kellerman from one role or another. Many might know her best for originating the role of "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the feature film version of "MASH," while '80s kids no doubt recognize her as the ghost of adult film star Roxy Dujour from "Meatballs III: Summer Job." Even in later years, Kellerman was still active, appearing in episodes of "The Young and the Restless,"  "Workaholics," and "Law & Order: LA" in the 2010s.

But before all of those roles, Kellerman appeared in one of the most famous episodes of "Star Trek" from 1966, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Notable for being the second pilot of the series and the first episode filmed with William Shatner as Captain Kirk, it was the third episode aired overall. In the story, Kellerman plays Enterprise officer Dr. Elizabeth Dehner, who, along with helmsman Gary Mitchell, achieves godlike powers. Long after her appearance, Kellerman continued making appearances at "Star Trek" conventions up until her death in February 2022.

Richard Herd (Admiral Paris)

Actor Richard Herd had a number of roles in iconic sci-fi franchises. He played the Visitors' Supreme Commander in the cult classic, "V," in 1983 and its follow-up, "V: The Final Battle." He also turned up in recurring roles in "SeaQuest DSV," as well as a pair of episodes of "Quantum Leap." Trekkies will no doubt remember him as Admiral Paris, the father of "Star Trek: Voyager" helmsman Tom Paris, who becomes a presence in the later seasons of the show as the ship got closer to home. 

But playing Admiral Owen Paris wasn't Herd's only role in "Star Trek." In the "Next Generation" episode, "Birthright," he also portrayed the elder L'Kor, leader of a group of Klingons who had been taken captive by Romulans and made a home on a remote colony in peace with their former adversaries. But outside of "Trek," audiences probably remember him best from "Seinfeld" as Mr. Wilhem, George Costanza's boss when he was Assistant to the General Manager of the New York Yankees. After a long and successful career, Herd died from complications from cancer at the age of 87 in 2020.

W. Morgan Sheppard

British actor W. Morgan Sheppard played four major characters across multiple shows and films in the "Star Trek" franchise. But he also has a rare distinction of playing different characters in both the original "Star Trek" timeline and the J.J. Abrams reboot. His first role came in 1988 when he played Federation scientist Ira Graves in the "The Next Generation" episode, "The Schizoid Man," where he steals the android Data's body to extend his lifespan. He then moved over to the films, playing the Klingon commandant at the Rura Penthe penal colony in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." Sheppard returned in "Star Trek: Voyager" as the alien Qatai in the episode, "Bliss."

In 2009, Sheppard came back to "Trek" once more to portray a Vulcan administrator who berates a young Mr. Spock, played by Zachary Quinto. Sci-fi fans will also remember his role in "Doctor Who," where in the episode, "The Impossible Astronaut," he plays an older version of Canton Delaware III, with his younger self played by Morgan's real-life son, Mark Sheppard. It was Mark who announced the passing of his father in 2019 at the age of 86 in a moving dedication on Instagram .

Arlene Martel (T'Pring)

Because Spock had been introduced as the logical Vulcan incapable of emotion, fans were as surprised as the rest of the crew to be introduced to his betrothed, a Vulcan named T'Pring in the now iconic episode, "Amok Time." Known for its famous fight music, the episode pit Spock and Kirk against each other in a death match arranged by T'Pring, played by actress Arlene Martel.

Before "Star Trek," Martel had appeared in a pair of episodes of "The Twilight Zone," including the spooky "Twenty Two." She was also known for small parts in "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." She continued acting on television through the '80s, but was largely retired by the 2000s. The role of T'Pring has since been recast for 2022's "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" — where she is played by Gia Sandhu — but Martel has been immortalized in television history for being the first in the role. In 2014, she suffered a heart attack that would lead to her death shortly thereafter at the age of 78.

Mitchell Ryan (Kyle Riker)

When "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was first being assembled, the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard was one of the toughest to fill, with a number of contenders vying for the role. Before Patrick Stewart nabbed the part, Mitchell Ryan was an early favorite, according to StarTrek.com . But like Billy Campbell — who lost out on the role of Commander Riker but was cast in a guest starring role — Ryan wound up on the show in the episode, "The Icarus Factor." That Season 2 episode sees Ryan come aboard the Enterprise playing the part of Riker's father Kyle.

Shortly before he played Kyle Riker, Ryan starred in "Lethal Weapon" as the film's main villain, General Peter McAllister. Some 20 years earlier though he'd made a name for himself by starring as Burke Devlin in "Dark Shadows." Audiences today might remember him best from his starring role in the popular '90s sitcom, "Dharma and Greg," where he played Greg's father, Edward. In March 2022, Ryan died of congenital heart failure at the age of 88.

Ben Cross (Sarek)

Ben Cross had a distinguished big-screen career that began with a role in the 1977 war film, "A Bridge Too Far," and continued through 1981's "Chariots of Fire" and saw him join the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009's "Star Trek" reboot. In that movie, Cross starred as Sarek, the father of the Enterprise's Mr. Spock, now played by Zachary Quinto, a role originated by Mark Lenard. 

On the small screen, Cross had already once taken over another iconic role. In the 1991 remake of "Dark Shadows," Cross played vampire Barnabas Collins, a role that later went to Johnny Depp for the 2012 film of the same name. Later roles for Cross included starring as the criminal kingpin known as Rabbit in the Cinemax series, "Banshee," and a two-episode stint on the TV adaptation of "12 Monkeys." In 2020, Cross passed away suddenly after a brief illness, according to the  BBC .

Camille Saviola (Kai Opaka)

On its debut in 1993, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was more than just the second spin-off of the hit sci-fi franchise. It was also markedly different from its predecessors, with a decidedly religious angle to its story, something that "Star Trek" had almost entirely shied away from to that point. Embodying this religious element were the Bajorans, whose spiritual leader was Kai Opaka, played by Camille Saviola.

A veteran of stage and screen, Saviola's filmography is littered with roles in some of TV's biggest hits, including episodes of "L.A. Law," "NYPD Blue," and "Friends" in the 1990s, and "ER," "Judging Amy," "and "Entourage" in the 2000s. Yet while she only appeared in four episodes of "Deep Space Nine," Saviola would be best remembered for her recurring role as Kai Opaka. As the spiritual leader, she was pivotal early in the series, helping guide Commander Ben Sisko into his role as the Bajoran Emissary to the Prophets. 25 years after her final appearance as Opaka, Saviola died of heart failure in 2021, aged 71.

Christopher Plummer (Chang)

"Star Trek" has long been known for its impressive villains, particularly on the big screen, where the likes of Ricardo Montalbán and Christopher Lloyd used their considerable talents to menace Captain Kirk in early films in the series. To this day however, even adding in Tom Hardy from "Nemesis" and F. Murray Abraham from "Insurrection," actor Christopher Plummer could make a real claim to the top spot for his role as Klingon Commander Chang in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."

Starting out in the 1950s, Plummer made his name with the role of Captain Georg von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." But as his career progressed he seemed to only get better, with roles in "Malcolm X" and "12 Monkeys" in the 1990s, and "A Beautiful Mind" and "Syriana" in the 2000s. But more than just for his role as Chang, Trekkies owe him another debt: William Shatner famously got his start as an understudy for Plummer during a 1956 stage production of Henry V, which led to his big break when Plummer became ill and Shatner got to fill in (per  THR ). 

After a career that spanned more than 60 years, and included three Academy Award nominations (and one win), Plummer died in 2020 at the age of 91 after suffering a fall. He is  survived by his daughter Amanda, who has followed in her father's footsteps to play the villainous Vadic in Season 3 of "Star Trek: Picard."

David Warner (Gorkon)

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" may have had one of the finest supporting casts of any film in the series. In addition to Christopher Plummer as the film's primary antagonist General Chang and Brock Peters returning in the role of Admiral Cartwright, it also included Kim Cattrall, Kurtwood Smith, Iman, and of course film veteran and British icon, David Warner. In the film, Warner stars as Klingon Chancellor Gorkon, whose murder kicks off the film's riveting story, but it's actually not the first role he played in the franchise, nor would it be the last.

A few years earlier, Warner played St. John Talbot in the forgettable "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier." More memorably however he returned in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the classic two-parter, "Chain of Command," where he played a brutal Cardassian interrogator who tortures Captain Picard.

Beyond "Star Trek," Warner was famous for roles in "Titanic" and "The Omen," and had key roles in cult classics like "Time Bandits" and "Tron," while also voicing Ra's al Ghul in "Batman the Animated Series." An Emmy Award-winner for his role in the 1981 miniseries, "Masada," alongside Peter O'Toole, Warner died in July of 2022 from a cancer-related illness. He was 80.

Louise Fletcher (Kai Winn)

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was home to some of the franchise's best villains on the small screen, from the insidious Cardassian leader Gul Dukat to the slippery Vorta named Weyoun. One of the most unexpected however was Kai Winn, who took the role of Bajor's spiritual leader after the death of Opaka in Season 2 of the series. She quickly became a political rival for Captain Sisko, and her scheming machinations and hunger for power made her a threat to peace. Playing her was Louise Fletcher, one of the most highly respected Hollywood actors ever to earn a recurring role in the franchise.

In 1975, Fletcher starred as the similarly sinister Nurse Ratched opposite Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," a role that earned her an Academy Award. Years later, around the same time she was clashing with Starfleet in "Deep Space Nine," she was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Christine Bey in "Picket Fences." After a career that lasted nearly 60 years, Fletcher died peacefully at her home in September 2022 at the age of 88.

Kirstie Alley (Saavik)

Kirstie Alley is no doubt best known for her role as Rebecca Howe, her star-making role in the NBC sitcom, "Cheers," after the departure of the original star, Shelley Long. She followed that up with her own series, "Veronica's Closet" in 1997, and led several other short-lived shows of her own. But years before her television fame, Alley played the iconic role of the Vulcan Lt. Saavik in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." In the film, she's the protege of Mr. Spock and is notable for being — along with star Leonard Nimoy — the first character to ever speak the Vulcan language on screen.

Unfortunately, when the time came for a sequel, Alley turned down an offer to return and was replaced in the role by Robin Curtis. Nearly a decade later, when her "Cheers" co-star Kelsey Grammer guest starred in an episode of "The Next Generation," it had originally been planned for Alley to reprise the role as his first officer, but scheduling conflicts quashed her appearance (per  StarTrek.com ). Still, Alley's mark on the franchise is a big one, and the "Trek" community saw a major loss when she passed away at 71 from colon cancer in December 2022.

Annie Wersching (Borg Queen)

In Season 2 of "Star Trek: Picard," the former Enterprise captain finds himself squaring off with an old foe, the Borg Queen, who we first meet in "Star Trek: First Contact." Of course, it's not quite the same Borg Queen, and instead of original actress Alice Krige, it is Annie Wersching under the Borg makeup this time around. A veteran actress, Wersching was already a "Star Trek" alum, having played a guest starring role in an episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise" all the way back in 2002 in her very first acting role.

From there, Wersching appeared all over television, with roles in "Charmed," "Boston Legal," and "Supernatural," before landing a recurring role in "24" in 2009. She was the voice of Tess in the wildly popular video game, "The Last of Us," while fans of "The Vampire Diaries" will remember her from her role as Lily. She appeared to be on the ascent in later years, securing regular roles in the Marvel series, "Runaways," and "Bosch." Sadly, at just 45, Wersching lost a battle with cancer in early 2023, leaving her two roles in "Star Trek" as both the first and final on-screen appearances of her career.

Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Nyota Uhura)

When the original "Star Trek" debuted in 1966, it boasted a Black woman on the bridge in a rare display of racial diversity on prime-time television. Nichelle Nichols, in one of her very first on-screen roles, played communications officer Uhura — one of the first Black characters in a leading TV role — and quickly became a trailblazing icon for both women's rights and racial equality. She's also credited as half of the first interracial kiss on television, shared with series star William Shatner.

Before "Trek," Nichols played a role in an episode of "The Lieutenant" penned by Gene Roddenberry all about racial intolerance. But the episode proved too controversial for TV and never aired, making her role as Uhura her first credited role on television. Nichols, who helped inspire scores of young women, famously quit "Star Trek," only to be coaxed back into the series by Martin Luther King, Jr., in an incident that helped shape the rest of her life. 

Thanks to her role in the series, Nichols was the face of women in science and even became a recruiter for NASA in the 1970s. And while Nichols never did win any major awards for her performance as Uhura, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2017 for a four-episode run on "The Young and the Restless" and received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Films. In 2022, Nichols died at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of grace and strength for future generations of fans to aspire to. 

Gary Graham (Ambassador Soval)

When "Star Trek: Enterprise" debuted in 2001, its principal cast was joined by Gary Graham, who played the Vulcan Ambassador Soval. Early on in the series, Soval is something of an antagonist to Captain Archer (Scott Bakula), as the stoic Vulcan doesn't believe that humans are yet ready to launch the NX-01 Enterprise and join the larger interstellar community. Like series star Bakula, Graham was already well-known to sci-fi audiences for another iconic TV show — in his case, the 1989 cult series "Alien Nation."

Graham, whose career kicked off in the late 1970s, took over the James Caan role from the film version of "Nation," playing Earth cop Matthew Sikes. He starred in the show's only season but returned for five subsequent made-for-TV movies in the 1990s. It was the only time he led his own show, but it certainly wasn't his only sci-fi classic, the other being the dystopian B-movie classic "Robot Jox." In addition to playing Soval in "Enterprise," Graham also had a recurring role on "JAG." Of course, Soval wasn't even his first role in "Star Trek" — in 1995 he guest-starred in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Cold Fire."

A decade after "Enterprise" ended, Graham reprised his role as Soval in the fan film, "Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar." He'd planned to return for a full-length feature version, but the project became the target of a multi-million-dollar lawsuit on copyright infringement grounds and Graham left the production in 2020. He passed away on January 22, 2024, survived by his wife Becky and daughter Haylee.

Barry Jenner (Admiral Ross)

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was known for its stellar recurring cast, and in Season 6 the series added actor Barry Jenner as Admiral William Ross. Nearly a main cast member, Jenner appeared in 12 episodes in the show's final two seasons, playing Captain Sisko's no-nonsense Starfleet boss. He was also the rare Starfleet admiral who didn't turn out to be evil, even joining the crew's victory in the series finale.

While Jenner never did have much of a career in film, he found plenty of success on television. He got his start in the 1970s and went on to secure guest spots on hits like "Remington Steele," "Highway to Heaven," and "Simon & Simon" as well as a recurring role on "Days of Our Lives" before landing the role of Dr. Jerry Kenderson on "Dallas" midway through its run. From there, Jenner secured single-episode guest spots in everything from "Family Ties" to "Mr. Belvedere," on top of multi-episode appearances on the likes of "Falcon Crest" and "Matlock." He even guested in an episode of "Saved by the Bell" when it was still called "Good Morning, Miss Bliss."

Outside of "Trek," Jenner's biggest role in the 1990s was as Lt. Murtaugh in "Family Matters," appearing in 18 episodes before he landed a regular role on the short-lived "Something So Right" in 1996. His role as Admiral Ross was one of his final on-screen appearances, and shortly thereafter he all but retired from acting. He died in 2016 from leukemia. He was 75.

Paul Winfield (Captain Terrell, Dathon)

Paul Winfield has appeared in several iconic science fiction classics, from his role as Lt. Traxler in "The Terminator" to Gen. Casey in Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!" But before them all, he co-starred in perhaps the best "Star Trek" film of them all, 1982's "The Wrath of Khan." There he played Captain Terrell of the starship Reliant, who vaporizes himself after he is mind-controlled by an alien space insect. But one might argue his biggest role in the franchise was still to come.

In 1991, Winfield returned to "Trek," but this time on the small screen, sharing the stage with Patrick Stewart in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the episode "Darmok" as another captain, this time an alien named Dathon. One of the series' most famous installments, "Darmok" continues to be ranked among the best episodes of "The Next Generation" even today, with Winfield's performance as Captain Dathon being one of the main reasons why.

Winfield, though, was already a star when he joined "Star Trek," having earned an Academy Award nomination for his leading role in "Sounder" in 1972. He'd receive similar accolades and an Emmy nomination for his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in the TV miniseries "King" six years later and for his role in "Roots: The Next Generations" in 1979. He'd finally take home an Emmy in 1995 for a guest role in "Picket Fences." His biggest roles on the small screen include recurring parts in "The Charmings," "227," and "Built to Last." His final on-screen performance was in "Touched by an Angel," where he played the archangel Sam. In 2004, Winfield died of a heart attack at the age of 62. 

Miguel Ferrer (Excelsior executive officer)

For those unfamiliar with "Star Trek" it may come as something of a surprise to learn that Miguel Ferrer had a role in the franchise. After all, Ferrer is much more famous among sci-fi fans for his role in "RoboCop" (alongside future "Trek" stars Ronny Cox, Ray Wise, and Peter Weller), not to mention countless bigger roles. But in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," Ferrer was an instant fan-favorite as the smarmy helmsman of the USS Excelsior.

One of the best character actors in Hollywood in the 1980s and '90s, Ferrer rarely had the leading role but never failed to be memorable. He got his first acting gig in an episode of "Magnum, P.I.," and following "The Search for Spock" he appeared in episodes of "Hill Street Blues" and "Trapper John, M.D.," and even re-teamed with William Shatner for an episode of "TJ Hooker." Genre fans will almost certainly recognize Ferrer as FBI Agent Rosenfeld in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" in 1990 — a role he returned to nearly 30 years later for the show's belated third season. 

Some of Ferrer's biggest roles, though, came late in his career. In 2001, he joined the main cast of "Crossing Jordan," and he appeared in all of the show's 117 episodes. Not long after, Ferrer starred in the 2007 reboot of "The Bionic Woman" before joining the main cast of "NCIS: Los Angeles" in 2012. He'd stick with the "NCIS" spin-off until his passing in 2017. He died of throat cancer at 61.

Larry Drake (Chellick)

"Star Trek" has long been known for its high-profile guest stars, and the franchise received another in 2000 in an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager." The seventh season installment "Critical Care" features Larry Drake as Chellick, the unfeeling administrator of an alien hospital. There, health care is doled out based on status and the ship's holographic doctor (Robert Picardo) is forced into servitude when his program is stolen from Voyager. Horror fans might know Drake for a different doctor role, though, as he also played the titular psycho killer in "Doctor Giggles."

Perhaps more notably, Drake played the villainous Durant in Sam Raimi's "Darkman" (as well as its Raimi-less sequel), but even that wasn't his most famous role. That title belongs to Benny, the intellectually disabled clerk on "L.A. Law," whom he played for the show's entire run, bumped up from guest star to main cast member in the show's third season. He reprised that role in the 2002 reunion, "L.A. Law: The Movie."

In the late '90s, Drake also starred in "Prey," a sci-fi medical drama series starring Debra Messing, but by the 2000s he had begun doing voicework in animation and video games. He played Pops on the Cartoon Network classic "Johnny Bravo," and later voicework included roles in "Green Lantern: First Flight," "Justice League," and "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed." He died in 2016, around the same time that his final film, "The Secrets of Emily Blair," was released. He was 66.

John Hoyt (Dr. Boyce)

Every "Star Trek" needs a doctor, and while many will tell you that DeForest Kelley — aka "Bones" McCoy — was the franchise's first, that title actually belongs to actor John Hoyt. In the show's original unaired pilot, "The Cage," Hoyt starred as Dr. Boyce, the ship's resident physician and confidante of Captain Pike (Jeffrey Hunter). Though he only appeared in that single episode, it's a legendary one that gave Hoyt a special place in "Star Trek" lore as the franchise's first chief medical officer.

Hoyt was no stranger to science fiction when he played Boyce, having appeared in quite a few memorable titles, including "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes," and 1951's "When World's Collide." He had two episodes of "The Twilight Zone" already under his belt and afterward continued in the genre with appearances on the original "Battlestar Galactica," "The Time Tunnel," and the "Planet of the Apes" TV series. Though he rarely had recurring roles on TV, he did show up in seven episodes of "Hogan's Heroes" and five of "The Virginian," mostly in different roles each time.

Some of his most legendary projects were epics — he appeared in both "Spartacus" and "Cleopatra" — but his biggest role was also his last: From 1982 to 1987 he starred in "Gimme a Break" as Grandpa Kanisky, a role that brought him to the attention of an entirely new generation. In 1991, Hoyt died at the age of 86.

Booker Bradshaw (Dr. M'Benga)

Boyce and McCoy weren't the only doctors aboard the USS Enterprise on the original 1960s "Star Trek." Another was Dr. M'Benga, played by Booker Bradshaw in a pair of episodes, "A Private Little War" and "That Which Survives." The character gained renewed attention in 2021, however, when the character was revived for "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," where M'Benga — played by Babs Olusanmokun — was the Enterprise's top doc.

Bradshaw wasn't primarily an actor during his life. When he was younger, Bradshaw was more of a musician, and even before he'd graduated Harvard had already appeared on "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour" as a folk singer, winning the TV musical competition three times. After moving to Detroit, Bradshaw went to work for Motown and was even a tour manager for acclaimed groups like The Supremes and The Temptations. 

On the screen, though, Bradshaw had an intermittent career in TV and film. In addition to his two "Trek" appearances, he acted in episodes of "The F.B.I.," "Mod Squad," and "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." while also starring in films like "Coffy" alongside Pam Grier. Additionally, Bradshaw was a writer, penning episodes of the "Planet of the Apes" series, "Columbo," "The Jeffersons," and "The Rockford Files" in the 1970s and "Gimme a Break!" and "Diff'rent Strokes" in the '80s. He died in 2003 at the age of 61.

Fritz Weaver (Kovat)

Another guest actor in the franchise, Fritz Weaver is notable not just for his role in the 1994 "Deep Space Nine" episode "Tribunal," but for his extensive filmography that makes him one of the most prolific and varied guests the show has ever seen. In that installment, Weaver plays a Cardassian lawyer named Kovat who is brought in to "defend" Chief O'Brien (Colm Meaney) from trumped-up terrorism charges.

By the time that episode aired, though, Weaver was already one of TV's most unsung heroes. He'd made his mark as far back as the 1950s, and it's actually something of a surprise that he didn't appear in the original "Star Trek," considering his pedigree in the '60s: He starred in two episodes of the original "The Twilight Zone" series (in the episodes "The Obsolete Man" and "Third from the Sun") and appeared in episodes of "The Invaders," "Gunsmoke," "The Fugitive," and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." And he never slowed down, either, continuing to appear in shows into the '90s and 2000s, including episodes of "The X-Files," "L.A. Law," and "Law & Order."

Weaver won a Tony Award for Robert Marasco's "Child's Play" in 1970, while also earning an Emmy nomination for his role in the TV miniseries "Holocaust," in which he played a Jewish man sent to die in Auschwitz during WWII. Weaver acted until his death in 2016. He was 90 years old.

Joseph Ruskin

Another stalwart character actor, Joseph Ruskin, made his first appearance in the franchise in the 1960s and played a total of six roles across four "Star Trek" series and one movie. In "The Gamemasters of Triskelion," Ruskin played the mysterious and powerful alien Galt. He'd return in a trio of "Deep Space Nine" episodes, playing the Klingon guardian Tumek in "The House of Quark" and "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places" and later playing a shadowy Cardassian spy in "Improbable Cause."

Not long after, Ruskin appeared as a Son'a officer in the 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection" and played Tuvok's Vulcan master in flashback sequences in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Gravity." His final "Trek" role was as a Suliban doctor in the premiere episode of "Enterprise." He also lent his voice to a number of "Star Trek" video games.

Ruskin started his career with an uncredited appearance in an episode of "The Honeymooners" in 1955 and made memorable guest appearances in "The Twilight Zone," playing the scheming genie in "The Man in the Bottle" and was the disembodied voice of a Kanamit alien in the iconic installment "To Serve Man." Never without work, Ruskin has shown up in just about every TV show one could imagine, from "Mister Ed" to "Alias," with his final role coming in an episode of "Bones" in 2006. Ruskin, a longtime Screen Actors Guild board member, died at the age of 89 in 2013.

Kellie Waymire (Cutler)

"Star Trek" has a habit of reusing actors — when a guest star impresses, they bring them back for a bigger role, sometimes even in another series entirely. That was the case with Kellie Waymire, who appeared in the franchise first in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Muse," from its final season, where she played a stage actor on an alien world that resembled ancient Rome or Greece. And just a year later after the launch of "Star Trek: Enterprise," Waymire was brought back in a recurring role as crewman Cutler, a young woman with a serious crush on Dr. Phlox (John Billingsley).

Prior to appearing on either "Star Trek" series, Waymire was mostly a sitcom guest actor, appearing in the "Seinfeld" episode "The Blood," and episodes of "Ally McBeal," "Stark Raving Mad," and "Snoops." She later had a notable role in the "Friends" episode "The One Where Ross Is Fine," playing a friend of Phoebe's named Colleen. Sadly, Waymire's career was cut short in 2003 when she suffered a fatal heart attack caused by an undiagnosed medical condition. She was just 36 years old.

Michael Dunn (Alexander)

Michael Dunn didn't have the longest career in Hollywood, but only because he died young, at just 39 years old. Standing at 3 feet and 10 inches tall, Dunn was easily identifiable on screen and appeared in several well-known films including "Ship of Fools" in 1965 and "The Last Roman" three years later. Around that same time, Dunn starred as the court jester Alexander in the classic "Star Trek" episode "Plato's Stepchildren," which became most famous for featuring the controversial interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura that sent shockwaves across America.

By the time of the episode's airing, Dunn had appeared in  the recurring role of the villainous mad scientist Dr. Loveless in "The Wild Wild West," a character that was played by Kenneth Branagh in the 1999 big-budget feature film starring Will Smith. Dunn was a celebrated actor and received many nominations and accolades for his work. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the 1963 Broadway production "The Ballad of the Sad Café" and an Oscar for "Ship of Fools." He is to date the only actor with dwarfism to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting.

In 1973, Dunn died in his sleep while on location in London filming "The Abdication," which was released a year later and would wind up his last on-screen appearance.

Madge Sinclair (Silva La Forge)

What makes Madge Sinclair unique among "Star Trek" guest stars is that she was cast in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" mostly for her connection to a franchise regular, LeVar Burton. Nearly 15 years earlier, Sinclair played Bell Reynolds in "Roots," the 1977 TV miniseries that turned Burton into a star. In the Season 7 episode "Interface," Sinclair plays the mother of Burton's character, Geordi La Forge, while fellow "Roots" alum Ben Vereen plays Geordi's father.

Playing Geordi's mother wasn't her first "Trek" role, though, because Sinclair also had an uncredited cameo in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," playing the captain of the USS Saratoga. Sinclair got her start a decade before, though, with some of her first roles coming in shows like "Madigan" and "The Waltons" as well as the film "Conrack" in the early '70s. More famously, perhaps, she played Queen Aoleon, mother of Eddie Murphy's Akeem Joffer, in the 1988 comedy classic "Coming to America" (which also featured "Roots" star John Amos).

On television, Sinclair is most recognizable for her role as Ernestine Shoop on the "M*A*S*H" spin-off, "Trapper John, M.D." as well as her roles on "Gabriel's Fire" and "Me and the Boys." Her final film performance came in "The Lion King" in 1994, where she voiced Sabari, the wife of Mufasa (who was voiced by her on-screen "Coming to America" husband James Earl Jones). Sinclair died just a year after its release in 1995, aged 57, the result of cancer.

George Murdock (God, Admiral J.P. Hanson)

From Morgan Freeman to George Burns, it takes a special actor to play the lofty role of God. And as strange as it sounds, God himself showed up in "Star Trek," infamously appearing in the climax of the notoriously awful "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," played by actor George Murdock (though the character turned out to be a noncorporeal entity). Murdock wasn't done with "Trek," though, and he'd return in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in arguably the show's best and most famous episode, the two-parter "The Best of Both Worlds," playing Starfleet Admiral J.P. Hanson.

Even by 1989, when he played God in "Star Trek V," Murdock was already well-known to science-fiction fans. A decade earlier, Murdock had starred in the original "Battlestar Galactica" as Colonial scientist Dr. Salik. None of those roles, however, are Murdock's most famous — that belongs to the character of Lt. Ben Scanlon, the Internal Affairs officer who tormented the titular hero on "Barney Miller."

Like many guest actors, Murdock had a long list of appearances on television, with roles in everything from "The Twilight Zone" to "CHiPs." In the 1990s and 2010s, he was still going, too, and he was even back in sci-fi classics with an appearance in an episode of the "Doctor Who" spin-off "Torchwood" being among his final roles. Murdock died in 2012 at 81.

Robert Ellenstein (Federation President, Steven Miller)

"Star Trek" fans got a rare glimpse of Earth in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," and for the first time, they met the Federation President, played by veteran actor Robert Ellenstein. Not a year later, though, Ellenstein was back, this time in an early episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" titled "Haven," playing Steven Miller, whose son Wyatt (Rob Knepper) was due to be married to ship's counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis).

A prolific actor whose work stretches back to the 1950s, Ellenstein's body of work began with an episode of the Walter Cronkite-hosted historical reenactment series "You Are There." From there, his career wove through drama anthologies like "The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse" and "Kraft Theatre." But he also filled the guest role in episodes of "Gunsmoke," "The Thin Man," and "The Rifleman." At the movies, Ellenstein had roles in several all-time classics, including the original "3:10 to Yuma," "North by Northwest," and "Brewster's Millions." He continued acting on TV throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, showing up in multiple episodes of hit shows like "CHiPs," "Columbo," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and "Mission: Impossible."

One of his final on-screen performances was in an episode of "ER." Shortly after, in 1999, he took on the ultimate role: playing King Lear in a production for the Los Angeles Repertory Company. Shortly after, he stepped away from acting altogether. He died in 2010, aged 87. 

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Star Trek: Voyager's Surprising Guest Stars

The King of Jordan, Rage Against The Machine, Dwayne Johnson, and more!

StarTrek.com takes a look at surprising guest stars from Star Trek: Voyager , including the King of Jordan, Rage Against The Machine, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Alexander, and more!

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Kenneth Mitchell, Star Trek and Captain Marvel actor, dies aged 49

Canadian actor who played several Star Trek characters died after complications from ALS, according to a statement on Instagram

The Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell, known for roles in Star Trek: Discovery and the Marvel film Captain Marvel , has died following complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

Mitchell, who was 49 years old, died on Saturday, according to a statement released by his verified Instagram account.

“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend to many,” the statement said .

“For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment,” it added.

“He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone. His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community,” it continued.

In a statement on the official Star Trek website, the franchise also mourned the death of the actor who played multiple roles in Star Trek: Discovery including Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio.

“The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world,” it added.

In addition to his Star Trek roles, Mitchell also starred in the Marvel film Captain Marvel, as well as the post-apocalyptic television series Jericho, among other projects.

Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susan May Pratt, and their two children, and has requested any gifts be directed towards ALS research or in support of his children, the Instagram statement said.

With an average of 5,000 people diagnosed every year in the US, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include difficulty walking, slurred speech as well as muscle weakness which eventually impacts chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.

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Kenneth Mitchell, 'Star Trek: Discovery' and 'Captain Marvel' actor, dies at 49 after ALS diagnosis

2018 Star Trek Convention Las Vegas

Kenneth Mitchell, the actor who starred in "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Captain Marvel," died Saturday. He was 49 years old. 

“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son, and dear friend to many,” his family said in a statement shared on Instagram. 

Mitchell died after a 5 ½-year struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. 

Despite the “series of awful challenges” Mitchell faced as a result of the disease, his family said, he “managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment.” 

Mitchell, born Nov. 24, 1974, in Toronto, rose to fame for his portrayal of the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on "Star Trek: Discovery," and for playing Joseph Danvers in "Captain Marvel." 

He also acted in the hockey drama "Miracle" and appeared on "Grey’s Anatomy," "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds," among others. 

The “Star Trek” universe paid tribute to Mitchell on its website Sunday, saying it was “deeply saddened” by his passing. 

Kenneth Mitchell

“The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world,” it said. 

His family remembered him, among other things, as a “hope seeker,” “dream believer,” “beach walker” and “garden grower,” but most of all as a “proud father.” 

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their children, Lilah and Kallum. His family said he requested that any gifts be directed toward research for the disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. 

According to a passage Mitchell wrote and shared in the tribute, he wished to be buried under the roots of a tree, "so I can be soaked up, all my matter, my energy, my love, my laughter, my tears and I want to reach up through the branches and touch the night sky.”

Mike Gagliardi is a researcher with the NBC News Network Desk.

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Mark Dodson, Voice of ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Gremlins’ Characters, Dies at 64

He voiced Salacious B. Crumb, the monkey-lizard pet of Jabba the Hutt in “Return of the Jedi,” as well as Mogwai in both “Gremlins” films.

A screen shot from the movie "Gremlins" showing the creatures in a movie theater, creating mayhem.

By Yan Zhuang and Ron DePasquale

Mark Dodson, who voiced strange puppet creatures in “Star Wars,” including Salacious B. Crumb, the cackling monkey-lizard pet of Jabba the Hutt, and “Gremlins” films, died on Saturday. He was 64.

His death was confirmed in statements on social media by his agent, Peter DeLorme , and the Evansville Horror Con , the Indiana fan convention where he had been scheduled to appear over the weekend. No cause of death was given.

Mr. Dodson’s voice acting career began in 1983 on “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” when he voiced Salacious B. Crumb , the court jester of Jabba the Hutt that was known for its maniacal laugh , as well as some of the furry forest creatures known as Ewoks.

In a 2020 interview with “Screaming Soup!,” Mr. Dodson explained how he had gotten the Crumb role by accident.

He was auditioning for Adm. Ackbar, a leader during the Clone Wars, but was so nervous that he asked for a break to compose himself, he said. He was then overheard using a deranged voice that the casting director thought was perfect for Crumb.

That led Mr. Dodson to voice several of the Mogwai in “ Gremlins ,” the 1984 comedy-horror film about a young man who accidentally unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town on Christmas Eve.

“Let’s say I did get Ackbar — I never would’ve gotten the ‘Gremlins,’” he said. “The ‘Gremlins’ came because the ‘Gremlins’ were made by the same guys who made Salacious. That’s why it came up, ‘They look a lot the same. Wouldn’t it be great for the Gremlins to have that same voice! Who is that guy?’”

Mr. Dodson continued working in both franchises, voicing characters in the 1985 television movie “Ewoks: The Battle for Endor” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” in 1990.

He voiced a scavenger in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) and appeared as an uncredited zombie in George Romero’s “Day of the Dead” (1985).

Mark Dodson was born on Feb. 1, 1960, in St. Louis, according to IMDb.

He got his start in the film business when he moved to the Los Angeles area after high school in 1978 and worked as a production assistant and a carpenter, he said in a 2010 interview . While working as a laborer during the construction of a sound studio for George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic, a sound designer was looking for a raccoon, which Mr. Dodson and his wife had as a pet at home.

The raccoon didn’t make the right noises, but Mr. Dodson recalled how he had enjoyed making up sounds since he was a kid, and recorded himself making some chirps.

That led to him auditioning for a mysterious creature that turned out to be E.T., the lost alien in the 1982 Steven Spielberg sci-fi classic.

“My wife, Rita, asked me what the creature I tried out for was,” he said. “I said I had to say some kid’s name ‘phone home’ and some weird sounds.”

He didn’t get the part, but the process led to his “Return of the Jedi” audition.

Over the decades, his voice appeared on radio, in commercials, in cartoons like “Darkwing Duck” and “Bonkers,” and as a narrator on TV shows.

He also voiced characters in several video games, including “Star Trek Online,” “Ghostrunner,” “Bendy and the Dark Revival,” and “Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga,” once again as Crumb.

Yan Zhuang is a reporter in The New York Times's Australia bureau, based in Melbourne. More about Yan Zhuang

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