No one can deny the sheer genius of Star Trek – especially when you’re a die-hard Trekkie. Now that there’s a film adaptation taking the world by storm, it made sense for us to step back and reminisce over the original cast. Take a look at some of our favorites who made Star Trek the success that it is today – watch out though, the ‘Live Long and Prosper’ nostalgia might just have you re-watching the show, like yesterday.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Let’s begin with B’Elanna Torres, the half Human/half-Klingon engineer, who dominated Star Trek: Voyager for all seven seasons. While on the show, Roxann Dawson even made her directorial debut. After the show, her passion for directing only grew – which is why she went on to direct episodes of The O.C., Lost, The Mentalist, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Recently though, she has even gone on to produce some of the hottest shows such as Scandal.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Ensign Ro Laren – Michelle Forbes
Ensign Ro Laren appeared as a fan favorite in the final three seasons which many claim is THE “second strongest female character in the franchise.” Now that’s impressive. Afterwards, she has gone on to star in film and television, with roles in 24, The Killing, True Blood, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
Ensign Ro Laren – Michelle Forbes
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Gates McFadden, or as she’s best known Dr. Beverly Crusher, starred not just in the show but also all of four of the subsequent films. After the show ended, she starred in some films and television shows. Although what’s most noteworthy is that she went on to teach at universities like American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard, Purdue, the Stella Academy in Hamburg, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Captain James T. Kirk – William Shatner
Can we just assume that you know all there is to know about William Shatner aka Captain James T. Kirk? I mean, the man is a cultural icon that’s known throughout all the galaxies (okay, we don’t know that but one can assume). Furthermore, he is also an accomplished author, producer, and director; plus his work on The Practice and Boston Legal brought him brilliant success too.
Captain James T. Kirk – William Shatner
Captain Jean Luc Picard – Sir Patrick Stewart
First things first, Sir Patrick Stewart is an absolute legend and not just because he’s an extraordinary actor but because he’s an extraordinary human being. For six decades, he has dazzled audiences whether on stage, television, or film – forever will he be remembered as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise. Moreover in 2010, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II due to his astounding services to drama.
Captain Jean Luc Picard – Sir Patrick Stewart
Kira Nerys – Nana Visitor
Nana Visitor, or as she’s best known Kira Nerys, portrayed a former freedom fighter from the planet Bajor – in fact, she’s quite the bad a$$ as she drove off alien occupiers, the Cardassians, from her home-planet. Moreover, she earned an OFTA Television Award for Best Actress in a Syndicated Series for her role on Star Trek. Since then, she has starred in film and television shows.
Kira Nerys – Nana Visitor
Emergency Medical Hologram – Robert Picardo
Wrap your head around this, Robert Picardo graduated from William Penn Charter School and originally he started as a pre-med student at Yale, but then switched to acting. As a result, he earned his bachelor’s in drama from good ol’ Yale. While on Star Trek, Picardo portrayed the one and only Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), or The Doctor, afterwards he went on to star on Broadway, television, and film.
Emergency Medical Hologram – Robert Picardo
T’Pol – Jolene Blalock
Jolene Blalock, the actress and model, will always be remembered as Vulcan first officer T’Pol on Star Trek: Enterprise. And that’s okay with us. Blalock has since guest-starred on different television series and films.
T’Pol – Jolene Blalock
Seven of Nine – Jeri Ryan
Jeri Ryan, the fabulous Borg, Seven of Nine, joined the cast of Star Trek: Voyager just as Kes was leaving. As a result, Ryan was even nominated four times for a Saturn Award and won in 2001, not bad for a Borg eh? Ever since, she has appeared in plenty film and television roles, with her most recent work in Arrow and Bosch.
Seven Of Nine Jeri Ryan
Counselor Deanna Troi – Marina Sirtis
No one, absolutely no one, can ever forget Deanna Troi, the half-human-half-Betazoid, whose abilities allowed her to read the emotions of others. Of course Troi would appeared in all four feature films and many other appearances in the Star Trek franchise. After bidding farewell to Deanna Troi, she has appeared in plenty television and film roles, including Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS.
Counselor Deanna Troi –
Marina Sirtis
Guinan – Whoopi Goldberg
So not a typo, the great Whoopi Goldberg did in fact star on the show! Her character of Guinan was an El-Aurian – a race of “listeners” – who were brutally scattered by the Borg (a powerful, cyborg race). Since then, as you probably know, she has earned an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. Moreover, she is the second black woman in the history of the Academy Awards to have won an acting Oscar. Currently, she stars on the talk show, The View.
Guinan – Whoopi Goldberg
Captain Hikaru Sulu – George Takei
George Takei was cast as Lt. Sulu – a role which was meant to be expanded in the second season – however Takei’s role in another show conflicted with this. So instead of cutting Takei out of the show, Walter Koenig was brought in as a substitute until his schedule opened up. Once Takei returned, it took time to create harmony alongside Koenig but the duo definitely made it work! As you should already know, Takei’s career exploded after this, whether in film or television. Moreover Takei has a huge social media following and is a huge advocate for LGBT rights.
Hikaru Sulu – George Takei
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge – LeVar Burton
We are not joking, the host and executive producer of Reading Rainbow is also known in the sci-fi fandom as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge! After the show went off air, Burton has continued to act and direct while also serving on the board of directors for AIDS Research Alliance.
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge – LeVar Burton
Hoshi Sato – Linda Park
Not long after Linda Park graduated from Boston University, she landed a role as Hoshi Sato in the fifth Star Trek franchise. As a result, Hoshi Sato was the ship’s communications officer with a natural gift for alien language translation. Afterwards, she worked in television and was a series regular on Crash in 2008. Currently she is the co-founder of the theater company, Underground Asylum.
Hoshi Sato – Linda Park
Jadzia Dax – Terry Farrell
Jadzia Dax is unforgettable in the Trekkie universe. As the space station’s Starfleet science officer, Dax is from an alien species known as the Trill, who serves as host to a 300-year-old symbiont. Interesting. At the end of season six, Farrell left the show and Paramount killed off her “host” character – but they continued the “symbiont” character in a new host, which is played by Nicole DeBoer. Currently Farrell is retired and is focusing on her family.
Jadzia Dax – Terry Farrell
Janice Rand – Grace Lee Whitney
Grace Lee Whitney portrayed Captain James T. Kirk’s personal assistant, Yeoman Janice Rand. Rand appeared in eight of the first 13 episodes and was strangely released from her contract shortly after. However, she reprises her role in the 70’s after fans continuously asked for her in the conventions. Whitney passed away in 2015 but her life was filled with beauty, she appeared in numerous television shows and sang in orchestras and bands.
Janice Rand – Grace Lee Whitney
Lieutenant Uhura – Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols is a wonderful, wonderful human being whose on-screen work has shattered misconceptions time and time again. For instance, her Star Trek character became one of the first African American female characters to appear on American TV and NOT portray a servant. Nichols once considered leaving the show but the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. had personally asked her to stay – as she personally opened a door to the African American Civil Rights Movement at the time. (Heck, it was her character that inspired Whoopi Goldberg to become an actress). What’s even more noteworthy is that after the show, she partnered with NASA on a special project to recruit minority and female personnel for the space agency – awesome is an understatement here, the woman is a Goddess.
Lieutenant Uhura – Nichelle Nichols
Lieutenant Worf – Michael Dorn
Michael Dorn’s first ever appearance was in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation while his last was in Star Trek: Nemesis. Why is this relevant? Because Dorn has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other in the entire franchise. And we’re talking about the five films and the 272 television episodes for Dorn. Following the show’s end, Dorn has appeared in numerous supporting roles, especially in independent feature films. Moreover he is also an accomplished pilot who owns and operates a Lockheed T-33 trainer jet – jokingly he calls it his ‘starship’.
Lieutenant Worf – Michael Dorn
Miles O’Brien – Colm Meaney
Irish actor Colm Meaney first appearance was in the 1987 pilot episode, “Encounter at Farpoint”, of Star Trek: The Next Generation – his role? Unnamed helm officer. However it didn’t take long for his character to become a recurring one – ergo, Miles O’Brien, the Transporter Chief, was born. But in 1993, Meaney left to pursue a much more prominent regular role in the spin-off Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which is where he remained until its final episode in 1999. No doubt you know that he has since gone on to gain a significant motion picture career.
Miles O’Brien – Colm Meaney
Q – John De Lancie
Sassy “Q” was portrayed by none other than John De Lancie. Likewise we should note that “Q” is just one of few character to appear in multiple series of the franchise. Additionally aside from Star Trek, he has landed many television series roles and even has a good film and theatre presence. As if he couldn’t get more perfect, he’s also a published author.
Q – John De Lancie
Robin Lefler – Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd – that’s right, Ashley Judd was on Star Trek! Crazy but true, her character of Ensign Robin Lefler, a Starfleet officer, appeared in just two episodes back in 1991. Of course this was just the start because it didn’t take long for her career to skyrocket.
Robin Lefler – Ashley Judd
Vulcan Valeris – Kim Cattrall
Let’s clear something up, long, long, LONG before Kim Cattrall portrayed Samantha Jones in Sex and the City, she was in Star Trek. We know that might be a lot to digest so take a minute. Okay, moving on, Vulcan Valeris was mentored by Captain Spock and went on to became the first Vulcan to graduate top of her class. Moreover, Cattrall helped design her character’s headband and even suggested her hairstyle – plus she helped name the character! Need we mention that Cattrall’s career exploded into epic-ness shortly after?
Vulcan Valeris – Kim Cattrall
Wesley Crusher – Wil Wheaton
We might lose a Trekkies by including Wil Wheaton on this list, as his character was met with tons of opposition, but alas we must. Wesley Crusher appeared in the first four seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation which then quickly turned into a recurring role. Since then, he starred in some independent films and television shows such as Criminal Minds and The Big Bang Theory.
Wesley Crusher – Wil Wheaton
William T. Riker – Jonathan Frakes
Get this: Jonathan Frakes is one of two Star Trek regulars to appear on four different series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Furthermore Frakes directed episodes of the show and also others that aren’t related to Star Trek. Lest we forget, he’s also a published author.
William T. Riker – Jonathan Frakes
Spock – Leonard Nimoy
From the pilot episode to the final film in 2013, Leonard Nimoy portrayed Spock, a character we all hold near and dear. While Nimoy would star in film and theatre, his portrayal as Spock is his most successful work. Moreover Nimoy is also a published author, a a director, and a musician. Tragically though in 2015, Nimoy passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Live long and prosper, dear friend.
Mr. Spock Leonard Nimoy
Pavel Chekov – Walter Koenig
When Walter Koenig auditioned for the part of Pavel Chekov, he was just one of two actors to do so. Almost immediately he was selected as he closely resembled British actor/musician, Davy Jones of the Monkees. See, the creators of the show hoped he would appeal to a much younger audience, and to say that he did doesn’t even do it justice. For some 50 years now, Koenig has been appearing in various film, stage, and TV roles.
Walter Koenig – Pavel Chekov
Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy – DeForest Kelley
Before DeForest Kelley appeared in the Star Trek franchise, he already appeared in a flicks in Hollywood – however his success skyrocketed in ways he never imagined possible. Later on, he developed a beautiful passion for poetry. Sadly Kelley passed away from stomach cancer in 1999.
Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy – DeForest Kelley
Kirstie Alley – Lt. Saavik
Kirstie Alley did in fact portray the Vulcan-Romulan hybrid in 1982 in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. Which is weird but makes sense somehow. Following the film she was a co-star in the long-running series Cheers, and countless others. However it was her work in film that really make her a legend, Look Who’s Talking, It Takes Two, For Richer or Poorer and Accidental Love.
Kirstie Alley – Lt. Saavik
Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott – James Doohan
Canadian actor James Doohan’s character, Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott, inspired tons of fans to then pursue careers in engineering and technical fields. While Doohan didn’t enjoy the same success as Star Trek brought him; he would often return to play the character and made frequent appearances at conventions.
James Doohan – Montgomery Scotty Scott
Commander Willard Decker – Stephen Collins
Never could I have imagined that Eric Camden from the television series 7th Heaven was in Star Trek, but then again, this is Hollywood. Since the sci-fi show, he has gone on to star in various films and television shows, and he is also a published author.
Commander Willard Decker Stephen Collins
Klingon Kruge – Christopher Lloyd
Long before Christopher Lloyd was the brilliant Doc Brown, he was Klingon Kruge, folks. So wrap your mind around that! Oh, it’s not all that far fetched it is? Well let us point out that Lloyd only decided to audition for the part due to the urging of his fellow actor and friend Leonard Nimoy, aka Spock. The rest as they say is history – great Scott!
Klingon Kruge – Christopher Lloyd
Lt. Saavik – Robin Curtis
Robin Custis is best remembered to Trekkies as the replacement for Kirstie Alley as Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik in films Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Curtis would appear in many other film and television shows, along with some works in stage and commercial – however in 1999, she retired from acting.
Lt. Saavik – Robin Curtis
Commander Chakotay – Robert Beltran
Commander Chakotay was the first officer of the starship Voyager – this role earned Robert Beltran two ALMA Award nominations and the Golden Eagle Award. Since his Star Trek, he has starred in film, television, and theater.
Chakotay – Robert Beltran
Dr. Gillian Taylor – Catherine Hicks
Oh look, another 7th Heaven star! In fact, Catherine Hicks role in 7th Heaven was as the wife of Eric Camden (Stephen Collins). However most noteworthy about Hicks’ run on Star Trek is that she earned a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Now her list of accomplishments and roles could write a novel!
Gillian Taylor – Catherine Hicks
Varel – Susanna Thompson
We need to point out that Susanna Thompson’s appearance on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a seriously controversial appearance in TV land. Why? Well her character engaged in television’s first ever same-sex kiss in the United States. Although that never damaged her career, and rightly so, as she has most recently starred as Moira Queen on Arrow and Carolyn Preston on Timeless.
Varel – Susanna Thompson
Doctor Julian Bashir – Alexander Siddig
Alexander Siddig originally auditioned for the part of Commander Benjamin Sisko, but Berman, the producer, believed Siddig was too young for the role and instead cast him as Dr. Julian Bashir. Safe to say that it all worked out in the end! As Siddig has gone on to star in many films and television shows, with his most notable work in Game of Thrones as Doran Martell.
Doctor Julian Bashir – Alexander Siddig
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay
Maybe you remember Anne Ramsay as Ensign Clancy in her two episodes called “Elementary, Dear Data” and “The Emissary”. Or maybe you recognize her as Lisa Stemple from Mad About You. Either way, she has quite the successful acting career spanning film and television.
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay
Neelix – Ethan Phillips
If Ethan Phillips isn’t your favorite alien of Star Trek then he better rate pretty high otherwise, we gonna have some problems. Nah, just kidding, well only slightly. Since his role as Neelix, Phillips has had a successful theatre career, along with film and television roles here and there. In fact, he has done tons of voice-over work for the Star Wars franchise over the years.
Neelix – Ethan Phillips
Ensign Harry Kim – Garret Wang
From 1995 to 2001, fans watched the naive romantic but gifted Ensign Harry Kim and man was he brilliant! After the show, he has appeared in a few film roles and is a a moderator for celebrity panels at conventions.
Ensign Harry Kim – Garret Wang
Dominic Keating – Lieutenant Malcolm Reed
For 98 episodes, the English actor Dominic Keating portrayed Lieutenant Malcolm Reed. However he is probably best known for his roles in Beowulfand Jungle 2 Jungle. But in any case, his acting carer hasn’t slowed down with his most recent work in Once Upon a Time in London.
Dominic Keating – Lieutenant Malcolm Reed