Over the years, through the in-numerous worlds, realms and six series (Star Trek, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek:Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise) and 11 feature films of Star Trek, we’ve seen many, many famous faces take on unexpected roles. Below we’ve compiled a list of famous people you never knew were in Star Trek.
For some, it was a foot in the door for a bright career path, while other memorable appearances were simply fanboys showing off their talents on their favourite show. Christopher Lloyd got down with a Klingon in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Wallace Shawn was Zek the Grand Nagus of the Ferengi Alliance in Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Stephen Hawking plays himself in a game of poker with Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Data in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode All Good Things….
1. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in Star Trek: Voyager
The Rock is pretty much in everything these days. However, most people don’t know that he once appeared as the Pendari Champion in the 1999 Star Trek: Voyager episode “Tsunkatse”. He was the first WWE superstar to make a guest appearance on Star Trek.
2. Kirsten Dunst in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Kirsten Dunst found fame at a very young age after her role in Interview with the Vampire alongside Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. However, one year before that the 11-year-old starred as Hedril in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Dark Page”.
3. Jason Alexander in Star Trek: Voyager
Mostly known for his portrayal of George Costanza on the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld, Jason Alexander appeared as Kurros in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Think Tank”. “Jerry, just remember, it’s not a lie if you believe it.”
4. Kelsey Grammer in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Kelsey Grammer probably needs no introduction. The actor who played Dr. Frasier Crane for over twenty years is as popular as sliced bread. However, most people don’t know that the thespian starred as Captain Morgan Bateson in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Cause and Effect” back in 1992.
5. Seth MacFarlane in Star Trek: Enterprise
It’s probably no big surprise that Seth MacFarlane is a big fan of Star Trek. Heck, his new sci-fi series The Orville looks like a direct rip-off. MacFarlane played Rivers in two Star Trek: Enterprise episodes, “The Forgotten” and “Affliction”.
6. Ashley Judd in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Ashley Judd played Ensign Robin Lefler in two Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes, “Darmok” and “The Game”.
7. Christian Slater in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Although he might currently hold a record for starring in a film with the lowest box office numbers in history, Christian Slater was once hot property. A huge fan of the franchise, Slater appeared in a cameo role as the night-duty officer in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
8. Winona Ryder in Star Trek (2009)
The Academy Award-nominated actress recently played Spock’s mother, Amanda Grayson, in the 2009 reboot Star Trek film.
9. Tom Hardy in Star Trek Nemesis
Once upon a time, before Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy played Shinzon, the Romulan-created clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
10. Christopher Lloyd in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Commander Kruge was a male Klingon officer of the 23rd century Klingon Empire. He was played onscreen by Christopher Lloyd.
11. Bryan Singer in Star Trek Nemesis
Acclaimed film and television director Bryan Singer is a huge Star Trek fan. He jumped at the chance of a cameo as an unnamed USS Enterprise-E tactical officer in Star Trek Nemesis.
12. Terri Hatcher in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Teri Hatcher made an appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation, playing Lieutenant B.G. Robinson in the episode “The Outrageous Okona”.
13. Sarah Silverman in Star Trek: Voyager
Comedian Sarah Silverman seems an odd choice for an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, however, she played Rain Robinson in two episodes, “Future’s End” and “Future’s End, Part II”.
14. Iggy Pop in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rock star Iggy Pop appeared as Yelgrun in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “The Magnificent Ferengi”.
15. Andy Dick in Star Trek: Voyager
Actor and comedian Andy Dick starred as EMH Mark II in the Star Trek: Voyager fourth season episode “Message in a Bottle”.
16. Christopher Plummer in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Klingon General Chang was memorably played by Christopher Plummer in 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Ken Jenkins is famous? I recall the episode (and he was a great actor in it), but I have no idea who the guy is or what else he’s done.
James Cromwell also played two different characters on two different episodes of TNG.
You Forgot King Hussein of Jordan, he was an Extra on an Episode of Voyager….but a lot of these werent really unknowns they were credited and in some cases major chacters :P
Kurtwood Smith was also on the two part Star Trek – Voyager episode “Year of Hell”..
You forgot John DeLancie as “Q”…
Kurtwood Smith was the dad on “That ’70s Show”.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0776239/
Oh, and… Linda Thorson, anyone?
The only ones I “didn’t know” of where the ones I still don’t recognize in this list today? Who is Kurtwood Smith, for instance?
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac fame was a walking fish alien with a shower curtain suit on TNG.
OOOH and we Forgot Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth is Kirks father in the 2009 reboot
I dont know if you can call him that famous but Candy Man’s Tony Todd had two roles in TNG and DS9
So many others left off this list. The most memorable I can think of is James Worthy, forward for the LA Lakers during the 80’s-90’s had a small roll as a Klingon on TNG