15 Actors You Didn’t Know Were On Star Trek

When you have a fandom that spans as many decades as Star Trek, the casting possibilities for roles become endless. Though they’re hardly the first franchise to include some unexpected guest appearances, Star Trek’s longevity has certainly made for some surprising on screen appearances. While there are many famous actors known for their time in Starfleet, here are some that you may not know once crossed paths with the sci-fi giant. Set phasers to fascinating!

 

 

15. Joan Collins

Long before cementing her spot on TV’s Dynasty, Joan Collins played Edith Keeler in “The City on the Edge of Forever” (Star Trek: The Original Series 1×28). The starlet proved that everyone plays an important role in the scheme of time whether or not we understand our life’s impact.

 

 

14. Christopher Lloyd

Best known for the lovable if not eccentric Doc Brown, Christopher Lloyd donned the Klingon makeup for the role of Commander Kruge in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. While our lovable crew is busy engineering a daring rescue, Lloyd brings life to the ruthless Kruge and highlights the dangers of coveting what you don’t understand. Great Scott, does he make for a wonderfully wicked villain!

 

 

13. Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall shot to international stardom with her role in Sex and the City as the promiscuous and brashly honest Samantha Jones. What many don’t know is she auditioned twice for Star Trek. While she missed out on the role of Saavik that ultimately went to Kirstie Alley, she did land the character of Lieutenant Valeris in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Cattrall was even instrumental in choosing her character’s name and hairstyle!

 

 

12. Christopher Plummer

With a career spanning seven decades, Plummer has more than his fair share of iconic roles. From Captain Von Trapp to Tolstoy, Plummer’s filmography has covered a myriad of roles; including sporting those famous Klingon ridges. Plummer plays Chang, a General clinging to outdated beliefs in an evolving Klingon empire, in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

 

 

11. Frank Gorshin

Gorshin, while best known for his comedy and celebrity impressions, received his big break as The Riddler in 1966’s Batman series. He also played Commission Bele in “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” (TOS 3×15) serving as a reminder of how prejudice can color one’s sense of justice.

 

 

10. Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd made her TV debut as Ensign Robin Lefler in the episodes “Darmok” and “The Game” (Star Trek: The Next Generation 5×02 and 5×06, respectively). Wherein she played a remarkably driven mission specialist and briefly served as a love interest for Wesley Crusher.

 

 

9. Paul Sorvino

Sorvino is probably most recognized as Paul Cicero from the 1990’s The Goodfellas. In contrast to the ever cool and level-headed mob boss Paulie, Sorvino plays the hot headed Nikolai Rozhenko, Lt. Worf’s foster brother, in “Homeward” (TNG 7×13).

 

 

8. Famke Janssen

Before Janssen starred as powerful mutant Dr. Jean Grey in the X-Men franchise (also alongside Sir Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier), she made her onscreen debut in “The Perfect Mate” (TNG 5×21). Janssen played Kamala, the first female empathic metamorph born on Krios Prime in over a hundred years. As an empathic metamorph, Janssen’s character is able to sense the desires of those around her. This allows her to become the ideal mate of whomever she’s in contact with.

 

 

7. Tom Morello

Tom Morello has two Star Trek appearances! In addition to his musical prowess in Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, the singer/guitarist is also a die hard Trekkie. Morello contacted Star Trek producer Rick Berman seeking a cameo in the film Insurrection. He later also starred in “Good Sheppard” (Star Trek: Voyager 6×20) as Crewman Mitchell.

 

 

6. Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams became the first African-American to become Miss America in 1984, and has had her fair share of TV success. She also managed to snag a role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Williams played Arandis, an official on Risa with ties to the previous incarnation of Jadzia Dax.

 

5. James Avery

Best known for his role as Uncle Phil, of Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air fame, James Avery also managed to land a cameo in Star Trek: Enterprise. Avery stars in both “Affliction” (ENT 4×15) and “Divergence” (ENT 4×16) as General K’Vagh, a Klingon officer of the Imperial Fleet. K’Vagh oversees a division dealing with Klingon augmentations that helps bridge the difference in appearance between Klingons in TOS & ENT.

 

 

4. Seth McFarlane

Seth McFarlane is recognized most notably for his voice work in shows like Family Guy and American Dad, but it’s no secret he has a love of the sci-fi giant Star Trek. MacFarlane has shown this time and again with Easter eggs in his animated shows, but more notably with the creation of The Orville, a sci-fi comedy that doubles as a parody and homage to Star Trek and The Next Generation. MacFarlane is in both “The Forgotten” and “Affliction” (ENT 3×20 and 4×15) as Ensign Rivers.

 

 

3. Rainn Wilson

Rainn Wilson is famous for bringing the lovable yet bizarre character of Dwight Schrute to life on NBC’s The Office. He also manages to bring an old favorite to life in Star Trek: Discovery with his portrayal of Harry Mudd, a world class smuggler and devious con artist. Rainn stars as Mudd in “Choose Your Pain” and “Magic To Make The Sanest Man Go Mad” (DISC 1×5 and 1×7) as well as “The Escape Artist” (Star Trek: Short Treks 1×4).

 

 

2. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

While it seems like Dwayne Johnson is everywhere these days, his cameo in Star Trek was his first venture outside the wrestling ring towards a full-fledged acting career. Johnson is the first WWE Star to make a Trek appearance. Johnson plays the unnamed Pendari Champion in “Tsunkatse” (VOY 6×15) opposite Seven of Nine in a battle of strength.

 

 

1. Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy has enjoyed cinematic success from Nolan’s Inception to the duality of Eddie Brock and Venom in Fleischer’s Venom. But before that, he was a relative newcomer in Star Trek Nemesis. Hardy played Shinzon, a ***SPOILER*** clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Unfortunately the film is considered a low point for Star Trek. The film was a box office disaster that resulted in an outpouring of hate from the fans. Hardy was still trying to make a name for himself as an actor, and the film’s reception threatened to tank his career before it even started. Hardy was reportedly such a wreck he was contemplating suicide. His drinking habits spiraled, leading to his divorce from then wife Marlina. Thankfully, Hardy took this as a wake up call and it motivated him to sobriety. Looking at his career now, it’s hard to believe that it was ever in jeopardy, and we are thankful that Hardy didn’t let his brush with Star Trek keep him down.

 

 

 

Did you learn any new Trek connections? Who surprised you the most? Let us know!

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You can watch every series of Star Trek on CBS All Access. Star Trek: Discovery is currently in production for its fourth season with an expected November release date.