Star Trek was a hugely successful American science-fiction franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry.
It consists of five TV shows, 13 films, and a host of other media. Here are some of the actors to appear in Star Trek, and pictures of them, then and now!
Leonard Nimoy took on the role of Spock in the original Star Trek series.
The half-Vulcan half-human is considered the show’s breakout character and made Nimoy a star.
Nimoy went on to appear in 8 subsequent Star Trek movies, as well as hit sci-fi show Fringe.
He passed away in 2015 after battling COPD.
William Shatner rose to global fame for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series.
Since starring in the show, William Shatner has gone on to become an American cultural icon.
Not bad for a Canadian, eh?! He also starred in cop show TJ Hooker.
Every show needs some comic relief, and that was provided by James Doohan’s character Scotty.
Another Canadian to blossom on the show, Doohan, unlike Shatner, struggled with roles outside of the show.
He passed away in 2005.
Nichelle is best known for playing the fiery and feisty Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series.
She became a firm fan favourite as a result.
Since ending the role of Uhura she has acted more, and also enjoyed a reasonably successful singing career.
She’s 83 years young now and still working sporadically.
George Takei portrayed Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu in the original series, which ran from 1966-
His role on the show has made George a cult icon among sci-fi enthusiasts and Trekkie’s worldwide.
Coming into Star Trek, Koenig had only a handful of credits to his name.
But he took the role of Pavel Chekov and made it his own.
After finding success in Star Trek Koenig flexed his sci-fi muscles once again with a role in Babylon 5.
In his role as Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, Kelley brought empathy and heart to the show.
He humanized the program and brought out the best in the character of Kirk.
DeForest worked only sporadically after Star Trek and more or less retired.
However, he was still a regular at conventions and remained popular up to his death in 1999.
She may not have starred in the original series, but Kirstie Alley did have a guest role in one of the movies.
She portrayed Lt. Saavik in the 1982 movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Since that time she starred in long-running sitcom Cheers, and the movie Look Who’s Talking alongside John Travolta.
You may be surprised to hear that Christopher Lloyd was actually in Star Trek.
He appeared as the Klingon Kruge in the third Star Trek movie The Search For Spock.
Lloyd enjoyed success in the long-running TV show Taxi but is best known for his role as Doc Brown in Back to the Future.
Yes, believe it or not, future Sex and the City star Cattrall had a role in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
She played the Vulcan Valeris who is caught up in a nefarious plot.
Kim has obviously gone on to great success with Sex and the City.
She also had a fairly successful film career, most notably with Porky’s and Police Academy.
Frakes shot to fame playing Commander William T. Riker in hugely successful spin-off show Star Trek: The Next Generation.
He has also made a name for himself as a fairly accomplished director.
Indeed, Jonathan directed two Star Trek films; First Contact and Insurrection. As well as helming several episodes of the show.
English actor Patrick Stewart was an established thesp of stage and screen when he got the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
Since the show ended in 1997 Stewart has had an array of roles in film, TV and theatre.
He continues to be a household name in the UK.
Man mountain Dorn is best known for portraying Lieutenant Worf, the first Klingon main character to appear in the Star Trek universe.
Dorn also portrayed the same character in spin-off series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Only this time the character was going by Lieutenant Commander Worf!
Brent Spiner played the character of Lieutenant Commander Data on Next Generation.
The android was one of the most interesting and best-loved characters on the show.
Since the end of the series Spiner has acted sporadically.
His most notable credits include Independence Day and Independence Day: Resurgence, as well as The Big Bang Theory.
The wonderfully named Gates McFadden portrayed Doctor Beverly Crusher in The Next Generation.
Kind hearted and wise, Crusher had the respect of all the crew.
In the time since the show finished Gates has continued to act, appearing in Mad About You and Family Guy.
She also taught theatre for a time at several top universities.
Whoopi played a quirky bartender who worked aboard the USS-Enterprise D’s bar, called Ten Forward.
Today, Whoopi is a well known and respected actor in Hollywood.
She has played in movies such as Ghost, and The Sister Act.
Crosby played the character of Security Chief, Natasha “Tasha” Yar on the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
These days, Denise continues to work in television in shows such as Ray Donovan and Law and Order.
Marina played the character of Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as a few of the related films.
Her character was an advisor on the USS-Enterprise D due to her ability to sense emotions.
Sirtis continues to act, with major roles on shows like NCIS and the tv series, Star Trek Continues.
Young Wil played the role of Wesley Crusher for the first 4 seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, with guest appearances thereafter.
Since his days on Star Trek, Wil has acted in a large number of tv shows, such as Criminal Minds, The Big Bang Theory, and The Weakest Link.
In her role as Borg Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager, Jeri Ryan had her poster on the walls of millions of teenage boys’ bedrooms!