Star Trek is one of the longest-running franchises in television and film history, encompassing 11 different TV shows and an expansive series of films. It all started with the original Star Trek series in 1966, and quickly blossomed into one of the most successful science fiction IPs of all time.
With that much history, it’s not surprising that the giant multimedia franchise has seen its fair share of unexpected guest stars. From tiny cameo appearances to multipart arcs, many famous actors have popped up in the Star Trek franchise over the years. In the list below, we’ve highlighted 11 actors that you might not know were in Star Trek.
11 Kelsey Grammer - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Kicking off our list is Kelsey Grammer, sitcom star extraordinaire! Grammer has made countless television and movie appearances over the course of his long career, including providing the voice of Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons and playing Frasier Crane on Cheers. He soon got his own show, Frasier, which was recently revived on Paramount+. Although the actor is best known for his Emmy-winning role as Frasier Crane, Grammer also played a memorable role in Star Trek.
Kelsey Grammer as Captain Morgan Bateson in The Next Generation
Grammer portrayed USS Bozeman Captain Morgan Bateson in the Next Generation episode “Cause and Effect.” In the episode, Grammer’s character plays a critical role in saving the Enterprise crew from the devastating effects of a temporal causality loop. Unlike some of the actors on this list, Grammer isn’t disguised by alien makeup or anything, but his ultra-serious demeanor in the episode makes him difficult to recognize as the sitcom star he is.
10 Kevin Peter Hall - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Kevin Peter Hall was one of the greatest monster actors of the 20th century. The seven-foot-two actor brought many of the most memorable creature feature villains to life in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, including playing the titular beast in Predator. He was no stranger to alien roles, and, as such, fit very nicely into the Star Trek universe.
Kevin Peter Hall as Leyor
Hall portrayed a Caldonian named Leyor in the Next Generation episode entitled “The Price.” For the role, Hall had to sit in the makeup chair for hours as the artists built up the character’s enlarged cranium and long, boney fingers. Unlike Hall’s previous role as the Predator, the role of Leyor allowed much more of Hall’s actual facial features to be seen, and thus served as a better showcase of his acting ability.
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9 Peter Weller - Star Trek: Enterprise
Peter Weller is a hero to science fiction fans everywhere, as he brilliantly brought to life the titular automated law enforcement officer in the original RoboCop, as well as in its highly-underrated sequel, RoboCop 2. What some sci-fi fans might not realize is that the seasoned actor later lent his talents to a pair of Star Trek: Enterprise episodes.
Peter Weller as John Frederick Paxton and Alexander Marcus
Weller played the villainous mine manager and radical xenophobe John Frederick Paxton in the Enterprise episodes “Demons” and “Terra Prime.” For some, the actor would be difficult to recognize outside of his RoboCop getup, but the real reason for his being unrecognizable is his dastardly conduct. Weller also appeared as Starfleet officer Alexander Marcus in Star Trek: Into Darkness.
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8 Jason Alexander - Star Trek: Voyager
Jason Alexander is a Tony Award-winning actor and comedian who is best known for perfectly portraying the perpetually down-on-his-luck George Costanza on Seinfeld. As it turns out, Alexander is a massive fan of Star Trek, and had dreamed of appearing in the franchise for years.
Jason Alexander as Kurros
Alexander received numerous invitations to appear on the show as human characters, but decided to hold out for an alien role. He finally got what he wanted when he was brought on to the set of Star Trek: Voyager to play the alien scholar Kurros. Kurros is the leader of a band of traveling alien thinkers, known collectively as the “Think Tank” (from the Voyager episode of the same name). Unlike his most famous role as George Costanza, Alexander’s Kurros is thoughtful, highly intelligent, and dangerously deceptive.
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7 Kirsten Dunst - Star Trek: The Next Generation
American actress Kirsten Dunst has appeared in many incredible movies since making her 1989 debut in the anthology film New York Stories, with probably the most important to sci-fi fans being her role as Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. In addition to that iconic performance, Dunst has starred in other classic films, like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Kirsten Dunst as the Telepath Hedril
What some fans of hers might not know is that a young Dunst made a guest appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She appeared in the episode “Dark Page” as Hedril, a telepathic Cairn girl who plays a critical role in a conflict between Deanna Troi and her mother, Lwaxana.
6 Dean Stockwell - Star Trek: Enterprise
Dean Stockwell was a brilliant actor, known for a long career full of horror and science fiction greats, including several collaborations with director David Lynch. He is perhaps best remembered today for co-starring with Scott Bakula on the classic show Quantum Leap.
Dean Stockwell as Colonel Grat
Stockwell appeared in the Star Trek: Enterprise season one episode “Detained” as Tandaran Colonel Grat. Grat is the resentful warden of a detention center, and comes into bitter conflict with Captain Jonathan Archer. The guest appearance was a memorable one for Quantum Leap fans, as it reunited Stockwell with co-star Bakula.
5 Michael McKean - Star Trek: Voyager
Michael McKean is the comedy genius behind beloved characters Lenny Kosnowski from Laverne & Shirley and David St. Hubbins from the Rob Reiner film This Is Spinal Tap. He has also appeared in Better Call Saul, several films with frequent collaborator Christopher Guest, and the Short Circuit franchise.
Michael McKean as the Clown
McKean lent his comedic sensibilities and incredible acting skill to the Star Trek: Voyager episode “The Thaw,” in which he portrays a maniacal and utterly terrifying holographic being known as the Clown. McKean is hard to recognize in his wild clown makeup, and plays against type as a vicious being that gets pleasure out of torture and terror.
4 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson - Star Trek: Voyager
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a Hollywood icon and retired professional wrestler, known for his action roles. His larger-than-life personality and predilection towards explosive entertainment make him an odd choice for a guest star on TV’s most cerebral sci-fi show, but the creators of Voyager found the perfect spot for him.
The Rock is the Galaxy's Champion
Johnson appears in the Voyager episode “Tsunkatse” as a champion fighter in a Norcadian blood sport, and wears awesome alien makeup while doing battle with challengers in the ring. He memorably goes toe-to-toe with Seven of Nine in an intense fight to the death.
3 Tom Morello - Star Trek: Voyager
Tom Morello is the famous guitarist for the band Rage Against the Machine, and has also made numerous surprise guest appearances in all sorts of film and TV projects. Most surprising, perhaps, was his cameo in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Good Shepherd.”
Tom Morello as Crewman Mitchell
The Grammy Award-winner and hardcore Trekkie appeared as USS Voyager Crewman Mitchell in “Good Shepherd,” in which his dutiful and gentle demeanor makes him hard to recognize as the hard-rocking guitarist and political activist that fans know him as. Morello also appeared in a very small and unrelated cameo role in Star Trek: Insurrection.
2 Mick Fleetwood - Star Trek: The Next Generation
Mick Fleetwood is well-known to music lovers as a co-founder and the drummer of the band Fleetwood Mac, but he has also worked in film and TV several times over the course of his career. In addition to countless musical contributions, Fleetwood has acted in films such as The Running Man and Zero Tolerance.
Mick Fleetwood as an Antedian Dignitary
Fleetwood acted as an Antedian Dignitary in the Next Generation episode “Manhunt.” The role is legendary for completely obscuring the well-known rockstar beneath pounds of makeup and latex creature design. While his contributions to popular music have made dozens of movies and TV shows better, it’s not often that the famed drummer gets to flex his acting chops. That makes his small but memorable appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation all the better.
1 Rainn Wilson - Star Trek: Discovery
Rainn Wilson is the critically acclaimed actor and comedian behind The Office’s Dwight Schrute. He also works as a writer, director, podcaster, and author, and has made numerous memorable film and television appearances over the years.
Rainn Wilson’s as Harry Mudd
The comedy genius and star of The Office made an against-type appearance in Star Trek: Discovery’s first season as long-time franchise recurring character Harry Mudd. Mudd is a curly-mustache-sporting conman who first appeared in Star Trek: The Original Series, and has appeared in many subsequent entries in the franchise. Wilson’s take on the iconic character is easily the best, and a triumph for the actor that proves he can be more than Dwight Schrute.
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