The life long fans of the Star Trek franchise are still avidly following the show and the actor’s who portrayed the greatest roles of all time. As another film adaptation is in the works, we’re taking a trip down memory lane by looking back at the original cast members to see what they went on to do after the show(s) wrapped up. ‘Live Long and Prosper’…we just had to, just once.
Jadzia Dax – Terry Farrell
Name me a trekkie who doesn’t remember Jadzia Dax, I’ll wait. Farrell portrayed the Starfleet’s science officer who is host to a 300 year old symbiont. However when Farrell decided to leave the show at the end of season six, Paramount killed her “host” character off but chose to continue the “symbiont” character in a new host, played by Nicole DeBoer. Currently, Terry is retired and is instead focusing on her family.
Jadzia Dax – Terry Farrell
Ensign Ro Laren – Michelle Forbes
When the final three seasons came round, the trekkie world was introduced to Ensign Ro Laren. Her character has long since been credited as “the second strongest female character in the franchise”! Since her Star Trek days, Michelle Forbes has gone on to star in 24, The Killing, True Blood, with her most recent works in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
Ensign Ro Laren – Michelle Forbes
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Roxann Dawson played the half Human/half-Klingon engineer B’Elanna Torres on Star Trek: Voyager for all of its seven seasons. During the show’s run, she also made a directorial debut. Aside from her successful acting career, she’s focused her sites on directing as she’s gone on to direct episodes on Charmed, The O.C., Lost, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Recently she helped produce popular television shows including Scandal, Crossing Jordan and Cold Case.
B’Elanna Torres – Roxann Dawson
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Gates McFadden will always be remembered for her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher in the series and the four subsequent films. Apart from acting, she teaches at universities worldwide, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard, Purdue, the Stella Academy in Hamburg, and the University of Pittsburgh. Not bad.
Dr. Beverly Crusher – Gates McFadden
Emergency Medical Hologram – Robert Picardo
Robert Picardo got this close to practicing pre-med at Yale but instead, he dropped out and pursued his dreams of acting. Good decision? We’d say so. On Star Trek: Voyager and the films, he portrayed Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) or The Doctor. He didn’t stop there though, he went on to perform on Broadway, television, and film.
Emergency Medical Hologram – Robert Picardo
Captain Jean Luc Picard – Sir Patrick Stewart
No trekkie list would ever feel complete without Sir Patrick Stewart AKA Captain Jean Luc Picard. Since the 80’s, Stewart has become one of the best, most admired and respected actors of his generation, nay, ever. Aside from his work in Star Trek: The Next Generation, he’s also recognized as Professor Charles Xavier from the X-Men franchise. Due to his incredible services in drama whether it’s on film, television, or stage, he is jaw dropping perfect so much so that in 2010, Queen Elizabeth knighted him. *Frantic clapping!*
Captain Jean Luc Picard – Sir Patrick Stewart
Captain James T. Kirk – William Shatner
If you don’t recognize Captain Kirk then boy, have you been living under a rock! For seven(!) decades now, William Shatner has been tearing up Hollywood as a cultural icon from the Star Trek franchise, The Practice, and Boston Legal. Shatner is also a director, producer, and published author.
Captain James T. Kirk – William Shatner
Varel – Susanna Thompson
Pretty sure no one can forget how Susanna Thompson created one of the most controversial television appearances during a single episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Why? Because she was a part of television’s first ever same-sex kiss in America. Mind-boggling. After this, Thompson’s career has flourished, with her most recent work as Moira Queen on the series Arrow and as Carolyn Preston on Timeless.
Varel – Susanna Thompson
Guinan – Whoopi Goldberg
In case you didn’t know, the great Whoopi Goldberg actually starred on Star Trek way back when. Since those days, she’s amazingly gone on to win an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. Goldberg also became the second black woman to win an acting Oscar in the history of the Academy Awards. Currently, she’s got a spot on the epic talk show The View.
Guinan – Whoopi Goldberg
Captain Hikaru Sulu – George Takei
George Takei’s role as Lt. Sulu in Star Trek is still adored by fans today, maybe that’s because off screen, Takei is an incredible man. On screen, he’s starred in numerous great film and television roles. Oh yeah, if you aren’t already, you need to follow him on social media ASAP, he’s a legend. Takei is also a proponent of LGBT rights and has racked many awards and accolades in his work towards human rights and Japan–United States relations.
Hikaru Sulu – George Takei
Hoshi Sato – Linda Park
Linda Park snatched up the role of Hoshi Sato as soon as she graduated from Boston University. After Star Trek, she appeared in a few more television roles and was a series regular on the television series Crash. As co-founder of the theater company, Underground Asylum, she’s been quite busy.
Hoshi Sato – Linda Park
Spock – Leonard Nimoy
Ugh, it almost pains us to include Leonard Nimoy, AKA Spock, on this list but it wouldn’t be complete without him. Nimoy portrayed Spock from the 1964 pilot episode to his final film performance in 2013. Aside from acting, he was a published author, director, and musician. Then in 2015, Nimoy sadly passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Mr. Spock – Leonard Nimoy
Janice Rand – Grace Lee Whitney
That’s right the personal assistant to Captain James Kirk is next on the list. She appeared in just eight of the first 13 episodes and was released from her contract shortly after. Whitney would return to reprise her role after devoted fans continuously asked about her in conventions! After the show, Whitney appeared in hundreds of television shows, sang in orchestras and bands, and wrote an autobiography, sadly in 2015 she passed away.
Janice Rand – Grace Lee Whitney
Kira Nerys – Nana Visitor
Our girl Nana Visitor played the part of Kira Nerys, a former freedom fighter who worked to drive off alien occupiers from her home planet. Visitor went on to earn an OFTA Television Award for Best Actress in a Syndicated Series for her dazzling role. Since Star Trek, she starred in a countless film and television roles.
Kira Nerys – Nana Visitor
Lieutenant Uhura – Nichelle Nichols
We love you, Nichelle Nichols! Admirably, her character was one of the first African American female characters on American television who wasn’t playing the role of a servant. Mind-blowing? Yeah, we’d say so! After Star Trek, she actually joined a special project with NASA(!) to help recruit minority and female personnel, which is totally cool to put it mildly.
Lieutenant Uhura – Nichelle Nichols
Lieutenant Worf – Michael Dorn
Get this, from Michael Dorn’s first appearance in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation to his last in Star Trek: Nemesis, Dorn has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other actor of the entire franchise. Whoa. Following the show, Dorn has starred in many independent feature films and is also an accomplished pilot who operates a Lockheed T-33 trainer jet, and yes, he does call it his ‘starship’.
Lieutenant Worf – Michael Dorn
Lt. Tasha Yar – Denise Crosby
Denise Crosby is remembered as Security Chief Tasha Yar in Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as her role of Yar’s own daughter in subsequent seasons. Crosby starred in and produced the film Trekkies.
Lt. Tasha Yar – Denise Crosby
Miles O’Brien – Colm Meaney
In the 1987 pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Meaney played an unnamed helm officer. However, quickly after, his charter turned into a reoccurring role and he even got the name of Miles O’Brien. Then in 1993, he left the show to star in a more prominent role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and remained there until its final episode. Afterwards, he went on to gain an astronomical career in motion pictures.
Miles O’Brien – Colm Meaney
Naomi Widlman – Scarlett Pomers
Long before Pomers starred in Star Trek, she was actually in Michael Jackson’s music video, “Heal the World”, and a few other TV roles. Over the course of three years, she appeared in 17 episodes and won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series: Supporting Young Actress. After life as a trekkie, she starred in the television show Reba. Pomers is also a talented musician and founded her band, SCARLETT.
Naomi Widlman – Scarlett Pomers
Q – John De Lancie
The character of “Q” is just one of the few characters who appeared in every series of the franchise. Aside from Star Trek, he has starred in television, film, and theatre, and he’s a published author.
Q – John De Lancie
Majel Barrett – Lwaxana Troi
Perhaps best remembered as Lwaxana Troi, the over-bearing mother, on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Furthermore, she was the second wife of the incredible ‘Star Trek’ creator Gene Roddenberry and is referred to as “the First Lady of Star Trek”. In 2008, she tragically passed from leukemia.
Majel Barrett – Lwaxana Troi
Lt. Commander Data – Brent Spiner
In 1987, Brent Spiner kicked off his 15-year run of playing Lieutenant Commander Data. As one of the main characters, he appeared in all but one of the series’ 178 episodes. Since then, he has appeared in television roles, became a theatre star, and is also a musician.
Lt. Commander Data – Brent Spiner
Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy – DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley’s portrayal of Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy in the Star Trek franchise catapulted him to Hollywood success. After acting, he developed a great love for poetry and sadly in 1999, he passed away from stomach cancer.
Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy – DeForest Kelley
Christopher Plummer – Klingon General Chang
Yup, this seriously talented Canadian theatre, film, and television actor was also on Star Trek way back when. And who could forget how Chang frequently quoted William Shakespeare on the show? Good times.
Christopher Plummer -Klingon General Chang
Commander Willard Decker – Stephen Collins
Stephen Collins is also best recognized as Eric Camden from the lovely television series 7th Heaven but let’s not forget his days as a trekkie. Collins has starred in numerous film and television shows, and is also an author.
Commander Willard Decker – Stephen Collins
Captain Jonathan Archer – Scott Bakula
Scott Bakula has two massive fan clubs thanks to his lead roles as Sam Beckett on Quantum Leap (for which he earned four Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe) and as Captain Jonathan Archer on Star Trek: Enterprise. Bakula’s career also led him to other film and television roles, his most recent work is on NCIS: New Orleans.
Captain Jonathan Archer – Scott Bakula
Commander Chakotay – Robert Beltran
Commander Chakotay? Is that you?! Yup, surely is. Robert Beltran earned two ALMA Award nominations and won the Golden Eagle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Series for his role on the Star Trek franchise. Since then, he has performed in various film, theater, and television roles.
Chakotay – Robert Beltran
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay
The lovely Anne Ramsay played the role Ensign Clancy in just two episodes, “Elementary, Dear Data” and “The Emissary”. Since then, she’s gone on to star in many television and film roles.
Ensign Clancy – Anne Ramsay
Wesley Crusher – Wil Wheaton
Welp, we’ve got Whil Wheaton next! Wheaton portrayed Wesley Crusher in the first four seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation; which later turned into a recurring role, despite a ton of fan opposition. Since then, he has gone on to star in a few independent films and television shows including Criminal Minds and The Big Bang Theory.
Wesley Crusher – Wil Wheaton
William T. Riker – Jonathan Frakes
The great Jonathan Frakes is just one of two Star Trek regulars to appear on ALL four series (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise). Frakes even directed episodes of the show and still continues to direct.
William T. Riker – Jonathan Frakes
Yeoman Martha Landon – Celeste Yarnall
Remember the gorgeous Celeste Yarnall? On the show, she portrayed a 23rd century Starfleet operations division security officer, who worked for Captain Kirk no less. Yarnall started off with a successful television career before branching out to film.
Yeoman Martha Landon – Celeste Yarnall
Pavel Chekov – Walter Koenig
Get this – Koenig was only one of two actors who auditioned for the role of Pavel Chekov! Moreover, he was actually chosen almost immediately because he resembles the British actor/musician Davy Jones of the Monkees. This resemblance was crucial to the show’s creators as they wanted to appeal to a younger audience, and well, it worked. Since then, Koenig’s career in film, stage, and TV roles blossomed and spans over 50 years.
Walter Koenig – Pavel Chekov
Kirstie Alley – Lt. Saavik
Who woulda thought that the wonderful Kirstie Alley once portrayed the Vulcan/Romulan hybrid Lt. Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan? It’s a small world. After this, she went on to co-star in the long-running television series Cheers, and numerous others. Who could forget all her works in film as well? Nope, no one.
Kirstie Alley – Lt. Saavik
Vulcan Valeris – Kim Cattrall
Far enough, Kim Cattrall’s role as Samantha Jones from Sex and the City is iconic but so is her time on Star Trek. Her character, Valeris, was mentored by Spock no less and she went on to became the first Vulcan to graduate at the top of her class. In the real world, Kim even helped to design her character’s headband, suggested her hairstyle, and also helped in naming the character! The rest is history.
Vulcan Valeris – Kim Cattrall
Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott – James Doohan
James Doohan’s portrayal of Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott inspired hundreds of fans to pursue careers in engineering and other technical fields. Pretty impressive. Doohan didn’t find much success in Hollywood after Star Trek; he returned many times to play the character again and made frequent appearances at conventions.
James Doohan Montgomery – Scotty Scott
Seven of Nine – Jeri Ryan
As the character of Kes was leaving the show, Seven of Nine joined the cast. For her portrayal of the Borg, she was nominated a whopping four times for a Saturn Award and won it once in 2001. To date, she’s starred in countless film and television roles, with her most recent works in Arrow and Bosch.
Seven Of Nine – Jeri Ryan
Dr. Gillian Taylor – Catherine Hicks
Oh look! Another trekkie made it to the show 7th Heaven! Hicks even earned a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress from her time on Star Trek. She is still acting to this day.
Gillian Taylor – Catherine Hicks
T’Pol – Jolene Blalock
While Jolene Blalock’s Hollywood career of acting and modeling is a bit slow, she will always be the bad a** Vulcan first officer T’Pol from the Star Trek: Enterprise.
TPol Jolene Blalock
Robin Lefler – Ashley Judd
This diva-actress-activist may have first emerged onscreen as Ensign Robin Lefler, a Starfleet officer, back in 1991. But it was this small two-part role that launched her career to the success it is now.
Robin Lefler – Ashley Judd
Counselor Deanna Troi – Marina Sirtis
Eek, everyone’s favorite counselor makes the list! Deanna Troi was the half-human-half-Betazoid with the ability to read other people’s emotions. She would also carry on with the role in the four feature films and numerous other appearances in the franchise. After her Star Trek days, she has appeared in TONS of television and film roles, including Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS.
Counselor Deanna Troi- Marina Sirtis
Captain Jonathan Archer – Scott Bakula
Let’s be real, Scott Bakula is known for his sci-fi work! Firstly as Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap (for which he earned four Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe) and also as Captain Jonathan Archer from Star Trek: Enterprise. Since his Trekkie days, he’s appeared in many films and show, most recently he stars on NCIS: New Orleans.
Captain Jonathan Archer – Scott Bakula
Jannar – Ricky Worthy
For 10 episodes, Ricky Worthy played the role of Janner and would appear later on but as other characters. In his career he has had some roles in television and film and is usually a character actor. In 2012, he featured in That Guy… Who Was in That Thing, a documentary where Worthy revealed that his dedication to acting nearly made him homeless. Currently you can catch him on The Magicians.
Jannar – Ricky Worthy
Christopher Plummer – Klingon General Chang
Canadian theatre, film, and TV actor Christopher Plummer is regarded as a true Hollywood legend. We know he looks way different in real life than his character from Star Trek! Chang played an avid William Shakespeare fan and he would frequently quote him on the show.
Christopher Plummer Klingon General Chang
Kes – Jennifer Lien
From 1995 to 1997, Jennifer Lien played Kes on Star Trek: Voyager. However it didn’t take long for Lien to retire, in 2002 she called it quits in Hollywood.
Kes Jennifer Lien
Anthony Montgomery – Ensign Travis Mayweather
Next up is Anthony Montgomery, a film and TV actor who went on to become a graphic novelist as well. Currently he plays Andre Maddox on the daytime soap opera General Hospital.
Anthony Montgomery Ensign Travis Mayweather
Khan Noonien Singh – Ricardo Montalban
Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban has a career that spanned seven decades! Montalban performed in every genre imaginable such as comedy, crime, musicals, drama, and more. Many Star Trek fans loved his character and guys, he was extremely fit way back when. Look at those muscles!
Khan Noonien Singh Ricardo Montalban
Kurtwood Smith -Annorax
I can’t deal right now. Kurtwood Smith, AKA Red Foreman AKA the creator of “dumb-a**”, had a guest role on Star Trek: Voyager. I just can’t handle this information!
Kurtwood Smith Annorax
Lieutenant Tuvok – Tim Russ
Tim Russ played the Chief of Security and Chief Tactical Officer of the ship, from 1995 to 2000, and was also of a Vulcan species. Since hanging up his Trekkie hat, he’s appeared on shows like Samantha Who? and iCarly.
Lieutenant Tuvok Tim Russ
Lt. Commander Data – Brent Spiner
1987 is when Brent Spiner kicked off his 15-year run of portraying Lieutenant Commander Data. Plus he went on to star as the character for seven seasons and also the four feature films. That’s pretty amazing! Seeing as how he was a main character, Spiner appeared in all but just one of the series’ 178 episodes, crazy. Since then, he’s starred in many TV series roles.
Lt. Commander Data – Brent Spiner
Lindsey Haun – Beatrice Burleigh
True Blood star Lindsey Haun actually appeared in two episodes of Star Trek: Voyager as Beatrice Burleigh. Previously she starred in The Color of Friendship (earning a nomination for the Young Artist Award) and also the film Broken Bridges.
Lindsey Haun Beatrice Burleigh
John Rhys Davies -Leonardo Da Vinci
1974 is when John Rhys-Davies hit the scene and man has he appeared in some blockbuster hits. Yah know, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Indiana Jones films, and really, need we go on? In 1983, Davies made a few appearances as Leonardo da Vinci on Star Trek: Voyager.
John Rhys Davies Leonardo Da Vinci
Lieutenant Tom Paris – Robert Duncan McNeill
Robert Duncan McNeill starred as series regular Lt. Tom Paris, a Starfleet officer with a backstory that resembled Locarno’s. McNeill continued acting but has switched his focus to directing. In fact, he’s directed episodes of Desperate Housewives and Medium. Furthermore he was the producer and director of Chuck.
Lieutenant Tom Paris Robert Duncan McNeill
Sarah Silverman – Rain Robinson
It’s pretty wild to see the likes of Sarah Silverman on this list! But hey, here we are. In 1996, Silverman made a guest appearances on Star Trek: Voyager during a two-episode travel episode titled “Future’s End”. And we really don’t need to update you on all the success she’s had since then!
Sarah Silverman Rain Robinson
Kathryn Janeway – Kate Mulgrew
Iowa born and bred, Kate Mulgrew is best recognized as Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager and most recently as Galina “Red” Reznikov on Orange Is the New Black. The Obie Award winner, Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award nominee is doing pretty well and has been since 1975.
Kathryn Janeway – Kate Mulgrew
Quark – Armin Shimerman
From 1993 to 1999, Armin Shimerman played the funny and lovable Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Afterwards, he starred in Buffy The Vampire Slayer as the annoying principal and has appeared in carious other TV, film, and voice-over work.
Quark Armin Shimerman
Ian Abercrombie – Abbot
First of all, Ian Abercrombie is an incredibly talented actor who has appeared and starred in many wonderful works. Such as Birds of Prey, Seinfeld, Desperate Housewives, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars to name a few. His career is remarkable!
Ian Abercrombie Abbot
Alexander Enberg – Ensign Vorik
Apart from appearing in nine episodes in Star Trek: Voyager, Alexander Enberg is known for his work in Gia, Junior, and Pump Up the Volume as well.
Alexander Enberg Ensign Vorik
Commander Benjamin Sisko – Avery Brooks
From 1993 to 1999, Avery Brooks portrayed Commander Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, some say he’s a fan favorite. After he finished his Trekkie days, Brooks has starred on stage and film, has also taught theatre and even recorded an album. A jack of all trades!
Commander Benjamin Sisko Avery Brooks
Naomi Widlman – Scarlett Pomers
Before Scarlett Pomers starred as Naomi Widlman in Star Trek, she starred in a few television roles and also in “Heal the World”, Michael Jackson’s music video. As a Trekkie, she appeared in 17 episodes over a three year span and earned the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series: Supporting Young Actress. One of her other big roles after Star Trek was on the show Reba. Pomers also founded her band, SCARLETT.
Naomi Widlman – Scarlett Pomers
Yeoman Martha Landon – Celeste Yarnall
Everyone remembers Yeoman Martha Landon, she was a 23rd century Starfleet operations division security officer who worked on the USS Enterprise under Captain James T. Kirk. See, told you that you knew her! Before becoming a TV star, she established herself in film.
Yeoman Martha Landon – Celeste Yarnall