32 Famous Guest Stars We Loved On Star Trek: The Next Generation

As a die-hard Star Trek enthusiast, I must say that seeing these renowned actors grace the Star Trek universe with their presence was nothing short of thrilling. Each one brought a unique flavor to the series, enriching it in ways that only they could.

Among top-rated science fiction TV series, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” consistently stands out as a benchmark. Given its extensive run of 180 episodes, it’s only natural that the show would attract some well-known guest stars, particularly with Patrick Stewart at the helm.

Before we begin, it’s important to acknowledge that one well-known actress who played a significant role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Whoopi Goldberg, as Guinan, was not included on the list. Since she was a recurring character for multiple seasons, her absence might be surprising to some readers. Now that we’ve addressed that, let’s review the beloved guest stars who graced the screens of TNG.

Stephen Hawking

With a holodeck at your disposal, you can perform numerous activities. For instance, as demonstrated in the episode “Descent”, Data employed it to simulate a game of poker between Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawking. He found the scenario enlightening, yet I remain curious about what precise knowledge he gained from such an exercise.

Penny Johnson Jerald

Fans of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “The Orville” recognize Penny Johnson Jerald from her performances on those series, but some might not realize she also appeared in “The Next Generation”. In the episode “Homeward”, viewers familiar with Worf’s human brother Nikolai’s wife will notice her if they pay close attention.

Kirsten Dunst

Previously, Kirsten Dunst played Hedril in Star Trek: The Next Generation when she was just a child. Later on, she became famous for portraying Mary Jane in the Spider-Man series. In one of these earlier roles, her character, Hedril, helped Deanna Troi understand the grief her mother felt over the untimely death of her sister Kestra, who passed away as a child in “Dark Page.”

Leonard Nimoy

As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I must share an interesting tidbit about Leonard Nimoy – the man behind Spock. Contrary to popular belief, he declined a role as a producer on Star Trek: The Next Generation, choosing instead to embody Spock in a select few episodes. This decision was partly due to Vulcans’ extended lifespan, but I believe his deep affection for the character played a significant part too. He couldn’t resist reprising the role he made iconic.

James Worthy

In the fictional universe of Star Trek, it isn’t uncommon to encounter athletes among the characters. For instance, three-time NBA Champion James Worthy once portrayed a Klingon in “Gambit, Part II”. Standing at six feet nine inches tall, he was an intimidating presence that is hard to miss when revisiting his performance.

Teri Hatcher

Adored actress Teri Hatcher had a minor role as B.G. Robinson in “The Outrageous Okona,” however, most of her scenes were eliminated from the episode, causing her to ask for her name to be omitted from the credits. Despite this, she eventually achieved such prominence that viewers recognized her from the brief scene alone.

James Cromwell

Fans of Star Trek highly appreciate James Cromwell for his memorable portrayal as Zefram Cochrane in First Contact, yet he also graced the screens of The Next Generation with a few roles. He donned heavy prosthetics to bring Jaglom Shrek to life in “Birthright Part I and II,” and appeared as Nayrock in “The Hunted.” When a talented actor wants to contribute to your series, give him the freedom to play any character he chooses.

Ken Jenkins

Ken Jenkins, the actor, had been present in Hollywood’s scene before he made an appearance in the “Evolution” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation as Paul Stubbs. However, it’s possible that fewer people recognized him back then. This changed significantly due to his role as Dr. Bob Kelso on the comedy series Scrubs, which was broadcast on primetime television networks for almost a decade during the 2000s. Consequently, many viewers are now more likely to recognize him when rewatching.

Joe Piscopo

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the iconic role played by comedy legend Joe Piscopo in the timeless episode of Saturday Night Live titled “The Outrageous Okona” from Season 2. To my delight, he graced our screens with his humor as a fellow stand-up comedian – a twist I didn’t see coming!

Ashley Judd

Among all the notable guest stars on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Ashley Judd could arguably be the most recognizable. As Robin Lefler, she featured in “Darmok” and “The Game,” and even exchanged a kiss with Wesley Crusher, played by Wil Wheaton. There was an intriguing romantic subplot between them, but unfortunately, it was limited to just two episodes.

Jonathan Del Arco

Throughout his career, Jonathan Del Arco has been quite active in Hollywood, but “Star Trek” enthusiasts might recognize him more than the average audience, given his portrayal of Hugh the Borg. This character was instrumental in humanizing the Borg species within the franchise, and he made a significant impact that extended to the spinoff series, “Picard,” years later.

Stephen Root

Iconic actor Stephen Root made for a great Klingon in the two-parter “Unification.” As K’Vada, he made sure he made Picard and Data’s time on his ship as uncomfortable as possible. He only honored his deal to help them infiltrate Romulus, which is totally on brand for the Klingon species.

Michelle Phillips

Michelle Phillips initially gained prominence due to her singing with The Mamas and The Papas, but later shifted gears and had a thriving acting career. Consequently, she became one of the early prominent stars on Star Trek: The Next Generation, portraying Jenice Manheim in the Season 1 episode titled “We’ll Always Have Paris.”

DeForest Kelley

As a dedicated Star Trek fan, I wasn’t surprised to see that Leonard Nimoy wasn’t the only original cast member who made a comeback on TNG. The legendary DeForest Kelley, known for his unforgettable portrayal of McCoy, graced our screens once more, but this time he was an admiral. You can catch him in “Encounter At Farpoint,” where he gives Data a tough time, showing that even in the future, old rivalries never truly fade away.

Pamela Adlon

You may know Pamela Adlon from a lot of things. I, personally, like to note her voice work as Bobby Hill in the animated series King of the Hill, but she was on The Next Generation long before that. Find her in “Who Watches The Watchers” in which she’s part of an alien species convinced that Picard is some immortal being with mystical powers.

Paul Sorvino

Farewell to the departed Paul Sorvino, famously recognized for roles in ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Law & Order’, and not least, ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. In this sci-fi series, he portrayed Nikolai Rozhenko, Worf’s foster brother. Despite the occasional conflicts between them, Worf consistently found time for his brother, and there was mutual respect built on their respective strengths.

Matt Frewer

Actor Matt Frewer might not be a face readers immediately recognize, and they may not remember his role as Berlinghoff Rasmussen in “A Matter Of Time” immediately either. That said, if I were to talk about the bizarre character and series Max Headroom, would that ring any bells? That’s Frewer’s claim to fame, playing the eerie character who even was mentioned as an easter egg in the TNG episode “Conspiracy.”

Patti Yasutake

Expressing my admiration for Patti Yasutake feels inadequate after her unfortunate demise. Her beloved characters, particularly Nurse Ogawa on Star Trek and more recently on Beef, left an indelible mark on fans. Although she appeared in only a few episodes, it’s hard to forget her steadfast support of Beverly Crusher during every crisis.

Thomas Kopache

Thomas Kopache is uniquely recognized for appearing in every series during Rick Berman’s tenure in the Star Trek universe. He didn’t just play one character, but two on The Next Generation. You can see him as a train engineer in “Emergence,” and a Romulan scientist in “The Next Phase.”

John Tesh

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share an intriguing tidbit: Musician John Tesh, known for his iconic NBA theme “Roundball Rock,” surprisingly stepped into the realm of “Star Trek.” In the episode “The Icarus Factor,” he appeared as one of the Klingons generated by the holodeck. Although his role wasn’t substantial, the unexpected intersection of sports anthems and space adventures leaves me delightfully amused!

Kevin Peter Hall

Initially known for his role as the Predator in the movie of the same name, Kevin Peter Hall was also a strong contender for two leading roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation – Data and Geordi. Despite not securing those parts, he managed to be part of the series through the episode “The Price,” where he portrayed Caledonian Leyor.

Ray Wise

In “Who Watches The Watchers,” Ray Wise, known for his role in Twin Peaks, portrays Arturis. During the story, Arturis unwittingly discovers a Starfleet hideout monitoring a planet. When he gets hurt during this encounter, the crew provides him with necessary medical attention. Later, Arturis claims to his people that he was saved by their deities after being rescued by them.

Famke Janssen

In the episode “The Perfect Mate,” Famke Janssen had a significant part as Kamala, which eventually expanded into a more substantial role alongside the main star Patrick Stewart. Years later, these former Star Trek colleagues would reunite on the set of X-Men, with Janssen portraying Jean Grey opposite his Professor X. It’s quite intriguing to witness their collaboration again at distinct stages in their respective careers!

Majel Barrett

As a devoted Star Trek fan, I can’t help but appreciate the illustrious career of Majel Barrett. Though her character was initially trimmed from the pilot episode of the original series, she made a significant impact in Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). She brilliantly brought to life Lwaxana Troi, the mother of Deanna Troi, a role that undeniably added depth and charm to the series. Each time she graced our screens in TNG, it was a delightful moment, a testament to Barrett’s exceptional acting skills.

Mick Fleetwood

In an unexpected twist, when Star Trek featured a member of the legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac, they didn’t show his face to the audience. Instead, Mick Fleetwood disguised himself as a fish man in the episode “Manhunt.” This fact might amuse you now, but considering how impressive the fish mask was, it’s understandable that he agreed to wear it.

Christopher McDonald

Christopher McDonald is one of our top choices for the cast of _Happy Gilmore 2_, primarily because he previously played a Starfleet Officer in the renowned episode “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” His character served under Rachel Garrett, who has recently grown more significant due to her role in _Star Trek: Section 31_.

Mark Lenard

Introducing Leonard Nimoy to Star Trek: The Next Generation was an incredible move for the series, but bringing back Mark Lenard to reprise his role as Sarek, Spock’s father, was a stroke of genius that didn’t get enough recognition. I believe there aren’t two actors who contributed more to creating the foundation for portraying a Vulcan than these two men, and the intricate father-son relationship made TNG television gold throughout its run.

Terry O’Quinn

As a dedicated gamer diving into the virtual world of “The Pegasus,” I came to know Terry O’Quinn as a seasoned actor in Tinseltown. Yet, it’s his unforgettable portrayal of John Locke in “Lost” that truly captivated me. In contrast to the enigmatic John, his character, Erik Pressman in “TNG,” was less endearing. However, Terry brought an exceptional performance to both roles, leaving an indelible mark on my gaming and viewing experiences.

Kelsey Grammer

Dr. Frasier Crane himself, Kelsey Grammer, was a part of the Star Trek family for a short while. He was Morgan Bateson in “Cause and Effect.” I’m always a little sad we didn’t see more with the Captain of the USS Bozeman, and hope that if we get another TNG-era series, Grammer might reprise his role for a small adventure with other characters from the show.

Bebe Neuwirth

In case you’re a fan of “Star Trek,” there’s a good chance you might get invited to appear on one of its shows. Just like Bebe Neuwirth, who set aside time from her busy schedule before a “Cheers” rehearsal for the episode “First Contact.” Despite it being a short scene, it left an impact as she made a flirtatious advance towards Riker, expressing her long-held desire to sleep with an alien.

Diedrich Bader

In an episode titled “The Emissary” of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Diedrich Bader made a guest appearance, but his presence is difficult to overlook, particularly for fans of his sitcom, The Drew Carey Show. Unfortunately, the number of those fans has decreased since the show isn’t currently available on streaming platforms. Nevertheless, I hope it finds its way there someday and continue to appreciate this episode as it is.

James Doohan

In the iconic series “Star Trek,” James Doohan, famously known as Scotty, starred in the episode titled “Relics.” This is where Captain Montgomery Scott was discovered, stuck in suspension within a ship’s pattern buffer for an astounding 75 years. Interestingly, it has been established that being trapped inside a transporter buffer might not be painful, though it can feel quite disorienting to find oneself lost in time without conscious awareness of the passage. This episode from “TNG” is among my all-time favorites and I highly recommend revisiting it, especially for those who may have missed it recently.

2024-08-13 19:38