Star Trek: 4 Actors Who Almost Played Data Before Brent Spiner

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As a fan who grew up with Data being played by Brent Spiner, it’s hard to imagine anyone else embodying the character as brilliantly as he did. However, I can’t help but be intrigued by the what-ifs of casting history. Each actor who came close to landing the role of Data brought something unique to the table, and I’d love to explore their lives and careers.

Reflecting on it now, I find it challenging to picture any other actor besides Brent Spiner embodying the iconic role of Data in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Yet, as a devoted fan, I’m reminded that this cherished character was initially just lines on a script. In 1987, during the production of “The Next Generation,” there were several actors who auditioned for the part of Data, according to a Paramount memo. However, only one fortunate soul would eventually secure the role, giving birth to a character that went on to captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the show.

As a dedicated Star Trek gamer, I can’t help but marvel at how Spiner breathed life into Data, stealing the spotlight in countless episodes of “The Next Generation.” He graced our screens in a staggering 176 installments, not to mention numerous other appearances in “Star Trek: Generations,” “First Contact,” “Insurrection,” “Nemesis,” “Enterprise,” and “Picard.” Yet, despite Data’s legendary stature within this expansive universe – or maybe because of it – I find myself pondering the potential impact if a different character had assumed that role.

Mark Lindsay Chapman

Mark Lindsay Chapman, a young and classically trained English actor with minimal acting credits to his name at the time, auditioned for the role of Data on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Although this opportunity didn’t lead to his major breakthrough, it wasn’t long before he made a name for himself. In the same year that “The Next Generation” premiered, Chapman joined the cast of “Days of Our Lives,” a soap opera where he continued to act for decades. Additionally, in 1990, he was chosen to portray the lead antagonist in “Swamp Thing,” appearing in a total of 72 episodes.

Despite being well-known for his television appearances, this individual left a significant impression on the silver screen as well. He portrayed Chief Officer Henry Wilde in “Titanic,” remembered for the scene where Rose takes a whistle from his lifeless body to signal for help. Additionally, he played John Lennon in “Chapter 27.” In 2017, he starred in the Lifetime horror film “The Twin.” Unfortunately, the following year brought legal issues when he was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend and obtained a restraining order against him. Since then, he has not acted in any projects.

Erik Menyuk

Unlike numerous other actors who tried out for the Data role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Eric Menyuk had previously established a successful television acting career before being approached for the part. During an interview with StarTrek.com, Menyuk shared details about his audition experience and how near he came to securing the role of Data. He mentioned, “Of all the main characters, the regulars on the show, I was informed that Brent Spiner and I were the strongest contenders for the part.” However, despite losing out on the Data role, Menyuk left a lasting impact on the casting team, resulting in their extending an offer to him for the enigmatic Traveler character, which possessed the unique ability to alter reality’s perception.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Menyuk’s television career thrived, featuring him on hit shows including “Hill Street Blues,” “Cheers,” “Melrose Place,” “Thirtysomething,” and “Married… With Children.” His acting tenure peaked in 1998 when he made an unexpected move: He prepared for a legal career by passing the bar exam, later building a strong reputation as a lawyer advocating for children with disabilities and their educational rights.

Kevin Peter Hall

It’s intriguing that Kevin Peter Hall was a top contender for the role of Data in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” given that the show ultimately chose Brent Spiner for the part. With his impressive height of 7 feet 2 inches and a background in basketball, Hall gained recognition for bringing to life monstrous characters with intricate prosthetics. Notably, he appeared as the Predator in “Predator” (1987), alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, and portrayed Harry in “Harry and the Hendersons.”

Despite not getting the role of Data, Hall appeared once in “The Next Generation” in 1989, portraying the Caldonian diplomat Leyor. Regrettably, Hall received a HIV diagnosis from a contaminated blood transfusion following a car accident, and he succumbed to pneumonia resulting from AIDS at the young age of 35 in 1991.

Kelvin Han Yoo

Kelvin Han Yee didn’t get the role of Data in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” but his career has thrived since then. During the casting process for “Star Trek,” Yee had only one credit to his name, having made a significant impact with a leading role in the unexpected success “A Great Wall.” However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that his acting career gained momentum. Since then, he has been consistently busy, appearing frequently on television shows such as “Nash Bridges,” “24,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Westworld,” “GLOW,” and “Beef.”

This individual has left a mark on the cinematic landscape with his versatile acting roles. He can be seen in a range of films, from the humorous “So I Married an Axe Murderer” featuring Mike Myers, to the suspenseful “The Island.” In more recent projects, he portrayed Joe Sr., the father of Charles Melton’s character in Netflix’s “May/December.”

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2024-07-14 14:30