Top 10 ‘Star Trek’ Actors with the Most Episode Appearances Revealed!

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As a dedicated fan, I can confidently say that “Star Trek” stands shoulder-to-shoulder with “Star Wars” as the most iconic space-themed fictional universe in the annals of film and television. Unlike other sci-fi franchises that primarily focus on entertainment, Gene Roddenberry crafted this series not just for fun but also as a platform to express his progressive, counterculture perspectives on the societal challenges of the ’60s. In Roddenberry’s vision, humanity was united in peace and guided by high moral principles.

The collection of programming for the series can be categorized by fans as “classic Star Trek” and “modern Star Trek.” The classic period spanned from the debut of the original series in 1966 until the conclusion of Star Trek: Enterprise in 2005. Shows and films produced during this era were characterized by a sense of expertise, teamwork, and a strong fan following. These shows ran for extended periods, with three of them reaching an impressive 7 seasons.

Numerous actors made recurring appearances across the franchise, accumulating a significant number of roles. Here are the top 10 most impactful performers in Star Trek.

10
Nana Visitor

176 Episodes

Nana Visitor shares the record for most appearances with Avery Brooks (as detailed in the following entry). She portrays Kira Nerys on the third television series within the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which made its debut on January 3, 1993. This series ran concurrently with the final stages of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a highly acclaimed show.

As a dedicated Star Trek enthusiast, I myself never skipped an episode during the 176-episode run of Deep Space Nine. Incredibly, even after being the victim of a horrific crime involving armed men in 1994, I returned to set immediately and continued my role. On my way home from the Star Trek set that fateful day, I was abducted and sexually assaulted by two armed men. But with unwavering courage, I pressed on with my acting duties, as I told Mindful in 2018, “After that experience, I went straight back to work on DS9, so I never dealt with it.” In time, I found myself on prescription drugs for PTSD, but a doctor eventually guided me towards the benefits of living without pharmaceuticals.

9
Avery Brooks

176 Episodes

Avery Brooks plays the leading role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where he portrays Benjamin Sisko, the commander of a distant space station that serves both as an exploratory base for the Gamma Quadrant and a defensive outpost. The character of Sisko navigates his duties as a high-ranking officer with his responsibilities as a single father.

Throughout all 176 episodes of “Deep Space Nine,” Sisko is prominently featured; his promotion to Captain occurs in the episode titled “The Adversary” towards the end of Season 3. Notably, this beloved character didn’t partake in any crossover roles. Fans observed that after completing his tenure on Deep Space Nine, Avery Brooks appeared to reduce his involvement in Hollywood. It has been a quarter-century since his last television appearance, which was a narration for the documentary “Walking With Dinosaurs.

8
Alexander Siddig

177 Episodes

In the main cast of “Deep Space Nine”, Alexander Siddig portrays Dr. Julian Bashir throughout the series. He serves as both the chief medical officer for the space station and the U.S.S. Defiant. Fans find his character appealing due to his evolving storyline. Initially, Bashir appears as a young, arrogant Starfleet Academy graduate with a know-it-all attitude. However, over time, he develops into a respected leader by the end of the series.

In each episode of Deep Space Nine, Siddig plays Bashir, and he also appears in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Birthright”. During this visit to the space station, Bashir’s character is particularly noteworthy due to his interactions with Data, a crew member of the Enterprise. His inquisitive and respectful attitude towards Data reveals a more compassionate side of Bashir that viewers didn’t often see during the show’s initial seasons when the episode was set.

7
Marina Sirtis

178 Episodes

Marina Sirtis portrays Deanna Troi, a senior officer on the bridge who possesses unique empathic abilities that enable her to sense and understand others’ emotions. While her intelligence and proficiency are somewhat overshadowed by the writers, they effectively come through, and she becomes more involved in action sequences as the series progresses, showcasing her charisma and striking appearance from the start.

Sirtis solidified her role as a significant player in the Star Trek franchise due to her appearance in an impressive 178 episodes. She was present in nearly every episode of The Next Generation, and made three appearances on Star Trek: Voyager, a series that follows the U.S.S. Voyager’s journey back home following a catastrophic mishap. Lastly, Troi joined her TNG castmates for seven episodes of Star Trek: Picard.

6
LeVar Burton

178 Episodes

LeVar Burton is most famously recognized by younger audiences through the title of his beloved PBS Kids show, “Reading Rainbow,” which championed literacy among children. Additionally, Burton garnered widespread acclaim for his gripping portrayal of Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries “Roots,” as well as his contributions to “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Initially cast as a generic young helm officer, he eventually excelled in his role as Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge.

Geordi LaForge features in almost all episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, except for six. He also makes an appearance in the Voyager episode “Timeless” and five episodes of Star Trek: Picard. Interestingly, during his last five appearances, his distinctive VISOR is absent, instead wearing the glistening blue eye implants we saw in the films based on The Next Generation series.

5
Jonathan Frakes

194 Episodes

As a dedicated movie reviewer, I must say that Jonathan Frakes brings an electrifying energy to the role of Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation. His portrayal, filled with feisty charm and playful frolics, forms a captivating dynamic alongside Captain Picard. This duo is nothing short of perfection, as Frakes’ youthful spirit and levity beautifully contrast Picard’s stern demeanor.

Reminiscent of William Shatner’s spirited and charismatic performance in the original Star Trek series, Frakes delivers a standout performance that truly shines. Beyond his acting prowess, Frakes has also donned the director’s hat for several episodes and movies within the franchise, garnering the nickname “Two Takes Frakes” for his efficient and effective directing style.

As a dedicated Star Trek fan and movie reviewer, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the remarkable journey of Jonathan Frakes across the final frontier. In an extraordinary feat, he graced every one of The Next Generation’s 178 episodes, sharing this remarkable distinction with Sir Patrick Stewart.

Fast forward to the future, Frakes revisited his iconic role as Riker in Star Trek: Picard, delivering a total of 13 captivating performances. This talented actor didn’t stop there; he made a single appearance in each of the subsequent series that followed The Next Generation – Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. Quite simply, Frakes has left an indelible mark on the Star Trek universe, one performance at a time.

4
Brent Spiner

195 Episodes

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the captivating portrayal of Lieutenant Commander Data, brilliantly brought to life by Brent Spiner. This extraordinary android, whose advanced positronic brain gives him an eerily human-like quality, left fans spellbound. The technology that powers Data is the culmination of the genius work of Noonien Soong, a scientific breakthrough unprecedented in Star Trek‘s futuristic fictional realm.

Spiner appeared in all but one episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Additionally, he played a significant role in Star Trek: Enterprise from 2004 to 2005. Notably, Spiner has a major presence on Star Trek: Picard, signing up as a series regular and appearing in fourteen episodes. Besides Patrick Stewart, Spiner was the most spotlighted TNG cast member in Picard, remarkably being brought back to life and fused with another android, his antagonistic twin Lore, following his self-sacrificing explosion in Star Trek: Nemesis.

3
Patrick Stewart

209 Episodes

As a devoted movie buff, I find myself captivated by none other than Sir Patrick Stewart, who earned his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II back on June 2, 2010. This esteemed actor has graced the screens as the leading man in not one, but two epic Star Trek series: The Next Generation and Picard.

The debut of The Next Generation, airing 18 years after the original series wrapped up, marked a new era for Starfleet. Stewart’s character, with his stern yet captivating demeanor, presented a stark contrast to the free-spirited Captain Kirk, ushering in a refreshing approach to command.

Despite the fact that The Next Generation was known for its ensemble cast, Stewart’s character, particularly Jean-Luc Picard, stood out as the lead if one had to be identified. He played a significant role in every episode’s narrative. Notably, he made an appearance in “Emissary” to launch the third Star Trek series in 1993. In 2020, his emblematic character of Jean-Luc Picard was revived for a 30-episode show that ran across three seasons. The final season, where Picard reunites with his former Enterprise crew, has been the most favored by fans.

2
Colm Meaney

225 Episodes

Colm Meaney transitioned from an unidentified supporting actor to a vital cast member in his Star Trek career. Some viewers may not have recognized him manning the helm during the pilot episode of The Next Generation, titled “Encounter at Farpoint.” As time passed, his character became more prominent, eventually earning the name Miles O’Brien and receiving the role as the transporter chief.

With the arrival of Deep Space Nine, Meany was moved from his previous position and took on the role as the space station’s chief operator, making an appearance in 173 episodes. Often referred to as a pivotal figure, he shoulders a significant responsibility by managing the station’s day-to-day operations.

1
Michael Dorn

272 Episodes

Michael Dorn portrays the Klingon character, Worf, who serves as the Head of Security aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Initially joining Captain Picard’s crew as a junior officer, Worf was later promoted to his current position following the tragic and premature demise of Lieutenant Tasha Yar, who previously held the Chief of Security role.

Michael Dorn significantly impacted the Star Trek universe with an impressive screen presence totaling 272 appearances across various shows. He was a consistent cast member throughout the run of “The Next Generation,” and continued on to “Deep Space Nine” after its completion. Known for his portrayal of one of the project’s most complex yet resilient characters, Dorn stayed true to his Klingon roots, embodying the spirit of a warrior at heart.

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2025-02-02 19:03