Summary
With its long and rich history, theStar Trekfranchisehas attracted some surprising actors. Many stars, like William Shatner and Patrick Stewart, skyrocketed to fame after appearing inStar Trek,going on to have lengthy and successful careers. ButmodernStar Trekhas managed to nab several Hollywood megastarsand Academy Award-winning actors who became household names long before they journeyed to the final frontier. Most of these actors are not known for starring in science fiction projects, but they nevertheless bring their A-game to theirStar Trekperformances.
Several of these actors wereStar Trekfans and relished the chance to appear in the franchise. Others may not have known much about theadventures of the Starship Enterprise, but they still jumped at the chance to be a part of a franchise as beloved asStar Trek,especially since Star Trek on Paramount+ has several A-list, Top 10 streaming shows.Actors like Michelle Yeoh and Carol Kane have helped to establish modernStar Trekas televisionthat’s worth watching for fans and newcomers toTrek. And for those long-term Trekkies, it’s always great to see such incredible actors pop up in our favorite franchise.
10 Actors Who Appeared In Star Trek Before Getting Cast In Iconic Roles
Several actors have popped up in Star Trek as minor characters before they took on their most well-known Trek roles in the iconic franchise.
8Michelle Yeoh
Emperor Philippa Georgiou & Captain Philippa Georgiou In Star Trek: Discovery
Michelle Yeoh rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s starring and performing her own stunts in Hong Kong action films. Upon moving to the United States, Yeoh gained international fame after appearing in the James Bond filmTomorrow Never Diesin 1997, as well asCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonin 2000. More recently, she appeared inCrazy Rich AsiansandShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.Yeoh won the Academy Award for Best Actressin 2023 for her starring role inEverything Everywhere All at Once.
Michelle Yeoh may have won her first Academy Award after joining the cast ofStar Trek: Discovery,but she was already an accomplished actress in both China and the United States.Yeoh headlined the cast ofStar Trek:Discoveryupon its 2017 premiereas Captain Philippa Georgiou and her Mirror Universe counterpart, Emperor Georgiou. Although Captain Georgiou met an untimely death at the hands of the Klingons, Emperor Georgiou went on to become one ofStar Trek: Discovery’sbest characters.
Michelle Yeoh will reprise the role of Emperor Georgiou as the star of the upcoming made-for-streaming film,Star Trek: Section 31.
7Jason Isaacs
Captain Gabriel Lorca In Star Trek: Discovery
Jason Isaacs appeared in several films prior to 2000, and his breakout role was as Colonel William Tavington inThe Patriot. Isaacs also appeared inBlack Hawk DownandResident Evil, butJason is likely most remembered for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoyin six of theHarry Potterfilms. Isaacs also portrayed Captain Hook in 2003’s live-action adaptation ofPeter Panand most recently starred as Cary Grant in the 2023 British series,Archie.
Jason Isaacs’ 10 Best Acting Roles (Including Star Trek: Discovery’s Lorca)
Jason Isaacs has given incredible performances on film and TV, from Harry Potter to Cary Grant via an unforgettable Star Trek: Discovery role.
Jason Isaacs starred inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 1as Captain Gabriel Lorca, the first commanding officer of the USS Discovery.Star Trek: Discoveryseason 1’s big twistrevealed that this Lorca was actually from the Mirror Universeand replaced his Prime Universe counterpart. Lorca deceived and manipulated Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the Discovery’s crew, eventually taking the ship back to the Mirror Universe to attempt another coup against Emperor Georgiou. Lorca perished in the Mirror Universe.
6David Cronenberg
Dr. Kovich In Star Trek: Discovery
David Cronenberg is internationally renowned as a director of sci-fi horror films, such asScanners, Videodrome, The Dead Zone,andThe Fly,becoming a pioneer in the body horror genre.Cronenberg has also appeared as an actor in numerous films, most often in cameo or supporting roles. He has popped up in films such asInto the Night, Nightbreed, To Die For,andJason X. Cronenberg also appeared in two episodes ofAliasand six episodes of Netflix’sAlias Grace.
Kovich revealed his real name to be Agent Daniels.
David Cronenberg portrayed the mysterious Dr. Kovich in ten episodes inStar Trek: Discovery’sfinal three seasons. Kovich’s exact position within the United Federation of Planets in the 32nd century was never made clear, buthe seemed to have a hand in many of the Federation’s most secret missions.InStar Trek:Discovery’sfifth and final season, Kovich revealed his real name to beAgent Daniels, the temporal agentfirst introduced inStar Trek: Enterprise.
5Oded Fehr
Admiral Charles Vance In Star Trek: Discovery
Israeli actor Oded Fehr may be most recognizable for his role asArdeth Bay in 1999’sThe Mummyand its 2001 sequel,The Mummy Returns.He also portrayed Carlos Olivera in theResident Evilfilm franchise and appeared in seven episodes ofCharmedas the demon Zankou. Fehr has appeared in episodes ofBurn Notice, V, NCIS, Once Upon a Time,andThe Blacklist.
OdedFehr joined the cast ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 3 as Admiral Charles Vance,ultimately appearing in 21 episodes of the series. As the Commander in Chief of Starfleet in the 32nd century, Admiral Vance worked closely with Captain Michael Burnham and her crew as they investigated the Burn and later, the Dark Matter Anomaly. InStar Trek: Discovery’sfinal season,Vance helped brief Burnham about the Red Directive missionand aided in negotiations with the Breen.
Oded Fehr will reprise the role of Admiral Vance in the upcomingDiscoveryspin-off,Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
4Allison Pill
Dr. Agnes Jurati In Star Trek: Picard
Canadian actress Alison Pill began her acting career at age 12, appearing in numerous films and television series. As an adult, Pill appeared in episodes ofThe Book of Daniel, CSI, In Treatment,andThe Pillars of the Earth.She is perhaps most known for portraying Kim Pine inScott Pilgrim vs. the World,Zelda Fitzgerald inMidnight in Paris,and Maggie Jordan in HBO’sThe Newsroom.Pill is also making a name for herself in the horror genre, appearing inAmerican Horror Storyand M. Night Shyamalan’s 2024 film,Trap.
Jurati was assimilated by the Borg and eventually became a benevolent Borg Queen.
Alison Pill portrayed the brilliant cyberneticist Dr. Agnes Jurati inStar Trek: Picard’sfirst two seasons. She worked with Dr. Bruce Maddox (John Ales) at the Daystrom Institute, attempting to recreate an android as advanced as Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner).Jurati later joined Admiral Picard on his mission to locate Soji Asha(Isa Briones) inPicardseason 1 and accompanied him to the past inPicardseason 2. While in the 21st century, Jurati was assimilated by the Borg and eventually became abenevolent Borg Queento a new kind of Borg Collective.
3Carol Kane
Commander Pelia In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Carol Kane began acting in the 1970s andgained recognition for her role as Gitl inHester Street,which earned her an Academy Award nomination.Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kane appeared inAnnie Hall, The Muppet Movie, When a Stranger Calls, The Princess Bride,andScrooged. Kane has had numerous roles on television, as well, appearing in shows such asTaxi, Cheers, Pearl, Law & Order: SVU, Gotham, andHunters. Kane also starred in all 51 episodes ofUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtas Lillian Kaushtupper.
It was a genuine surprise that Carol Kane joined the cast ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 as Commander Pelia, an engineer andmember of the Lanthanite species. After the death of Lt. Hemmer (Bruce Horack) inStrange New Worldsseason 1,Pelia took over as the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterpriseunder the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). As a Lanthanite, Pelia has an extremely long lifespan, meaning she could appear in various projects throughout theStar Trektimeline.
2Holly Hunter
Unnamed Chancellor Of Starfleet Academy In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Holly Hunter made her acting debut in 1981 and earned an Academy Award nomination not long after, for her performance as Jane Craig inBroadcast Newsin 1987.Hunter won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her portrayal of Ada McGrath inThe Pianoand earned nominations forThe Firmin 1993 andThirteenin 2003. Hunter appeared in the filmO Brother, Where Art Thou?and voiced Helen Parr (aka Elastagirl) inThe Incredibles. She also starred in the TNT showSaving Graceand appeared as Senator Finch inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Cast, Story & Everything We Know
Exploring another corner of the Star Trek universe, the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a brand-new take on the classic franchise.
While very little has been revealed about the character Holly Hunter will beplaying inStar Trek: Starfleet Academy,the show will be set in the far future ofStar Trek: Discovery’slater seasons. Following a newcast of young Starfleet cadets,Starfleet Academywill be the firstStar Trekshow geared toward young adults.Hunter will portray the Chancellor of the recently reopened Starfleet Academy.
1Paul Giamatti
Unnamed Villain In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Since beginning his acting career in the 1990s,Paul Giamatti has appeared in numerous box office hits and award-winning films.After supporting roles in films such asMy Best Friend’s WeddingandSaving Private Ryan, Giamatti landed a starring role in 2003’sAmerican Splendorand 2004’sSideways.Giamatti has also appeared inPlanet of the Apes, Big Fat Liar, Fred Claus, 12 Years a Slave,andThe Amazing Spider-Man 2. Most recently, he starred as Chuck Rhoades Jr. in Showtime’sBillionsand as Paul Hunham inThe Holdovers.
Paul Giamatti has been nominated for two Academy Awards, won one Emmy, and won three Golden Globes.
Like Holly Hunter’s Starfleet Chancellor, little is known about the character Paul Giamatti will be playing inStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.It has been confirmed that Giamatti will be portraying a villain,but it remains unknown whether he will be human or a member of an alien species. SeveralStar Treklegacy characters return inStarfleet Academy,including Commander Jett Reno (Tig Notaro), Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman), and The Doctor (Robert Picardo). With their impressive film and television careers, the actors on the above list have helped elevateStar Trekto the level of modern prestige television.
