Recognizing The Incredible Guest Stars

[Prax]

There are so many amazing guest actors in Star Trek that I still am surprised to find after all these years, and seeing just about every episode.

Most recently, I noticed the wonderful Carolyn Seymour, who plays the Romulan Commander in TNG's "Contagion," plays the Romulan commander(and does an incredible job) in TNG's "Face of the Enemy. I noticed it was her playing Mrs. Templeton in Janeway's holonovel. When I looked her up, I realized she also plays the space program director in TNG's "First Contact."

Another one I noticed recently was Alan Scarfe, who plays the Romulan commandant in "Birthright Part II," also plays the cold, creepy Commander in Voyager's "Resistance," a good, but not so well known episode which also features Joel Grey.

What are some of the guest actors that you were pleasantly surprised to recognize?

 

[FormerLurker]

We've known about them for so long they're not obscure to long time fans, but people like Morgan Woodward and Mark Lenard on TOS fit this bill rather well.

Jeffrey Combs, as Brunt, Weyoun, and Shran (and at least one other I don't remember) comes to mind.

 

[NCC-73515]

Erick Avari, who's mostly known for Stargate and The Mummy, had some nice appearances.
And the Douwd's fake survivor wife on the planet destroyed by the Husnock later appeared as a Bajoran judge.
Data's mom also appeared as a Vulcan ambassador in ENT.
Not to mention Vaughn Armstrong's countless roles!

 

[Captain pl1ngpl0ng]

Combs appear "everywhere" thats funny, he is a favourite,
but the one i was most surprised by was just now after watching the ds9 documentary,
there i learned that Iggy Pop had a role in DS9. I had no idea he played the cloned Vorta Yelgrun, cool!

 

[Prax]

And the Douwd's fake survivor wife on the planet destroyed by the Husnock later appeared as a Bajoran judge.
Data's mom also appeared as a Vulcan ambassador in ENT.

Wow you're right. I've never noticed that before either

 

[PT109]

Might as well be the first to mention the great Tony Todd. All three of his roles (Old Jake, Kurn, and the Alpha Hirogen) were memorable. Dude is good.

Ron Canada was also a reliable guest star on all three 90s era series. He was great as the unique Klingon prosecutor Ch'Pok in "Rules of Engagement" and turned out another great performance as the Malon Captain in VOY's "Juggernaut."

John Schuck is probably best known as the Klingon Ambassador in TVH and TUC. I knew he played Antaak in "Divergence/Affliction" but I had no idea he played Legate Parn in "The Maquis" and, uh, Chorus #2 in VOY's "Muse" until I looked him up for this thread. Can't say I remember that Voyager performance tbh.

Another reliable favorite of mine is Suzie Plakson. Apart from the incomparable K'Ehleyr and the fan-favorite Dr. Selar in TNG, she made for an entertaining Q on VOY. Just found out she played the Andorian Tarah in ENT's "Cease Fire."

 

[PSGarak]

Andreas Katsulas as Tomalak on TNG is one who stands out for me. Louise Fletcher is perfect as Kai Winn. Melanie Smith was my favorite Ziyal. And I always enjoyed seeing Caitlynn Brown.

 

[Prax]

So Katsulas played the alien captain in Enterprise's "Cogenitor" that Archer goes off to explore a nebula with. I never noticed that he was the same actor as Tomalok, but now I see the resemblance.

 

[Stoo]

So I remember watching Enterprise during that klingon-augments arc and thinking hang on.... that's Uncle Phil! (RIP James Avery).

 

[Vger23]

Morgan Woodward was a force to be reckoned with in "Dagger of the Mind" and "Omega Glory." I thought William Windom in "Doomsday Machine" really blew it away, too. Great casting in both of these cases. Marianna Hill ("Dagger") and Teri Garr ("Assignment Earth") deserve mention as well. They both had unique, strong personalities that weren't the norm for typical 60's television's portrayal of female guest characters, and I believe credit goes to the performances more than the intent of the writing.

I loved James Sloyan as Jarok in "The Defector"...one of my favorite all-time TNG guest performances, without a doubt. He elevates that entire episode. Lawrence Tierney as Cyrus Redblock ("Big Goodbye") was, for whatever reason, a very memorable performance in TNG as well. Jeremy Kemp as Robert Picard belongs in the discussion, as he not only had a great take on the character, but he went toe-to-toe with Stewart very effectively, which is no small feat.

Agree that Louise Fletcher in her recurring role as Kai Wynn on DS9 was amazing. She made me grit my teeth every single time she was on screen.

Jeffery Coombs as "Shran" in ENT is almost such a no-brainer, I'm embarrassed to bring it up.

As far as the films go, I'd say that Laurence Luckinbill was actually quite excellent as Sybok in TFF. That was a very tough role to play, and he sold it with a lot of subtlety and charm. Alfre Woodard as "Lily" in FC is another performer who very effectively went toe-to-toe with Stewart successfully. Bruce Greenwood created a wonderful Pike for the Kelvinverse films, and his loss in STID was tough to bear. Very well acted.

 

[Prax]

So I remember watching Enterprise during that klingon-augments arc and thinking hang on.... that's Uncle Phil! (RIP James Avery).

I didn't know he passed away. He was a pretty ruthless Klingon in those episodes, and did a great job. Yeah, he wasn't hard to spot

 

[FormerLurker]

All of James Sloyan's characters were memorable. Doctor Moya on DS9, Jarok on TNG, the adult Alexander coming back in time and pretending to be the old family retainer K'Mtar on TNG, Jetrel on VOY. The man can act.

 

[NCC-73515]

Jerry Hardin's Mark Twain was outstanding! Haha hmhm WOO! ha.

 

[1001001]

Jerry Hardin's Mark Twain was outstanding! Haha hmhm WOO! ha.

He was also in the TNG episode When the Bough Breaks, and the Voyager episode Emanations.

 

[Prax]

I've got another one. I figured this out a while ago, but it's so obvious once you realize it: John Fleck

He played the Suliban "Silik" throughout ENT. He also played a creepy Tal Shiar Romulan who tortures Geordi in TNG's "The Mind's Eye." He also played "Chairman Koval, Head of the Tal Shiar" in DS9's "Inter Arma something something." He plays the Karemma trader in DS9's "The Search" and he plays the junk yard owner in Voyager's "Alice" where he sells Paris the creepy ship/shuttle. In that episode his name is apparently "Abaddon" which is the angel of destruction, and the angel in charge of hell.

The actor seems to be very keen on scenery chewing roles, where he can be a little over the top.

 

[Kor]

We've known about them for so long they're not obscure to long time fans, but people like Morgan Woodward and Mark Lenard on TOS fit this bill rather well.

Jeffrey Combs, as Brunt, Weyoun, and Shran (and at least one other I don't remember) comes to mind.

There was the alien who wanted a holosuite program of Kira. And then there was the dude in charge of the fighters in Tsunkatse.

Kor

 

[Mojochi]

George Murdock's turn as God in TFF, & then as Admiral Hanson on TNG

William Morgan Shepard as Ira Graves on TNG & then as the Rura Penthe commandant in TUC. Also showed up in Voyager's Bliss, and as a Vulcan science minister in the 2009 Star Trek

and of course, I can't let one of these threads go by without mentioning the often forgotten reunion of Merritt Butrick, & Judson Scott, known for being Kirk's son David Marcus & Khan's protégé Joachim in TWoK, & then reappearing together in the TNG episode Symbiosis

 

[Kor]

And then there was Mick Fleetwood's unforgettable turn as the Antedian dignitary.

Kor

 

[donners22]

Joel Gray was amazing. The episode was utterly forgettable but for his performance.

I did back-to-back Seinfeld and Voyager re-watches - it was funny seeing Voyager encounter George's mother, George himself, Elaine's boss and Jackie Chiles.

I think Voyager had the most recognisable guests of any Trek series - Ed Begley Jr, The Rock, Bruce Davison, John Rhys-Davies, Michael McKean, Andy Dick, Kurtwood Smith, John Savage, Brad Dourif...

 

[NCC-73515]

And then there was Mick Fleetwood's unforgettable turn as the Antedian dignitary.

He looked better on a plate.