Why Was The Actor Who Played William Riker Replaced

[Star Wars]

At the beginning of the second season William Riker's actor was replaced was there ever a reason given by the production crew?

 

[F. King Daniel]

It was funny the first time, Star Wars.

 

[JarodRussell]

The actor was again replaced in the feature film called Star Trek: Insurrection. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FILM! Talk about production and scheduling problems.

 

[Tosk]

It was funny the first time, Star Wars.

But not very.

 

[Nine of Four]

My question is how did Riker grow a beard so damn fast in the actual show??

-

 

[The Old Mixer]

That could have been maybe three weeks of growth tops in-universe. A reasonable amount of time to have happened between episodes, especially with the longer RL gap due to the writers' strike. I'd say maybe as much as six weeks happened between "The Neutral Zone" and "The Child"...enough time for that, Geordi and Worf's promotions/department switching, and the rotation of doctors.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

At the beginning of the second season William Riker's actor was replaced was there ever a reason given by the production crew?

Patrick Stewart was tired of Frakes farting on the bridge set so they brought in his non fart prone identical cousin Wilfred.

 

[Melakon]

 

[Rarewolf]

It was handy that his transporter twin came to the same choice in isolation.

 

[jpv2000]

Riker was always my fave of the TNG crew, but the beard was icing on an already awesome cake.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I was just watching "The Outcast" in Season 5 and was reminded of how Levar Burton was also awkwardly replaced for a few episodes....

 

[Maestro]

This thread made me chuckle.

 

[The Old Mixer]

This thread has persuaded me to make a confession....I replaced the original Old Mixer when he was 19. Over the 24 years since then, he's made a few brief attempts to reclaim his old life, but his efforts have ultimately proven to be futile.

 

[R. Star]

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

Ummm - maybe not.

CLANG!!!