Who's the wealthiest person to make a cameo on "Star Trek?"
And which punk music legend played a malevolent alien in "Deep Space Nine?"
Here are a few celebrities you may not remember appearing in the hit sci-fi franchise.
In 1999, the relatively young United Paramount Network celebrated the premiere of "WWF
SmackDown," a new weekly show launched at the height of professional wrestling's mainstream
popularity. The following year, in the interests of cross-promoting SmackDown with UPN's flagship
sci-fi series, the producers of "Star Trek: Voyager" cast Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, one of
the WWF's most popular stars, as a prizefighter in the sixth season episode "Tsunkatse."
Johnson's character is a Pendari martial arts champion booked to fight against the
USS Voyager's own Seven of Nine. He employs a number of The Rock's contemporary trademarks,
such as his signature "Rock Bottom" body slam and his crowd pleasing "People's Eyebrow" taunt. He
even engages in the same kind of trash talking he was known for throwing at his rivals in the ring.
"You're no bigger than a Tarkanian field mouse.
Peng's insulting me by putting you in the pit to face me."
Of course, Dwayne Johnson is one of the most bankable actors and
recognizable faces in the world today, but when "Tsunkatse" aired in 2000,
Johnson was just beginning to dabble in acting outside of the wrestling ring.
His role on "Voyager" was only his third screen performance as a character other than "The Rock."
Johnson would make his big screen debut a year later in "The Mummy Returns" and begin a slow,
steady climb to the Hollywood A-list,
making "Star Trek" a funny footnote in an absolutely colossal career.
Padma Lakshmi has hosted "Top Chef" since 2006, created the Hulu series "Taste the Nation," and
has authored five books on food, travel, and her exciting life and career. In 2019,
she became a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, with the goal of highlighting
systemic inequality and discrimination across both poor and wealthy nations.
Before her life as a host, producer, author, and activist took off, however,
Lakshmi was merely — merely! — a supermodel looking to break into the world of acting.
For one of her very first television roles, Lakshmi guest-starred in the
2002 "Enterprise" episode "Precious Cargo" as Princess Kaitaama, who is kidnapped and
placed in suspended animation on the eve of her ascension to the throne of Krios Prime.
Kaitaama is rescued from captivity by Enterprise's Chief Engineer, Charles "Trip"
Tucker, and the two struggle to survive in a cramped escape pod and on a hostile planet.
Although Lakshmi may not be known for her acting abilities nowadays,
she does an admirable job for a novice performer.
She has good chemistry with Commander Tucker, and the two develop a whirlwind romance that,
while a little cliche and underdeveloped, is still quite entertaining to watch.
Despite the series being set in the distant future, the writers of "Star Trek" occasionally
found opportunities for their characters to encounter real-life historical figures, either
via time travel or holodeck simulations. Actors have portrayed such figures as author Mark Twain,
aviator Amelia Earhart, and President Abraham Lincoln on various episodes,
but only one person in the entire history of the "Star Trek" franchise to date has
ever filmed a cameo as themselves — theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.
Sometimes called "the world's smartest man" — a title he himself rejected — Hawking
dedicated his life to teaching the world about the study of space and time.
It's no surprise, then, that Hawking was a lifelong fan of "Star Trek,"
a franchise that has always prided itself on the celebration of science.
In 1991, while visiting the Paramount lot, Hawking accepted an invitation to tour the
set of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He was given the opportunity to sit in
the captain's chair, which he remarked was even comfier than his own. During his visit,
Hawking mentioned to executive producer Rick Berman that he'd like to do a cameo on the show.
Thus, the opening scene of the season six finale features the android Data playing poker with
holograms of Hawking and fellow scientific icons Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein.
Naturally, Hawking wins the pot with a four of a kind.
Mick Fleetwood, co-founder and drummer of the legendary rock group Fleetwood Mac,
once made an appearance on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" — but you wouldn't know it
just by looking at his character. In the comedic Season 2 episode "Manhunt," which aired in 1989,
Fleetwood makes a guest appearance as an unnamed Antedian, a tall alien being with a fishlike face.
Fleetwood's character gets a couple of lines near the end of the episode,
but it's quite possible that the alien's peculiar voice was dubbed over by someone else.
"That is an outrage! Lies! We demand you transport us at once!"
Fleetwood was a serious "Star Trek" fan, and was so eager to have a cameo role on the show
that he agreed to shave off his signature beard to accommodate the alien prosthetics.
Despite the credit "Special Guest Appearance by Mick Fleetwood" appearing prominently in
the beginning of the episode, Fleetwood is completely unrecognizable in the role.
Coincidentally, "The Next Generation" star Patrick Stewart had actually been a friend
and college classmate of Fleetwood's sister Susan. Fleetwood said that Stewart was very kind,
even though the musician didn't have much experience on a television set.
One of the most famous "big men" in professional wrestling, Paul Wight
has performed on television since 1995 – first as "The Giant" with WCW, then as "Big Show" with WWE,
and now under his own name with All Elite Wrestling. He's acted in feature films like
"Jingle All the Way" and "The Waterboy," and he even got his own Netflix sitcom in 2020 called
"The Big Show Show." Most of Wight's non-wrestling roles play his 6'11" frame
for laughs, but he's occasionally called upon to portray a more serious menace.
One such occasion was Wight's guest appearance in the season four "Star Trek: Enterprise" episode
"Borderland," in which he plays a massive, muscular Orion slaver who attempts to sell
some captured crew members at auction. Wight's character repeatedly lifts Commander T'Pol for
display during the ghastly event, and it doesn't look like any wires were used to help him do it.
Fans of Wight's work in the squared circle know that 100-odd pounds is barely a warm-up for the
Big Show, who claims to have bench pressed 500 pounds at the height of his athletic prowess.
Exaggerating physical statistics is typical in the world of professional wrestling,
but we're certainly not going to argue with the seven-time world champion.
Seth MacFarlane
Seth MacFarlane, best known as the creator and star of the animated comedy "Family Guy," has
made his lifelong devotion to "Star Trek" no secret. Introduced to the series in childhood
by his father, MacFarlane would go on to create "The Orville," a series that blends
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" with elements of a workplace sitcom.
Long before "The Orville" first aired, however, MacFarlane had the opportunity to appear
in two episodes of his favorite franchise. In 2004 and 2005, MacFarlane appeared on
"Enterprise" as a Starfleet engineer called Rivers. Ensign Rivers serves on Commander
Tucker's engineering team in Season 3 episode "The Forgotten," and then evidently transfers
along with Tucker to the starship Columbia in the episode "Affliction," one year later.
The "Enterprise" appearances took place during a career lull for MacFarlane — "Family Guy" had
been canceled after three seasons in 2002, and while it was building a cult following in reruns,
it wouldn't return to the air until 2005. At the time, MacFarlane was far
from a recognizable on-screen face to anyone but die-hard fans of his work in animation,
but his fortunes have no doubt reversed in the years since.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is one of the richest people in the world,
frequently swapping the number one spot with rival industrialist Elon Musk.
The two mega-billionaires have launched a private space race with their companies Blue Origin and
SpaceX, so it's no surprise that both men have confessed an affection for all things "Star Trek."
Bezos in particular is a massive Trekkie, going so far as to shoot "The Original
Series" star William Shatner into space aboard his Origin New Shepard rocket.
It undoubtedly irks Bezos that the first season of "Star Trek: Discovery" wagers that, by the
23rd century, Musk will be the name more closely associated with sending humanity to the stars.
"How do you want to be remembered in history? Alongside the Wright Brothers,
Elon Musk, Zefram Cochrane? Or as a failed fungus expert?"
While Musk gets name-dropped in dialogue, Bezos actually got the opportunity to appear in a "Star
Trek" movie — extremely briefly, that is. In the 2016 film "Star Trek Beyond," Bezos
portrays an unnamed Starfleet official who configures the universal translator for use
by distressed alien visitor Kalara. Bezos has admitted that he begged Paramount for
a speaking part in the film, and while he did receive two words of dialogue,
they're only from a distance and with his back turned. The only clear image we have of Bezos
as his character from "Star Trek Beyond" comes from Justin Lin's Twitter account.
In 1994, Kirsten Dunst appeared in the film "Interview with the Vampire" as Claudia,
a girl turned into a vampire at the age of 10 who spends a century in the body of a child.
That performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a
Motion Picture and propelled her into a long and prosperous acting career. Her hits since then have
included Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy, "Melancholia," and the FX series "Fargo."
Before "Interview with the Vampire" put her on the map, however, Dunst made a guest appearance
on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as Hedril, a member of the telepathic alien race known as the
Cairn. In the episode "Dark Page," Hedril's appearance and telepathic communications
unearth a repressed memory in visiting dignitary Lwaxana Troi: Hedril bears a
resemblance to Troi's deceased daughter, Kestra, whose existence Lwaxana has willfully forgotten.
Dunst also plays Kestra in a series of nightmares as Lwaxana's memories come to the surface,
though once the memory is fully recovered, the real Kestra is played by a different child actor.
In 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison traveled aboard the NASA shuttle Endeavour, making her the first
Black woman to reach the final frontier. During her 190 hours as part of shuttle mission STS-47,
Jemison conducted experiments investigating the effects of space flight on bone cell function.
Since leaving NASA, Jemison has continued to pursue humanity's advancement towards practical,
long-term space travel. In 2011, she became the leader of the 100-Year Starship organization,
a combined effort between NASA and DARPA to send humans beyond Earth's
solar system by the end of the 21st century.
Jemison achieved another, much smaller milestone in 1993 — becoming the first real-life astronaut
to appear on "Star Trek." Jemison makes a brief cameo in the Season 6 "Next Generation" episode
"Second Chances" as Ensign Palmer, a transporter operator. Jemison had been inspired as a child by
seeing Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura on the original "Star Trek," and felt that appearing on
"The Next Generation" after her actual mission would bring her story full circle. Nichols, a
longtime supporter of the NASA space program, came to visit the set during Jemison's day of filming.
Iggy Pop is arguably the biggest music legend ever to appear on "Star Trek."
The "Godfather of Punk" innovated the genre as a member of the proto-punk band The Stooges,
and released solo hits like "Search and Destroy," "Lust for Life," and "The Passenger" making
him a household name. In the season six "Deep Space Nine" episode "The Magnificent Ferengi,"
Pop makes an appearance as Yelgrun, a Vorta holding Quark's dear mother Ishka as a hostage.
Unlike some of the other celebrities who have appeared on "Star Trek," Pop wasn't
a fan who approached the producers for the chance to appear. Instead, the reverse was
true — producer Ira Steven Behr had been trying to cast Pop, a personal hero of his,
on one of his shows years before he joined "Star Trek." During the third season of "Deep Space
Nine," Behr and his team wrote a part for him in the two-part episode "Past Tense," but Pop
was on tour and unavailable for shooting. The role ended up going to Clint Howard instead.
When "The Magnificent Ferengi" went into production, Pop was recovering from a shoulder
injury that forced him to take a break from touring. The rock star finally agreed to take
the gig — although it might've just been to finally get the producer off his case.
"And I thought the Breen were annoying."
Christian Slater was a star on the rise when he made a one-scene cameo as a communications
officer aboard the USS Excelsior in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." He'd made a splash
in 1988 as the sinister J.D. in the dark high school comedy "Heathers," and more recently had
appeared in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" as Will Scarlett. However, his burgeoning acting
career had little to do with his appearance on "Star Trek." By his own admission, it was pure
nepotism that got him the part — his mother, Mary Jo Slater, was the casting director for the film.
In "The Undiscovered Country," Christian Slater gets a short, one-on-one scene opposite
George Takei as a junior officer who awakens Captain Sulu to deliver orders from Starfleet.
Slater enjoyed an additional treat on set, however: he got to wear the actual outfit
that William Shatner had worn in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Slater was so thrilled,
in fact, that he was unwilling to part with it and simply walked off set still
in costume when no one was looking. As of 2017, he's still got it stashed away.
Given Slater's more recent appearances in TV dramas like "Mr. Robot" and "Dr. Death," a
return to the world of "Trek" certainly isn't out of the question for the star.
Gabrielle Union broke into Hollywood by playing supporting roles in teen comedies like "She's All
That," "10 Things I Hate About You," and "Bring It On." Her film career led her to more prominent
roles in "Bad Boys II," "Top Five," and "Think Like a Man." After a string of guest and recurring
roles on television, Union finally took the lead on BET's "Being Mary Jane" from 2013 to 2019,
and in the short-lived "Bad Boys" spin-off series "L.A.'s Finest" in 2019.
She also served as a judge on "America's Got Talent" for a single season in 2019.
Before any of this, however, Gabrielle Union appeared on a single episode of "Deep Space Nine."
In 1997's "Sons and Daughters," Union plays N'Garen, a young Klingon warrior on the
crew of the IKS Rotarran under the command of General Martok and Lieutenant Commander Worf.
N'Garen is a bit part with no more than a few lines,
but the small role was a big hit with her family. Union told NPR years later,
"My mom is and was a massive Trekkie,
so being a Klingon in my family was akin to winning the Oscars."
Adam Scott began his acting career in the mid 90s, 15 years before breaking out as
the star of the comedy series "Party Down" and joining the cast of "Parks and Recreation." Even
though he's a recognizable TV mainstay nowadays, Scott was just a struggling
day player when he landed a bit part in the 1996 feature film "Star Trek: First Contact."
In his single scene, Scott plays an unnamed Starfleet officer at the helm of the USS
Defiant under the command of Lieutenant Commander Worf. The Defiant is on the
ropes in its battle against the ominous Borg cube, leading Worf to order a suicide run.
Scott's character gets to deliver the good news that the Enterprise has come to their rescue.
In a 2013 podcast interview, Scott admitted that he'd originally auditioned for a larger supporting
role in the film — presumably Lieutenant Hawk, the role that ended up going to Neal McDonough.
He was on set for only a few hours, had his two lines, and was out before lunch. Of course,
Scott's affection for "Star Trek" isn't limited to his brief appearance in "First Contact:" his
"Parks and Rec" character Ben Wyatt has a certain appreciation for the sci-fi franchise himself.
"Hey, are you busy? And writing 'Star Trek' fan fiction does not count."
"Ha ha ha, I… finished it last week, what's going on?"
In the early 1990s, there was no bigger show on television than
"Cheers," the NBC sitcom that drew an unreal 80.4 million viewers for its series finale.
Among the show's most popular characters was Dr. Frasier Crane, played by Kelsey Grammer,
who would go on to star on his own long-running spin-off, "Frasier."
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" was certainly a pop culture phenomenon,
but "Cheers" was on a whole other level. That's why it must have been a real treat for fans when
Grammer made a somewhat comical cameo at the end of the season 5 episode "Cause and Effect."
He appears as Captain Morgan Bateson, the commanding officer
of a starship that's been caught in a time loop for nearly a century.
Grammer is the third "Cheers" actor to appear in a "Star Trek" production — the
first being Kirstie Alley, who made her acting debut as Saavik in "Star Trek II:
The Wrath of Khan." The producers wanted Alley to appear in the episode with Grammer as well,
reprising her role as Saavik, but Alley's busy schedule didn't allow for it.
Not only would this have been a cute in-joke for fans of "Cheers," but it
also might have finally answered the question of what actually happened to her character.
In the years that followed, several members of the
"Star Trek" ensemble would go on to make appearances on "Frasier,"
including "Next Generation" stars Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner.
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