Movies

10 Forgotten Actors Who Starred in Star Trek Movies

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Over the years, the Star Trek movie series has featured a vast array of actors, many of whom have since faded into obscurity. Beginning with the debut of “The Motion Picture” in 1979, this franchise reintroduced the cherished crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise and embarked them on grand journeys where they evolved as characters. Unlike the optimistic sci-fi of the original ’60s show, these movies were often more expansive and dramatic in nature. This pattern persisted into the 1990s with films inspired by “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.

Just as the TV episodes of Star Trek didn’t solely concentrate on the different starship crews but often incorporated new characters in secondary roles, the movies were no exception. These roles ranged from formidable Star Trek antagonists to fresh cadets aboard the Enterprise. In contrast to the TV series, these films often devoted more attention to these supporting characters. However, due to the main crew’s frequent limelight, many actors are not as famously associated with their voyages in space, and their impact tends to be overshadowed by the prominent crew members.

10. David Warner – Star Trek V: The Final Frontier & Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

David Warner Is A Star Trek Veteran

In the Star Trek universe, it’s common to see actors reprising their roles, and David Warner is no exception. He has portrayed various characters in both Star Trek films and series. Most notably, he played the sinister Cardassian torturer, Gul Madred, in the Next Generation episode “Chain of Command.” Interestingly, Warner appeared in not one but two different Star Trek movies. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, he portrayed the Federation ambassador stranded on Nimbus III, but it was his performance as the wise Klingon chancellor, Gorkon, in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country that truly captivated audiences.

9. Malcolm McDowell – Star Trek Generations

McDowell Plays One Of Trek’s Most Infamous Villains

Malcolm McDowell isn’t new to portraying villainous characters, and he has earned recognition for playing wicked personas in movies like A Clockwork Orange. Although the Star Trek series features one of its less impressive episodes where McDowell appears, his performance stands out as a shining beacon in an otherwise unmemorable film. In Star Trek Generations, McDowell took on the role of Soran, a scientist yearning to reenter the Nexus to flee from his personal sorrowful history.

In a somewhat different phrase: The character Soran from “Star Trek” stands out as an exceptional antagonist given his distinct and comprehensible motive. Despite the fact that “Generations” can be confusing and overly complex, Soran’s development is the only coherent aspect of the movie. This is largely due to McDowell’s acting, but unfortunately, his character has been overshadowed because the overall film isn’t particularly memorable.

8. Christopher Plummer – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

The Sound Of Music Star Played A Klingon

Christopher Plummer isn’t typically associated with villain roles, but when he appeared in the Star Trek film series, he was given an unexpected part. In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Plummer portrayed Klingon general Chang, the chief of staff to the late Chancellor Gorkon. From their initial encounter, the stern general clashes with Kirk, and it’s evident that he harbors the same distrust for the Federation as they do for him. Plummer delivers a standout performance in this movie, and his deep acting talent breathes humanity into the character of Chang.

7. John Larroquette – Star Trek III: The Search For Spock

The TV Legend Only Appeared In A Star Trek Movie

Interestingly, television legend John Larroquette, known for shows like Night Court and Boston Legal, stepped into the Star Trek universe not in a series but in a film – Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. In this role, he portrayed Maltz, a crew member on the Klingon cruiser led by the antagonist Kruge (played by Christopher Lloyd). Unlike his fellow Klingons who were more prone to violence, Maltz frequently offered sage advice to Kruge, urging him to reconsider his reckless decisions.

In the 23rd century, Larroquette’s stay was relatively short, yet it significantly marked his career. During the broadcast of the Night Court remake series, Larroquette’s character, Dan, once donned Klingon attire in court for a single episode, which was an unmistakable wink to Maltz and a heartfelt homage to a Star Trek film that tends to be underrated.

6. Kurtwood Smith – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

The Red Forman Actor Played The Federation President

What sets the Star Trek movies apart is their tendency to feature outstanding actors even in minor roles. This was particularly evident in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, where Kurtwood Smith played the Federation President. Although his character doesn’t have a name, he belongs to the Efrosian species, an alien race characterized by long white hair and cranial ridges. Smith delivers his usual subtle charm in this role, marking a significant departure from his stern and humorous portrayal of Red Forman on That ’70s Show.

Kurtwood Smith’s Star Trek roles include:

Role Series Or Movie Episode
Federation President Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country N/A
Thrax Star Trek: Deep Space Nine S5 E8 “Things Past”
Annorax Star Trek: Voyager S4 E8 & 9 “Year of Hell Parts 1 & 2”
Magistrate Clar Star Trek: Lower Decks S1 E8 “Veritas”

5. Chris Hemsworth – Star Trek (2009)

Before He Was Thor, Chris Hemsworth Was Captain Kirk’s Dad

A couple of years prior to his fame as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Hemsworth played a minor yet crucial role in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek. The 2009 reboot featured Hemsworth as George Kirk, Captain Kirk’s deceased father, who perishes in the initial scene on the U.S.S. Kelvin. Despite his brief screen time, Hemsworth effectively infused George Kirk with many of the classic traits that his future son would eventually embody.

4. Christian Slater – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

The ’90s Megastar Had A Small Cameo Role In Star Trek

As a cinephile reminiscing about the past, I must say that Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country served as a poignant farewell to the legendary original Enterprise crew. In this final voyage, we were graced by the presence of several well-known Hollywood luminaries, one of whom was Christian Slater, who was at the zenith of his stardom in 1991 following his roles in Heathers and True Romance.

In this cinematic journey, Slater made a brief appearance as an unnamed communications officer, delivering a handful of lines that added a touch of star power to the film. It’s a fleeting moment, one that you might miss if not paying close attention; however, even in such a small role, Slater managed to bring his characteristic charm and charisma to the screen.

It seems that Slater holds a deep affection for the Star Trek franchise, even going so far as to advocate for himself to join it. While he might have hoped for a more substantial part, it’s intriguing that he managed to secure a position on the Starship Enterprise crew. Regardless of his fondness for the franchise, Slater has not made any additional appearances in any Star Trek productions since then.

3. Sofia Boutella – Star Trek Beyond

Boutella’s Performance Was Buried Under A Lot Of Makeup

Prior to headlining her own space opera series, Rebel Moon, Sofia Boutella had a significant role in the Star Trek movie franchise. In particular, she starred as Jaylah in the film Star Trek Beyond. This character was an alien of undisclosed origin who had been stranded on Altamid for years due to Krall’s assault. Much like other roles played by Boutella, Jaylah frequently resorted to action rather than words, and her presence significantly boosted the action sequences in Star Trek Beyond, the third film set in the Kelvin timeline.

2. Tom Hardy – Star Trek: Nemesis

An Early Tom Hardy Role Was In A Star Trek Movie

Regrettably, Tom Hardy’s solitary stint in the Star Trek universe was less favorable, but he delivered an exceptional performance nonetheless. In Star Trek: Nemesis, Tom Hardy portrays Shinzon, the last film that showcased the crew of the Enterprise from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Shinzon is in fact a clone of Captain Picard who seeks retribution against his creator after years of mistreatment by the Romulans.

The primary issue with Shinzon isn’t Tom Hardy’s acting; it’s mainly due to weak scriptwriting and a complex storyline that lacks clarity. The reason for Shinzon’s intense hatred towards Picard is not effectively established, other than the fact that he’s a clone of the renowned captain. Nemesis attempts to mimic the structure from The Wrath of Khan, but Shinzon’s motivation pales in comparison, making the overall story feel insignificant.

1. Idris Elba – Star Trek Beyond

Elba Played One Of The More Complex Villains From The Kelvin Universe

In the Kelvin Universe of Star Trek, the antagonists share strikingly similar goals, primarily fueled by their thirst for vengeance. Idris Elba portrayed Krall exceptionally well in Star Trek Beyond, delivering one of the most complex and nuanced performances within this action-packed alternate universe series. Initially a human soldier, Krall was metamorphosed into a monstrous form due to some sci-fi transformation process.

In a remarkable way, Idris Elba’s acting skills manage to bring authenticity to his character, Krall, despite him being heavily made up. Similarly, although Krall’s actions may be malicious, they are still logical in their own twisted sense. Once a soldier, Krall found himself out of service, pining for the old ways as he transitioned into a more peaceful future. Idris Elba’s performance as Krall makes him one of the most memorable villains in the Star Trek movie series.

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2025-06-01 16:11

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