The 15 Finest Visitor Stars On Star Trek, Ranked

As a franchise spanning a number of tv collection since 1966, Star Trek has introduced numerous memorable visitor stars over the many years. Nonetheless, not all visitor stars are created equal, with a number of standing as clear highlights of their respective episodes. Whether or not it is one-and-done appearances or casual recurring roles, efficient visitor stars rapidly are embraced as fan-favorites. In actual fact, some join with the forged, crew, and viewers so nicely, they’ve inadvertently steered the course of the franchise.

An incredible visitor star gels seamlessly with the principle forged and naturally elevates the story that they are showing in. Moderately than merely feeling like stunt casting, a visitor function seems like an natural addition to the Star Trek franchise. For the needs of this text, stars showing on this listing don’t embody actors who’ve appeared as collection regulars on different Star Trek exhibits. Listed below are the 15 greatest visitor stars on Star Trek, ranked in descending order.

Star Trek has had a lot of fast cameos through the years, together with non-actors taking part in bit components on varied collection and flicks. “Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology,” particularly, had a number of actors and popular culture figures seem all through its seven-season run, amusingly together with Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood as a fish alien. Famed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking went one step additional for his cameo on “Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology,” showing on the Season 6 finale “Descent, Half I.” Moderately than play a fictional character, Hawking, a serious Star Trek fan, performs a facsimile of himself.

“TNG” repeatedly featured its major characters taking part in poker collectively of their quarters between serving shifts on the bridge. To assist enhance his poker recreation, Knowledge (Brent Spiner) applications holograms of Isaac Newton (John Neville), Albert Einstein (Jim Norton), and Hawking to hitch him for a pleasant recreation. Knowledge’s reasoning is that he want to examine how the best scientific minds of all time work together with one another over the sport. To his amusement, Hawking fools Einstein into believing he was bluffing in between evaluating astronomical observations.

The Star Trek franchise made its triumphant return to tv with the launch of “Star Trek: Discovery” in 2017. “Discovery” restored one thing that had been lacking from Star Trek for a while –- salient social commentary, typically talking to modern points by the prism of science fiction. That is by no means extra obvious on the collection than the shock guest-starring look of politician and social activist Stacey Abrams on the Season 4 finale. Abrams performs the President of the United Earth, who formally broadcasts the planet is rejoining the United Federation after centuries of strained relations.

A lot of the latter half of “Discovery,” set over 900 years after the occasions of “TOS,” is about rebuilding hope after recovering from disaster. Abrams, in her personal real-life function with American electoral reform, offers a outstanding reminder that there’s nonetheless a lot work to do to construct a greater future. Nonetheless, simply as together with her Star Trek character, Abrams factors out that this work is supposed to be executed collectively as Earth takes its rightful place again within the Federation. Abrams, herself a fan of Star Trek, relished the chance to work with the forged and use the present as a platform to instill hope for a greater tomorrow.

Jim Kirk (William Shatner) has confronted loads of Klingons in his time captaining the Enterprise, however his very first Klingon opponent, Commander Kor (John Colicos), is among the many most memorable. Showing on the “Star Trek: The Unique Sequence” episode “Errand of Mercy,” Kor leads the Klingon occupation of the peaceable planet of Organia. As Kirk and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) mount a resistance in opposition to Kor and his military, the Klingons escalate their brutality in opposition to the Organians. With the Federation and Klingon Empire poised for an all-out warfare, the Organians reveal their true, omnipotent nature, forming an armistice to Kor’s seen disappointment.

Colicos offers “TOS” with one in all its most memorable villains, with Kor assembly each effort made in opposition to him in refined viciousness. There’s each a palpable animosity and begrudging respect shared between Kirk and Kor, serving to set up the Klingons as probably the most constant enemy on “TOS.” Practically 30 years later, Colicos reprised his function as Kor on “Star Trek: Deep Area 9,” taking part in an older, embittered model of the Klingon. Showing on three “DS9” episodes, Colicos cemented Kor’s place because the franchise’s final “TOS”-era Klingon.

By 1992, “The Subsequent Technology” reached the height of its broadcast reputation, averaging over 11 million viewers per episode. This coincided with Kelsey Grammer turning into a serious tv star, after a profitable run on “Cheers,” and making ready to headline his personal spinoff collection, “Frasier,” the next yr. With each exhibits produced by Paramount, Grammer was supplied the prospect to visitor star on the “TNG” Season 5 episode, “Trigger and Impact.” A Star Trek fan himself, Grammer accepted, showing as Morgan Bateson, captain of the time-displaced USS Bozeman.

“Trigger and Impact” is an episode revolving completely round unusual time-travel mechanics, with the Enterprise and Bozeman trapped in a recurring temporal loop. As such, the 2 starship crews always discover themselves residing out the identical scenes, progressively noticing that one thing feels off concerning the state of affairs. In lesser palms, the episode may’ve felt like a repetitive slog, however the forged, together with Grammer, and director Jonathan Frakes pull off its execution brilliantly. Grammer, particularly, helps elevate the proceedings, making the confusion the affected crews are experiencing all of the extra palatable as they attempt to decide what precisely is happening.

One of many inciting premises behind “Discovery” is the concept Sarek (James Frain) had an adoptive human daughter in Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Inexperienced). The 2nd season of “Discovery” introduces Burnham’s mom, Physician Gabrielle Burnham (Sonja Sohn), displaced in house and time by a temporal anomaly. Gabrielle reunites together with her daughter within the thirty second century after each are flung into the far-future on the finish of Season 2. Shaken by her experiences, Gabrielle ultimately finds solace within the Ni’Var monastic order, the Qowat Milat.

It is easy to see the place Burnham will get her fiery depth every time she shares scenes with mom, with Sonja Sohn bringing the identical degree of fierce willpower as Inexperienced. There’s all the time quite a bit occurring beneath the floor for the Burnhams, from the misplaced years as mom and daughter to the galaxy-saving stakes at hand. By the third and 4th seasons, Sohn brings a softer vitality in her efficiency as Gabrielle, now not scrambling by time to save lots of natural life. Parental dynamics have a particular high quality in Star Trek particularly, and Michael and Gabrielle’s is among the many most unusual and rewarding.

Harcourt Fenton Mudd (Roger C. Carmel) seems early on “The Unique Sequence,” debuting on the episode “Mudd’s Ladies” as an interstellar legal. Carmel reprised his function within the 2nd season episode “I, Mudd,” giving his character a way more comedic strategy. Carmel’s remaining efficiency as Mudd was on “Star Trek: The Animated Sequence,” showing on the first season episode “Mudd’s Ardour.” Ever the trickster and conman, Mudd was introduced extra as a nuisance for Kirk and the Enterprise moderately than a real menace.

Mudd is without doubt one of the few recurring characters on “TOS,” along with his second look truly way more entertaining than his debut. Whereas Carmel initially performed Mudd like a conniving criminal, his return on “I, Mudd” makes him extra of a bumbling buffoon. This portrayal is much better suited to Carmel’s performing strengths and makes “I, Mudd” one of the vital outright enjoyable, and funniest, episodes of the collection. Although Rainn Wilson does his greatest taking part in Mudd on “Star Trek: Discovery,” it by no means fairly reaches the bar initially set by Carmel.

Jane Wyatt memorably performed Spock’s mom Amanda Grayson on “The Unique Sequence” and in “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Residence,” reminding her son of his rejected humanity. Whereas different actors have performed Grayson since, no different actor meets, or arguably exceeds, Wyatt’s efficiency apart from Mia Kirshner. Kirshner performs Grayson on the primary two seasons of “Discovery,” offering steering for Spock (Ethan Peck) and her adoptive daughter Burnham. Kirshner reprises her function as Grayson on “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds,” serving to Spock with an engagement occasion whereas concealing that he has briefly been rendered absolutely human.

Kirshner brings a larger sense of heat and sympathy to Grayson than some other actor, together with Wyatt. Others had performed Grayson extra distantly, not in contrast to a Vulcan, regardless of Grayson embodying Spock’s human heritage. Below Kirshner, Grayson is subtly extra open and understanding of her kids, particularly as Spock faces extreme psychological instability on “Discovery” Season 2. Kirshner’s return for “Unusual New Worlds” provides her a enjoyable and comedic route to take her character, showcasing her comical chops as she helps Spock along with his resurgent humanity.

Earlier than Q, there was Trelane, the all-powerful delinquent performed by William Campbell on the “Unique Sequence” Season 1 episode “The Squire of Gothos.” Regardless of his reality-altering powers, Trelane is introduced as an immature determine, infuriated by Kirk’s unwillingness to play his harmful video games. Campbell is a a lot completely different adversary for Kirk on the fan-favorite episode “The Hassle with Tribbles,” taking part in Klingon officer Captain Koloth. Campbell reprised his function as Koloth years in a while “Deep Area 9,” dying honorably within the subject of battle on the episode “Blood Oath.”

In lesser palms, Trelane may’ve come off as a personality that might be simply as annoying to audiences as Kirk and the Enterprise. Below Campbell, the character is playful and mischievous, however happily by no means grating to the viewers. As Koloth, Campbell presents a extra light-hearted Klingon antagonist for Kirk, becoming in with the episode’s extra comedic sensibilities. Campbell will get the prospect to flip this on its head on “DS9,” giving Koloth the ultimate blaze of glory that he so richly deserves.

Captain Kirk has had loads of love pursuits on “The Unique Sequence” and subsequent depictions, however one which looms above the remainder is Edith Keeler. Performed by British actor Joan Collins, Keeler seems on the primary season episode “The Metropolis on the Fringe of Without end.” Keeler lives in 1930 New York Metropolis, the place she meets a time-traveling Kirk, Spock, and Physician McCoy (DeForest Kelley) once they journey. Regardless of the budding romance between Kirk and Keeler, he should permit her dying to happen to protect historical past and the Prime Timeline.

“The Metropolis on the Fringe of Without end” is broadly thought to be one of many biggest Star Trek episodes, and the episode solely works if we imagine in Kirk’s love for Keeler. Happily, Collins simply radiates heat and charm in her efficiency, making the viewers purchase that her character may inadvertently derail the timeline if she was allowed to outlive. There’s a deep tenderness to Keeler, not solely with how she interacts with Kirk, but additionally how she cares for a gravely unwell McCoy. Collins would not simply give Star Trek Kirk’s greatest love curiosity; she units a excessive bar for all visitor stars the franchise would see shifting ahead.

Earlier than he was one of many greatest film stars on the planet, an early performing function for Dwayne Johnson was on “Star Trek: Voyager.” Showing on the Season 6 episode “Tsunkatse,” Johnson performs a blended martial arts champion on a planet that the Voyager crew visits on shore go away. After Tuvok (Tim Russ) turns into injured and requires emergency medical consideration, Seven of 9 (Jeri Ryan) agrees to face the champion within the ring. Throughout his fights on the episode, Johnson not solely does all his personal stunts, however delivers a few of his signature WWE strikes, together with the Rock Backside.

Johnson’s Star Trek function was on the debatable peak of his skilled wrestling profession and a full yr earlier than his big-screen debut in “The Mummy Returns.” Johnson leans into a lot of his normal wrestling heel methods of the commerce, gamely grandstanding for the viewers with all of his star-making swagger. This function elevates “Tsunkatse” to be one in all most memorable episodes of “Voyager,” notably within the present’s later years.

Mark Lenard has the uncommon distinction of not solely taking part in a number of Star Trek characters, but additionally attending to play a Romulan, Vulcan, and Klingon in his time with the franchise. Lenard’s affiliation with Star Trek started by taking part in a crafty Romulan commander within the “Unique Sequence” 1st season episode “Stability of Terror.” Lenard’s most iconic Star Trek function got here the next season, taking part in Spock’s father Sarek, a job he reprised on “The Animated Sequence,” a number of films, and “The Subsequent Technology.” Along with his tv roles, Lenard additionally performed an ill-fated Klingon commander in 1979’s “Star Trek: The Movement Image,” finishing his trifecta of Star Trek aliens.

Exuding gravitas every time he is on-screen, Lenard brings a kind of basic thespian presence to Star Trek, particularly in its early years. As both a Romulan or a Vulcan, Lenard conveys a lot emotion regardless of the visibly staid demeanor that each races are recognized for. Sarek’s scenes with Spock are among the many greatest Leonard Nimoy has ever performed as his most iconic function, with the 2 actors bringing out their greatest in one another. Equally, Lenard’s remaining appearances as Sarek on “TNG” are completely heartbreaking, displaying the tragic finish of a fantastic man.

By the point David Warner appeared for his guest-starring function on “The Subsequent Technology,” he had already performed two completely different characters in separate Star Trek films. After taking part in a human in 1989’s “Star Trek V: The Last Frontier” and a Klingon in 1991’s “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Nation,” Warner performed a Cardassian on “TNG.” Warner’s sadistic Gul Madred seems on the Season 6 two-parter “Chain of Command,” who captures and tortures Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Madred torments Picard, intent on breaking his spirit, practically succeeding in doing so till Picard’s well timed launch.

Of all of the on-screen adversaries Picard has confronted through the years, few match him in dignity and gravitas as Warner’s Madred. For as noble and magnanimous as Picard is, Madred is wickedly crafty and devious, relishing in punishing Picard in exceedingly grueling methods. Stewart and Warner had first collaborated collectively in a ’60s British stage manufacturing of Hamlet, sustaining a mutual respect for one another. This considerably enhances their efficiency collectively on “TNG,” giving Picard and Madred’s brutal dynamic an engagingly refined air.

When the Borg debuted on “The Subsequent Technology,” they appeared as a real collective, with no clear particular person chief for them to rally behind. 1996’s “Star Trek: First Contact” launched the Borg Queen, the singular entity main the Borg as they mounted a time-bending assault on Earth. Performed by Alice Krige, the Borg Queen survives her defeat in “First Contact,” reappearing in a guest-starring capability on the two-part “Voyager” collection finale. After a short return on “Star Trek: Decrease Decks,” Krige reprised her function in a larger capability on “Star Trek: Picard” as the ultimate season’s overarching villain. For “Picard,” Krige voiced the character whereas Jane Edwina Seymour served as her physique double.

The Borg was rapidly established as the last word “TNG” enemy, with the stakes raised immeasurably every time they surfaced. With Krige because the Borg Queen, the Borg gained a figurehead to rally round and a sneering face to Picard and Seven of 9’s deep-seated trauma. “Voyager” had defanged the specter of the Borg considerably, however Krige’s return because the Queen strengthened that sense of hazard, one thing that Krige improves upon on “Picard.” The one adversary that may persistently rattle the usually stoic Picard and Seven of 9 to their core, Krige’s Borg Queen is an enemy for the ages.

The very first antagonist Picard and the crew of the Enterprise face in “The Subsequent Technology” is not the Borg, the Klingons, or the Romulans, however Q. Performed by John de Lancie, Q seems on the two-part “TNG” collection premiere, declaring himself an all-powerful decide observing humanity. Choosing Picard as humanity’s consultant, Q threatens to make use of his reality-shaping powers to erase the species’ existence if he deems them unworthy. Past the premiere, Q would reappear not less than as soon as every season of “TNG,” culminating in him returning to his decide function within the two-part collection finale.

Star Trek retains bringing again de Lancie as Q as a result of he is so successfully compelling to observe, with the character alternating between adversary and ally on a whim. This distinction goes past “TNG,” with de Lancie reprising his function as Q on “Deep Area 9,” “Voyager,” “Picard,” and “Decrease Decks.” Q’s motives and methodology fluctuate in every look, typically taking part in as a mischievous trickster and typically as a real menace. Q’s flexibility as a personality not solely speaks to de Lancie’s prodigious performing but additionally the inherent malleability of Star Trek personified.

Initially showing as a one-off villain on the “Unique Sequence” Season 1 episode “Area Seed,” Ricardo Montalbán performed the formidable Khan Noonien Singh. A genetically enhanced despot from the late twentieth century, Khan and his followers have been exiled into deep house earlier than being found by the Enterprise centuries later. Kirk is barely in a position to defeat the revived Khan, marooning him and his individuals on a distant planet. Montalbán went on to reprise his function as Khan in 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” cementing his villainous dynamic with Kirk and revitalizing the broader franchise.

In case there’s any doubt relating to Montalbán’s esteemed guest-star standing, his one-episode look was sufficient to encourage a complete film that includes his return. No different actor all through Star Trek historical past can stake that declare of being elevated to a major film villain after a single guest-star function. Thematically, if Star Trek depicts enlightened humanity as a post-scarcity utopia, Khan represents the sinister potential that the long run can yield. That effectiveness is sealed by Montalbán’s efficiency, magnetic every time he is on-screen and, like his character, as bodily imposing as he’s eloquent and sleek.