Star Trek cast 1990 has been a cultural behemoth for more than 50 years, spanning everything from the J.J. Abrams-directed big-screen drama to the upcoming return of The Next Generation and the continuing of Star Trek Discovery on Netflix.
Flashing back at the revolutionary, legendary program created by Gene Roddenberry, we take a look at the original cast members who set the path for all that came after.
On the five-year mission to explore space and new life and nations, the USS Enterprise’s crew is tasked with seeking out new existence and new civilizations. Watch Star Trek movies in order to grasp the sprawling story of this amazing series!
The Vulcans, a peaceful and sophisticated extraterrestrial race, gave their technology to Earth to travel across galaxies at velocities faster than light.
The Enterprise is on an altruistic scientific mission to study and explore the furthest reaches of space, led by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). Unfortunately, not all extraterrestrial life forms are as amiable as Vulcans.
Main Characters
Let’s look at the main characters of Star Trek:
George Takei as Hikaru Sulu
George Takei, born in 1937, spent several years attempting to shed the character of Enterprise captain Hikaru Sulu, which he shared with his co-stars.
On the other hand, Takei had something of a professional rebirth after embracing all that Star Trek represented. Before joining the Star Trek cast, he had primarily minor appearances, including a stint in John Wayne’s The Green Berets.
In addition to reprising his role as Sulu in six feature films, Takei became involved in California politics and published a book.
In recent years, he has appeared on a wide variety of television shows and, most recently, on stage in the musical Allegiance, set during the Japanese American internment during World War II, which Takei personally experienced as a child.
Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov
As Pavel Chekov, he was expected to be the 23rd Century’s equivalent to the youngster Monkees or The Beatles. In season two, he entered the Star Trek cast in 1990 and was navigated by Pavel Chekov.
As with Shatner and Doohan, Koenig was another actor who came to Roddenberry’s attention through The Lieutenant. He was invited aboard the Enterprise in 1967 and remained on board for the rest of this series and seven blockbuster movies (he reunited with Shatner and Doohan in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generation’s finale).
In the meantime, he served as a television screenwriter, achieved fame for his depiction of Alfred Bester on the television series Babylon 5, and was featured in various films and television shows. As well as writing books (both fiction and non-fiction), he has also worked in the comic book industry as a cartoonist.
Nichelle Nichols as Nyota Uhura
Because of her, communications officer Uhura became a crucial part of the Enterprise’s main Star Trek cast. She unlocked those summoning frequencies like she was in charge.
Nichelle Nichols was born in 1932 and rose to the humbling task of becoming the first African-American actress to appear on television when the United States was grappling with civil rights issues.
Many African-American women looked to her as a role model and source of inspiration. Early in her career, she had some popularity as a dancer and vocalist, finally turning her attention to tv, where she encountered Gene Roddenberry while appearing on The Lieutenant (a science fiction television series).
He knew she would be in the show from the beginning of the casting process. Although she had few acting opportunities in the years after the series premiere, she was able to leverage the show’s rising popularity into a position at NASA, where she was in charge of recruiting minority and female astronauts.
James Doohan as Montgomery Scott
He threw all he had at the engines…and some more. As a result, James Doohan’s chief engineer, Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, was regarded as “the most talented in the fleet.”
The Canadian-born Doohan began his career in radio and television in his own country before relocating to the United States. Following the conclusion of Star Trek, he, like several of his co-stars, found himself typecast and unable to get further acting chances.
On and off, he landed small parts here and there while also reprising his role as Scotty in two motion pictures based on his T.V. program. On July 20, 2005, this star trek cast died from natural causes.
DeForest Kelley as Leonard McCoy
The late DeForest Kelley, who played Dr. Leonard’ Bones’ McCoy, was the actor that provided the greatest humanity to the Star Trek cast universe. Born in 1920, he had earned a name for himself as a nasty guy on television, generally in Westerns.
So it came as such a surprise when Roddenberry hired him as the Enterprise’s chief medical officer and Kirk’s conscience on the series Star Trek: Enterprise.
Kelly remained in the entertainment industry after Star Trek ended its run, taking on a handful of parts but mostly staying out of the spotlight, except for a cameo appearance on the first season of The Next Generation and appearances at conventions. June 11, 1999, was the day of his death.
Leonard Nimoy as Spock
He was by no means the first TV sidekick to match, if not surpass, the primary original star trek cast ages of a television program. However, because of what William Shatner contributed to the role of Captain Kirk, it says a lot regarding Leonard Nimoy’s ability to make a figure who is entirely in control of his emotions (for the most part) seem to be more than a cardboard cut-out.
Even while revisiting the part as recently as in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness, he never let Spock’s calm dignity slip away from his person.
Nimoy, born in 1931, had a successful career in the theatre, on television, and in cinema (as both an actor and a director), as well as as an author, music producer, and photographer, among other endeavours.
Star Trek Beyond paid a moving homage to him, adding to another star trek cast dead list, when he passed away on February 27, 2015.
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William Shatner as James T. Kirk
When he was Star Trek cast as James T. Kirk, the captain of the spaceship Enterprise, it was Shatner who established the standard. “What does God need with an ex-starship…captain?” says this 85-year-old Canadian born in 1931 and has had a professional life that has encompassed television, the stage, film, works of fiction, computer games, comic books, and who knows what else.
“What does God need with an ex-starship…captain?” he asks rhetorically.
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Members of Star Trek’s Recurring Cast
Ron Veto as Harrison
As Harrison in the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, Ron Veto was an artist and stuntman who worked with the show’s crew. Harrison’s primary engineering role in “The Enemy Within” was taped during his stay on the program; it was deleted from the final episode.
In addition to his involvement in the original Star Trek cast ages, he had minor roles in various movies, notably King of Kings, starring Jeffrey Hunter, and various Elvis Presley pictures. In addition, he appeared in various films as a stunt performer. Vic Perrin and Robert C.
Johnson lent their voices, and Fred Phillips did the makeup for 1964 The Extreme Limits episode “The Invisibles,” which was scripted by Joseph Stefano and directed by Gerd Oswald. His ancestry was a mix of Filipino and English.
Frank da Vinci as Brent
As Leonard Nimoy’s host and background and action actor on Star Trek: The Original Series, Frank “Buddy” da Vinci (born February 14, 1933, in Chicago, IL; died June 4, 2013, at the age of 80) was an actor and stuntman.
According to Blackburn, ‘Buddy’ was William Blackburn’s nickname for him. The Star Trek cast Concordance and its derivative works sometimes refer to him as “Budda Vinci”.
Before moving to Hollywood, Da Vinci began as a supermodel in his hometown. Then, he began his career at Warner Bros. as a tour guide and a member of the studio’s public relations staff.
His lifelong companion was George B. Ellsworth, an actor and dancer he met while working in New York City. Da Vinci was stand-in and double for Anthony Perkins in Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece Psycho, which was scripted by Joseph Stefano, based on a book by Robert Bloch, and starred John Anderson in the cast.
As seen in the iconic murder scene in the shower, Da Vinci can be observed.
William Blackburn as Hadley
In all three seasons of Star Trek: The Original Series, except for the two premiere episodes, William “Bill(y)” Blackburn (born March 14, 1929; age 93) was a background actor who went unnoticed.
However, Hadley’s character is thought to have been performed by him in several jobs throughout that period, mainly as navigator or helmsman.
His presence on the show brought him to 61 episodes in all. As a bonus, material from the new episode “The Trouble with Tribbles” was utilized in the fifth episode episode “Trials and Tribble-nations” of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he had a cameo appearance.
Grant Woods as Kelowitz
In three first season episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, Grant Woods played Kelowitz, played by Earl Grant Titsworth, the original star trek cast still alive 2021 (March 13, 1932 – October 10, 1968).
The character Lieutenant Kelowitz from “Star Trek Cast” is his most famous. In Los Angeles, California, he started working as a stuntman after serving in the U.S. Navy in Korea. In an episode of “Sea Hunt” under Grant Lockwood, he was spotted by director Dick Moder while eating in a studio commissary.
Renamed Grant Wood, he starred in many syndicated sitcoms as a guest role.
Jim Goodwin as John Farrell
From 1961 to 1979, Jim Goodwin had a very brief acting career that spanned nearly two decades, from May 21, 1929, until May 18, 1980, when he was 50 years old.
Between those two films and more than a dozen television celebrity guests, three of those were in Star Trek: The Original Series as John Farrell, he had a tiny part in his career. He was introduced to the program by John D.F. Black, a close associate of Goodwin’s and responsible for securing him his small jobs.
Original plans called for Goodwin (as well as the role of Farrell) to make further appearances on the show. However, “The Naked Time,” in which Lieutenant Kevin Riley substituted him, and “Charlie X” was written out of the scripts.
The series ended with Goodwin leaving as well, following the departure of Black from the show.
David L. Ross as Galloway
He is most remembered for his performances in Star Trek: The Original Series, where he primarily played Galloway.
David L. Ross was born on April 24, 1939, and is currently 82 listings among original star trek casts still alive in 2021. He was given the name David Ross for his role in the film “Miri.”
Among his many credits are Star Trek (1966), Rocky II (1979), and McMillan and Wife (1996). Since January 12, 1980, he has been wedded to Malynda.
A total of four children have been born into this family. The original Star Trek series had Ross being the first to remove his shirt.
Aside from the series’ other actors, he was the only one who had been slain and resurrected twice. He is also the only actor to have turned down a part in the film version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).
Eddie Paskey as Leslie
Eddie Paskey (August 20, 1939 – August 17, 2021; age 81) was a professional actor known as Lieutenant Leslie in Star Trek: The Original Series, a recurrent character.
William Shatner’s stand-in and body duplicate, Paskey (most notably in “The Devil in the Dark”). “Wolf in the Fold” also featured him as James Doohan’s hand duplicate since he missed a finger.
Edith Keeler’s character was murdered by a vehicle driven by him in The City on the Edge of Forever.
He played a Zeon resistance member and driver for Kirk and Spock in the episode “Patterns of Force.”
After the third season, he was forced to leave the show due to a back problem and headaches exacerbated by the set’s stage lights. “Is There in Truth No Beauty?” was his most recent episode to which he contributed.
Roger Holloway as Roger Lemli
Roger Holloway (July 28, 1927 – January 23, 2000; age 72)1 was an American actor who appeared in over three dozen episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series during the second and third seasons.
William Shatner’s children Leslie, Melanie, and Lisabeth inspired the name Lemli for his fictional character. As well as being James Doohan’s stand-in, Holloway also served as William Shatner’s stand-in when Eddie Paskey was no longer available.
Holloway was a World War II soldier who fought in the United States Navy during the conflict. His Star Trek performances are the only film credits known about him.
Michael Barrier as Vincent DeSalle
In Star Trek, Captain Kirk commands Lieutenant Vincent DeSalle (Michael Barrier) three times. Aside from “Vincent” in “The Squire of Gothos,” we never hear his first name.
DeSalle initially appears in “The Squire of Gothos.” In “This Side of Paradise,” the Lieutenant returns. The scientific officer in gold. Due to Barrier’s previous role as DeSalle in “Gothos,” the screenplay initially called for “Lt. Timothy Fletcher.”
They didn’t think to put a blue shirt on him, however. Auxiliary chief engineer with the proper red outfit, Barrier appears in “Catspaw.”
So DeSalle is left in charge of the bridge since Scotty is on the shakedown cruise with Bones and Sulu. Because Kirk and Spock were gone on a mission, Gene Coon felt it was appropriate to make DeSalle a recurring character. The character would never return since future scripts didn’t call for it.
John Winston as Kyle
On the original Star Trek, Lt. Kyle was John Winston’s most significant contribution to popular culture. A projector operator or a member of the bridge crew, his character made an appearance in 11 episodes and played the role of helmsman essentially.
‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ featured him as Kyle. Unfortunately, he didn’t have enough time on screen or in dialogue to become a household name outside the Star Trek community.
In ‘Star Trek: The Animated Series’, Kyle was portrayed by James Doohan (Star Trek’s ‘Scotty’), although Winston was featured in one episode as “Captain Jefferies” in ‘Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II’, where Jay Storey dubbed Kyle.
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Grace Lee Whitney as Janice Rand
Grace Lee Whitney was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was an accomplished actress and singer. On WJR radio in Detroit, she began her career as a “female singer,” opening for Billie Holiday and Buddy Rich and touring with the Spike Jones and Fred Waring Bands.
“Top Banana,” Grace’s Broadway debut, was followed by a role in the United Artists picture “Top Banana” (1954).
In the original Star Trek (1966) series, Grace is most recognized for her performance as Yeoman Janice Rand. For the subsequent four Star Trek films, she repeated her role: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). (1991).
Grace’s visits to conferences and events around North America and Europe continued to excite admirers. From Star Trek: The Next Generation, George Takei, Walter Koenig, and Majel Barrett also starred alongside her in an episode of Diagnosis Murder (1993). In Coarsegold, California, Grace Lee Whitney, 85, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2015, home from natural causes.
Majel Barrett as Nurse Christine Chapel
In addition to her lengthy involvement with Star Trek Cast, Majel Barrett is a well-known American actress. Nurse Christine Chapel in the original series (1966-1969) and Lieutenant Lwaxana Troi in the subsequent series (1987-1994) and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” are her most well-known Star Trek roles, although she has had several other roles in the franchise (1993-1999).
“The First Lady of Star Trek” was a moniker given to Barrett since she was Gene Roddenberry’s second wife from 1921 until 1991. Her appearance in the first and last shows of the original Star Trek (1966) series was one of just two times an actor appeared in both.
Besides her voice-over work, she supplied the voice of automatic fault monitors for the Union Pacific and other railways. You may hear her on train radio stations around the country. On December 18, 2008, Majel Barrett Roddenberry died from leukemia, aged 76.
The Cast of the Star Trek Animated Series
Let’s look at the animated cast:
George Takei as Sulu
He tried for years to get rid of his co-star persona Hikaru Sulu. Finally, embracing Star Trek gave Takei a career rebirth. Aside from The Green Berets with John Wayne.
Takei has also participated in California politics and written a book to his credit. Most recently, he featured in the Broadway musical Allegiance, based on Takei’s childhood experience of Japanese-American incarceration during WWII.
Leonard Nimoy as Spock
He was hardly the first T.V. sidekick to equal, if not exceed, the show’s main star. Nevertheless, it speaks a lot about Leonard Nimoy’s ability to make a figure who is ideally in control of his emotions look more than a cardboard cut-out.
Even in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness, he maintained Spock’s quiet dignity. As an actor and director in film and television and an author, music producer, and photographer, Nimoy achieved success in a variety of fields. When he died on February 27, 2015, Star Trek Beyond paid him a heartfelt tribute.
Nichelle Nichols as Uhura
She mastered the art of opening the Enterprise’s hailing frequencies, making Uhura an indispensable bridge crew member. An African American actress on T.V. in the 1950s and 1960s, Nichols was born in 1932.
In this way, she inspired countless African-American women. The Lieutenant introduced her to Gene Roddenberry. He knew she had to be in Trek from the start. A few years after the series ended, she got a position at NASA, where she hired minorities and women.
DeForest Kelley as Leonard McCoy
Dr Leonard’ Bones’ McCoy, played by the late DeForest Kelley, was the most humane character in Star Trek. His reputation as a T.V. Bad guy, primarily in Westerns, surprised Roddenberry when he was cast as The Enterprise’s senior medical officer and Kirk’s conscience.
After Star Trek ended, Kelley had a few parts, but mostly retired, save for gatherings, the first six Star Trek movies, and a brief appearance on The Next Generation. He died in 1999.
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James Doohan as Montgomery Scott
He pushed the engines to their limits. And that’s why James Doohan’s chief engineer was the greatest. Doohan, born in 1920 in Canada, worked in radio and T.V. in Canada before moving to the U.S., So it was difficult for him, like several of his co-stars, to find work when Star Trek ended. Aside from reprising Scotty in the show’s feature films, he had other minor parts. He died in July 2005.
Majel Barrett as Christine Chapel
Majel Barrett is a very talented American actress, in addition to her Star Trek cast role. Her most famous Star Trek roles include Nurse Christine Chapel (1966-1969), Lieutenant Lwaxana Troi (1987-1994), and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1993-1999).
As Gene Roddenberry’s second wife from 1921 to 1991, Barrett was dubbed “Star Trek’s First Lady.” The only other actor appears in both the first and final episodes of the original Star Trek (1966) series. The Union Pacific and other railroads used her voice-over work for automated fault monitors. Majel Barrett Roddenberry died of leukemia on December 18, 2008, at 76.
William Shatner as James T. Kirk
The role of James T. Kirk on Star Trek: The Next Generation was made famous by William Shatner, who played the character. It’s hard to believe that an 85-year-old Canadian native, who has worked in a variety of mediums throughout his long career — including film, television, theatre, books, video games, comic books, and music — would say, “What does God need with a starship…captain?”
Wrapping Up
The USS Enterprise’s crew will spend five years exploring space for new life and new civilizations. They provided their technology to Earth so that we may travel faster than light across galaxies. Led by Captain James T. Kirk, the Enterprise is on a scientific mission to research and explore the furthest limits of space.
Unfortunately, it’s not all Vulcans. An aggressive enemy, the Klingons often face the Enterprise’s crew. Kirk’s best friend and confidante are Spock. Mr. Scott is the Enterprise’s transporter engineer.
After three seasons, the series was discontinued due to poor ratings. However, due to the popularity of the series’ most adored episode, the series maintained a loyal fan base (Trekkies) that grew as fast as repeats.
Later, the series became one of the most renowned science-fiction franchises ever.
The good thing is that these series are available online on various streaming platforms, like Paramount+. You can even buy them on DVD or Blu-Ray and watch them at your convenience.
