9 Star Trek Guest Stars Who Became Hollywood Legends
A look back at nine guest stars from "Star Trek" whose brief appearances on the classic series gave early glimpses of the talent that would later make them Hollywood legends.
Television in the late 1960s was not known for giving science fiction a fair chance to shine. Most shows played it safe with westerns, police work, or family comedy.
Yet on Thursday nights, viewers found themselves aboard a starship moving through colorful alien skies. For three seasons, it carried not just a loyal audience but also an unusual mix of actors who gave its adventures weight and texture.
Rewatching those old episodes today brings small shocks of recognition. In the middle of a story about galactic intrigue or temporal paradox, a face will suddenly stand out, one that later became a fixture on movie screens and in prime-time schedules.
The performances remain brief, sometimes just a single hour of television, yet the mark they left endures. What once seemed like a passing appearance now reads as the beginning of something much larger.
The Guest Stars
Ricardo Montalbán – “Space Seed”
When he appeared as Khan Noonien Singh in “Space Seed,” Ricardo Montalbán already had a reputation as a strong character actor. Yet his calculating performance as a genetically engineered tyrant gave the series one of its most memorable villains.
Years later, he returned in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” transforming a guest role into legend. Outside the franchise, he won wide fame with “Fantasy Island,” proving his range as both charming host and commanding presence.
Joan Collins – “The City on the Edge of Forever”
In the much-praised “The City on the Edge of Forever,” Joan Collins played Edith Keeler, the compassionate social worker fated to die for history to stay on course.
Her role added unexpected tenderness to an otherwise grim tale of sacrifice. Though a single-episode appearance, it showed her ability to balance warmth with dramatic tension. By the 1980s, she became a household name through “Dynasty,” turning her into one of television’s most recognizable figures.
Teri Garr – “Assignment: Earth”
Before comedy made her a star, Teri Garr turned up in “Assignment: Earth” as Roberta Lincoln, the secretary caught between a secret agent and the crew of the Enterprise.
Though the episode doubled as a backdoor pilot, Garr’s bright and skeptical performance stood out. She later won acclaim in “Young Frankenstein,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and “Tootsie,” building a career that showcased both wit and versatility. Her brief time in the transporter room was an early stepping stone.
Kirstie Alley – “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”
Long before “Cheers,” Kirstie Alley was introduced to audiences as Saavik, the Vulcan cadet aboard the Enterprise in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
Balancing poise with uncertainty, her performance captured the challenge of youth in a tradition-bound culture. Though she did not reprise the role in later films, the part established her screen presence. With “Cheers,” she cemented herself as one of the major sitcom stars of the 1980s and 1990s.
Mark Lenard – “Balance of Terror” and later Sarek
Mark Lenard first played the Romulan commander in “Balance of Terror,” bringing dignity to an adversary who was more soldier than villain. He returned later as Sarek, Spock’s father, and added depth to the franchise with his calm, authoritative presence.
Beyond “Star Trek,” Lenard enjoyed a long career across television and film, but his performances in the series remain touchstones. His characters carried the gravitas of a seasoned actor who gave science fiction uncommon seriousness.
Kim Cattrall – “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”
As Lieutenant Valeris in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” Kim Cattrall portrayed a Vulcan torn between loyalty and ideology. The role placed her at the center of political intrigue within the Federation, and her measured performance gave the film added weight.
Later, she found broad success with movies like “Police Academy” and “Mannequin,” showing a talent for lighter fare. Her career demonstrated the versatility of an actress who moved easily between science fiction and mainstream entertainment.
Jeffrey Hunter – “The Cage”
Jeffrey Hunter took the captain’s chair in “The Cage,” the unaired pilot that later found new life as part of “The Menagerie.” His portrayal of Captain Christopher Pike suggested a more solemn and reflective series than what followed.
Though already a known actor with credits like “The Searchers” and “King of Kings,” his connection to “Star Trek” gave his career a lasting footnote in science fiction. He remained a respected figure in Hollywood until his untimely death.
Jane Wyatt – “Journey to Babel”
When Jane Wyatt appeared as Amanda, Spock’s human mother, in “Journey to Babel,” she brought warmth and restraint to a family drama set against interstellar politics.
Best known for “Father Knows Best,” Wyatt was already established in Hollywood. Her appearance on “Star Trek” offered a reminder of her range, blending maternal grace with the tension of cultural conflict. She reprised the role in later films, securing Amanda’s place as a cornerstone of the franchise’s lore.
Clint Howard – “The Corbomite Maneuver”
In “The Corbomite Maneuver,” a very young Clint Howard played Balok, the alien childlike commander who tested the Enterprise crew. His unusual look and performance left a lasting impression on viewers. Though only a boy at the time, Howard went on to become one of Hollywood’s most prolific character actors. From dramas to comedies, he turned up in every corner of film and television, yet fans always remember his early role among the stars.
Star Trek as a Career Launchpad
Network television in the 1960s was a crowded field, but "Star Trek" carved out a space where unusual talent could flourish. The series drew actors who were willing to engage with moral dilemmas, futuristic settings, and scripts that often required a mix of gravitas and imagination. For many, it was a proving ground that demonstrated versatility in front of a national audience. The mix of science fiction and human drama gave performers a chance to show qualities rarely asked of them elsewhere.
Guest appearances also carried practical weight. Actors who stepped aboard the Enterprise gained exposure in syndication, where episodes played endlessly in the years that followed. This repeat visibility kept faces familiar, sometimes for decades, long after the original broadcast had aired. The enduring popularity of the show instead reinforced careers that might have slipped into obscurity. In that way, "Star Trek" functioned as both an artistic and commercial springboard.
The show also offered a sense of legitimacy for science fiction performers. Unlike many productions of the time, "Star Trek" treated its stories seriously, and that seriousness extended to the way it showcased its actors. The gravity of a Romulan commander or the pathos of a doomed social worker provided depth that critics could not ignore. When these performers later found larger fame, their time on the series stood as proof that they had already faced demanding material.
The Cultural Legacy of These Guest Stars
Looking back, the guest stars of "Star Trek" offer more than nostalgia. They serve as living proof that science fiction television was never just a niche corner of the medium.
The series introduced audiences to actors who would later dominate screens large and small, tying the fortunes of a cult show to the broader story of Hollywood. When fans revisit these episodes, they see the origins of careers that shaped entire decades of entertainment.
Their presence also highlights the show’s unusual ability to bridge genres. A performer known for romantic drama or comedy could step into the futuristic setting of the Enterprise and emerge with a role that audiences still recall.
These appearances now play like hidden treasures, glimpses of the moment before recognition arrived. The fact that so many of these actors went on to enduring fame only strengthens the legend of the program itself.
From Guest Spots to Stardom
The history of "Star Trek" is often told through its bold ideas and recurring characters, but its guest stars carry a story of their own. For many, those single appearances were stepping stones that led to long careers in front of audiences who never forgot them. The bridge of the Enterprise became a crossroads where science fiction met the broader world of Hollywood.
Watching these episodes now, one cannot help but see both the promise of youth and the craft of experience. The faces that once flickered briefly across a weekly broadcast went on to define eras of television and film. "Star Trek" provided them with a stage, and they, in turn, delivered performances that still resonate. In their journeys from guest spots to stardom, we are reminded of how lasting the show’s influence remains.