Garrett Wang was the longest running ensign on Star Trek: Voyager
Garrett Wang portrayed Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager for seven seasons without one promotion. It wasn’t like he didn’t deserve to be promoted or there were no opportunities for advancement. Lt. Tom Paris was demoted to ensign and repromoted to lieutenant all while Kim never even got close to a promotion. Wang told StarTrek.com that he asked about his character being promoted and was told someone had to be the ensign which sealed his fate.
And while the situation may have irritated Wang during Voyager’s seasons, the good-natured actor has embraced the status of his former character, playing up the forever ensign angle. He even launched a website, unsurprisingly called foreverensign.com, to sell merchandise, autographs, and private video requests.
Garrett Wang’s fans were enthusiastic about the release of his website
Wang announced on Twitter in May that he’d launched his own site after being told for years that he needed a presence on the internet. And his followers whole-heartedly approved with many of them asking questions about the merchandise and putting in special requests.
For years, I have brought t-shirts with me to sell at conventions. Fans have always told me that I should have an online presence. Well...here ya go people! https://t.co/l40fED6fiN
— Garrett Wang (@GarrettRWang) May 4, 2021
Wang is one of the most down-to-earth Star Trek alums, interacting with his followers and fans, and never failing to wish the best for his co-stars and other Star Trek actors. And though he hung up his uniform as Ensign Harry Kim back in 2001 after 172 episodes, he remains as dedicated and loyal as that character.
He and Voyager co-star Robert Duncan McNeill host The Delta Flyers podcast where a Voyager episode is discussed each week and both Wang and McNeill offer details and insights as well as behind-the-scenes information not previously released. It’s just another way of staying connected to this world that Wang became of a part of in 1995. Though his character never received a promotion on the series, Wang has proven that even an ensign can take control of his destiny.