When it comes to Star Trek, there are actors associated with the franchise that are so synonymous with their series and the contributions they've made that they are now Trek icons. Their courage, philanthropy, humor, and kindness are well known among fans and those who enjoy their work outside Star Trek, so let's rank the franchise's actors that have become true icons.
5. George Takei
George Takei, now one of three living cast members remaining from Star Trek: The Original Series, (along with Walter Koenig and William Shatner), continues to add to his legacy, despite the challenges that come with age. Just recently, he announced he'd be leading Banned Books Week as the event's honorary chairman, continuing the philanthropic work he's always involved himself in.
On Star Trek, he took the role of Hikaru Sulu and made it his own, inspiring young Asian-American actors and changing the face of previous television stereotypes, where such actors were cast as house servants or camp cooks, often with exaggerated accents. Mr. Sulu eventually earned a captain's rank and his own starship (USS Excelsior), making him a Starfleet legend and teaching us fans that hard work, commitment, and integrity are keys to success!
4. John de Lancie
Humorous, kind, and wildly talented, John de Lancie's Star Trek legacy can be summed up with one letter: Q. It's difficult to imagine anyone playing that nearly omnipotent meddler and Captain Picard's frenemy, and there's no doubt he captured our hearts during his multiple appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The wit and sharp humor he brought to Q, along with the chemistry he created with Patrick Stewart, make him a definite icon! De Lancie even wrote a book about Q called I, Q, along with the late, great Trek writer Peter David.
3. Patrick Stewart
It's difficult to think of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television show and its movies without immediately thinking of Patrick Stewart. This gifted actor has shared his talents on both stage and screen, even lending his rich voice to animated series like American Dad and Family Guy. Even TV viewers who aren't Trekkies know Stewart's name and face, and we fans especially appreciate his work on TNG as Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise-D.
Stewart recently published an autobiography entitled Making It So, a play on Picard's famous order to "make it so!" as a way of executing one of his commands. Now, be honest, you heard him say those words in your mind as you read that, didn't you? Only an icon could create a catchphrase that other shows still reference today.
2. Leonard Nimoy
While others have played the venerable Vulcan in movies and in recent Star Trek television shows, no other actor embodies Mr. Spock like the late Leonard Nimoy. Much missed since his death in 2015, Nimoy took an alien character and made it his own, creating layer after layer of personality, mostly through the filter of Vulcan nuance. He was the unquestioned hero of millions of kids who felt alone or different and was the epitome of kindness to his peers and fans. Without him, we wouldn't have the Vulcan salute or the Vulcan neck pinch, both of which he created.
1. William Shatner
Some icons never die, and William Shatner is certainly proving that. At 94, the very face of Star Trek is still involved with the franchise, the fandom, and even social media. Shatner lets everyone know what he thinks, but fans still adore him despite rumors and tales of fan meet-and-greets gone wrong.
I don't know if this story is true, but my favorite tale is from a fan who asked Shatner for an autograph. The actor told him sure, and that he'd grab a pen from his car. Instead, he allegedly got in and drove away.
Despite his faults, Shatner will forever be a Star Trek icon because without him, we wouldn't have Captain Kirk, Admiral Kirk, or his dedication to the franchise, not to mention Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. What? Don't look at me like that!
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