One aspect of Star Trek that draws in so many fans, no matter the series, is its humor. From fuzzy little creatures that multiply faster than rabbits to characters that make banter their business, the beloved franchise's writers always find ways to inject a bit of comedy into the lives of those who live in the Star Trek universe. Laughter is something we can all share, no matter our differences, so let's rank the four funniest characters that always make us smile.
4. Pavel Chekov (Star Trek: TOS)
When Gene Roddenberry decided to add a "cute boy," who resembled The Monkees' Davy Jones, to season 2 of the original series, we got him in the form of Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig). Not only was he Mr. Spock's protoge, but he also served as navigator and the backup science officer. Bright, curious, and loyal to Captain Kirk, he also had a sassy side.
For example, he mouths off to Apollo in "Who Mourns for Adonais," telling the being if he's a god, then he, Chekov, is, "The czar of all Russias!" When he drinks with Scotty, during "The Trouble with Tribbles," Chekov tells his superior officer that Scotch was "invented by a little old lady from Leningrad." Chekov also thinks he's hysterical, which make his jokes even funnier! Jokes were invented in Russia, by the way (wink wink).
3. Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
People who haven't watched Star Trek: The Next Generation might find it strange that an emotionless android ranks on this list of funniest characters, but I can't imagine one without him. Data (Brent Spiner) is unintentionally funny, and the moments which show that side of him always brings guaranteed laughs!
From trying to wear a "fine, full, dignified" beard and asking Troi and Geordie how he looks when he strokes "the beard, thusly," in "The Schizoid Man," to throwing playing cards over his shoulder when Riker tells him to discard several during a card trick, in "Legacy," Data struggles with idioms and social cues that make him charming in that The Big Bang Theory way.
2. Quark (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
"Oh, Moogie," is there a funnier Star Trek character in any universe than actor Armin Shimerman's Quark? The Ferengi, who owns Quark's Bar on Deep Space Nine, always has something to say and an amusing way to say it. While he's funny enough on his own, like saying his brother, Rom, "couldn't find a cup of water if you dropped him in a lake," during the episode "Invasive Procedures," he really shines in his bantering with Odo.
The Changeling constable is the constant target of his sarcasm, like when he told Odo, "You're not exactly the most lovable person in the galaxy. You're not even the most lovable person in this sector... or on this station... or even in this room," during the episode "His Way." Is it any wonder we "hew-mons" love him?
1. Q (TNG, Voyager, DS9, Picard, Lower Decks)
As a fan of multiple Star Trek series, I cannot imagine any of them without Q (John de Lancie). Irreverent, boastful, arrogant, and all-powerful, Q pops up anywhere, any place, at any time to annoy Starfleet's finest. Of course, his favorite target is Captain Picard, who he torments endlessly, and mostly just for the heck of it.
Q also gives us two of Worf's funniest lines (it's all in the delivery) that cannot go unmentioned. The first is when Q puts Picard and the crew into a Robin Hood universe, during the episode "Qpid," and Worf (Michael Dorn) snaps, "Sir, I protest, I am NOT a merry man!"
The second moment happens in "Deja Q" when the Continuum strips Q of his powers, and he asks the bridge crew what he must do to convince them he's truly human. Worf replies, "Die." Notice Q wasn't too devastated because he clapped back and said, "Oh, very clever, Worf. Eat any good books lately?"
It's hard to imagine anyone but Q at the top of our ranking. Do you agree with our list? Who would you add to our funniest Star Trek characters list? Share your thoughts and comments on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.