In Memoriam: paying tribute to members of the Star Trek family we lost in 2020
(L-R) George Takei as Sulu, Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov, James Doohan as Montgomery Scott, William Shatner as James T. Kirk, DeForest Kelley as Leonard McCoy, Nichelle Nichols as Uhura, and Kirstie Alley as Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
DECEMBER 31, 2020 - 2020 has been a year in which far too many of us have lost far too many people. In this special year-end edition of Daily Star Trek News, please join me in saying goodbye to some of the members of our Star Trek family that we’ve lost this year.
John Winston as Lt. Kyle in Star Trek
John Winston, Star Trek’s transporter chief Lt. Kyle
October 24, 1927 – September 19, 2019
First up, someone we lost last year that was announced in June. Recurring Star Trek actor John Winston passed away on September 19th, 2019, at the age of 91.
Winston was known to Star Trek fans as Lt. Kyle in The Original Series, when he primarily served as transporter chief. Kyle was promoted to Commander for his appearance in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, where he served under Captain Terrell aboard the U.S.S. Reliant.
Outside of Star Trek, John Winston had a number of television appearances. His credits include The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Time Tunnel, Charlie’s Angels and Max Headroom.
Image courtesy Art Directors Guild
Star Trek and Blade Runner concept artist Syd Mead
July 18, 1933 – December 30, 2019
Another person we lost right at the end of last year: legendary concept artist and self-proclaimed “visual futurist” Syd Mead passed away on December 30th, 2019, of complications from lymphoma. He was 89.
Star Trek fans will know Mead as the artist who designed the exterior of V’ger for 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture. In addition to his work on Star Trek, he was also known for his iconic work on Blade Runner, Tron and Aliens, as well as the 1980s robot comedy Short Circuit (he designed Johnny Number 5).
President of the Art Directors Guild, Nelson Coates, said of Mead’s passing, “His pivotal role in shaping cinema was unique, with a singular ability to visualize the future. As one of the most influential conceptual artists of our time, his visions and illustrations of future technological worlds will remain as a testament to his vast imagination.”
Marj Dusay as Kara in Star Trek “Spock’s Brain”
Soap star and Star Trek actor Marj Dusay
February 20, 1936 – January 28, 2020
On January 28th, actor Marj Dusay passed away. She was 83.
Dusay was only in one episode of Star Trek, but it was a doozy: she played Kara in the Original Series season three opener, “Spock’s Brain”. Outside of Star Trek, Dusay had an extensive career in television, including notable roles in the soap operas Santa Barbara, Days of Our Lives, All My Children, and The Guiding Light.
Image Michael Okuda on Twitter
Star Trek cinematographer Douglas Knapp
August 5, 1949 – February 3, 2020
On February 3rd, Star Trek cinematographer Douglas Knapp passed away at the age of 70.
Knapp was a well-known camera operator in Hollywood who worked on two Star Trek series: he spent seven years on Star Trek: Voyager and four on Star Trek: Enterprise, with more than 200 combined credits between the two.
Outside of Star Trek, Knapp was known for his camera work on the hit series Murphy Brown starring Candice Bergen, for his camera work on films such as Escape from New York and Beetlejuice, and for his film collaborations with directors John Carpenter and Tim Burton.
Kevin Conway as Kahless in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Actor Kevin Conway, Star Trek’s Kahless
May 29, 1942 – February 5, 2020
On February 5th, Star Trek actor Kevin Conway passed away from a heart attack. He was 77.
Conway portrayed the clone of Kahless in the Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6 episode, “Rightful Heir”. While Conway himself never reprised his role in Star Trek, his character was nonetheless pivotal and was referred to several times in Deep Space Nine.
Outside of Star Trek, Conway had a film, television and stage career that spanned decades. His first on-screen role was as Roland Weary in 1972’s Slaughterhouse Five. One of his most memorable roles was Sgt. Buster Kilrain in 1993’s epic Gettysburg, a role he reprised in 2003’s follow-up, Gods and Generals.
An early convention. Image credit unknown
Elyse Rosenstein, early Star Trek convention organizer
1951 - February 20, 2020
On February 20th, Elyse Rosenstein, one of the organizers of the first Star Trek convention, passed away at the age of 69. In addition to being part of the organizing committee for the first Star Trek convention in 1972, she also co-ran Nova Enterprises, which sold Trek-related merchandise.
Outside of Star Trek, Rosenstein was a scientist and spent more than two decades teaching science.
Gene Dynarski as Ben Childress in the Star Trek episode “Mudd’s Women”
Prolific character actor and Star Trek guest star Gene Dynarski
September 13, 1933 – February 27, 2020
On February 27th, prolific character actor and Star Trek guest star Gene Dynarski passed away at the age of 86.
In Star Trek, Dynarski played three guest characters: miner Ben Childress in the Original Series episode “Mudd’s Women”, Krodak in the episode “The Mark of Gideon”, and Commander Quinteros in the Next Generation episode “11001001”.
Outside of Star Trek, Dynarski was an accomplished actor with credits spanning 50 years. He had guest turns on Mission Impossible, Bonanza, Starsky and Hutch, Little House on the Prairie, and even Seinfeld and The X-Files.
Star Trek: The Animated Series “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth”
David Wise, writer of Emmy-winning Star Trek: The Animated Series episode
February 1, 1955 – March 3, 2020
On March 3rd, respected television animation writer David Wise, who wrote the Emmy-winning Star Trek: The Animated Series episode “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth”, passed away from lung cancer.
Outside of Star Trek, Wise was known for his numerous credits as a television animation writer. Among his work are episodes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Transformers, Chip N’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Michael Keenan as Maturin in Star Trek: The Next Generation “Sub Rosa” with Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard
Picket Fences actor and Star Trek guest star Michael Keenan
December 12, 1939 – April 30, 2020
On April 30th, Star Trek guest star Michael Keenan passed away from natural causes at the age of 80.
Keenan held guest roles in three different Star Trek series. He played Maturin, the leader of Caldos colony in the controversial Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Sub Rosa”. He also played a holodeck version of legendary Danish king Hrothgar in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Heroes and Demons”, and the childlike man Patrick in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes “Statistical Probabilities” and “Chrysalis”.
Outside of Star Trek, Keenan was best known for playing Mayor Bill Pugen in the TV series Picket Fences. However, in his lengthy television career he also held roles in Starsky and Hutch, Quincy M.E., Hill Street Blues, and Dallas, among many, many others. Keenan was also a faculty member at the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, where he taught and directed for more than 25 years.
David Bridel, dean of the USC School of Dramatic Arts, said of Keenan, “With his inimitable combination of technical brilliance, artistic perception, and dry wit, Michael Keenan inspired legions of students as a studio teacher and, perhaps most poignantly, as a stage director. [...] His kindness, wisdom, humility and loyalty will long be remembered among his colleagues and collaborators. He was, quite simply, a wonderful man.”
Richard Herd as Admiral Owen Paris in Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager’s Admiral Paris, Richard Herd
September 26, 1932 – May 26, 2020
On May 26th, Star Trek actor Richard Herd passed away from cancer-related causes. He was 87.
Star Trek fans will best know Herd for his role as Admiral Owen Paris in Star Trek: Voyager, father of Tom Paris, played by Robert Duncan McNeill. He also earlier played the role of the Klingon L’Kor in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes “Birthright, Part I” and “Birthright, Part II”. He was also a founding member of The Enterprise Blues Band, with fellow Trek alumni Vaughn Armstrong, Casey Biggs and Steve Rankin.
Outside of Star Trek, Herd was probably best known for his role as Mr. Wilhelm on Seinfeld. He also played William Shatner’s boss, Captain Sheridan, on T.J. Hooker. Herd’s extensive film and television career spanned 5 decades, from 1970 up to just last year.
Anthony James (right) as Romulan Subcommander Thei in Star Trek: The Next Generation“The Neutral Zone”
Anthony James, character actor from In The Heat of the Night and Star Trek
July 22, 1942 - May 26, 2020
Also on May 26th, Star Trek guest star Anthony James passed away from cancer at the age of 77.
James is known to Star Trek fans as the Romulan Subcommander from the Star Trek: The Next Generation season one finale, “The Neutral Zone”. That episode was significant because it was the first time we saw Romulans in TNG, and it set the scene for their role in the series from that point on.
Outside of Star Trek, James was known as a character actor with a distinctive appearance. His 6’6” lanky frame made him instantly recognizable on film. His lengthy acting career was bookended by appearances in two best picture Oscar winners: 1967’s In the Heat of the Night, and 1992’s Unforgiven.
Mel Winkler as Jack Hayes in Star Trek: Voyager “The 37’s”
Mel Winkler, Devil in a Blue Dress actor and Star Trek: Voyager’s Jack Hayes
October 23, 1941 – June 11, 2020
On June 11th, noted character and voice actor Mel Winkler passed away at the age of 78.
Star Trek fans will remember Winkler as Jack Hayes, a 20th century Earth farmer who featured in the Star Trek: Voyager season two episode “The 37’s”.
Outside of Star Trek, Winkler was a prolific character actor best known for his roles as Melvin in Doc Hollywood (1991) and Joppy in Devil in a Blue Dress (1995). He was also a voice actor known for voicing Aku Aku in the Crash Bandicoot video game series and Lucius Fox from The WB’s The New Batman Adventures.
A spokesperson for Winkler’s family, Courtney Benson, called him “a consummate professional [who was] always willing to share his knowledge and wisdom on any given subject. His infectious smile and love for family will forever be missed. He was a giant among many.”
Galyn Görg as Korena in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Two-time Star Trek guest actor Galyn Görg, known for M.A.N.T.I.S. and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
July 15, 1964 – July 14, 2020
On July 14th, actor Galyn Görg, an actor and dancer who appeared twice in Star Trek, passed away from cancer at the age of 55.
In Star Trek, Görg first appeared as Korena in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season four episode, “The Visitor”. She then returned in Star Trek: Voyager season three as the Ilari Nori in the episode “Warlord”.
Outside of Star Trek, Görg was known for parts in RoboCop 2 and Point Break, as well as for the role of Lt. Leora Maxwell in the main cast of mid-90s superhero series M.A.N.T.I.S. She was also known for her guest role as boxing instructor Helena in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, in which she memorably knocked out Will Smith.
Maurice Roëves as Romulan Commander in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek guest actor Maurice Roëves, known for The Last of the Mohicans and Judge Dredd
March 19, 1937 – July 14, 2020
Also on July 14th, Star Trek: The Next Generation guest star Maurice Roëves passed away at the age of 83.
Star Trek fans will know Roëves from his role as the Romulan Commander in the Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6 episode, “The Chase”. Roëves’ role was particularly memorable for his line near the end of the episode, speaking to Captain Picard, “It would seem that we are not completely dissimilar after all, in our hopes, or in our fears.”
Outside of Star Trek, Roëves was a prolific actor, known for his roles as Col. Munro in 1992’s The Last of the Mohicans, and as Miller in 1995’s Judge Dredd, among many others.
Sarek (Ben Cross) in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009)
Actor Ben Cross, star of Chariots of Fire and Star Trek (2009)
December 16, 1947 – August 18, 2020
On August 18th, the Kelvin Timeline’s Sarek, actor Ben Cross, passed away after a short illness at the age of 72.
Star Trek fans will best know Cross as the actor who played Spock’s father Sarek in J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot. While he played a seminal character for the Star Trek franchise, the role of Sarek was merely one point in Cross’ extended and laudable acting career, which spanned five decades.
Cross was born in England in 1947, and studied at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts before embarking on a stage career. In 1977, he made his film debut in the World War II epic A Bridge Too Far. Cross is perhaps best known for his leading role as Harold Abrahams in the Academy Award-winning Chariots of Fire, but he also had memorable roles in films such as First Knight with Sean Connery and Richard Gere, and TV series such as the 1991 reboot of Dark Shadows.
Susan Oliver as Vina in Star Trek “The Cage”. Still taken from the credits of Star Trek “Where No Man Has Gone Before”
Herbert F. Solow, the man who commissioned Star Trek from Gene Roddenberry
December 14, 1930 – November 19, 2020
On November 19th, Herbert F. Solow, the TV executive who helped develop Star Trek and commissioned it for television, passed away of natural causes at the age of 89.
Solow was the Vice President of Production for Desilu Studios in 1964, when he signed Gene Roddenberry to a development deal for Star Trek. In an interview with the BBC in 2009, he described some of the changes to Gene’s original idea that he helped develop, including the idea of Starfleet, the captain’s logs, and more. “Gene had a great idea,” Solow said. “He didn’t have a salable idea until we developed the pilot.”
Outside of Star Trek, Solow is known for the development and production of Mission: Impossible and The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, as well as the Elvis Presley documentary, Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, among many other projects. He was also a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Jr. as Kraang in Star Trek: Enterprise “Broken Bow”
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Star Trek: Enterprise guest star
June 24, 1958 – December 10, 2020
On December 10th, actor Tommy Lister (known commonly as “Tiny”) passed away at the age of 62.
Lister was known to Star Trek fans as the Klingon Klaang in the pilot episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, “Broken Bow”. Outside of Star Trek, he had an extensive career in films, including his role as Deebo in the Friday movies, and as the Galactic President in The Fifth Element.
Lister’s agent Cindy Cowan said in a statement, “He was a wonderful guy with a heart of gold. Everyone loved him. A real gentle giant. We’re all devastated.”
Author Dave Galanter and books he wrote. Images Amazon, Simon & Schuster
Star Trek novelist Dave Galanter
December 1, 1969 - December 12, 2020
And last but very much not least, on December 12th, Star Trek novelist Dave Galanter passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 51.
Star Trek fans know Galanter most recently as the author of the Lt. Stamets-focused Star Trek: Discovery novel Dead Endless, but he also wrote several others, across several Trek series. He also wrote several short stories, which were compiled in books such as Tales of the Dominion War.
Back in November, we brought you news that Galanter had gone public with his cancer diagnosis, revealing that it was late-stage and that his doctor had given him months to live. At the time, he said, “I am loathe to spend my final days morose. What a waste of precious time that would be. Instead, I intend to spend these last months in as much joy as possible, and as often as I can with those I love.”
“I am loathe to spend my final days morose. What a waste of precious time that would be. Instead, I intend to spend these last months in as much joy as possible, and as often as I can with those I love.”
