Though he was best known for his public relations work, his few acting gigs included two appearances in the Star Trek universe. Hollywood film publicist, independent film producer, and occasional actor Mickey Cottrell has died after suffering from Parkinson’s disease at the age of 79.

According to Deadline, Cottrell was born in Springfield, Illinois and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. After attending the University of Arkansas, he embarked on a thirty-year career in film and public relations, representing films with a focus on the independents. He championed filmmakers such as Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm) and produced independent films such as, most recently, Perfect Cowboy.  

Among his 36 acting credits (according to IMDB) are his roles as Alrik in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s season five episode, “The Perfect Mate” and as Dumah in Star Trek: Voyager’s season four episode, “The Raven.”

Cottrell’s sister, Suzie Cottrell-Smith, said, “He was the most fun brother ever,” and a colleague at Cottrell’s firm Inclusive PR said that Cottrell “was an artist first and he taught me that, at its best, publicity is about pure enthusiasm and joy and that it can be a vital part of a broader creative process rather than merely a necessary lubricant in the sales process. RIP to the Wizard.”

Please join us in offering our condolences to the friends and family of Mickey Cottrell, and for more on his life and legacy, head over to Deadline.