Star Trek: Voyager’s Admiral Paris, Richard Herd, has died

Richard Herd as Admiral Owen Paris in Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek actor Richard Herd has died. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Herd’s wife, actor Patricia Crowder Herd, said on Tuesday, May 26th, that he passed away from cancer-related causes at his home in Los Angeles. 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 other roles include Supreme Commander John on the 80s miniseries V, as well as supporting roles in the films All The President’s Men; Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; and many, many others. Herd’s extensive film and television career spanned 5 decades, from 1970 up to just last year.

Herd is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughter Erica, son Rick, and stepdaughter Alicia. Please join me in sending condolences to his family.