You probably instantly recognize Ethan Phillips as Neelix, since he played the lovable alien for the seven seasons of “Star Trek: Voyager.” However, Phillips actually got his start in Star Trek back in 1990, taking the single-episode role of Dr. Farek in an episode of “The Next Generation,” titled, “Menage a Troi.” Phillips must’ve been overjoyed to go from this one-off role to taking on a regularly appearing character, and a popular one at that.
Since leaving Neelix behind, Phillips put a lot of his time into the theater, though he did dabble in films and a few other television roles. Phillips also popped back up in more one-off Star Trek roles, and his voice can be heard in both Star Trek and Star Wars video games (seems he’s happy to bat for both teams).
Robin Curtis as Lt. Saavik
Robin Curtis made her debut in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock." She was cast as a replacement for the late Kirstie Alley, taking over the role of Saavik, the Vulcan Lieutenant. While she received a lukewarm reception from hardcore Trekkies, Curtis reprised her role in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."
Curtis enjoyed a solid career in the dramatic arts, appearing in films, on television, and in theater productions all through the 80s and 90s. By 1999 though, Curtis was ready for a change and retired from acting before seeing in the new millennium. While she still makes appearances at conventions, Curtis shifted her attention to real estate.
Colm Meaney as Miles O’Brien
Meaney’s Star Trek appearance was a brief yet pivotal one. He appeared in the 1987 pilot for "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The episode was titled, “Encounter at Farpoint,” and Meaney’s character had the dashing title of “unnamed helm officer.” While it was a humble kicking-off point, Meaney’s character was given more and more play until he finally won the right to have a real name: Miles O’Brien.
Meaney enjoyed a long run as the transporter chief, sticking it out until 1993, when he jumped ship from "The Next Generation" to take on a more prominent role in the spin-off series, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Meaney stayed loyal to his new show until the last ever episode aired in 1999. By then, his face had become so familiar he had no trouble landing major roles in film and television.
John Rhys-Davies as Leonardo da Vinci
John Rhys-Davies got to enjoy one of the quirkier roles in an already quirky series, playing a holodeck version of Leonardo da Vinci. The talented actor handled this epic role with panache, adding a touch of class to the "Voyager" episodes he appeared in.
Those of you with a keen eye will recognize Rhys-Davies as Gimli, from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He also played Sallah in the "Indiana Jones" films. The actor’s filmography is intimidating, with a ridiculously long list of film, TV, and video game credits to his name. With his distinctive vocal characteristics, Rhys-Davies is a natural at narration and voice work, a field he adores.
Kurtwood Smith as Annorax
For many, Kurtwood Smith’s face is far more synonymous with various refrains on the theme of his foot going into someone’s rear end—all thanks to his role as Red Foreman on the wildly popular series, "That 70s Show." Yet, long before this role brought him international recognition, Kurtwood Smith was popping up in various roles within the Star Trek franchise.
A bit of a sci-fi fan, Smith has also made appearances in "The X-Files" and "Rick & Morty." His CV is a mile long, featuring many major films and TV shows. To some of us though, he will always be the stern, cranky, and hilarious Red Foreman.