Connor Trinneer as Commander Charles ‘Trip’ Tucker III
It may shock dedicated Star Trek fans to know that, when Connor Trinneer first auditioned for a role on the show, he had barely a clue what it was about or how big it was in the sci-fi world. At the time, Trinneer didn’t consider himself a sci-fi fan and was really just after whatever work he could get.
While this may sound sacrilegious to some, rest assured, Trinneer became an instant fan the moment he was exposed to sci-fi. By way of proof, Trinneer was nominated in the best supporting actor category at the Saturn Awards, and has since appeared in the popular series, “Stargate Atlantis.”
Jonathan Frakes as William T. Riker
Jonathan Frakes holds the honor of having appeared in not one but four different Star Trek series: "The Next Generation," "Deep Space Nine," "Voyager," and "Enterprise." Only one other regular cast member can make the same claim (do you remember who?) Frakes is no day-tripper to the world of sci-fi, and his role in Star Trek was more than just a job to him.
From an early age, Frakes was into the sci-fi scene, working at conventions and appearing as various costumed characters. In addition to acting, Frakes also directed many episodes of Star Trek. Since leaving the show, he’s continued his directorial career and also penned a novel titled, "The Abductors: Conspiracy."
Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine
Seven of Nine was a fascinating character who popped up in "Star Trek: Voyager" and stole every scene she was in. Her full Borg title was “Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One” but she had once been Annika Hansen, before her Borg assimilation.
The actress who took on the role, Jeri Ryan, did such a stellar job, she was nominated for four Saturn Awards. In 2001, she finally snagged a win, taking out the best actress award for her portrayal of the Borg. Since leaving Star Trek, Ryan has enjoyed success in the land of television, most recently appearing in "Bosch" and "Arrow."
Garret Wang as Ensign Harry Kim
From 1995 to 2001, Garrett Wang brought to our screens the adorably naive, yet undeniably gifted, Ensign Harry Kim. Wang had grown up watching and loving the films, so was excited to audition. When he finally realized how epic the series was, after landing his role, Wang was relieved at how the timeline of events had gone down.
Now a dedicated Star Trek fan as well as a cast member, Wang pops up regularly at conventions and even appeared in "Star Trek: Of Gods and Men," a fan-produced mini-series that came out in 2007. Wang was also involved in the creation of the MMORPG, "Star Trek: Online."
Ricardo Montalban as Khan Noonien Singh
Make way for everyone’s favorite villain: Khan Noonien Singh. Appearing in the original Star Trek series and, of course, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," this guy was a pivotal part of Captain Kirk’s world. Khan was originally played by Mexican actor, Ricardo Montalban. The man was a fitness buff who worked out regularly, and it certainly showed!
Montalban had a long and prosperous career beyond Star Trek, spending a good seven of his decades on Earth entertaining us with performances in comedy films, crime shows, dramas, and even musicals. He was an absolute fan favorite and, while he lived a long and happy life, his passing in 2009 (at the age of 88) was mourned by many. As for his character, Khan lives on, taking the form of Benedict Cumberbatch in the 2013 movie, "Star Trek: Into Darkness."