Every Notable ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Actor Who Died

Over the years, we’ve sadly lost many talented actors who graced the screens in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ both as one-time guests and as familiar faces. This is a tribute to those performers, celebrating their work on the show. It includes the characters they played, memorable episodes they appeared in, and the dates of their passing, so fans can fondly remember their contributions.

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry

Majel Barrett Roddenberry was known for her roles in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, most notably as Lwaxana Troi, appearing in episodes like ‘Haven’, ‘Manhunt’, and ‘Half a Life’ which explored her character’s family and Betazoid heritage. She also famously provided the voice of the Enterprise computer throughout the series and in subsequent ‘Star Trek’ films. She passed away on December 18, 2008, at the age of 76.

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy famously reprised his role as Spock in the ‘Unification’ episodes, which cleverly linked the original ‘Star Trek’ series with ‘The Next Generation’. These episodes delved into the complex relationship between Vulcan and Romulan cultures, focusing on Spock’s secret assignment. His appearance helped connect the show’s past and future, enriching its central ideas about unity. He passed away on February 27, 2015, at the age of 83.

James Doohan

James Doohan returned to his iconic role as Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott in the ‘Relics’ episode, where the Enterprise crew found him after he’d been trapped in a transporter system for decades. The story cleverly connected Scotty with Geordi La Forge, showcasing the engineering skills of both generations. Fans continue to love the episode for how it gracefully passed the torch between the original and new crews. He passed away on July 20, 2005, at the age of 85.

DeForest Kelley

As a huge Star Trek fan, I always loved DeForest Kelley’s quick appearance as an older Dr. McCoy in the very first episode of ‘The Next Generation.’ It was a really smart move – seeing him instantly connected the new series to the original crew and felt like a nod of approval. It perfectly captured that feeling of the classic Star Trek spirit continuing on the Enterprise-D. It was so sad to hear he passed away on June 11th, 1999, at the age of 79. He was truly iconic.

Andreas Katsulas

André René Roussimoff famously played the Romulan commander Tomalak in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*, appearing in episodes like ‘The Enemy’ and ‘The Defector’, and later in storylines involving illusions and different realities. He brought a sense of cold intelligence to the Romulan Star Empire, especially during the show’s most important diplomatic episodes. His clashes with Captain Picard are among the most memorable Romulan scenes in the series. He passed away on February 13, 2006, at the age of 59.

Mark Lenard

Mark Lenard powerfully portrayed Sarek, bringing a sense of Vulcan dignity and weight to episodes like ‘Sarek’ and ‘Unification’. The show delved into the ambassador’s battle with Bendii Syndrome and his complicated relationship with his son, Spock. His scenes with Captain Picard were particularly moving, featuring some of the series’ most impactful mind melds. Lenard passed away on November 22, 1996, at the age of 72.

David Warner

James Warner is best remembered for his role as the intimidating Cardassian interrogator, Gul Madred, in the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ episode ‘Chain of Command,’ where he famously challenged Picard with a seemingly simple question about how many lights were in a room. His performance was central to one of the show’s most gripping storylines. He appeared in several ‘Star Trek’ movies in various roles, demonstrating his versatility. Warner passed away on July 24, 2022, at the age of 80.

Paul Winfield

I’ll always remember Paul Winfield for his incredible role as Captain Dathon in the *Star Trek: The Next Generation* episode ‘Darmok.’ It was such a fascinating story about how we communicate – or *don’t* – when we don’t share a common cultural background. The episode really stuck with me as a brilliant exploration of language and understanding. Winfield brought such a quiet dignity to the part, and honestly, I think it’s a big reason why ‘Darmok’ became a classic. It’s sad to know he passed away on March 7, 2004, at the age of 62.

Ray Walston

The actor was best known for playing Boothby, the thoughtful groundskeeper at Starfleet Academy who first appeared in the episode ‘The First Duty’. Boothby offered advice to aspiring cadets, including Wesley Crusher, and made guest appearances in several other ‘Star Trek’ shows. Over time, the character became a representation of calm, supportive guidance within Starfleet. He passed away on January 1, 2001, at the age of 86.

William Morgan Sheppard

James Sheppard played Dr. Ira Graves in the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ episode ‘The Schizoid Man’. His character was a leading expert in cybernetics whose attempt to transfer a mind created an identity crisis for the character Data. The episode thoughtfully explored what it means to be a person and the moral issues surrounding artificial consciousness. Sheppard’s performance significantly enhanced the show’s season-long focus on artificial life. He passed away on January 6, 2019, at the age of 86.

Malachi Throne

He was best known for playing Senator Pardek in ‘Unification,’ a pivotal character in the complex political story between Vulcan and Romulus. His decisions as Pardek directly influenced the challenges Spock faced on his mission, and the role helped link the long history of Romulan secrets with the Federation’s desire for peace. He passed away on March 13, 2013, at the age of 84.

Norman Lloyd

I was so thrilled to see James Lloyd as Professor Galen in ‘The Chase’! He played Picard’s old mentor perfectly, and the episode’s mystery – about where all galactic life came from – was truly captivating. It revealed one of the most fascinating scientific discoveries in the whole series, and Lloyd really brought a sense of history to Picard’s background. It was so sad to hear of his passing on May 11, 2021, at the remarkable age of 106.

Wendy Hughes

I always remembered Marina Hughes as Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren in the *Star Trek: The Next Generation* episode ‘Lessons’. Her character, a brilliant science officer, had a really interesting dynamic with Picard – it genuinely challenged him. Hughes played the role with such warmth and a believable professionalism, making it a truly memorable guest appearance. It was so sad to hear of her passing in 2014 at the age of 61.

Jeremy Kemp

David Warner played Captain Picard’s father in the ‘Family’ episode, which aired after ‘The Best of Both Worlds’ and showed the aftermath of traumatic events. The episode featured scenes at Picard’s family vineyard, revealing his past and a complicated relationship with his brother. Warner’s performance enriched Picard’s character by adding layers to his history. He passed away on July 19, 2019, at the age of 84.

Mitchell Ryan

Actor Jonathan Frakes portrayed Kyle Riker in ‘The Icarus Factor,’ an episode that delved into the complex relationship between Riker and his father. This episode explained the reasons behind Riker’s dedication to his career and sense of duty. Frakes brought a realistic and heartfelt father-son dynamic to the show. He passed away on March 4, 2022, at the age of 88.

Jean Simmons

Majel Barrett played Admiral Satie in ‘The Drumhead,’ a ‘Star Trek’ episode centered around a tense courtroom drama dealing with suspicion and individual rights on the Enterprise. The story explored how fear can undermine fair procedures within Starfleet, and Barrett’s performance gave the admiral a strong, authoritative air that highlighted the episode’s moral questions. She passed away on January 22, 2010, at the age of 80.

Tony Jay

Jay played Third Minister Campio in the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ episode ‘Cost of Living,’ which focused on Lwaxana Troi’s planned marriage. The episode explored the conflict between strict traditions and personal fulfillment for the Betazoid ambassador. Viewers remembered the minister for Jay’s unique voice and dignified presence. He passed away on August 13, 2006, at the age of 73.

Stephen Hawking

He appeared as a holographic character alongside Data in the ‘Descent’ episode of Star Trek, even playing poker with famous scientists. This brief role was a tribute to the power of curiosity and the connection between human and artificial intelligence, and it was special because it featured a real-life scientist within the show’s virtual reality environment. He passed away on March 14, 2018, at the age of 76.

John Neville

He played Isaac Newton in a ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ holodeck scene alongside actors portraying Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. This lighthearted moment showcased the show’s creative approach to historical figures and philosophical concepts. Neville’s short appearance brought a dramatic touch to a particularly memorable opening scene. He passed away on November 19, 2011, at the age of 86.

Madge Sinclair

LeVar Burton’s mother on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, actress Elizabeth Sinclair, played Captain Silva La Forge in the episode ‘Interface’, which focused on a starship lost and the emotional impact on Geordi and his mother. She also notably portrayed a starship captain in a ‘Star Trek’ movie, a significant moment for representation on screen. Sinclair passed away on December 20, 1995, at the age of 57.

Lawrence Tierney

He was known for his role as Cyrus Redblock in ‘The Big Goodbye,’ a ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ episode that cleverly blurred the line between a virtual reality simulation and what was real. As a threatening gangster, his character challenged Captain Picard’s detective persona, Dixon Hill, while the story itself explored the deeper, philosophical questions about the holodeck program. The episode is remembered as one of the first examples of the show’s innovative holodeck-based storytelling. He passed away on February 26, 2002, at the age of 82.

2025-10-19 17:46