Every Notable ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ Actor Who Died

The original crew and their unforgettable guests helped turn ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ into a cornerstone of science fiction. Many of these performers have since passed away, leaving behind characters and episodes that fans still revisit. This list gathers major cast members and standout recurring or guest stars who are no longer with us. It notes who they played, where you saw them, and when they died, so you can trace their legacy across the show and beyond.

Leonard Nimoy

Nimoy played Spock across all three seasons of ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ and in multiple films. He brought the Vulcan salute and the phrase Live long and prosper into popular culture. He directed and wrote outside the franchise and published memoirs about his life and work. He died in 2015 at the age of 83.

DeForest Kelley

Kelley portrayed Dr. Leonard Bones McCoy with a signature bedside manner and sharp humor. He appeared in the original run and returned for the classic film series. His earlier career included many Westerns and television guest roles. He died in 1999 at the age of 79.

James Doohan

Doohan became synonymous with Montgomery Scott and kept the Enterprise running in countless crises. He contributed accents and dialect work and helped shape how Scotty sounded. He frequently attended conventions and engaged with engineering students inspired by the character. He died in 2005 at the age of 85.

Nichelle Nichols

Nichols played Nyota Uhura and broke barriers for representation on American television. She worked with NASA to recruit diverse astronauts and spoke often about science education. Her ‘TOS’ appearances continued into the film era. She died in 2022 at the age of 89.

Majel Barrett

Barrett was Nurse Christine Chapel in ‘TOS’ and later voiced the computer in multiple ‘Star Trek’ series. She also appeared as Lwaxana Troi in ‘The Next Generation’ and ‘Deep Space Nine’. Her work as a producer supported the franchise behind the scenes. She died in 2008 at the age of 76.

Grace Lee Whitney

Whitney played Yeoman Janice Rand during the first season and returned in later films. She also appeared at fan events and discussed her experiences making the show. Her film and television career included roles before and after ‘TOS’. She died in 2015 at the age of 85.

Mark Lenard

Lenard debuted as the Romulan Commander in Balance of Terror and later portrayed Sarek. He also appeared as a Klingon captain in ‘Star Trek The Motion Picture’. His performances connected different corners of Vulcan and Federation lore. He died in 1996 at the age of 72.

Ricardo Montalbán

Montalbán first appeared as Khan Noonien Singh in Space Seed and later returned in a feature film. The character originated as a genetically enhanced antagonist from the Eugenics Wars backstory. Montalbán worked widely in film and television beyond the franchise. He died in 2009 at the age of 88.

Jeffrey Hunter

Hunter played Captain Christopher Pike in The Cage which became part of the two part story The Menagerie. He led the original pilot cast before the series moved forward with a different captain. His screen career included notable films of the 1950s and 1960s. He died in 1969 at the age of 42.

Yvonne Craig

Craig portrayed the Orion woman Marta in Whom Gods Destroy. She was also well known for playing Batgirl on television. Her work included film roles and guest appearances across popular series. She died in 2015 at the age of 78.

Celia Lovsky

Lovsky played T’Pau in Amok Time and helped define Vulcan ceremony on screen. She brought a dignified presence to the first on screen depiction of a Vulcan wedding. Her career spanned European theater and American film. She died in 1979 at the age of 82.

Arlene Martel

Martel portrayed T’Pring in Amok Time and set the conflict that tested Spock and Kirk. She also appeared in other classic television shows of the era. Her convention appearances made her a familiar face to fans. She died in 2014 at the age of 78.

Susan Oliver

Oliver played Vina in The Cage and in the reworked footage used in The Menagerie. She had a broad acting career across television and film. She also became a pilot and set aviation records. She died in 1990 at the age of 58.

Roger C. Carmel

Carmel was the con artist Harry Mudd in Mudd’s Women and I Mudd. The character returned in animated form and later reimagined versions. Carmel worked in television and on stage with a distinctive comic style. He died in 1986 at the age of 54.

John Colicos

Colicos played the Klingon commander Kor in Errand of Mercy. He later reprised Kor in ‘Deep Space Nine’ which linked eras of the franchise. Outside ‘Star Trek’ he appeared in film and television on both sides of the Atlantic. He died in 2000 at the age of 71.

Michael Ansara

Ansara portrayed the Klingon captain Kang in Day of the Dove. He returned as Kang in later series which expanded Klingon history. His long career covered stage, television, and film. He died in 2013 at the age of 91.

William Windom

Windom appeared as Commodore Matt Decker in The Doomsday Machine. The episode became a benchmark for Starfleet drama and command decisions. Windom worked for decades in television including a lead role in a popular courtroom series. He died in 2012 at the age of 88.

Bruce Hyde

Hyde played Lieutenant Kevin Riley in The Naked Time and The Conscience of the King. He later pursued an academic career and became a professor and speaker. His convention appearances kept him connected with fans. He died in 2015 at the age of 74.

Robert Walker Jr.

Walker portrayed Charlie Evans in Charlie X and delivered one of the show’s early portraits of power and adolescence. He acted in films and television through the 1960s and 1970s. His family background connected him to notable Hollywood figures. He died in 2019 at the age of 79.

Jane Wyatt

Wyatt played Amanda Grayson in Journey to Babel and established the human side of Spock’s family. She was a film and television veteran with awards for earlier work. Her performance helped shape Vulcan and human cultural contrasts. She died in 2006 at the age of 96.

William Schallert

Schallert appeared as Nilz Baris in The Trouble With Tribbles. He was a prolific television actor with hundreds of credits across decades. He also served as president of a major performers guild. He died in 2016 at the age of 93.

Ian Wolfe

Wolfe portrayed Mr. Atoz in All Our Yesterdays and Septimus in Bread and Circuses. He brought a theatrical background to many character roles. His filmography covered silent era work through modern television. He died in 1992 at the age of 95.

Whit Bissell

Bissell appeared as station manager Lurry in The Trouble With Tribbles. He was known for roles in science fiction films and television. His screen presence made him a frequent authority figure on camera. He died in 1996 at the age of 86.

Lee Bergere

Bergere played Abraham Lincoln in The Savage Curtain. He worked on stage and television with a variety of period roles. His appearance added a historical figure to a late season adventure. He died in 2007 at the age of 88.

Eddie Paskey

Paskey portrayed Lieutenant Leslie and appeared in many episodes across the series. His character became a familiar face on the Enterprise bridge. He attended conventions and shared behind the scenes stories from the set. He died in 2021 at the age of 81.

Share your favorite performances from ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ in the comments and tell us which episodes you still rewatch today.