Star Trek

Michael Dorn

One would think that the man who bears one of the most unique accomplishments in Star Trek history—he has appeared as the same character in more hours of Star Trek than any other actor—would be instantly recognizable to the public.  But thanks to the wigs and prosthetics he was forced to don as Worf, Michael Dorn is more likely to pass through a crowd unnoticed than any of his cast mates from Star Trek: The Next Generation or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.  That is, until he opens his mouth:  Dorn’s distinctive baritone voice is always a surefire giveaway, and has been heard not only on TNG and DS9, but also in dozens of animated series, computer games and television commercials.

Sans makeup, the Luling, Texas native who grew up in Pasadena, Calif., made his first onscreen appearance—uncredited—in Rocky, as Apollo Creed’s bodyguard.  Within a few years, however, he’d landed a co-starring role in CHIPs, and, subsequently, an ongoing one in Days of Our Lives.  Then came TNG, and later DS9: over 11 seasons and four feature films, Dorn's Worf holds the record for the most appearacnes for any Star Trek character ever.

Although he appeared on Heroes as the President of the United States, these days his fans are more likely to hear than see him, in animated shows like Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, Superman, Justice League or the revival of Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century. An avid aviator, Dorn has owned numerous aircraft, flown with the Blue Angels and other precision teams, and still owns an old Air Force trainer jet that he takes to air shows around the country.