Veteran character actor Parley Baer, who appeared in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Sacred Ground," passed away on Nov. 22 at the age of 88.

Baer played one of the three old Nechani "Council Members" who challenged Janeway regarding her faith. His fellow actor in that group, Keene Curtis, died just over a month earlier (related story).

Baer had an acting career spanning more than 60 years, with more than 60 films, 1,600 TV shows and 15,000 radio programs to his credit. He is perhaps most famous as "Mayor Stoner" on TV's The Andy Griffith Show, and the voice of "Chester" on the radio version of Gunsmoke in the 1950s and early 60s. He was also the voice of a Keebler cookie elf in TV ads. Among his film roles, he served as "Senate Majority Leader" in the 1993 movie "Dave."

His early entertainment career revolved around the circus. He served as publicist-ringmaster for Circus Vargas and Barnum & Bailey. In later years he was a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo and was on the board of the L.A. Circus, a one-ring community circus.

Baer died at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills of complications from a stroke. A full obituary can be found at the L.A. Daily News.