10 Star Trek Actors Who Appeared on The Twilight Zone

Both actors started their careers during the golden age of television, when it was common for performers to appear in single episodes of many different shows. They, like many others, hoped to find a steady job on a popular series, but if that didn’t happen, they usually just moved on to the next available role.

This approach resulted in a lot of actors appearing in both shows. The trend continued in later versions of the series – for example, the Twilight Zone revival from the 1980s included performers who went on to become well-known on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager.

William Shatner Appeared in Two Classic Twilight Zone Episodes

Many people remember William Shatner just as fondly for his roles in The Twilight Zone as they do for his portrayal of Captain Kirk. His most famous episode is likely “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” in which he plays a worried traveler on a plane who believes he spots something terrifying messing with the engine.

Written by Richard Matheson and directed by Richard Donner, this episode is arguably the most famous from the series. It’s also a prime example of the show’s trademark twist endings, completely subverting expectations with its final reveal.

Three seasons prior, Shatner appeared in “Nick of Time,” a less famous but equally compelling episode. He portrays a young, superstitious groom who finds a fortune-telling machine in an Ohio diner that appears to predict the future. Richard Matheson also wrote the script for this episode, and its ending powerfully suggests that believing in superstitions can be more damaging than any actual supernatural event. This was the first of two particularly strong performances by Shatner.

Leonard Nimoy Starred in “A Quality of Mercy” Years Before Playing Spock

Leonard Nimoy worked as an actor for many years before finding fame. While he appeared in The Twilight Zone, it was a minor role, and the character he played was very unlike his iconic portrayal of Spock.

The film features a soldier, exhausted from fighting in the Philippines near the end of World War II. His new commander orders a pointless attack against a small group of remaining Japanese soldiers. The situation dramatically changes when the officer suddenly finds himself leading a Japanese unit, while American soldiers are now the ones defending a position and bracing for an attack.

This episode clearly aims to promote understanding and empathy, suggesting we can find common ground even with those we see as opponents. However, some of its views on race and politics feel outdated and awkward by today’s standards. The main thing that still makes it worth watching is Leonard Nimoy’s brief appearance, making “A Quality of Mercy” more of an interesting historical artifact than a truly great episode.

James Doohan Played a Resident of a Mysterious Town in “Valley of the Shadow”

James Doohan makes a brief, almost unnoticeable appearance in the Twilight Zone episode “Valley of the Shadow,” which aired during the show’s fourth season. This episode was part of an attempt to revamp the series with longer, hour-long episodes, but this change often resulted in stories that lacked focus and didn’t really go anywhere. “Valley of the Shadow” is a typical example – it’s an okay episode about a town secretly protecting alien technology because they’re afraid it will be used as a weapon.

I was rewatching some older stuff the other day and noticed Doohan – you know, Scotty from Star Trek – in this early role. He plays the dad of this little girl who basically brings the main character’s dog back to life with some crazy invention. He tries to play it cool and reassure the guy, but honestly, his gentle approach just made me even more suspicious about the town itself. It’s a small part, but you can already see the things that made Scotty so great – that calming voice and a knack for being totally comfortable around bizarre technology. It’s like a little preview of what was to come!

George Takei Starred in the Controversial Episode “The Encounter”

The 1973 film, “The Encounter,” attempts to tackle racial prejudice but hasn’t held up over time. It was so controversial that it was temporarily pulled off the air. The story centers on a Japanese-American gardener, played by George Takei, who works for a white veteran of the Pacific theater. The veteran brought back a Japanese katana as a war souvenir, and the sword mysteriously causes both men to confront the painful memories of Pearl Harbor.

Like “A Quality of Mercy,” this episode is well-meaning, and George Takei delivers a powerful performance. However, it relies on a harmful and untrue idea: that Japanese-Americans actively helped with the attack on Pearl Harbor. This false claim was used to justify the unjust imprisonment of Japanese-American citizens, and ironically, Takei himself was one of those imprisoned as a child.

Tim Russ Played Two Roles in The Twilight Zone

In 1985, The Twilight Zone was revived for the first time, maintaining its signature spooky, short-story format with surprise endings. While it didn’t achieve the same level of success as the original, it still featured some excellent episodes. The show’s format attracted well-known directors like Wes Craven, Joe Dante, and William Friedkin, and talented writers including Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, and Stephen King. This style of storytelling also allowed .

Before becoming famous for his role as , Tim Russ made a brief appearance in two episodes of . In the first, called “Kentucky Rye,” a man with a drinking problem experiences a frightening incident while driving and ends up in a strange, otherworldly bar. Russ plays a highway patrolman with a quick line near the episode’s conclusion.

The second episode, “Voices in the Earth,” follows a team of space travelers who return to Earth after a thousand years, only to discover a changed planet. Actor Russ has a significantly larger part in this episode compared to his previous appearance in “Kentucky Rye.”

Voyager’s Robert Duncan McNeill Appeared in “A Message from Charity”

Robert Duncan McNeill, best known as Lt. Tom Paris from Voyager, has become a talented director. He now stars in a heartwarming film about a teen who develops a psychic connection with a young woman named Charity from Colonial New England.

A special connection grows between the two characters, and despite a few slightly cheesy moments, the episode is heartwarming thanks to the strong acting. Veteran Star Trek actor James Cromwell also appears as the father of one of the characters, playing a recently widowed man.

As a critic, I’ve noticed the 1980s Twilight Zone often wove together seemingly disparate stories within a single hour, and “A Message from Charity” is a prime example. It follows the intensely unsettling “Examination Day” – honestly, one of the reboot’s best and most disturbing installments. “Charity” offers a softer, more heartwarming tale as a kind of palate cleanser, and the pairing really works. Interestingly, both episodes were directed by Paul Lynch, which likely contributes to a certain thematic cohesion, even with the tonal shift.

Jonathan Frakes Pokes Fun at the Leading Man Image in “But Can She Type?”

Jonathan Frakes is best known for playing Commander Riker, a role defined by a unique and playful style. While seemingly a modern take on the classic heroic figure like James T. Kirk, Frakes subtly challenged that image. He’d often give a knowing glance to the audience, adding humor without diminishing Riker’s bravery.

These qualities were also present in a previous, more lighthearted episode of the show, “But Can She Type?” In it, a shy secretary played by Pam Dawber finds herself in a world where administrative professionals are celebrated like superstars. The episode is simply a fun tribute to the often-overlooked work of executive assistants.

I absolutely adore how Frakes plays this character – he’s just perfect as this initially confident guy who completely falls for her the moment he learns what she does. It’s so charming! And it’s a fun little moment to see a glimpse of his iconic beard even back then.

“Dead Run” Featured Brent Spiner and John de Lancie

While the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone had some excellent episodes, it often had trouble finding the right atmosphere, more so than the original series. Many episodes began with interesting ideas but didn’t quite develop them fully. “Dead Run” is a good example: it’s a fun concept about weary truck drivers transporting the souls of the dead to hell. The episode stars Steve Railsback as a new driver who is shocked to discover his cargo and decides to free the lost souls he’s carrying.

This episode explores how ordinary people can unintentionally support wrongdoing just by going about their daily work. Unfortunately, the story feels rushed and its message comes across as overly simplistic. The episode does benefit from the presence of Star Trek actors, especially John de Lancie, who plays a frustratingly bureaucratic manager overseeing the transport of souls, and makes a short appearance as a principled objector punished with eternal damnation.

Ethan Phillips Plays a Ghost in “Devil’s Alphabet”

Ethan Phillips had a long and successful career in television before joining the cast of . He first became well-known for his friendly portrayal of Pete Downey on the show Benson. In between, he appeared in various films and TV series, including a role in “Devil’s Alphabet.”

The story revolves around a secret society at Cambridge University in the 1870s. As young students, its members made a pact to meet annually, a commitment they intended to keep even after they died. However, as time passes, they begin to regret their vow when they discover it’s actually coming true.

Phillips is the first member of his group to die, taking his own life after losing all his money gambling. He continues to attend the annual meetings even after his death, joining an increasing number of others who have met the same fate. However, this storyline doesn’t quite live up to expectations, and the conclusion feels disappointing.

Honestly, watching this felt like settling in for a really good ghost story – it had that same kind of atmosphere. Ethan Phillips is just incredible; he conveys so much with so little, and his quiet desperation really sets the mood. It’s especially striking if you’re used to seeing him as the bubbly, friendly Neelix from Star Trek – he shows a completely different side of himself here, and it’s amazing to see his range.

Terry Farrell Starred in “The After Hours” Remake

“The After Hours” is a classic episode of the original Twilight Zone. It features a woman, played by Anne Francis, who is frightened by mannequins that appear to come alive while she’s shopping. The story was updated in a 1980s version, now set in a shopping mall – a relatively new concept at the time. Young actress Terry Farrell takes on the role of the shopper, searching for a gift and arriving at the mall just as it’s closing.

Okay, so the casting is spot-on, and this episode really nails a creepy atmosphere – seriously, talking mannequin heads! But honestly, it feels a little too familiar. It doesn’t really break new ground compared to the original. What does work is the period detail – the 80s setting is fantastic, and Farrell looks completely authentic in her Reagan-era clothes. She’s the glue holding everything together, and her performance definitely leaves you wanting more… or at least, thinking about those mannequin heads.

2026-05-09 19:40