Tim Russ Reflects On 30 Years Of Star Trek: Voyager And Tuvok’s Legacy

In 2025, Star Trek: Voyager will mark its 30th anniversary. Tim Russ, who famously played the Vulcan character Tuvok for all seven seasons of the show, continues to embody the iconic role.

Over the past two years, actor Tim Russ has reprised his role as Tuvok in two different Star Trek timelines. He played Captain Tuvok (and an evil version of him) in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, set in the 25th century, and a younger version of the character, Ensign Tuvok, in the dramatic podcast Star Trek: Khan, which takes place in the 23rd century.

As a lifelong Trekkie, it’s pretty amazing to think that Tim Russ has now played Tuvok longer than anyone else has portrayed a Vulcan! After Leonard Nimoy’s passing in 2015, Tim became the actor who’s spent the most time embodying that iconic stoicism. And he says it’s the fans of Voyager who keep Tuvok alive. Whenever I meet Tim at conventions, people always tell him—and tell me when I gush about the show—that seeing his performance genuinely impacted their lives. It’s a testament to the power of Voyager and the stories they told.

You know, it’s really cool to hear people say my character was like a safe space for the others. It sounds like they really needed someone steady, someone to look up to and follow, especially when things were getting tough and they were starting to fall apart emotionally. Honestly, every time I hear someone describe it that way, it’s just… amazing.

Tim Russ, known for his role in Star Trek, will be meeting fans at the ST: CHI – Trek to Chicago convention on November 22nd and 23rd. He’ll be participating in panels, signing autographs, and taking photos with fans – including a special photo opportunity with his Star Trek: Voyager colleague, Jeri Ryan. Plus, Tim Russ will be performing live with his band, Tim Russ Crew, on Saturday night, November 22nd, and will be joined on stage by Bonnie Gordon from Star Trek: Prodigy.

John Orquiola from ScreenRant recently interviewed Tim Russ about why Star Trek: Voyager remains so popular. They also talked about Russ reprising his role as Tuvok in both Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Khan. In addition, Tim discussed his return to iCarly on Paramount+ and hinted at the possibility of appearing in a sequel to Spaceballs.

Tim Russ Reveals How He Reprised The Younger Ensign Tuvok In Star Trek: Khan

ScreenRant praised Star Trek: Khan, calling it sensational with outstanding voice acting and overall production quality. They were particularly interested in Tim Russ’s performance as a younger Tuvok, a character he originally played in Star Trek: Voyager. The interviewer asked Russ how he approached portraying the character decades earlier and how he got into the mindset of the younger Tuvok.

In that story, I didn’t just change how the character spoke; I also slightly sped up his delivery to make him sound younger. He’s also more hesitant about what the archeologist, Dr. Rosalind Lear, wants to do. He’s still troubled by Khan’s actions and isn’t as understanding or excited about her desire to explore Khan’s past and motivations. He’s much less willing to cooperate with the investigation.

I think what’s fascinating about his character is that he’s still relatively young and hasn’t had a lot of life experience. He just doesn’t quite grasp why someone would choose to be with someone who, in his eyes, has such a troubled past. He hasn’t lived enough to fully understand those kinds of motivations or the complexities of human connection.

ScreenRant revealed a surprising twist regarding Dr. Lear’s identity, but I predicted it early in the series. I was pleased when Tuvok confirmed he’d also suspected the truth for quite some time.

Tim Russ: (laughs) Yes, yes, exactly.

Tim Russ Didn’t Know Captain Tuvok Survived Being Replaced By A Changeling In Star Trek: Picard Season 3

ScreenRant recently asked Tim Russ about reprising his role as Tuvok – and his Changeling imposter – on Star Trek: Picard. They highlighted the particularly moving scene where his character helped Jeri Ryan’s Seven of Nine become Captain. The interviewer was curious what it felt like to wear the Vulcan ears and uniform again, and to share the screen with Ryan one last time.

It felt natural slipping back into the role, like riding a bike. I’ve played this character so many times that the breaks between appearances don’t really matter. The main physical difference was the ears – they used silicone this time instead of rubber, and the molds were updated. But getting back into character was easy, especially since the writing was excellent and allowed me to perform the scenes authentically.

ScreenRant praised the scenes featuring the Changeling impersonating Tuvok, calling them excellent. They particularly highlighted how effectively the actor portrayed the menacing and deceptive nature of the Changeling, noting the impact of realizing it wasn’t the real Tuvok.

It was a really pleasant surprise! While filming the first episode, the producers kept it a secret that my character hadn’t died. They didn’t let me know I’d survived and would be back for a second episode. Everything’s so confidential on these projects these days.

I didn’t find out about continuing with the show until after we’d already filmed the first episode. Then they gave me dates for the second one, but I only received the script a couple of days before filming. They kept it secret, not wanting any information leaked. For almost four months after filming, I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about it. This was to surprise the fans, both with my character still being alive and with the promotion Seven receives – they didn’t want to spoil that.

Everyone involved with the show is very careful about keeping details under wraps – it’s not just this project, I’ve noticed that with other productions too. Still, it was a great experience! It happened towards the end of filming for the third season of Picard. I honestly didn’t think I’d be asked to participate, assuming they were nearly finished and wouldn’t need any last-minute cameos. But surprisingly, they contacted me twice.

Tim Russ Discusses The Possibility Of Tuvok Appearing In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Robert Picardo, known for his role in Star Trek: Voyager, is now appearing in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The new show is set roughly 800 years after Voyager, in the 32nd century, but given the nature of Star Trek, there are plenty of possibilities for other familiar faces to show up!

Tim Russ finds the idea of being present for 800 years hard to believe. He suggests it might only have happened through a vision, recording, or simulation – perhaps as a teaching tool for the Academy.

You know, thinking about it, maybe it involves The Doctor somehow, or perhaps a training scenario of some kind. That feels totally plausible – they’d definitely use the holodecks for simulations like that. A simulation could really explain a lot, and honestly, they could be developing something along those lines right now. It’s just a guess, of course, but it would be amazing! That’s honestly the only way I’d ever want to be involved.

What Tim Russ Would Have Said To Himself 30 Years Ago When He Joined Star Trek: Voyager

ScreenRant recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: Voyager, acknowledging its lasting success. They posed an interesting question: if Tim Russ could travel back in time from 2025 to 1995, what advice would he give his younger self?

I’d warn you: once you get into this franchise, you’ll be hooked! It’s a journey with no end in sight. Get ready for Star Trek to be a big part of your life for a very long time.

This project is unlike anything I’ve worked on before. I’ve done police dramas, comedies, and various other series, but nothing compares to the lasting impact of this franchise. The dedication of the fans is incredible – they fill entire cruise ships! If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be to prepare for something huge, because [Star Trek] is going to be popular for a very, very long time.

Tim Russ Says Older Fans Passing Star Trek: Voyager On To The Next Generation Is Why The Show Remains Popular

ScreenRant noted that Star Trek: Voyager seems to be even more popular and appreciated now than when it first aired. They asked what it is about the show that continues to attract new fans and keep them engaged with the characters, leading to a growing fanbase even today.

A big reason for the show’s continued success is that it’s being passed down to new generations. When I meet fans at conventions, many are completely new to the series – they’ve just started watching it, or someone they know introduced it to them. This means the fanbase is constantly growing. The show really has staying power. Because it’s science fiction and set in the future, it doesn’t feel dated, and the core themes and stories remain relevant and timeless – they’re universal lessons that resonate with everyone.

People often ask me how Star Wars and Star Trek differ. I always say Star Trek focuses on storytelling – on the characters and the tough choices they face. Even now, fans still talk about some of the dilemmas we presented on the show. That lasting impact is something a new generation can connect with. At its heart, Trek is about the future and the possibility of a better one. And honestly, with everything going on in the world and our country right now – all the social issues and conflicts – Star Trek’s message of hope feels especially relevant. It offers a glimpse of a more optimistic future than the one we’re living in today.

The core idea of Star Trek has always been about showcasing a hopeful future, and that resonates with people from all eras—past, present, and even those yet to come. It’s a deeply meaningful concept. Increasingly, I’m hearing from longtime fans who are now sharing the show with a new generation, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see.

Tim Russ Is Also A Musician With His Band, Tim Russ Crew

I really enjoyed your performance with The Action Figures at STLV in 2024, especially your cover of Eagle Eye Cherry’s “Save Tonight” – it’s a favorite of mine! I’m excited to hear your band, Tim Russ Crew, is playing at Trek to Chicago this Saturday for Creation Entertainment. Can you tell me a bit about Tim Russ Crew?

I began playing music at 16, so I’ve been at it for 50 years. I’ve played a lot of different genres over that time. I started with hard rock, then moved into R&B with larger bands featuring horn sections. After that, I explored folk rock and acoustic music, playing in coffee houses. Later, I played Top 40 covers. When I first came to LA, I earned a living by playing clubs four or five nights a week, and eventually I started performing my own original songs. I even worked with a record label, Crescendo Records, which led me to form my own band and play even more.

These days, I’m really into playing blues, blues rock, and classic rock – that rootsy kind of music. A lot of the songs I choose aren’t well-known; they’re often B-sides or deeper cuts. I like to rearrange them and pick out material specifically for the band. Sometimes people recognize a song or two, but mostly it’s stuff they haven’t heard before. I’ve been playing live since I was sixteen, and I still love it – I’m hoping to keep doing it for many years to come.

Look, I’ve put out a few albums, and they’re all available digitally, but honestly, I’m not a huge fan of the studio. It’s been a while since I’ve been in one, to be frank. What I really live for is playing live. There’s just nothing like that connection you get with a live audience, and with the other musicians on stage – whether I’m playing with The Action Figures, The Roddenberries, or my own band, it doesn’t matter. Being up there, performing, is a huge boost for me, and it’s something I truly never want to stop doing. It’s everything.

ScreenRant: Bonnie Gordon is joining you for Trek to Chicago.

I’m really excited to be performing with Bonnie Gordon on Saturday night. She’s an incredibly talented singer, and the songs we’ve chosen really suit her voice and style. She grew up with a strong connection to blues and Southern rock, which she naturally brings to the music, and we’ve specifically picked songs to highlight those strengths.

Tim Russ Also Returned In Paramount+’s iCarly Revival

I used to babysit my niece and nephew, and we all loved watching iCarly together. Seeing you return as Principal Franklin in the new version was a fun surprise for me, because it reminded me of watching the original show with them. I thought, ‘Wow, that’s Tuvok from Star Trek!’ You were my connection to the show back then.

It was fun to be asked back for the iCarly reboot! My character changed a lot – instead of being the school principal, I played a regular citizen. This allowed them to explore a different side of him, and they had some fun with the role in a few episodes. It was interesting to portray him outside of the authority figure he used to be, and it was wonderful to work with Miranda Cosgrove and the rest of the cast again. Getting to revisit the character was a fantastic experience, and I really enjoyed being a part of it.

Besides Star Trek: Voyager, iCarly is the other show people occasionally recognize me from. It’s surprising how many kids who grew up watching it now recognize me! Because the show has been re-run for so long, it still comes up from time to time. Out of all my projects, iCarly is unique because I was a regular cast member for five years – it wasn’t just a one-off appearance. It’s really the only other series besides Voyager that people consistently remember me from.

Tim Russ Hasn’t Been Contacted To Appear In Spaceballs 2, But He Expects To Be Back

The interviewer from ScreenRant then asked about the possibility of a sequel to the movie Spaceballs. They wondered if Mel Brooks was considering revisiting those characters and filming Spaceballs 2.

I won’t find out about any potential involvement until the producers reach out. They’ve just begun the production process, and if there’s a role for me, they’ll contact my agent or manager to check my availability. They’ll ask if I’m free on certain dates, and if everything works out, they’ll make an offer and we’ll start filming.

They’ve only recently begun working on this, so I haven’t received any updates yet. I’m aware there’s a lot of talk about me already being involved, which is strange. There’s a lot of unusual AI-generated content circulating, and it’s clear those images aren’t of me currently. While people are speculating about my potential return, that’s not how I look now.

Mel Brooks is hoping to reunite the original cast, so I’d say there’s a pretty good chance of it happening – if I had to guess, I’d say yes. However, nothing is official yet.

2025-11-18 01:26