diana muldaur original star trek

Diana Muldaur

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Muldaur had previously appeared in two episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series (" Return to Tomorrow " and " Is There in Truth No Beauty? "), playing two different characters who also held the title of "Doctor." Muldaur filmed her scenes for "Return to Tomorrow" between Monday 20 November 1967 and Tuesday 28 November 1967 at Desilu Stage 9 and Stage 10 , and her scenes for "Is There in Truth No Beauty?" between Tuesday 16 July 1968 and Wednesday 24 July 1968 at Stage 9 and Stage 8.

In 1988 , Muldaur was cast as Dr. Pulaski for the second season of The Next Generation as a replacement for Gates McFadden , the actress who played Beverly Crusher in the first season. McFadden had some sort of falling out with the show's producers, especially Maurice Hurley , and left (or was asked to leave) the show, and Muldaur was brought on board. However, following the end of the second season, the issues with McFadden were resolved and she returned to the series. Muldaur's last appearance as Dr. Pulaski was " Shades of Gray ", the final episode of the second season. On 20 September 1988 Muldaur was interviewed and these interviews were later published on the TNG Season 2 DVD in the special features "Mission Overview Year Two" ("Diana Muldaur", "Gene Roddenberry") and "Selected Crew Analysis Year Two". In these interviews Muldaur told that she had moved into the high desert Sierra Nevada with her husband in 1988 when she got a call to work on The Next Generation and couldn't resist.

Among the props and costumes auctioned off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay were a face mold and her costume from the episode " Unnatural Selection ". [1] [2]

• 1 Career outside Star Trek
• 2.1 Recurring appearances
• 3 Star Trek interviews
• 4 Other Star Trek connections
• 5 External links

Career outside Star Trek [ ]

Muldaur began her television career with a recurring role on the soap opera The Secret Storm in 1965, on which John Colicos also starred. She followed this with a recurring role as Jeannie Orloff on the medical drama Dr. Kildare , guest-starring in five episodes along with her future Original Series co-star William Shatner as well as fellow Original Series guest star Bruce Hyde . In 1969, she became a regular on the short-lived series The Survivors , which lasted only 15 episodes. Following this series' end, however, Muldaur was cast in the role of Chris Coughlin in the crime drama McCloud , which lasted seven seasons from 1970 through 1977. Fellow Original Series guest performer Ken Lynch was also a regular performer on this series; the two of them had previously co-starred together in a 1968 episode of The Outcasts called "A Ride to Vengeance", along with Erik Holland .

In 1976, she and Next Generation guest star David Ogden Stiers participated in the pilot episode of the hit action series Charlie's Angels . That same year, Muldaur became a regular on The Tony Randall Show , which lasted for two seasons from 1976 through 1978. Her other TV credits throughout the 1970s include: the Police Woman episode "Solitaire" (1977) along with Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine director Corey Allen and guest performers Richard Lynch and Eugene Roche ; the 1977 TV movie The Deadly Triangle , in which she played the wife of Robert Lansing 's character; an episode of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries , starring Phillip Richard Allen and William Schallert ; the 1978 mini-series Black Beauty , with John de Lancie and Brock Peters ; and another 1978 mini-series, The Word , co-starring Star Trek: Voyager 's Kate Mulgrew as well as Jonathan Banks , Christopher Lloyd and Nehemiah Persoff .

Muldaur's prolific career spans not only television, but films as well. One of Muldaur's earliest film appearances was in 1969's Number One , co-starring fellow Original Series guest star Roy Jenson . She then co-starred with Barry Newman in the 1970 movie The Lawyer, which became the 1974-76 NBC series Petrocelli . She was unavailable for the series, and was replaced by Susan Howard . In 1971, Muldaur co-starred with another Original Series guest actress, France Nuyen , in the Western film One More Train to Rob . In 1974, she co-starred with John Wayne in one of the latter's final films, McQ . That same year, she starred in movies, Chosen Survivors with Barbara Babcock and "Planet Earth".

In 1980, Muldaur made her first of three appearances as Dr. Janet Carlyle on the medical drama Quincy , a series which featured Robert Ito and Garry Walberg as regulars. The following year, Muldaur co-starred with Harry Mudd actor Roger C. Carmel in the short-lived adventure series Fitz and Bones . She also co-starred with Carmel in the Fitz and Bones TV movie Terror at Alcatraz in 1982 (which also featured appearances by Elisha Cook , Marc Lawrence , Michael Pataki , and Georgia Schmidt ).

After her tenure as Dr. Pulaski came to an end, Muldaur found herself playing the recurring role of litigator Rosalind Shays on the hit drama L.A. Law , appearing in 24 episodes between 1989 and 1991. She received two Emmy Award nominations for her performance on this series. Her last episode was the infamous "Good to the Last Drop", in which her character was killed after falling down an empty elevator shaft. Among her co-stars on the program were series regulars Corbin Bernsen and Larry Drake , as well as Daniel Benzali , Roy Brocksmith , Richard Cox , Steven Culp , John de Lancie, Lawrence Dobkin , Susan Gibney , John Glover , Anne Haney , Jennifer Hetrick , Sherman Howard , Jack Kehler , Lance LeGault , Deborah May , Warren Munson , Charles Napier , Natalia Nogulich , Frank Novak , Nehemiah Persoff, Ethan Phillips , Andrew Robinson , Concetta Tomei , George D. Wallace , Ray Walston , and Paul Winfield .

From 1992 to 1993, Muldaur lent her voice to the character of Dr. Leslie Thompkins on Batman: The Animated Series . Those she worked with on this series include Adrienne Barbeau , Joseph Campanella , Paul Williams , Robert Costanzo , and John de Lancie.

Muldaur is a former board member of the Screen Actors Guild. She also served a tenure as president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Having retired from acting in 1993, Muldaur is currently active as a dog-breeder and a judge at dog shows.

Star Trek appearances [ ]

Recurring appearances [ ]

• " The Child "
• " Where Silence Has Lease "
• " Elementary, Dear Data "
• " Loud As A Whisper "
• " The Schizoid Man "
• " Unnatural Selection "
• " A Matter Of Honor "
• " The Measure Of A Man "
• " The Dauphin "
• " Contagion "
• " The Royale "
• " Time Squared "
• " The Icarus Factor "
• " Pen Pals "
• " Samaritan Snare "
• " Up The Long Ladder "
• " Manhunt "
• " The Emissary "
• " Peak Performance "
• " Shades of Gray "

Star Trek interviews [ ]

• "Diana Muldaur: Prescription Enterprise ", The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine  issue 7 , p. 4, interviewed by Bill Warren
• "Diana Muldaur – Dr. Katherine Pulaski", The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine  issue 8 , pp. 12-15, interviewed by Frank Garcia
• The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation To The Next , interviewed on 20 September 1988 (excerpts from the same interview are featured in TNG Season 2 DVD -special features, "Mission Overview Year Two" ("Diana Muldaur", " Gene Roddenberry ") and "Selected Crew Analysis Year Two")
• TNG Season 2 Blu-ray -special feature, "New Life and New Civilizations", 2012 (new interview)
• William Shatner Presents: Chaos on the Bridge , 2014

Other Star Trek connections [ ]

• Run for Your Life episode "Night Train from Chicago" (1966) with Brock Peters
• Gunsmoke episode "Fandango" (1967) with Paul Fix
• I Spy episode "This Guy Smith" (1968) with Kenneth Tobey , and directed by Ralph Senensky
• The Invaders episode "The Life Seekers" (1968) with Stephen Brooks and Paul Comi
• Felony Squad episode "The Distant Shore" (1968) with Robert DoQui and Victor Tayback
• The F.B.I. episode "Act of Violence" (1968) with Hal Baylor , Paul Comi, and Michael Strong and directed by Gene Nelson
• The Mod Squad episode "Loser" (1970) with Tige Andrews and Clarence Williams III
• The Virginian episode "The Politician" (1971) with William Windom
• The Name of the Game episode "Beware of the Watchdog" (1971) with Richard Kiley and James B. Sikking
• Marcus Welby, M.D. episode "The Tender Comrade" (1971) with Clint Howard
• Mannix episode "A Gathering of Ghosts" (1971) with Jason Evers and Alan Oppenheimer
• Hawaii Five-O episode "Death Wish on Tantalus Mountain" (1972) with Ricardo Montalban
• Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law episode "Charlie Gave Me Your Number" (1972) with John Hoyt and Bill Quinn
• Hec Ramsey episode "The Mystery of the Yellow Rose" (1973) with Ian Wolfe
• Call to Danger (1973 TV movie) with Michael Ansara , Roy Jenson and William Smithers
• Search episode "Ends of the Earth" (1973) with Keith Andes and Jay Robinson , and directed by Ralph Senensky
• Ordeal (1973 TV movie) with Michael Ansara, Bill Catching , and Arch Whiting
• A Special Act of Love (1973 TV movie) with Laurence Luckinbill
• Hog Wild (1974 TV movie) with William Lucking
• Planet Earth (1974 TV movie) with Majel Barrett , Craig Huxley , Patricia Smith and Ted Cassidy , and directed by Marc Daniels , produced by Robert H. Justman , and featuring Gene Roddenberry as writer and executive producer
• S.W.A.T. episode "Terror Ship" (1975) with Paul Carr and Don Keefer
• Ellery Queen episode "The Adventure of the Judas Tree" (1976) with Michael Pataki
• Beyond Reason (1977 film) with Biff Elliot
• Cry for Justice (1977 film) with Sharon Acker
• Police Story episode "Pressure Point" (1977) with Meg Foster
• To Kill a Cop (1978 TV movie) with Robert Hooks and Alan Oppenheimer
• Fantasy Island episode "Photographs/Royal Flush" (1979) with Ricardo Montalban and John Rubinstein
• The Return of Frank Cannon (1980 TV movie) with Tom Morga , William Smithers, and Paul Sorensen
• The Incredible Hulk episode "Sanctuary" (1981) with Henry Darrow
• Murder, She Wrote episode "Footnote to Murder" (1985) with Kenneth Mars , William Windom and Biff Yeager
• A Year in the Life (1986 TV mini-series and subsequent TV series) with Richard Kiley
• Agatha Christie's Murder in Three Acts (1986 TV movie) with Concetta Tomei
• Matlock episodes "The Trial: Part 1" and "Part 2" (1991) with Vince Howard
• Hearts Are Wild (1992 TV series) with Warren Munson

External links [ ]

• Interview at EmmytTvLegends.com
• Diana Muldaur at the Internet Movie Database
• Diana Muldaur at the Internet Broadway Database
• Diana Muldaur at Wikipedia
• 1 Abdullah bin al-Hussein

Diana Muldaur

Series: TOS, TNG

Roles: Science Officer Dr. Ann Mulhall (TOS), Dr. Miranda Jones (TOS), Dr. Katherine Pulaski (TNG)

In 1968, she appeared in the original Star Trek episodes “Return to Tomorrow” (as Science Officer Dr. Ann Mulhall), and in “Is There in Truth No Beauty?” as Dr. Miranda Jones.

In 1988, Muldaur was cast as Dr. Pulaski for the second season of TNG as a replacement for Gates McFadden, the actress who played Beverly Crusher in the first season. Following the end of the second season McFadden returned to the series. Muldaur’s last appearance as Dr. Pulaski was “Shades of Gray”, the final episode of the second season.

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Published Jan 12, 2013

Catching Up With Diana Muldaur, Part 2

Diana Muldaur is a most-formidable woman, and many of her best characters over the years have shared that same trait. Two, of course, immediately spring to mind: Dr. Katherine Pulaski on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Rosalind Shays on L.A. Law . Crafting those ladies, Muldaur brilliantly meshed an icy-cool demeanor, smarts, a certain sense of style and – more with Dr. Pulaski than Shays – a touch of warmth. Fans haven’t seen much of the actress lately, as she spent several years back in her family home on Martha’s Vineyard tending to her husband, film and television writer Robert Dozier, who passed away on January 6, 2012, following a long illness. Now, however, Muldaur – who also portrayed Dr. Ann Mulhall in the TOS hour “ Return to Tomorrow ” and Dr. Miranda Jones in another TOS episodes, “ Is There In Truth No Beauty? ” -- is slowly stepping back into spotlight.She attended Creation Entertainment’s Official Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas this past August, sat for an interview included among the extras on the recently released Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Two Blu-ray set, and told StarTrek.com during a recent conversation that she’s eager to get back into the game, perhaps as a producer. Yesterday, in part one of an extensive interview with Muldaur, she discussed her life today and reminisced about her TOS appearances. Today, in the second half of our conversation, she recounts her memories of working on TNG . You mentioned a couple of times in the first part of our conversation that it was your agent and not Gene Roddenberry who phoned you to be on TOS . But, when Roddenberry did his pilot for Planet Earth after Trek ended, was that a direct call from him to you to ask you to be involved? Muldaur: No. Really, they never are. They always go through the agent. I didn’t really know Gene. I only got to know Gene through the Star Trek Christmas parties. I got to know him and Majel, a little bit, too. I remember that they brought their son to lunch on the set of Planet Earth . He was a little baby. Out came Majel with the baby, and we all went, “Oh, isn’t he handsome and marvelous and wonderful,” and so he was. So that was Planet Earth . Also, as we’re talking, I looked up “Return to Tomorrow” and “Is There in Truth No Beauty?,” and they had the same director, Ralph Senensky. Often directors that enjoy working with you – or the producer, or the main actors – sometimes they throw the name out. You never know where your name came from. So maybe Gene did ask for me on Planet Earth , but remember, it wasn’t a running part. It was a guest star. Years pass and TNG rolls around. How surprised were you to receive a call from… your agent about joining the cast for season two? Muldaur: Very surprised. Gene had a sidekick, a very good producer, who came to see me. Who was that…? Probably… Robert Justman. Muldaur: Yes, Bob Justman always liked my work and he, in fact, came to see me on the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation and said to me how lovely I still was. “Thank you, very much,” said I. No, it’s always if you’re a good actor, everybody wants you. That it worked out that I could do those Star Trek things when I did those Star Trek things, that’s something else. It’s all timing. I missed out on one of the Pink Panther movies because I chose to do Born Free . I was going to be in Africa for a year. I got the offer for the Pink Panther when I was in London on my way to Africa for Born Free . It’s just all a matter of timing.

Going into TNG , what were your hopes for Dr. Pulaski? On paper, what did you like about her? Muldaur: First of all, I didn’t like her name. So I said, “I might do it if you can change her first name.” Gene stared at me very strangely and said, “Let me think about it.” Then he said, “OK, you pick your own first name.” I thought Kate would work just fine. And I loved the name Pulaski. What did I think about her? I was always asked to play doctors or lawyers. It’s what I’d done for years and years and years. Then this was fascinating because I was using all these marvelous devices that were invented in the future, and I had to learn how to pretend to use them. So that’s how I spent a lot of my time, learning how to do that. And I think they wanted a fine actress to work with their fine actor from England. That’s what I think they wanted, but I don’t really know for sure. Back to the question of hopes and expectations, though. How close did the reality of playing Pulaski come to what you had in mind for this woman? Muldaur: I think it was just starting, but I never really planned to be there very long. As it turns out, I used the show where I aged to show to the L.A. Law people, to get L.A. Law . That’s the film they looked at. So you knew going in that TNG would only be a one-season gig for you? Muldaur: Yes, as far as I was concerned. Were you relieved, then, when they brought back Gates McFadden for season three? Muldaur: It didn’t matter. There’s no bringing people back. People have tried to create some kind of something out of it, but she played one part and I played a totally different part. I played a totally different person. I was much closer to the original doctor, which is what I wanted to do, which I thought was more fun for me to do. So, no, it would not have been good to have continued very much longer, even though everyone was really lovely.

Have you ever met McFadden? Even at a convention? Muldaur: No, I haven’t. And somehow I never see the people that I do know, that I worked with, that I’d love to give hugs to. I don’t know how that happens. We all go shooting off in our own way. I’ve only been to a few conventions through all these years and never really have run into anyone. Looking back at TNG , which episode from season two did you think worked best? Muldaur: I loved the episode where we were in England. “ Elementary Dear Data ,” we think you mean. Muldaur: Yes, the holodeck episode where we were all dressed in character. I loved Daniel Davis, who played Moriarty. He was a sweet man, too. The guest stars were always more fun than not. He was really, really wonderful. In fact, Daniel was on a Star Trek cruise I took, where we went down to Jamaica and ended up rescuing some people from Cuba who had strung some damned tires together and were floating on that, not too successfully. We made the captain turn around and pick them up.

Not that this has a whole lot to do with anything, but what are the odds of you, Gene Roddenberry and Jonathan Frakes all sharing the same birthday: August 19. Muldaur: I think that’s extraordinary. I’m not sure what that means, but we’ll know after we’re all gone. You let me know on my epitaph. Just say, “A-ha, now we’ve figured out why they all have the same birthday.” Because it is amazing. If you had it all to do again, would you still have done the one season of TNG ? Muldaur: Of course. Oh, absolutely. Everything is important in your life. The other marvelous thing that happened during that was we had Colin Powell, who was then the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visit the set. He came onto the set just so he could sit in the chair. The red phone was there, in some other guy’s hands, so he could get on the phone instantly if he had to. It was the most marvelous bit of Hollywood; couldn’t believe it.Click HERE to read part one of our interview with Diana Muldaur. And click HERE to learn more about the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard.

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The Intriguing World Of Entertainment

Whatever Happened to Diana Muldaur, Doctor Pulaski From Star Trek: The Next Generation?

By Nick Lee | August 22, 2023

Star Trek fans will remember Diana Muldaur for her role as Dr. Katherine Pulaski on Star Trek: The Next Generation during the show’s second season in 1988-1989.

However, Muldaur had a long acting career before and after her brief time on the Enterprise. Though she never became a household name, she worked consistently in television and film from the 1960s up until the early 2000s.

She played varied roles across multiple genres, from soap operas to sci-fi. Beyond Star Trek, audiences may also know Muldaur from her Emmy-nominated role as cutthroat lawyer Rosalind Shays on L.A. Law.

But what has she been up to in recent years? Let’s delve into the life and career of this talented actress.

Background Information

Born on August 19, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, Diana Muldaur embarked on her acting journey during her high school years.

She further honed her skills at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, graduating in 1960. Under the guidance of the legendary Stella Adler, Muldaur made a name for herself on the New York stage.

Earl Career

Diana Muldaur began acting in television in the early 1960s, appearing in soap operas like The Secret Storm and The Doctors.

Her early TV roles were mostly guest spots on various dramas and westerns, including Gunsmoke, I Spy, Judd for the Defense, and Star Trek.

She also had a recurring role as Ann Wicker on the soap opera The Secret Storm from 1963-1965.

Muldaur transitioned to film acting in the late 1960s, appearing in movies like The Swimmer (1968) and Number One (1969).

However, she continued working regularly in television throughout the 1960s and 1970s, guest starring on shows like Hawaii Five-O, Marcus Welby M.D., and Charlie’s Angels.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Muldaur’s association with “Star Trek” began in the late 1960s when she appeared in two episodes of “Star Trek: The Original Series,” portraying two distinct characters, Dr. Miranda Jones and Ann Mulhall.

Her bond with the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, led to her casting as Dr. Katherine Pulaski in the second season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Her character arc, while rich and varied, was short-lived, leading to numerous speculations and discussions about her departure and the mixed reactions she elicited from the fanbase.

Dr. Pulaski was introduced in the second season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as the chief medical officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D, replacing Dr. Beverly Crusher.

Her character was seasoned, having had a long and distinguished career in Starfleet before joining the Enterprise.

Throughout the season, she was involved in various missions, from being abducted by a hologram of Professor James Moriarty during a Sherlock Holmes holodeck experience to playing a pivotal role in investigating a mysterious aging disease on the USS Lantree.

Reason for Departure

The exact reasons for Dr. Pulaski’s departure from the show after just one season remain a topic of speculation.

Behind the scenes, it’s believed that the character was introduced as a temporary replacement for Dr. Beverly Crusher, with Gates McFadden (who portrayed Crusher) returning in the third season.

The show’s creators might have intended for Pulaski to bring a different dynamic to the ship’s crew, reminiscent of Dr. Leonard McCoy’s more traditional, skeptical demeanor from the original series.

However, with McFadden’s return, Pulaski’s character was written out without a detailed on-screen explanation.

Divisiveness Among Fans

Dr. Pulaski’s character was divisive for several reasons:

Contrast with Crusher: Fans had grown accustomed to Dr. Beverly Crusher’s gentle and compassionate demeanor in the first season. In contrast, Pulaski’s more gruff and direct approach was a stark departure, leading to initial resistance from some fans.

Relationship with Data: One of the most notable aspects of Pulaski’s character was her skepticism towards Lieutenant Commander Data, the ship’s android officer. Unlike most of the crew, she often questioned Data’s ability to understand human emotions or nuances, even mispronouncing his name as a subtle sign of her disbelief in his sentience. This dynamic, while intended to create tension and drama, was off-putting to many fans who had grown fond of Data.

Comparison to Dr. McCoy: While the creators might have aimed for Pulaski to channel the spirit of the original series’ Dr. McCoy, some fans felt that this was forced and that the character lacked the organic charm and wit of “Bones” McCoy.

After her time on “Star Trek,” Muldaur earned two Emmy nominations for her role as lawyer Rosalind Shays on “L.A. Law.”

Rosalind Shays was a complex character, known for being ruthless, greedy, and manipulative. She was introduced as a partner in the law firm and quickly became the series’ main antagonist during her tenure.

Diana Muldaur’s exit from “L.A. Law” was as dramatic as her character’s tenure on the show. In a candid discussion, Muldaur revealed that she had no prior knowledge of her character’s fate until she read the script.

The shocking moment where her character, Rosalind Shays, meets her end by falling down an elevator shaft was a surprise not just to the audience but to Muldaur herself.

Initially, the producers wanted Muldaur to perform the elevator fall, which was a significant drop. Concerned for her safety, Muldaur declined, leading to the use of a stunt double.

This stunt double had to perform the challenging fall multiple times, around ten, before the director was satisfied with the shot. Muldaur expressed her admiration for the stunt double’s resilience and dedication.

She described the cast of “L.A. Law” as “the closest family” and expressed her joy at playing a character as dynamic as Shays. She would act in the series alongside notable actresses Michele Greene and Susan Dey .

Later Career

After her Emmy-nominated role as Rosalind Shays on L.A. Law from 1986-1991, Diana Muldaur continued working steadily in television throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s.

She made guest appearances on shows like Empty Nest, Batman: The Animated Series, Perry Mason movies, and had a recurring role on The Legend of Prince Valiant.

Some of her last on-screen roles were on series like The Practice and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the early 2000s.

Though her acting output slowed in her later years, Muldaur had an extensive and varied television career for over four decades, transitioning from ingenue roles in the 1960s to mature, authoritative women in the 1980s and beyond.

She leveraged her recognizability from L.A. Law to land recurring and guest spots through the twilight of her acting career.

What is Diana Muldaur Doing Now?

In an interview, Diana Muldaur shed light on her current life and interests. Residing in Martha’s Vineyard, a place she has connections to since her childhood, Diana enjoys the tranquility and beauty of the island, especially during the quieter off-peak seasons. She has a deep passion for sailing and has even participated in races, notably winning an entire season two years ago in the Herreshoff fleet with her H 12 boat. Tennis is another sport she indulges in, keeping her active and engaged.

Beyond physical activities, Diana has taken a keen interest in playing duplicate bridge. She finds the game infinitely fascinating, emphasizing the continuous learning it offers. She appreciates the game’s focus on play rather than socializing, which aligns with her preference for privacy.

Diana also touched upon her past involvement with breeding Airedale Terriers, a commitment she held for 35 years. While she no longer breeds them, she still has two dogs and remains influential in the breeding community. She mentioned that breeders from England have sought her expertise and the use of frozen sperm from her past champion dogs to rejuvenate the breed.

Travel remains a significant part of her life. Diana expressed her love for exploring remote places around the world, from Patagonia to Siberia. These travels are not just for leisure; she emphasizes the importance of giving back and tries to contribute positively wherever she goes.

In essence, Diana Muldaur’s current life is a blend of relaxation, hobbies, and a continued commitment to making a positive impact, reflecting her multifaceted personality and diverse interests.

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About Nick Lee

Nick is a Senior Staff Writer for Ned Hardy. Some of his favorite subjects include sci-fi, history, and obscure facts about 90's television. When he's not writing, he's probably wondering how Frank Dux got 52 consecutive knockouts in a single tournament. More from Nick

• Diana Muldaur

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

In her two-hour interview, Diana Muldaur discusses studying acting with coach Stella Adler and describes her early theater work and her early television appearances on Dr. Kildare , Gunsmoke, and Survivors . She recalls being Arnold Schwarzenegger's first on-screen kiss (on The Streets of San Francisco ), shares tales of her two appearances on the original Star Trek, and details her work on Planet Earth , Born Free, and her appearance in the pilot of Charlie's Angels . Muldaur also outlines her film work and her work in TV movies To Kill a Cop and The Miracle Worker . She details becoming the first female president of the Television Academy, joining the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation ,   and speaks of her time playing "Rosalind Shays" on L.A. Law , a character who had one of TV's most infamous demises - falling down an elevator shaft. Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 17, 2011 in Martha's Vineyard, MA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"They didn't tell me. I just opened the script. What they wanted me to do was go down the elevator, which is like a 10 foot drop. And they said, 'You just have to fall.' I said, 'no, I don't. I know that I'm not coming back on this show.' [LAUGH] 'I'm not going to do that for you.' Once again, my stunt double came in and she had to do it like 10 times before the director ever got it right. Ten times! … I mean, I would have had a broken neck by the time I had finished."

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What is Diana Muldaur doing today? aka Katherine on Star Trek

• Diana Muldaur is an American actress from Brooklyn, New York born on 19 August 1938. • She has over 100 acting credits to her name, known best for her portrayal of Chris Coughlin in the action crime series “McCloud”. • Her last TV series role before retiring from acting was her voicing of Dr. Leslie Thompkins in the animated action adventure “Batman: The Animated Series”. • Her last movie role before retiring was in the 1991 mystery crime drama “Perry Mason: The Cast of the Fatal Fashion”. • She is 82 years old, has long brown hair and brown eyes, her height is 5ft 5ins (1.66m) and her net worth is estimated at over $3 million.

• 1 Who is Diana Muldaur?
• 2 Early life and education
• 3 Roles in TV series
• 4 Roles in movies
• 5 Other credits
• 6 Awards and nominations
• 7 Love life and relationships
• 8 Hobbies and interesting facts
• 9 Age, height and net worth

Who is Diana Muldaur?

Diana Charlton Muldaur was born in Brooklyn, New York City USA, on 19 August 1938 – her zodiac sign is Leo and she holds American nationality. She’s an actress with over 100 acting credits to her name, while she’s probably still known best for her portrayal of Chris Coughlin in the action crime series “McCloud”, created by Herman Miller and which aired from 1970 to 1977. It follows a deputy marshal from New Mexico who’s now assigned to Manhattan’s 27th Precinct – the series won one of the 11 awards for which it was nominated, including six Primetime Emmy nominations.

Early life and education

Diana was raised in Brooklyn alongside her younger brother Geoff Muldaur, an American musician, by their parents Charles Edward Arrowsmith Muldaur and Alice Patricia Muldaur.

She grew up being interested in acting, and it was during her freshman year at a local high school that she appeared in her first play, before in 1954 aged 16, Diana launched her acting career with her portrayal of Ann Wicker in the romantic drama series “The Secret Storm”. However, her following role would come nine years later, because upon matriculating in 1956 , Diana enrolled at Sweet Briar College from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960, and then practiced acting under the American actress and acting teacher Stella Adler.

Roles in TV series

In 1963, Diana was cast to play Ann Carwell in the long-running romantic drama “The Doctors”, which aired from 1963 to 1982 numbering 3,687 episodes. In 1969, she was cast to play one of the lead characters, Belle in the drama “The Survivors” which also starred Lana Turner, George Hamilton and Kevin McCarthy, and follows a woman who’s trying to protect her son from her family’s influence.

The following years saw Diana appear in an episode or two of many series, such as the crime drama “Dan August”, the western “Alias Smith and Jones”, and the drama “Marcus Welby, M. D.” In 1974, she portrayed Joy Adamson, one of the lead characters in the family adventure “Born Free”, which also starred Gary Collins and Hal Frederick, and follows the lives of two married game wardens working in Kenya.

Between 1976 and 1978, Diana could’ve been seen portraying Judge Eleanor Hooper in the comedy “The Tony Randall Show”, and in 1979, she played Ginny Linden in the comedy “Hizonner”. In 1988 and 1989, she was cast as Doctor Pulaski in the critically acclaimed mystery action adventure “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, created by Gene Roddenberry, and which starred Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes. It follows several Starfleet officers who have embarked on a mission ‘to go where no one has gone before’, and the series won 36 awards including 18 Primetime Emmys, while it was nominated for 61 other awards.

Diana’s final TV series role before retiring from acting was her voicing of Dr. Leslie Thompkins in the animated action adventure “Batman: The Animated Series”, created by five people and which starred Kevin Conroy, Loren Lester and Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

It aired from 1992 to 1995, and follows The Dark Knight who’s fighting crime in Gotham City, while sometimes being helped by his friends Batgirl and Robin. The series won five awards including a Primetime Emmy, while it was nominated for 19 other awards.

Roles in movies

During her career, Diana was mostly focused on appearing in TV series, and doesn’t have as many movie credits.

She made her debut film appearance in 1968, with her portrayal of Cynthia in the drama “The Swimmer”, which starred Burt Lancaster, Janet Landgard and Janice Rule, and follows a man who’s spending a single summer day swimming in many pools. The movie eventually won a 2015 Satellite Award for Outstanding Overall Blue-Ray/DVD. Some of Diana’s following roles were in the sports drama “Number One”, the crime drama “The Last of the Powerseekers” both in 1969, and the 1970 mystery crime drama “The Lawyer”.

In 1972, she was cast to play Alexandra, one of the lead characters in the mystery horror drama “The Other”, adapted by Tom Tryon based on his novel, and directed by Robert Mulligan. It also starred Uta Hagen and Chris Udvarnoky, and follows several accidents which have happened in a small American farming community, with the people blaming two identical twin brothers and their parents. The movie won Robert Muligan a Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival Award for Best Director. A couple of Diana’s following appearances were in the 1973 drama “Ordeal”, the 1974 action crime drama “McQ” and the 1977 drama “Pine Canyon Is Burning”.

In 1986, she played a supporting character in the mystery crime drama “Murder in Three Acts”, based on the novel by Agatha Christie, directed by Gary Nelson and which starred Peter Ustinov, Tony Curtis and Emma Samms. It follows Hercule Poirot who’s investigating the death of two people at two parties – the movie was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Three of Diana’s final movie roles before retiring from acting were in the 1989 action thriller “The Return of Sam McCloud”, the 1991 mystery crime drama “Perry Mason: The Cast of the Fatal Fashion”, and later that year the drama “Locked Up: A Mother’s Rage”. It appears as she has just recently come out of retirement, and is currently shooting for the upcoming drama “Finding Hannah”.

Other credits

Diana has been featured in various TV specials, including “The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards” in 1984, “The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” in 1985, and “The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” in 1991.

She’s also appeared in a couple of documentary movies, including the 2012 “Making It So: Continuing Star Trek – The Next Generation” and the 2014 “Chaos on the Bridge”.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katrin Röder (@katarine_md)

Diana has made a guest appearance in several talk-shows too, such as “The Alan Hamel Show”, “Hour Magazine” and “Donahue”.

Awards and nominations

She has been nominated for four awards for her performance in the series “L. A. Law”. In both 1990 and 1991, Diana was nominated for a Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series and in the same two years for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Love life and relationships

Diana met her future first husband James Vickery, the late American actor, on the set of the soap opera “The Secret Storm”, and they exchanged vows on 26 July 1969 in front of their closest friends and family members.

The two could’ve been seen attending all their events together – it’s widely believed that neither wanted children as they preferred to focus on their careers. The marriage ended on 19 October 1979, when James lost his fight against cancer.

On 11 October 1981, Diana married the American film writer and producer Robert Dozier and the two also decided not to have children; some believe that Diana’s perhaps infertile. The marriage lasted until 6 January 2012 when Robert died of prostate cancer.

Diana hasn’t spoken of any other men whom she has perhaps been with, and as of May 2021, she’s single, was married twice and doesn’t have children.

Hobbies and interesting facts

Diana’s a huge dog-lover and was once a breeder and owner of Airedale Terriers. She also served as a judge at various dog competitions.

Diana loves to travel, and has been all around the US, visiting nearly every state thanks to her acting career. She has also been to various European countries, while her dream travel destination is Paris in France.

In 2000, she wanted to undergo face-lift surgery but eventually decided against it, claiming that ‘somebody has to look the right age’.

She’s keen on reading books, and has read numerous.

In her spare time, Diana likes to watch movies starring her favorite actors and actresses Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp and Julia Roberts, such as “The Dark Knight”, the franchise “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and “Runaway Bride”.

Age, height and net worth

Diana’s age is 82. She has long brown hair and brown eyes, her height is 5ft 5ins (1.66m) and she weighs around 128lbs (58kgs).

As of May 2021, her net worth has been estimated at over $3 million.

As the Senior Writer at The Biography, I lead a dedicated team focused on revealing the untold stories of trailblazers. My deep passion for uncovering hidden narratives compels me to thoroughly investigate each subject, ensuring a harmonious blend of accuracy and engaging storytelling. I am heavily involved in every aspect of the editorial process, from the preliminary research to the publishing details, guaranteeing that each biography not only informs but also captivates and inspires our audience. At The Biography, we are committed to providing meticulous explorations of net worth and achievements of innovators across diverse fields like technology, arts, and philanthropy. My methodology integrates extensive research with narrative skill, designed to forge a connection between our readers and the extraordinary individuals making headlines. By showcasing their journeys, challenges, and contributions, we provide a detailed perspective on those leading advancements and transformations in our society.

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Return to Tomorrow

• Episode aired Feb 9, 1968

The Enterprise is guided to a distant, long-dead world where survivors of an extremely ancient race - existing only as disembodied energy - desiring the bodies of Kirk, Spock and astro-biolo... Read all The Enterprise is guided to a distant, long-dead world where survivors of an extremely ancient race - existing only as disembodied energy - desiring the bodies of Kirk, Spock and astro-biologist Ann Mulhall so that they may live again. The Enterprise is guided to a distant, long-dead world where survivors of an extremely ancient race - existing only as disembodied energy - desiring the bodies of Kirk, Spock and astro-biologist Ann Mulhall so that they may live again.

• Ralph Senensky
• Gene Roddenberry
• John T. Dugan
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 30 User reviews
• 13 Critic reviews

• Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk …

• Mister Spock …

• Ann Mulhall …

• Christine Chapel
• Lieutenant Hadley
• (uncredited)

• Command Lieutenant

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia As a lieutenant commander, Ann Mulhall has the distinction of being the highest-ranking female Starfleet character shown in The Original Series.
• Goofs Dr. Ann Mulhall wears a red tunic, but she is described as a astrobiologist, which should put her in the Sciences division and have her wearing a blue tunic.

Capt. Kirk : They used to say if man could fly, he'd have wings, but he did fly. He discovered he had to. Do you wish that the first Apollo mission hadn't reached the moon, or that we hadn't gone on to Mars and then to the nearest star? That's like saying you wish that you still operated with scalpels and sewed your patients up with catgut like your great-great-great-great grandfather used to. I'm in command. I could order this, but I'm not because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically advanced as this, but I must point out that the possibilities - the potential for knowledge and advancement - is equally great. Risk! Risk is our business. That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her. You may dissent without prejudice. Do I hear a negative vote?

• Alternate versions Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
• Connections Featured in The Moon Is... The Sun's Dream (1992)
• Soundtracks Theme Music credited to Alexander Courage , although a small part of the theme resembles the main title music for 'Hollow Triumph (1948)' by Sol Kaplan , who is not credited. Sol Kaplan did contribute music to numerous episodes and is so credited when applicable. Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

User reviews 30

• Dan1863Sickles
• Mar 12, 2019
• February 9, 1968 (United States)
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• Runtime 50 minutes

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Why These Star Trek Actors Really Left The Franchise

In the expansive "Star Trek" universe, some of its brightest stars embarked on unforeseen journeys, abruptly departing the franchise to both the dismay and intrigue of fandom.

Why didn't Kirstie Alley return as the beloved Lt. Saavik? What prompted Jeffrey Hunter to relinquish the role of Captain Pike? Who ejected Gates McFadden's Dr. Crusher from the airlock? How come Diana Muldaur, her replacement, endured only a single season? Why did Wil Wheaton part ways with Wesley Crusher? And why was Grace Lee Whitney, as Yeoman Janice Rand, dropped from the cast even before the original series premiered in 1966?

These departures stemmed from a myriad of forces: financial constraints, contract negotiations, miscasting, yearnings for new horizons or strange new opportunities, life-altering events, creative and personal conflicts, or a blend of these influences. Most were unexpected and frequently controversial. Whether these exits bolstered or hindered the franchise, the judgment is yours, but here's how and why they happened.

Jeffrey Hunter disliked the first pilot

Jeffrey Hunter's brief "Star Trek" stint can be attributed to a blend of personal choices and professional considerations. He originated the role of Captain Christopher Pike in the original pilot, "The Cage," filmed in late 1964. However, when the NBC network didn't pick up the series, Hunter's obligation ended. Desilu Productions invited him back for the second pilot. He declined.

Speculation runs rampant regarding the reasons. Accounts from those close to the matter differ on specifics but all concur that Hunter was unenthusiastic about returning. In 1972, former Desilu V.P. Oscar Katz recounted that following a screening of the pilot, "Word came back that [Hunter] didn't want to do it because he didn't like the show." With Desilu's business affairs department and Hunter's agent miles apart, and time running out to cast the second pilot, tempers got short. "One day I said, 'Well, forget it, we'll sign another lead.'" Thus, Captain Pike's mantle went to William Shatner's Captain Kirk.

The unaired pilot eventually became part of the episode "The Menagerie," but even that required negotiations between Desilu and Hunter to reuse the footage within the series. We can thank Hunter for agreeing to those terms.

Denise Crosby requested permission to disembark

Production of Season 1 of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was a train wreck, as reported in William Shatner's documentary "Chaos On the Bridge." The problems stemmed from the "Trek" offices. Writer turnover was the norm, and "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's decisions ran roughshod over everyone, even "Trek" veterans like Dorothy Fontana.

Amidst this chaos, planned characterizations and dynamics didn't quite play out. The scripts were especially bad for the female leads, who found themselves backgrounded. Writers especially didn't know what to do with Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis), so much so that she vanished from several episodes. Sirtis says she was nearly written out of the show. They spared Sirtis but cast mate  Denise Crosby was struggling with her underdeveloped character, Tasha Yar. "I had all these ideas and couldn't do them. I was just stage dressing. I chose to leave instead of just being satisfied with that." It was Roddenberry's idea to have the character die. He thought it would be shocking.

In the realm of "Star Trek," it seemed impossible for Yar to vanish permanently. Time travel shenanigans brought her back twice for massively popular and important episodes, and Crosby also played Yar's Romulan daughter, Sela, several times. "I never regretted my decision," said Crosby. "My favorite episode was "Yesterday's Enterprise." I had to die and leave the show in order to do [it]. There is some irony in that."

Gates McFadden ran afoul of the head writer

Gates McFadden's abrupt exit from "TNG" at the end of season one stunned fans. As the actress behind Dr. Beverly Crusher, she played an integral role in the show's familial dynamics. Her character's departure, leaving her son Wesley (Wil Wheaton) aboard the Enterprise, struck many as absurd. Speculation swirled regarding conflicts with higher-ups, including producer Maurice Hurley, and disagreements about her character's portrayal.

In a recent interview, Michael Rosenbaum questioned McFadden about whether her working relationship with Hurley led to her departure. She acknowledged the possibility, stating, "I think I definitely pissed him off." She cited concerns about the initial season's regressive portrayal of women in scripts and her dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Crusher's relationship with Wesley. "I kept saying, why is it that I've raised this genius kid... and yet every time there's anything, even possibly serious, it's only the male characters that talk to him," she explained. "She's a scientist. I'm not buying this."

The cast and fans alike didn't buy her farewell, which led to problems for her successor, Diana Muldaur. For fans of McFadden and Crusher, this unfortunate state of affairs lasted only one year. McFadden would return to the enterprise that was "TNG" in season three and stayed on for the rest of the show's run. She also reprised the role for the "TNG" movies and "Star Trek: Picard." 

Diana Muldaur was never welcomed aboard

Following Gates McFadden's forced exit from "TNG," the powers that be decided to replace the character rather than recast the role. Executive producer and "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry went to his go-to list to call upon Diana Muldaur. She had previously appeared twice (as different characters) on the OG "Trek" and starred in his pilot telefilm "Planet Earth." Muldaur took on the role of Dr. Katherine Pulaski and joined "TNG" during season two.

However, it wasn't a seamless transition. Rumors circulated that the cast, loyal to McFadden, did not welcome Muldaur. Audience response was mixed. Pulaski introduced a fresh dynamic with her no-nonsense demeanor but her early treatment of Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) rubbed many viewers the wrong way.

Regarding her departure, Muldaur has revealed few details, aside from a scheduling conflict with the first episodes of "TNG's" season three when she was asked to reprise her role in a "McCloud" reunion telefilm. Her involvement in "TNG" was initially a favor to Roddenberry, and as his role diminished, she had little reason to stay. Her exit, however, proved fortuitous. She joined the cast of "LA Law" in her signature role as the scheming Rosalind Shays, a character who executed one of TV history's most memorable and shocking goodbyes.

Walter Koenig's Chekov was one ruble too many for Star Trek's animated adventures

George Takei and Nichelle Nichols, celebrated for their iconic portrayals of Sulu and Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series, triumphantly returned to their roles for the animated "Star Trek" series (1973–1974). However, their participation almost never happened. Filmation Associates, the animation company, initially aimed to cast only five original series actors. While William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley reclaimed their signature roles, Takei and Nichols were left out in the cold. James Doohan was to assume the mantle of Scotty and all other male characters, including Sulu. Majel Barrett Roddenberry was to resume her role as Nurse Chapel and perform all other female characters, including Uhura.

Nimoy, however, nobly rebelled, stating , "I refused to do Spock until they were hired." With that, Filmation welcomed Takei and Nichols aboard. Takei and Walter Koenig corroborated Nimoy's stance in the documentary "For the Love of Spock" (2016).

However, this was not one big happy fleet. Koenig, known for his portrayal of Chekov, found himself excluded from the animated adaptation due to cost constraints, and, regrettably, no advocate championed his cause. They instead offered Koenig the opportunity to pen an episode, resulting in the peculiar segment "The Infinite Vulcan."

Geneviève Bujold couldn't take the tech

Geneviève Bujold's swift exit from the lead role of Captain Nicole Janeway in "Star Trek: Voyager" remains a curious chapter in the franchise's history. Initially cast as the intrepid Starfleet captain, Bujold left the production just days into filming the pilot episode.

Bujold's departure stemmed from a mismatch in role expectations and the demanding production schedule. On set, she discovered a lack of interest in portraying the authoritative figure of a starship captain, preferring to play the role as  a scientist . Like many actors, she struggled with the technical jargon and dialogue ( as seen in this clip ). Not even a week passed before she declared herself unsuited for the role and she and the production parted ways.

Her exit opened the door for the casting of Kate Mulgrew — who'd been in the running to play Nicole Janeway — as the renamed Captain Kathryn Janeway. The role would become iconic in the "Star Trek" universe. Bujold's departure serves as a lesson, underscoring the unique demands of television production and the delicate balance between an actor's artistic preferences and the dramatic imperatives of an established franchise.

Michelle Forbes chose to beam out rather than be tied down

While "TNG" grappled with a lot of offscreen drama involving its regular female cast members — namely Sirtis, Crosby, McFadden, and Muldaur — Michelle Forbes' departure took a different, more amicable path.

Forbes brought complexity and charisma to the character of Ensign Ro Laren during her seven appearances on "TNG." There were initial plans to transition her to "Deep Space Nine" as a core cast member. Producer Michael Piller noted , "Michelle Forbes is a wonderful actress, and her character of Ensign Ro created the entire canvas for this new series... It had always been assumed that she would be one of the people spun off and moved over to the new series."

However, Forbes harbored other aspirations. In 2005, she explained in an interview with TV Zone magazine that she didn't want to commit to a series. She reflected, "If I'd gone on to do DS9, I might not have had the variety I've been lucky to have in my career... That's not to say I wasn't grateful for the opportunity; I genuinely was. However, I had to make a choice that felt right for me, which was a difficult one."

When Forbes reprised her role in "Picard," she shared on Instagram, "Ro taught me a lot. I've held those lessons close. She always stayed true to her word & beliefs. Always honest. Even if uncomfortable."

Persis Khambatta's Ilia went from series regular to redshirt

A revival of "Star Trek" was a touch-and-go thing throughout the 70s. Many attempts proved stillborn before Paramount chose to reboot the property as a TV series to anchor its proposed fourth U.S. TV network. That series, simply called "Star Trek II" (what most people call "Phase II"), sought to bring back the entire OG cast, and all agreed except Leonard Nimoy. Joining them were three new regulars: Commander Decker (uncast for the series); Spock-replacement Lt. Xon (David Gautreaux); and navigator Lt. Ilia, a "Deltan" with empathic powers and superior mathematical ability.

The writers scripted several episodes that would feature Ilia as a major character, including "The Child," which would later be repurposed for "TNG." The studio cast the plum role with former Femina Miss India, Persis Khambatta. But the network failed to materialize. A hasty decision to repurpose the two-hour pilot script as a feature resulted in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." Xon became superfluous after Nimoy agreed to return as Spock, and Decker and Ilia were loose ends fated to be the sacrificial lambs at the climax because heaven forbid that Kirk, Spock, and McCoy evolve into a higher life form.

Sherilyn Connelly's excellent biography "Presenting Persis Khambatta" reveals that the actress wasn't heartbroken. The process of filming had been arduous and disagreeable, and individuals unable to see beyond Ilia's bald head had hindered her career.

Wil Wheaton got the message, and left

Wil Wheaton's portrayal of the "wunderkind" character Wesley Crusher faced substantial backlash, with some viewers labeling him a "Mary Sue" figure. Though challenging for the young actor, it wasn't the primary reason for his eventual departure from the show.

Wheaton explained , "Here's the absolute truth why I left 'Star Trek': I left 'Star Trek' because it was seriously interfering with my career in feature films." Commitments to the series had forced him to turn down several movie roles. The breaking point came when director Miloš Forman expressed interest in casting him for his 1989 film "Valmont." However, the "TNG" team wouldn't write Wesley out of the first scheduled episode of Season 3 or adjust the production order to accommodate the film's shooting schedule. Wheaton was told the first episode of the season focused entirely on Wesley. "I said, 'Well, this really sucks, but I'm under contract to you guys and if that's your call and if that's what you say I have to do, I have to do.' I had to pass on the movie."

But that wasn't the end of it. The production order of the first two episodes got flipped, and Wesley played an insignificant in the first segment. "The message was, "We own you. Don't you ever try to do anything without us," said Wheaton. That message drove him to leave the series, though he eventually made a few visits as a special guest star.

Paramount made Kirstie Alley an offer she could refuse

Newcomer Kirstie Alley made a striking impression in the supporting yet memorable role of Lt. Saavik in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Fans expressed disappointment when she chose not to reprise the character for "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock." The reason? Recall the iconic line from Paramount's classic "The Godfather," "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"? Well, the studio's offer to Alley was one she could, and did, refuse. Alley was taken aback by the studio's lowball offer. "You're not paying as much as the first one, and it's a bigger role? It just didn't make sense to me," Alley remarked . "Why would you offer someone less money for a bigger role?'"

With Paramount standing firm, Alley decided to move on, and Robin Curtis assumed the unenviable task of replacing her, which she did to mixed results and mixed reviews. For "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," director Nick Meyer envisioned Saavik as the traitor among the crew. For a variety of reasons, it didn't work out. Instead of recasting Saavik again, Meyer introduced Lt. Valeris (Kim Cattrall).

Unlike Saavik at Spock's funeral, Alley shed no tears over losing the part, transitioning to a successful career in numerous hit films and TV series, including the Paramount-produced classic "Cheers." Alley passed away on December 5, 2022. 

Terry Farrell was just worn out

The typical contract for regulars on a TV series is six years, and if a show is lucky enough to continue beyond that all the cast contracts must be renegotiated. Actors on a successful series are in a better position to ask for more money or other concessions. Such was the case for the cast of "DS9" during Season 6. In particular, Terry Farrell, who played the role of Jadzia Dax, sought to challenge the status quo.

Specifically, she wanted to step back from a starring role to that of a recurring character who didn't appear in every episode. "I was just really tired. I was tired of waking up at four in the morning. I was tired of all the minutiae," Farrell explained . But no new deal was forthcoming, and the producers decided to "fridge" Jadzia and replace her with a new character.

Despite her desire for a break, Farrell didn't get one. She performed Jadzia's death scene for "DS9" one day, and tested for the Paramount-produced comedy "Becker" the next. She subsequently co-starred on "Becker" for several seasons until, ironically, she was let go from that show.

Jennifer Lien was reluctantly released

"Star Trek: Voyager" featured controversial characters in Neelix (Ethan Phillips) and Kes (Jennifer Lien), mainly due to the peculiar dynamic of their relationship. Kes was a two-year-old Ocampa with a nine-year lifespan. She was romantically involved with middle-aged Neelix, raising eyebrows among fans. As the show progressed, writers struggled with both Lien's Kes and Garrett Wang's Lt. Kim, and by Season 3 both were on the chopping block . Kim was spared when Wang was named one of "People" magazine's " 50 Most Beautiful People in the World ." Kes was not so fortunate.

Lien's mental health was also a concern. As related in the book "Star Trek: Voyager — A Celebration" by Ben Robinson and Mark Wright, the cast and crew realized Lien was dealing with personal issues. "We knew that there was something going on," co-creator Jeri Taylor said, "but she wouldn't talk or let us offer to help."

Kes exited in the second episode of Season 4. Lien landed a few film roles and performed occasional voice acting work, but by 2002 made a decisive departure from acting. Sadly, her mental health appears to have suffered further, and, in the mid-2010s, she was arrested for several crimes. Many of those charges were later dropped.

Grace Lee Whitney was cut for cost... and worse

Even before "Star Trek" premiered in September 1966, Grace Lee Whitney's character, Yeoman Janice Rand, had been written out of the show.

Whitney addressed the topic in her memoir " The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy ," in which she candidly admitted having been a victim of sexual assault. The culprit was someone at Desilu Studios she identified only as "The Executive." Whitney believed she'd been let go because the perpetrator didn't want her around as a constant reminder of what he'd done. But it was budget considerations that led to the decision to drop her. In late August 1966, casting director Joe D'Agosta penned a memo discussing cast costs. Whitney was one of the highest-paid supporting cast members, but underutilized. D'Agosta recommended her deal be renegotiated, or the character dropped or recast. This was just before the assault.

Roddenberry always regretted cutting Rand from the show. Less than two months after her dismissal, Roddenberry issued a memo concerning the possibility of bringing Whitney back in a guest capacity. But Rand would remain MIA on "Trek" until the "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." She also cameoed in movies "III," "IV," and "VI" and, finally, in the "Voyager" episode "Flashback."

At the end of her life, Whitney (who died in 2015) had long since made peace with the events, and even said as much to this author over lunch in 2012. That's what you might call a grace note.

Diana Muldaur called Star Trek: The Next Generation “Off-Broadway”

By rachel carrington | jul 5, 2023.

Diana Muldaur replaced Gates McFadden on the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Unfortunately, the fans didn’t take to the new character of Dr. Katherine Pulaski as she came across as abrasive and treated Data like a child. Though Pulaski was meant to resemble Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy’s character, it didn’t suit her or the other actors she was working with. And, apparently, that was just fine with Muldaur, as she told Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross, the writers of The Fifty-Year Mission—The Next 25 Years , [pp. 151-153] that, since her time on the show, she pretends she wasn’t in it and that she was just a guest person.

But that’s not all the former Star Trek: The Original Series actress had to say about her time as Dr. Pulaski. Not only did she tell the writers she was making more money and had better billing than the rest of the cast, but she had quite a few scathing words to say about that cast.

"“You just feel it from people who really hadn’t done anything else who were a little insecure. I did everything I could to make everyone feel secure and work well.”"

Diana Muldaur said the original Star Trek was like doing a nice Broadway play.

The Next Generation , on the other hand, was Off-Broadway to her. She said everyone was trying to be somebody rather than letting go and acting wonderfully, adding that if there was any tension, it had nothing to do with her, but them.

Though Muldaur said she wouldn’t have stayed beyond season two, there was a lot she loved about working on the series. And she does think the cast of L.A. Law, who she said offered a lot of snobbery about her time on the series, would be jealous if they knew the residuals Muldaur made from The Next Generation.

Still, the actress made it quite clear she wasn’t a big fan of the directors or much of the cast really.

"“The directors were all kids, who had just come over from the old country and didn’t know what they were doing. It was not a great creative mix of people and directors.”"

She further clarified that her time on the show wasn’t working out, but it had nothing to do with her. Then added that she “loved being part of it.”  Everything else she said certainly speaks to the contrary.

Next. Watch: 10 most hated Star Trek characters. dark

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Why Diana Muldaur's Katherine Pulaski Left After Season 2

Dr. Pulaski joined the crew of the USS Enterprise for one season of Star Trek, but never fully meshed with the other characters on the show.

Season 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation   brought a brand new doctor to the USS Enterprise. The first season said goodbye to two of the main women leads. Tasha Yar's death spelled the end of Denise Crosby's regular appearance on the show, but Dr. Beverly Crusher's transfer to head of Starfleet Medical meant there was room for a new doctor on board in Diana Muldaur's Katherine Pulaski.

Gates McFadden, who played the original Doctor Beverly Crusher, had left the show after the first season . The producers brought in Diana Muldaur to play a different type of doctor named Katherine Pulaski. Dr. Pulaski had previously served as chief medical officer on board the starship USS Repulse and held the rank of commander. Despite her rank and service record, she was not a bridge officer like her predecessor, Dr. Crusher.

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Pulaski brought a new vibe to the medical bay. While Dr. Crusher was often defined by her role as a mother and consulted for advice on social and emotional matters just as often as medical ones, Dr. Pulaski was calculating and detached. Creator Gene Roddenberry had wanted her to emulate some of the stand-out characteristics of Dr. McCoy from  The Original Series , including a fear of teleporters and a mistrust of the overly-logical members of the crew. In an interview for StarTrek.com , Muldaur says this is how she had wanted to play her  Star Trek doctor.

But Dr. Pulaski only stayed on  Star Trek: The Next Generation for a single season. The character was deemed a "failed experiment" -- not only did they never find the chemistry between Dr. Pulaski and the other crew members aboard the Enterprise , but the character herself never fully coalesced. Perhaps reaching backward for gimmicks that had worked in past eras led to a character defined by uncomfortable traits.

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Muldaur was not offered a renewal of her contract after the second season, but it turns out that she wasn't particularly interested in continuing on as Dr. Pulaski. She had never intended on staying on longer than one season, and this clinched the deal. Having previously acted on the character-based  The Original Series , Muldaur found  The Next Generation too reliant on technology and setting to hold much interest for her.

Muldaur had also landed a role on  L.A. Law , in part based upon her performance in the Pulaski-centric "Unnatural Selection" episode of  Star Trek: The Next Generation . This episode showcased Muldaur's acting chops as her character sought to find a cure for an illness that was causing her to rapidly age. Muldaur submitted this episode as part of her audition for  L.A. Law , suggesting that even if  The Next Generation wasn't exactly her taste, she was still giving it her all and reaping rewards from the series.

Diana Muldaur's Katherine Pulaski was a hard pivot from the previous  The Next Generation doctor Beverly Crusher. Despite referencing the style of the successful Dr. McCoy, her character's failure to mesh with the rest of the crew coupled with the actor's ambivalence about the show and other offers led to Pulaski's eventual departure . What few suspected, however, was that Pulaski would be replaced by Dr. Crusher, the character she had in turn replaced, ending her tenure on the show with a return to the original cast.

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Screen Rant

Commander riker had a star trek: tng clone before thomas riker - he murdered him.

Commander Riker murdered his own clone in Star Trek: The Next Generation long before he knew about his transporter duplicate, Thomas Riker.

• Riker faced his own clone early on in TNG, refusing to be replicated for the sake of individuality.
• Mariposans cloned Riker and Pulaski without consent, leading to Riker taking matters into his own hands.
• Later, Riker discovered his own transporter duplicate in a twist of fate, navigating the complexities of having a double.

Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) had a clone in Star Trek: The Next Generation long before he found out about his transporter duplicate, Thomas Riker. For seven seasons of TNG and four movies, Riker served as First Officer of the USS Enterprise-D under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). The Enterprise and her crew encountered many strange phenomena over the years, including the occasional evil twin or surprise doppelganger. In TNG season 7, Riker met his transporter clone, but he had a much more violent reaction the first time he was cloned.

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2 , episode 18, "Up the Long Ladder," the USS Enterprise-D crew encounters two different colonies that both originated from the same ship, the SS Mariposa. One of the colonies, the Bringloidi, has embraced a simple life of farming and the Enterprise brings them aboard when their planet begins experiencing solar flares. The Bringloidians inform Captain Picard of the other colony, Mariposa, which has become a more advanced society made up of clones. With an original population of only five colonists, the Mariposan clones have begun degrading, and they want more DNA samples to add to their gene pool.

The Bringloidians are based on cliched Irish stereotypes that were outdated even in 1989 when the episode aired.

10 Star Trek Characters Who Met Their Doppelganger

Commander riker murdered his first clone in star trek: tng's "up the long ladder", the mariposans steal riker and dr. pulaski's dna so they can clone them..

Soon after the USS Enterprise-D contacts the Mariposans, Commander Riker beams down to the planet with Dr. Katherine Pulaski (Diana Muldaur) and Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) . After the Mariposans reveal themselves as clones, they ask for samples of DNA from Enterprise crew members to repopulate their gene pool. Because they have been continuously copying and recopying the same five people, the clones have begun to experience replicative fading and will be nonviable within a few generations. When the Mariposans ask for DNA samples, Riker is the first to speak up, saying:

No way, not me. [...] One William Riker is unique, perhaps even special. But a hundred of him, a thousand of him diminishes me in ways I can't even imagine.

The Prime Minister of Mariposa, Walter Granger (Jon De Vries), seems to accept their refusal, asking if the Enterprise crew could still help repair their equipment. As Lt. Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) and an engineering team work on repairs, the Mariposans steal DNA from Riker and Pulaski and clone them anyway. As they were unconscious through the process, Riker and Pulaski did not notice anything amiss, but, with his VISOR, Geordi could tell that Granger was lying. Riker, Pulaski, and La Forge then beam back down to Mariposa's cloning labs, and Riker kills both clones. Although Pulaski cringes, she supports Riker's decision, and though Granger calls them murderers, the away team suffers no consequences for killing two defenseless lifeforms.

Will Riker's Greatest Fear Later Came True With His Clone Thomas Riker

Will riker is no longer unique after this tng season 6 episode..

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 24, "Second Chances," the Enterprise visits the planet Nervala IV to investigate a Federation research station that was abandoned eight years ago. Commander Riker leads an away team down to the planet, and they discover an exact double of Riker claiming to be Lt. Will Riker. Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) determines that the man is genetically indistinguishable from Commander Riker. Riker had been on a mission to Nervala IV eight years before and was the last to beam up from the planet. La Forge realizes that the transporter beam must have split, resulting in one Riker being beamed to the ship and one being left on Nervala IV.

"Second Chances" is the directing debut of LeVar Burton, who would go on to direct another Riker-centric episode in TNG season 7, episode 12, "The Pegasus."

Lt. Riker decides to go by the name Thomas and transfers to another ship at the end of "Second Chances," before eventually joining the rebel group known as the Maquis and popping up on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . By TNG season 6, Riker has experienced many strange adventures since his encounter with the Mariposans in "Up the Long Ladder." While he is still clearly unsettled that he has a clone, he never considers killing his duplicate. The situation is different, of course, as Thomas Riker's creation was an accident, but it's clear Riker does not feel quite as strongly about having a duplicate as he did earlier on Star Trek: The Next Generation .

Star Trek: The Next Generation is available to stream on Paramount+.

Star Trek: The Next Generation