Star Trek and Star Wars are both beloved sci-fi classics with some of the most passionate fanbases on the planet, dare we say, the galaxy? While plenty of fans declare themselves both proud Trekkies and loyal Jedis, the Star Wars vs. Star Trek debate is as hotly contested as DC vs. Marvel. It's not rare to find a fan with a big love for one and a searing hatred of the other, or at the very least, a well-reasoned argument for why their favorite space-romping franchise is superior to the other.
There's a beacon of hope for those who want peace between the Trekkies and the Star Wars fans. A handful of beloved actors. These actors prove that these two pop culture phenomena can exist in harmony. Some of the actors are better known for their role in one franchise over the other and their appearances in the rival space films might surprise even the most devoted of fans.
10 George Coe
George Coe had a long and storied acting career, appearing in some of the past decades' most popular films and TV shows. Devoted Trekkies will know that George Coe appeared in an episode of The Next Generation called "First Contact." Note that this episode isn't the same as the Star Trek movie of the same name! Coe played Chancellor Durken in this episode, the leader of a planet infiltrated by a species that might bring warp drive technology to his home world. He and Picard have philosophical discussions about Durken's concerns in a storyline with all the hallmarks of classic Star Trek.
George Coe eventually jumped over to the Star Wars franchise when he appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars tv show. He voiced a spindly peace-loving alien named Tee Watt Kaa. The character stayed true to Coe's Star Trek roots by acting as a pacifist and voice of reason.
9 Deep Roy
Deep Roy has had a fascinating Hollywood career. He began as a stunt performer in the 1970s and his credits include being a stunt double for Warwick Davis. Roy has often appeared in Star Wars, though it will be difficult to recognize him behind his makeup and costume. He played an Ewok, appeared as Droopy McCool in the Max Rebo Band that performed for Jabba the Hutt, and even acted as a stand-in for Yoda in Empire Strikes Back.
Roy didn't make the journey to the world of Star Trek until 2009 when he played Keenser in the JJ. Abram's film. This blue alien was an assistant to Scotty, and though he didn't have dialogue, his mannerisms spoke volumes, with some fans speculating that Keenser was in love with Scotty.
8 Fionnula Flanagan
This Irish actress appeared in Emmy award-winning projects before appearing in Star Wars. Fionnula Flanagan appeared in wildly popular American western shows, Gunsmoke and Bonanza. Her Star Wars foray began with a title that isn't exactly a fan-favorite. She played Catarine Towani in the made-for-TV film, Caravan of Courage: an Ewok Adventure. Catarine Towani survives a spaceship crash and comes under the care of every Star Wars fans favorite little teddy bear aliens, the Ewoks. This film had a much lower budget than the original trilogy and didn't significantly impact the franchise, but nevertheless, devoted fans can catch Flanagan's performance on Disney+.
Flanagan's Star Trek role is more recognizable as she played Data's "mom." She is the android replacement for his creator, Dr. Soong's dead wife. She takes on an unconventional motherly role for Data while he learns more about his "family" in the episode, Inheritance. This wasn't Flanagan's only Star Trek appearance. She also played a Vulcan diplomat in an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise.
7 Ian Abercrombie
Ian Abercrombie is no stranger to cult classic films and tv shows. He played Elaine's boss in Seinfeld and the Wise Man in Army of Darkness. Star Wars fans will know him from his iconic voice-acting work as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Clone Wars tv show. Tim Curry replaced him after he passed away in 2012.
Ian Abercrombie made two appearances in the world of Star Trek. Both roles were on Star Trek: Voyager. First, he played Abbott, a stern overseer in the episode "Someone to Watch Over Me," where he kept an eye on a visiting alien who liked to party a little too much. Then he played an Irish drunk in the episode "Spirit Folk." Whether playing strong, evil, or comedic, Abercrombie truly showed his range during his tenure in Star Wars and Star Trek.
6 Olivia D'abo
Olivia D'abo made a memorable appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation, where she played the spunky intern in the episode, "True Q." She's the victim of a prankster entity that convinces her she has godlike powers. She decides to test it out by cheating on tests and trying to kidnap her crush, Commander Ryker.
D'abo is yet another actor that crossed over from Star Trek to Star Wars through The Clone Wars tv show. She voices a minor Jedi character named Luminara Unduli. This Jedi is known for her sword skills and mind-based abilities. She is best known for mentoring her traitorous Padawan, Barriss Offee. This relationship comes back to bite Luminara in a dramatic twist. This is a storyline Star Wars fans can't miss.
5 Jason Wingreen
It will be hard to recognize Jason Wingreen in his Star Wars and Star Trek, mainly because you will never catch a glimpse of his face in his iconic Star Wars role. Wingreen voices the fan favorite Mandalorian bounty hunter, Boba Fett, in The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi. Considering that Wingreen leaves such a small trace in such a memorable role, we can forgive fans if they missed his jump between Star Wars and Star Trek.
He is easy to miss in his Star Trek role too, but he did appear in the episode "The Empath." This campy episode features Kirk, McCoy, and Spock getting kidnapped and tortured on a theater set. Pay close attention, and you'll spot Jason Wingreen playing a doctor trapped in a tube.
4 Ethan Phillips
Ethan Phillips is best known for his lovable and fuzzy Star Trek: Voyager character, Neelix. Neelix was a recurring character on Voyager, serving on the ship as a mess hall cook before becoming an ambassador. Neelix serves food, morale boosts, tender moments, and comic relief. He's even the godfather to the first baby born aboard Voyager.
Phillips' involvement in Star Wars is limited to voice acting in video games, but it counts as a franchise crossover! His credits include Hammam Flatt in Star Wars: Force Commander and multiple roles in Star Wars: Galactic Battleground and fan-favorite video game, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
3 Ron Perlman
Ron Perlman is no stranger to acting under extensive makeup work and prosthetics since he plays the titular Hellboy. You might not recognize him under his alien transformation in the Star Trek movie Nemesis, but he played the main henchman to the film's villain. The movie featured a hostile race of orc-like aliens called Remans. Their monstrous appearance, bulging browns, and protruding fangs fit perfectly with Perlman's other beastly roles.
Perlman is yet another Star Trek actor who entered the galaxy far, far away through Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He voiced Gha Nachkt, a ghoulish alien who peddles scrap metal, interested in earning credits above all else. He clashes with Anakin Skywalker after trying to sell R2-D2 to the evil General Grievous.
2 Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg has left his signature comedic flair in the Star Wars and Star Trek universes. He had big shoes to fill when he stepped into the role of Scotty in the 2009 Star Trek film. Fans loved his performance as the spitfire, easily irritated Enterprise engineer. Apparently, director J.J. Abrams loved working with Pegg too, because he brought him along in his transition from the world of Star Trek to Star Wars.
Abrams cast Simon Pegg as the voice of Unkar Plutt in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. You can spot him toward the film's beginning when he tries to cheat scavenger heroine Rey out of some well-earned portions. Eventually, he sells Rey out to the first order when she won't sell BB-8 to him.
1 George Takei
George Takei might be the most prominent and surprising connection between Star Trek and Star Wars. He's most prominently known as a Star Trek actor playing Sulu, the helmsman of the Enterprise. After taking on such a pivotal role in the world of Star Trek, not to mention how actively he interacts with Trek fans, it might surprise fans that he has indeed lent his talents to the Star Wars universe.
Takei joined the ranks of Star Wars and Star Trek veterans by voicing a character in The Clone Wars. He played the villain Lok Durd in a 2009 episode. The character is a crafty Nemoidian who created a weapon called the Defoliator, which could destroy all organic life if unleashed. Takei has said in interviews that because the spirit of Star Trek is peace and celebration of diversity, he believes there's room in the galaxy for both franchises. If Takei himself calls for peace in the stars, there's no stronger endorsement for sci-fi fans learning to love both stories and characters.