If you were a true fan of Star Trek: The Original Series, you know all of the main crew members well; however, the U.S.S. Enterprise had many crew members – 430 to be precise –and they helped run the ship in every department from engineering to sick bay.
While some of them made more of an impression than others, the key thing was that the ship needed to be run by more people than the main characters. These were crew members you saw sitting on the bridge, in the background in the lounge, and includes the Redshirts who beamed down on away missions, and many of them never returned to the ship.
Most Numerous Appearances Recurring Crew Members
William Blackburn appeared in 60 episodes – that's as many as Chekov (Walter Koenig - 36) and Sulu (George Takei - 24) combined! He was the most frequently recurring crew member. Hadley was often seen as a helmsman or bridge officer. I can recall scenes where Chekov is sitting at the control panel, but in the next moment Hadley is seen sitting there from a different angle. Maybe Koenig needed a bathroom break!
2. Lt. Leslie
Played by Eddie Paskey, Leslie appeared in 57 episodes. While mostly seen in the background in these episodes, he was killed off in "Obsession" (Season 2, Episode 13). However, the actor continued to appear throughout the rest of the series. Did Leslie have a twin?
Frank da Vinci's Brent appeared in 39 episodes, and can be seen in various parts of the ship presumably playing more than one character in different departments.
As played by Roger Holloway, Lemli appeared in 33 episodes as a security officer (AKA as a Red Shirt or disposable personnel).
Ron Veto appeared as Harrison/Thule in 21 episodes playing a crewman in various roles throughout the ship.
Notable Recurring Crew Members
Appearing in 25 episodes, Majel Barrett's Chapel was head nurse and worked with Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) in Sick Bay. It was also commonly known that Chapel had an affection for Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) that was unrequited. Barrett would go on to appear in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
As played by John Winston, Lt. Kyle was transport chief in 11 episodes. His most memorable scene was when he gave a captured Earth officer a bowl of chicken soup from the food synthesizer.
Memorably played by Grace Lee Whitney, Rand was Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) personal assistant in 8 episodes early in season one. She was written off the show without explanation, but one of the most popular ideas is that the producers didn't want Kirk to be in a relationship and free to be a swinger travelling across the galaxy.
Galloway (David Ross) was a security officer (AKA Red Shirt or disposable personnel) for 8 episodes. Like Lieutenant Leslie before him, he "died" but then returned for other episodes.
As played by Michael Barrier in three episodes, LaSalle is most notable for a scene when he opposed Captain Kirk's handling of an alien incident.
As played by Barbara Baldavin in three episodes, she is notable for getting married in "Balance of Terror" (Season 1, Episode 14) as the Romulans attacked the ship, stopping the ceremony and killing her fiancé.
Grant Woods played Lt. Kelowitz in three episodes. He is memorable because he was the only character who was not one of the main characters who survived in the landing party in "Arena" (Season 1, Episode 19).
Lt. Farrell was played by Jim Goodwin in three episodes. He is notable because he appeared in "The Enemy Within" and was put in the command chair by Spock as he had to handle the Evil Kirk in that episode.
Elizabeth Rogers played Lt. Palmer for two episodes. She is notable because she filled in for Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) as communications officer.
Yeoman Mears was played by Phyllis Douglas in two episodes. She is notable for appearing in the memorable episode "The Galileo Seven."
Booker Bradshaw played Dr. M'Benga who ran the Sick Bay for two episodes when Dr. McCoy was not there (who apparently was attending a doctor's convention somewhere). He was noted as a specialist in Vulcan Medicine. The character is prominently featured as the Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer in the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
The Strength of Recurring Crew Members
Looking back at these recurring characters played by faces that became familiar across three seasons, there was a sense of stability of a crew that supported the main characters in running of the Enterprise. The was the strength of casting with a subtle but successful purpose.
While we didn't get to know them deeply, their presence gave a semblance of a family on board the ship. When we look back on watching the show, these recurring characters provided someone to stop in the hallways as Kirk made an announcement or to fall onto the floor when the ship got hit by enemy weapons.
They also became Redshirts for landing parties, and what would Gene Roddenberry have done if he didn't have these expendables to add to the body count on away missions?
What's Next?
In my next post, I will be looking at some of the my favorite guest stars that appeared on the series over three seasons. Until next time, Live Long and Prosper!
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