alexander star trek next generation actor

'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Alexander Actor Tragically Dies

Jon Paul Steuer died of unconfirmed causes on New Year's Day.

Punk rocker and former child actor Jon Paul Steuer, perhaps best known for his role as the young Klingon Alexander Rozhenko on Star Trek: The Next Generation , died of unconfirmed causes on Monday, January 1, at age 33. Steuer’s friends and P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. bandmates announced his passing on the band’s Facebook page on Wednesday, writing, “It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels, AKA Jon Paul Steuer.”

Steuer was the first young actor to portray Alexander, Lieutenant Worf and K’Ehleyr’s son, on TNG . Though he only played Alexander in a single episode of the series, Season 4’s “Reunion,” Steuer still marks the first actor to take on the role; Alexander was later portrayed by Brian Bonsall, Marc Worden, James Sloyan, and Richard Martinez. According to an interview with Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker) in a TNG Season 4 DVD special feature, Steuer was probably recast because he “was too shy, not a warrior.”

K'Ehleyr (Suzie Plakson) and Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) with Jon Paul Steuer as their son, Alexander Rozhenko.

After Star Trek: The Next Generation , Freuer went on to star in the hit ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire from The Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre. Freuer left the series after the first three seasons, quoting struggles with substance addiction, rehabilitation, and relapse. Steuer quit acting after Grace Under Fire , picking up a music career and later opening a vegan restaurant.

In the Facebook post announcing his death, P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. wrote:

The addition of Jonny to our dysfunctional band family was one of the best choices that we have ever made, and he brought a much needed sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything we did. He was only with us for a little more than a year, but we managed to cram a lifetime of great experiences into his tenure as our singer: dozens shows at home in Portland and across several states, an amazing European tour, and our best full-length release yet.

We’ve lost our singer, but far, far more than that we’ve lost a friend. Rest in peace, Jonny…we love you.

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Published Apr 5, 2016

Catching Up With Brian Bonsall, TNG's Alexander Rozhenko

Brian Bonsall earned a place in entertainment history with his role as the impossibly cute Andy Keaton in the final few seasons of the classic sitcom Family Ties , but he also holds an important spot in Star Trek lore. Bonsall portrayed Worf's son, Alexander Rozhenko, in seven episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation . Bonsall quit acting in 1994 and eventually ended up in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. These days, however, he's healthy and happy, and performing music with his bands -- Lowjob and Bootjack & Bonz -- out in Colorado. He'll venture to Los Angeles in a few days to appear at The Hollywood Show, an autograph event that will be held April 8-10 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles; go to www.thehollywoodshow.com for details. In advance of his appearance, the amiable Bonsall chatted with StarTrek.com about his music, his memories of playing Alexander and more. Here's what he had to say: Let's start with Star Trek . How did you land the role of Alexander and how aware were you of Star Trek in general at the time and specifically of The Next Generation ? From what I remember, I tried out with a lot of other kids, because I do have a strong memory of the casting office being very crowded. I had definitely seen the show a fair amount and the stage ended up being around the corner from the Family Ties stage, so there's a little fun fact. The producers wanted Alexander to be a recurring character. How often were you expecting to play him? I think at the time, all we knew was that it was recurring. I was very busy around that time with other roles, too, so I was always running around to different jobs.

You'll be at the Hollywood Show this weekend. How do you enjoy meeting the fans, signing autographs, posing for photos? Honestly, it's kind of new to me again after being away from that environment for so long. It was definitely super-neat to sign so much Star Trek memorabilia and to see the positive response from the fans. I even caught a glimpse of a couple of Family Ties tribute tattoos, and that was cool. I'd have to say I do enjoy it a lot.

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Star Trek actor Jon Paul Steur has died, aged 33

Actor Jon Paul Steur, the first actor to play Alexander Rozhenko in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has died at the age of 33.

The child star passed away on New Year’s Day, although a cause of death is yet to be confirmed, according to the Willamette Week.

After beginning his acting career at the age of three, Jon’s biggest moment came when he bagged the role of Alexander in 1990, who was the son of Klingon Worf and Ambassador K’Ehleyr.

In 1991, he continued his career with a role in comedy series Late For Dinner, before winning greater plaudits with a turn as Quentin Kelly in the television series Grace Under Fire.

Despite his successes, he gave up acting altogether at the age of 12 to pursue music, and played in a series of bands under his new alter-ego Jonny P Jewels.

Rest in Peace, Jon Paul Steuer, the first actor to play Alexander in TNG. You will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/ATVn2uwezE — Star Trek Online (@trekonlinegame) January 4, 2018

At the time of his death, he was playing with P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S, who paid tribute to the singer after his death.

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“It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels, AKA Jon Paul Steuer”, the band wrote on Facebook.

It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels, AKA… Posted by P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. on  Wednesday, January 3, 2018

‘The addition of Jonny to our dysfunctional band family was one of the best choices that we have ever made, and he brought a much needed sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything we did.|”

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Star Trek and Grace Under Fire actor Jon Paul Steuer dies at 33

Trekkies pay tribute to Jon Paul Steuer, who played Alexander Rozhenko as a child and went on to also forge a career as a singer.

By Ajay Nair, News Reporter

Friday 5 January 2018 17:13, UK

Actor and musician Jon Paul Steuer, who rose to fame as a child star playing Alexander Rozhenko in Star Trek, has died aged 33.

The American, who appeared in the 1980s show Star Trek: Next Generation, was the first actor to play the character, who is the son of Worf and Ambassador K'Ehleyr.

The character went on to be played by Brian Bonsall, James Sloyan and Marc Worden.

Tributes from devoted fans of the show have since poured in for the performer who also forged a career as a musician and restaurateur.

According to the Willamette Week newspaper in Oregon, a cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Following his death in Portland on New Year's Day, the official Star Trek Twitter account posted a tribute to the California-born star, who also appeared in American sitcom Grace Under Fire from 1993 until 1996.

Rest in Peace, Jon Paul Steuer, the first actor to play Alexander in TNG. You will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/ATVn2uwezE — Star Trek Online (@trekonlinegame) January 4, 2018

"Rest in Peace, Jon Paul Steuer, the first actor to play Alexander in TNG. You will be deeply missed," the account posted.

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Steuer's punk band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S announced the singer's death in a Facebook post.

It wrote: "It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels, AKA Jon Paul Steuer.

"The addition of Jonny to our dysfunctional band family was one of the best choices that we have ever made, and he brought a much needed sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything we did.

"He was only with us for a little more than a year, but we managed to cram a lifetime of great experiences into his tenure as our singer."

The group added: "We've lost our singer, but far, far more than that we've lost a friend. Rest in peace, Jonny... we love you."

Dedicated Star Trek fans - known as Trekkies - also paid tribute online.

"My deepest sympathies to the colleagues and friends of Star Trek child actor Jon Paul Steuer. Rest easy, young Alexander Rozhenko," said one.

Another added: "RIP Jon Paul Steuer, Star Trek would have never been the save without you. Klingons for life."

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Jon Paul Steuer dead: Star Trek Next Generation actor dies aged 33

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Star Trek child star Jon Paul Steuer has died at the age of 33.

According to local reports, Steur - also known as musician and restaurateur Jonny P Jewels later in his career - died on January 1.

In 1990, the actor was the first to play the character of Alexander Rozhenko in The Next Generation , reportedly being the only child able to sit still for the three hours it took the make-up department to apply his Klingon facial prosthetics.

Steur went on to star as Quentin Kelly in US series Grace Under Fire and had a starring role in 1994 children's comedy film Little Giants .

In his later career as a restaurateur, Steuer owned his own establishment in Portland, Oregon and performed as part of the band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S.

A cause of death is reportedly yet to be determined.

Steuer's bandmates confirmed his passing in a tribute which read: “It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels, AKA Jon Paul Steuer.

“The addition of Jonny to our dysfunctional band family was one of the best choices that we have ever made, and he brought a much needed sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything we did.

“He was only with us for a little more than a year, but we managed to cram a lifetime of great experiences into his tenure as our singer: dozens shows at home in Portland and across several states, an amazing European tour, and our best full-length release yet.

“We've lost our singer, but far, far more than that we've lost a friend. Rest in peace, Jonny...we love you. Jon Paul Steuer March 27, 1984 - January 1, 2018.”

Steuer was born in California and began his acting career at the age of 3 before quitting the industry just nine years later.

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Steuer was the first actor to play the role. For the remainder of the Next Generation episodes featuring Rozhenko, he would instead be played by Family Ties star Brian Bonsall . Jonathan Frakes mentioned that Steuer " was too shy, not a warrior. Probably the reason why he was recast ". (" Departmental Briefing Year Four – Production ", TNG Season 4 DVD special feature)

Born as Jon Paul Steuer in Escondido, California, his acting career lasted for less than a decade. In 1989 he worked on an episode of Day by Day . He appeared in Late For Dinner (1991, with Tim Kelleher and Jeremy Roberts ). That same year, he guest-starred in an episode of Homefront , playing the younger version of Ken Jenkins ' character; Sterling Macer, Jr. was also a regular on this series.

In 1993, Steuer had a supporting role in the CBS television movie When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn , opposite Gregg Henry . He then played Johnny Vennaro in Little Giants (1994, co-starring Rickey D'Shon Collins , Mark Holton , Courtney Peldon and Susanna Thompson ).

Steuer acquired his most recognition as an actor for playing Quentin Kelly on Grace Under Fire . During his time on this series, Steuer worked with such Star Trek alumni as Rickey D'Shon Collins, Paul Dooley , Monte Markham , Penny Johnson , Cristine Rose , Heidi Swedberg , and Ken Thorley . According to the E! True Hollywood Story about the show, Steuer was afraid of his TV mother, played by Brett Butler. Steuer left Grace Under Fire in 1996 and never acted again. For his work on Grace Under Fire , he received a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten in a TV Series in 1995.

Steuer moved to Denver in 2003, where he formed the band called the Soda Pop Kids. In 2013, the group relocated to Portland, where he became known locally as Jonny P. Jewels . When the Soda Pop Kids disbanded in 2009, he went on to play with other projects, and was with the punk band P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. prior to his death. In 2015, Steuer opened a vegan restaurant in Northeast Portland called Harvest at the Bindery. He also performed as a DJ around Portland.

Steuer died on 1 January 2018. Six months later, his cause of death was determined to be suicide. [1] [2] [3]

External links [ ]

• Jon Paul Steuer at Wikipedia
• Jon Steuer at the Internet Movie Database
• 1 USS Voyager (NCC-74656-A)
• 2 Star Trek: Prodigy
• 3 Daniels (Crewman)

'90s Child Star Jon Paul Steuer Dead at Age 33

Former actor, also known as musician jonny jewels, was the first actor to play worf's son alexander rozhenko on star trek: the next generation and also starred on grace under fire.

Jon Paul Steuer , a musician and '90s child star who once starred on  Star Trek: The Next Generation and the show  Grace Under Fire , has died. He was 33.

His death was announced on Thursday on the Facebook pages of his band ,  P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. , and Portland vegan restaurant , Harvest At The Bindery. The cause of Steuer's death was not made public. He is survived by his parents, Paula and Tom .

"It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels , AKA Jon Paul Steuer," the band's post read. "The addition of Jonny to our dysfunctional band family was one of the best choices that we have ever made, and he brought a much needed sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything we did."

"He was only with us for a little more than a year, but we managed to cram a lifetime of great experiences into his tenure as our singer: dozens shows at home in Portland and across several states, an amazing European tour, and our best full-length release yet," the group continued. "We've lost our singer, but far, far more than that we've lost a friend. Rest in peace, Jonny...we love you. Jon Paul Steuer March 27, 1984 - January 1, 2018."

In 1990, Steuer became the first actor to play Worf's son Alexander Rozhenko on the cult series Star Trek: The Next Generation . He appeared on one episode. 

"The show called me back a just a few months later to play Alexander again, but I'd only grown half an inch or something," he told the A.V. Club  in 2015. "The line of questioning was, "How tall are you now? How much do you weigh?" Klingons are this powerful warrior race, so they wanted me to be dramatically larger. They also wanted a deeper voice out of me. But I was still 6. Brian Bonsall was a couple years older than me, so that's basically why he got the part. But they kept bringing the character back, and they went through a few different actors as he got progressively older. I absolutely would have gone back in a heartbeat, but that was the reality of the situation." 

Steuer later appeared on an episode of the show The Wonder Years and the movie  Little Giants before landing his biggest acting job, the role of Quentin Kelly on the ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire . He left the show at age 12 after three years, in 1996, and retired from acting. He has occasionally been spotted at  Star Trek conventions.

"They [my former co-stars] all remembered me," Steuer told the A.V. Club. "They joked about working with me, and how after I left the show they didn't have as good of an experience with some of the other kids who played Alexander. They really are a good bunch of people. Patrick Stewart is an incredibly kind man, very down-to-earth."

After leaving the acting world, Steuer performed in rock bands and a few years ago, he launched Harvest At The Bindery in Portland. The eatery announced on Facebook on Thursday it will shut down in wake of Steuer's death.

"Due to an unexpected tragedy, Harvest will be permanently closing our doors," the post read. "We thank you for your support and understanding. Jon Paul Steuer R.I.P. There will be a memorial gathering for Jonny at Harvest on Sunday 1/7 beginning at 1:00. You can donate to help cover Funeral and Memorial costs here ." 

• Cast & crew
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• Episode aired Apr 23, 1994

In an effort to help him accept his Klingon heritage, Worf and his son, Alexander, attend an ancient Klingon ceremony. In an effort to help him accept his Klingon heritage, Worf and his son, Alexander, attend an ancient Klingon ceremony. In an effort to help him accept his Klingon heritage, Worf and his son, Alexander, attend an ancient Klingon ceremony.

• Jonathan West
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• Patrick Stewart
• Jonathan Frakes
• LeVar Burton
• 12 User reviews
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• Captain Jean-Luc Picard

• Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

• Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

• Lieutenant Worf

• Doctor Beverly Crusher

• Counselor Deanna Troi

• Lieutenant Commander Data

• K'Mtar

• Alexander Rozhenko

• B'Etor

• (as John Kenton Shull)

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Did you know

• Trivia Patrick Stewart only appears in the first observation lounge scene. This was due to Stewart's being scheduled to Patrick Stewart/Salt-N-Pepa (1994) during the same week of filming.
• Goofs On the outpost during the festival, Dr. Crusher asks Worf what "Molor" is saying, since he is speaking in Klingon. What happened to the ubiquitous universal translator?

Lieutenant Worf : [showing Lursa and B'Etor a knife] This was dropped by one of the assassins. It bears the crest of your house.

Lursa : Someone must have given it to the assassins to implicate us.

Counselor Deanna Troi : Why would someone do that?

B'Etor : In order to tarnish our good name.

Lieutenant Worf : You cannot tarnish a rusted blade.

• Connections References Superman (1978)
• Soundtracks Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User reviews 12

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• April 23, 1994 (United States)
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• Runtime 46 minutes
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Bosch: Legacy Season 3 - What Is The Black Ice?

Wednesday season 2 needs more quirky addams family humor, lotr: why aren't all the palantíri accounted for.

The eternally expanding universe of Star Trek has seen a plethora of faces pass across the small screen. Memorable figures range from villains such as the Borg , to fascinating character arcs like that found in Rom’s story . Unfortunately there are some characters who, despite their connection with important protagonists, are completely forgettable. They often pop up in random episodes and generate a collective ‘ohh yeah’ from audiences. One such character is Alexander Rozhenko, someone whom casual fans might not recognize from name alone. So who exactly is he?

Alexander is a Klingon/human child. He appeared mainly in The Next Generation, but also in Deep Space 9. Going by name alone might leave casual fans confused about his connection to the programs. He is three-quarters Klingon, and one-quarter human, born to a Klingon and Klingon/human in the year 2366. The surname Rozhenko might ring a bell, but his Klingon surname provides a much bigger clue: Alexander, of the houses Mogh and Martok. He is none other than the son of the fan-favorite mighty Worf , often appearing alongside his father in various father-son related escapades. Yet, he is often pushed to the sidelines, despite his connection with such a pivotal character.

RELATED: Star Trek: Exploring The Klingon Philosophy Of Death

The main reason that Alexander's appearances were sparse, was that fans really did not like his character. They found him annoying and obnoxious, like a much worse version of Wesley Crusher , especially in his early appearances as a young child in TNG. This might have had something to do with him being a 12-year-old kid. Almost all kids this age on TV are annoying, but especially one with typical Klingon traits like inability to control their emotions. However, the character improved as he grew up. The appearances he made in DS9 were far more compelling, despite being so few. Still, he was underdeveloped, likely due to the writers chickening out after hearing the fans' reception of him. They removed him from further plots, never giving him the on-screen development he needed to make him more likable, something they did masterfully with the character of Nog .

The Rozhenko surname is Alezander's human surname. Much like Worf of the Klingon house Martok, Alexander carries the human surname Rozhenko, as this was the last name of the human family who adopted him at an early age: Sergey and Helena Rozhenko. It’s one of those details about Worf that is often forgotten, so mixed up with the strained, all consuming relationship he has with Klingon culture . Alexander has been played by four different actors over the 12 episodes he features in. Jon Steuer and Brain Bonsall played him as a young child. Marc Worden played him as a young Klingon warrior, and James Sloyan appeared as a fully grown Alexander in the TNG time jump episode “Firstborn.”

Alexander’s mother is K'Ehleyr, a half-Klingon, half-human ambassador for the Federation, who only appears in 2 episodes of TNG . While aboard the iconic USS Enterprise D trying to defuse a political situation between the Federation and the Klingon empire, she and Worf had a ‘brief encounter’ together. Neither of them felt that this fleeting moment of passion would lead to a more romantic relationship. Unbeknownst to Worf, however, she fell pregnant, and gave birth to Alexander without telling him. This caused him great pain later on when he found out. He reflects that he never saw his son as a toddler, ‘something I will always regret.’ He learned of his child when K'Ehleyr returned to the Enterprise and came clean, introducing him to Alexander.

The father and son had a fairly strained relationship at first. Worf did not want to acknowledge Alexander as his son, afraid that the recent discommendation he received from the Klingon empire due to a recent incident, stripping him of all honor, would then be passed to Alexander. This all went out the window, however, when K'Ehleyr was killed. Worf then took on the responsibility of caring for his newly found son.

Caring for him might be an overstatement, as the writers obviously did not want to have to write Alexander into all proceeding episodes, and did not want to change too much about Worf’s character. Worf decides it would be best for Alexander to live with his grandparents, Sergey and Helena, on Earth, hopeful that this would give him a better upbringing than that on board a spaceship ( a wise decision that more parents aboard the ship should listen to ).

Alexander's appearances over the franchise have been fleeting and varied. However, he never really played a huge part in the overall story arc for Worf, which seems odd considering that this is only son and heir. Many believe that there was a lot of potential for his character, and that while his appearances in TNG were often annoying, he was actually pretty good in DS9. His storylines in the latter were engaging enough to make fans want more. With Worf coming back for season 3 of Picard, maybe audiences will get more information about this lost character. Maybe he will even be part of the show (going some way to explaining Worf’s newfound pacifism). Or, perhaps Picard will completely forget about the character's existence, neatly brushing him under the rug like they have done before. Only time will tell.

MORE: Star Trek: Why Gene Roddenberry Disliked Patrick Stewart As Picard

The Episode That Changed Dr. Beverly Crusher 

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Battlestar Galactica Showrunner Shocked By Star Trek Resemblance

Posted: July 9, 2024 | Last updated: July 9, 2024

Normally, there isn’t much in common between Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek, and that’s by design. After years of writing for shows like The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, BSG showrunner Ronald D. Moore set out to tell the kind of gritty, realistic tale that just wouldn’t work in Gene Roddenberry’s universe. However, the two franchises nonetheless have one hilarious thing in common: like fans all around the world, Moore is freaked out by how closely Baltar actor James Callis and Bashir actor Alexander Siddig resemble one another.

Alexander Siddig As Dr. Julian Bashir

For this behind-the-scenes Battlestar Galactica story to make any sense, we’re going to new to quickly discuss Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. One of the characters on that show was Dr. Bashir, played very memorably by Alexander Siddig. While the talented actor has had many other acting gigs (including a fun stint on Game of Thrones), he is still best known to sci-fi fans as the fresh-faced young doctor who traveled to the edge of the galaxy for the joys of practicing frontier medicine. 

James Callis As Gaius Baltar

Meanwhile, on Battlestar Galactica, future Star Trek star (more on this soon) James Callis played Gaius Baltar, a computer scientist and AI expert whose knowledge is very in demand after the robotic Cylons wipe out almost all of humanity. Unbeknownst to anyone else, though, is that Baltar unknowingly helped a Cylon destroy the planet Caprica and he is both assisted and tormented by a version of that Cylon who lives in his head. In other words, Bashir and Baltar are two completely different characters, but fans have now spent two decades excitedly discussing the one way they are arguably very similar. 

The Bashir/Baltar Connection

In short, many fans of both franchises think that the two stars of Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine look remarkably alike. Discussion of this topic was so fervent back in the day that one fan wrote to Ronald D. Moore, asking the creator, “Does James Callis’ uncanny resemblance to Alexander Siddig in almost every way ever freak you out?” In response, Moore claimed that he had never noticed the resemblance until he read discussions of it online and “now I’m totally freaked.”

Picard Brings It Back Full-Circle

Because of that honest freakout, we imagine that the Battlestar Galactica showrunner was just as weirded out as the rest of us during season 2 of the Star Trek: The Next Generation spinoff, Picard. That show gave its title character an unnecessarily tragic backstory involving the suicide of his mother and a strained relationship with his father. In flashback-style scenes, the father was played by James Callis, and those early online discussions came full circle as countless confused Star Trek fans began wondering why the Gaius Baltar actor was playing Picard’s dad.

Cylon Manipulation, Or Coincidence?

At any rate, as fans of both Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek, we find it slightly reassuring that even Ronald D. More is weirded out by how much Bashir and Baltar resemble each other, right down to their English accents. That resemblance has been driving us nuts for 20 years, and we’re taking a cold comfort from the fact that Moore has been suffering right there with us. Weirdly enough, we only discover that his father is played by Baltar after Picard is turned into a humanoid robot, making all of this feel more than a little bit like one more unresolved Cylon plot.

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Why Star Trek's Colm Meaney Tried To Get Rid Of O'Brien's Irish Accent

The character of Chief Miles O'Brien first appeared in the pilot episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Encounter at Farpoint" (September 28, 1987). Throughout the show's first season, Chief O'Brien would appear mostly in the Enterprise's transporter room, tasked with beaming the Enterprise crew up and down from dangerous away missions. As the show progressed, O'Brien was allowed to speak up more and more. By the show's fourth season, O'Brien would marry his sweetheart Keiko (Rosalind Chao), become possessed by an alien criminal, and reveal long-lasting PTSD. All told, O'Brien was in 52 episodes of "Next Generation" before becoming a regular cast member of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," affording him 160 additional episodes. 

O'Brien was played by reliable Irish actor Colm Meany, star of John Houston's "The Dead," "Dick Tracy," and "The Commitments" (and its sequels). He was a hard worker, and during his 12-year stint on "Star Trek," appeared in 23 feature films. He has appeared in kids' films, indie dramas, and violent, Hollywood blockbusters. Meany, born in Dublin, has also long been a mainstay of Irish cinema and television, and once even performed in an audio dramatization of Samuel Beckett's incredibly Irish bondage drama "Murphy." These days, he lives in Majorca, although he still supports Ireland's Sinn Féin. 

At a "Star Trek" convention , however, Meany once revealed that he often butted heads with casting directors over his accent. Meany's Irish accent is natural and understated, at least to the ears of American casting agents, who expected all Irish actors to have the same broad, chirpy patois. When going from audition to audition in Los Angeles, he would downplay his Irishness, eager to play non-Irish roles. Not everyone, he would explain, sounds like "Going My Way" star Barry Fitzgerald.

I am not Barry Fitzgerald

Meany has a point. Throughout the history of American film, Irish characters are often played by American actors, and they wouldn't always do their dialect homework. In the American acting community, a broad, all-in-one Irish accent began to emerge, and it was an accent that no one actually had. Meany pointed out:

"What we're talking about here is: there's a history in American films of Irish characters having these dreadful, dreadful, non-existent kind of accents. 'Oh, top o' the marnin', top o' the marnin'! Oh, sir Jesus Christ, oh dear Lard!' And it's all sing-song like that, you know. But the one I hold responsible for a lot of that is — and he was a great actor — but Barry Fitzgerald did it. And also Barry Fitzgerald had a chin like that and he'd be chewing the pipe and he talked like that, and so everybody in America thought Irish people talk like that."

Fitzgerald had been working in film since 1920, but his fame exploded in 1944 for his Oscar-winning turn in Leo McCarey's musical religious drama "Going My Way." He also appeared in the 1952 John Wayne vehicle "The Quiet Man," although he starred in 20 films in between the two, including "Duffy's Tavern," "The Naked City," and "Silver City." It seems the ghost of Fitzgerald hung over all Irish actors in America, and Meany hated that. He said: 

" I remember going in and auditioning for things, and people would say I didn't sound Irish. And I'd say [Barry Fitzgerald impression] 'Oh, does that sound Irish? Does that sound Irish? Is that better?'"

Meany could sound stereotypically Irish if he wanted to, but he wanted more than that for his career. 

An Irish actor in Los Angeles

In response to the Fitzgerald accusations, Meany started to adjust his accent to sound as un-Irish as possible, seemingly without realizing it. When he landed the gig of Chief O'Brien on "Star Trek," and he was given more and more lines of dialogue, he strained to make the character American (despite his Irish name). This was all an effort to prove his range. Meany said:

"I, as an actor working in Los Angeles, didn't want to be playing Irish parts all the time. [...] It's very limiting for an actor if you're known as just an Irish actor or a Scottish actor or a Cockney actor or whatever. It can be limiting. So it was the early days for me in Los Angeles, and I was trying to play a lot of a variety of parts. [...] When O'Brien started talking — which took a few episodes you know — I started to take his accent more towards American." 

It seems that executive producer Rick Berman disagreed. Berman felt that the U.S.S. Enterprise-D should have a definitive Irish voice, perhaps in an effort to keep "Star Trek: The Next Generation" multicultural like its 1966 forebear. The original series, after all, featured a Scots accent and a Russian accent. Meany recalled:

"I was sort of taking it over in that sort of direction and trying to make him [American]. And I got notes from Rick Berman, 'What are you doing!? What are you doing!?' I said, just, 'You know, I don't want him to be too ... I was thinking he was maybe second generation Irish or something, American.' 'No he's not! He's Irish! We want that Irish accent, we want that accent!'" 

Irish it was. The accent returned.

Star Trek's multiculturalism

The multiculturalism of "Star Trek" has always been vital to each show, and it carried over into "Deep Space Nine." On that series, O'Brien had many scenes with Dr. Bashir, played by Alexander Siddig, a Sudanese actor raised in London. This was after starring opposite the London-born Marina Sirtis and the Yorkshire-born Patrick Stewart on "Next Generation." Meany came to understand that his Irish voice served a dramatic function in communicating the diversity of Gene Roddenberry's future, saying: 

"[P]art of the thing that they wanted on the show as well was that kind of ... not just a sort of a multi-species situation, but a multi-ethnic situation as well. So you had people, you know, Sid and that come on, and me. And you had, you know, Marina of course on 'Next Generation' as well. So they wanted that kind of multi-ethnic thing, people genuinely from other places than just the U.S. But for me, you know, it was Rick Berman that forced me back to use my own accent, you know. Which is an unusual accent for Americans to hear, because it's a Dublin accent." 

Some of O'Brien's Irish heritage came through in the character — he named his daughter Molly, presumably after Molly Bloom in James Joyce's "Ulysses" — but his heritage was treated as natural and incidental throughout "Star Trek." It was a sign that any and all voices were welcome in the choir, regardless of origin. After all the audition frustration Meany experienced, "Star Trek" asked that he merely speak the way he speaks. It certainly made his performance that much more natural. 

And now, as Trekkies know, O'Brien will come to be the most important person in history . 

'It's heart-forward:' Q&A with 'Star Trek: Prodigy' creators about Season 2 (exclusive)

A chat with Kevin and Dan Hageman on this brilliant series' second chance.

Fortified with an optimistic spirit and settling into its new home on the Netflix streaming platform, "Star Trek: Prodigy" is boldly shifting into second gear for its 20-episode sophomore season.

This season finds our crew of intergalactic alien teenagers under the protective wing of Vice Admiral Janeway as they embark on a daring series of adventures in the final frontier aboard the Voyager-A starship.

Here's the official Season 2 synopsis:

"In Season 2, these six young outcasts who make up the ' Prodigy ' crew are assigned a new mission aboard the USS Voyager-A to rescue Captain Chakotay (voiced by Robert Beltran) and bring peace to Gwyn's (voiced by Ella Purnell) home world. However, when their plan goes astray, it creates a time paradox that jeopardizes both their future and past."

Emmy Award-winning creators and showrunners Kevin and Dan and Hageman ("Trollhunters," "Ninjago") couldn’t be more pleased that their beloved " Star Trek " brainchild has a new online landing pad. The colorful second season of this underrated all-ages show appears to have an abundance of the engaging, character-driven, story-first momentum that made it such a satisfying sci-fi series when it first debuted on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon three years ago.

Related: 'Star Trek: Prodigy' warps into Season 2 with new Netflix trailer (video)

"Kevin and I, our first entry into 'Star Trek' was ' The Wrath of Khan ' and that special Kirk and Spock relationship," Dan Hageman told Space.com . "Being children of the '80s, we’re very Amblin with earnest storytelling, so all of that is into Prodigy.

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"In Season 2 with time travel , we always got the note, 'Is a younger viewer going to understand this?' We just need to spark something in their brain to want to dig into it more. We had a writer in the room who talked about a 'Star Trek' episode where they found Data's head buried in the sand, and it made his wheels start spinning of how that was possible. All 'Trek' fans will know that they were that kid too, where you take apart devices to see how they work. You want to know these things."

For the Hageman brothers, emotionality is everything; it surrounds and binds the entire animation project.

"It's heart-forward," Kevin Hageman adds. "When we think of the movies that stick to our bone as a kids, it's like ' E.T. ' He was dead lying on a table for a bit and I was crying. That's what makes a great story versus just some fun, funny comedy I saw as a kid. For us, whether it was 'Trollhunters' or even 'Ninjago,' it sticks with them.  We've talked to 18-year-olds, and they said that show meant something to them because we went there, and that’s what we wanted to do with 'Prodigy.'"

Exploring new territory was foremost on the creators' minds launching into this resurrected Prodigy outing, and the award-winning filmmakers were full of "Star Trek" universe ideas.

"We didn't want to have the same ending as Season 1, so it's got completely different feelings," said Dan Hageman. "These are now kids in the adult world. And also it's not just kids learning from the adults, but the adults learning from the kids. So, if anything, Season 1 is an entry point, and now we’re getting into real 'Trek.'"

One of the biggest challenges for the showrunners was to avoid being like " Star Trek: Lower Decks ," in which all the main characters are treated like underlings.

"How to do you do that, treat it for real, but still allow for some wish fulfillment and spirit of adventure?" Kevin Hageman said. "And you'll see that as you watch more of the new season. How do you balance that in a military system?"

"Prodigy's" return vocal cast includes Kate Mulgrew (Kathryn Janeway), Brett Gray (Dal), Ella Purnell (Gwyn), Rylee Alazraqui (Rok-Tahk), Angus Imrie (Zero), Jason Mantzoukas (Jankom Pog), Dee Bradley Baker (Murf), and John Noble (The Diviner).

Season 2's added co-stars feature Robert Picardo (The Doctor), Jason Alexander (Doctor Noum), Daveed Diggs (Commander Tysess), Jameela Jamil (Ensign Asencia), Ronny Cox (Admiral Jellico) and Michaela Dietz (Maj’el).

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Mulgrew and Picardo have expansive vocal duties in this Netflix season, and the Hagemens were fortunate to welcome such talented "Star Trek" luminaries aboard.

"We felt like after the death of Hologram Janeway at the end of Season 1, we were tickled with this idea that they needed a new mentor," Dan Hageman explained. "Admiral Janeway isn’t as soft and lovey and Hologram Janeway, and we thought it was hilarious that the Doctor would want to be endeared to the kids as much as they were to Hologram Janeway. She was Mary Poppins in Season 1, and he's like Mr. Belvedere in Season 2, trying to keep them out of shenanigans. We weren't trying to make a ' Voyager ' spinoff, but naturally if you have Kate Mulgrew and Janeway at the center of it, these characters are going to gravitate toward her."

Buoyed by fan appreciation, the Hagemans have high hopes for "Prodigy's" future.

"I'm always inspired by our crew and cast," Kevin Hageman said. "From out of the writers room and the ideas and scripts that were coming out, I was loving this show. And to see the animation and hear the music and the vocal records. Everyone loved this show and poured their hearts into it. I hope that we'll get future seasons or animated film installments to keep this going."

All 20 episodes of "Star Trek: Prodigy" Season 2 are now streaming on Netflix.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Jeff Spry is an award-winning screenwriter and veteran freelance journalist covering TV, movies, video games, books, and comics. His work has appeared at SYFY Wire, Inverse, Collider, Bleeding Cool and elsewhere. Jeff lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon amid the ponderosa pines, classic muscle cars, a crypt of collector horror comics, and two loyal English Setters.

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Admiral janeway & dr. beverly crusher’s first ever star trek meeting finally happens after 29 years.

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Star Trek's Original Prodigy Returns! Showrunners Explain Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher Comeback

Admiral janeway’s ready room has a deep cut star trek: voyager callback, star trek introduces its own version of loki's miss minutes.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2, Episode 12 - "Last Flight of the Protostar, Part II"

• Admiral Janeway meets Dr. Beverly Crusher for the first time in Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2, bridging Voyager and TNG timelines.
• Janeway seeks insight into Crusher's son, Wesley, while Beverly keeps her younger son Jack a secret from Picard.
• A heartwarming reunion between Wesley and Beverly, with the introduction of Jack, connects Prodigy to Star Trek: Picard.

Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 features the first meeting between Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden). Star Trek: Voyager premiered 29 years ago in 1995, introducing the world to Captain Janeway and the crew of the USS Voyager. After being stranded in the distant Delta Quadrant for seven years, Voyager returned to Earth, where Janeway was quickly promoted to Vice Admiral. Janeway popped up briefly in Star Trek: Nemesis to give Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) orders to travel to Romulus, but she never interacted with Dr. Crusher.

Dr. Beverly Crusher spent much of her Starfleet career as the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Enterprise-D and USS Enterprise-E under the command of Captain Picard. Beverly and her teenage son, Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), lived together on the Enterprise-D for several years before Wes left, first to study at Starfleet Academy, and then to join the Travelers. As revealed in Star Trek: Picard season 3 , Beverly left the Enterprise-E sometime after Star Trek: Nemesis to secretly raise her son with Picard, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) while offering medical aid to those in need. In Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, Admiral Janeway reaches out to Dr. Crusher to learn more about her Traveler son, Wesley.

Wil Wheaton's return as Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 is worth the wait. Showrunners Kevin & Dan Hageman explain how it happened.

Admiral Janeway Finally Meets Dr. Beverly Crusher In Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2

Two iconic starfleet women meet for the first time in prodigy season 2, episode 12, “last flight of the protostar, part ii.".

After Admiral Janeway encountered Wesley Crusher and allowed the Protostar kids to travel through his portal, she reached out to Dr. Beverly Crusher for insight into her son. Dr. Crusher was "surprisingly hard to track down," but Counselor Noum (Jason Alexander) pulled a few strings with Starfleet Medical. Janeway greets Crusher with a reference to the "Shinzon incident" depicted in Star Trek: Nemesis before asking about Admiral Picard. A bit flustered by the question, Beverly responds that she hasn't seen Jean-Luc in a while, meaning she no longer serves on the Enterprise.

Admiral Janeway meeting Dr. Beverly Crusher, with Kate Mulgrew and Gates McFadden voicing their characters, is a historic moment crossing over Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as a face-to-face with two of Star Trek 's most iconic women.

Admiral Janeway apparently hasn't spoken to Admiral Picard since Star Trek: Nemesis or kept up with the whereabouts of the USS Enterprise-E's crew, although that's not particularly surprising as an Admiral with myriad responsibilities, including her own starship missions. Dr. Crusher quickly moves the subject away from Picard, asking about her son, Wesley. Janeway tells Beverly that Wesley saved their lives, but "seemed erratic." Janeway is clearly worried about the cadets, but Beverly reveals that she hasn't spoken to her son in years. Still, Beverly assures Janeway that Wes is "a good son with a good heart" and that he must know what he's doing.

Although not revealed in this particular scene, Beverly had her younger son, Jack Crusher, at home. As he would have been a couple of years old at this point, Beverly has already made the decision to keep him a secret from his father, Jean-Luc Picard.

Wesley & Beverly Crusher Finally Reunite In Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2

Wesley visits his mom in the prodigy season 2 finale, "ouroboros, part ii.".

After Wesley Crusher helps the Protostar kids save the universe and fix the timeline, he finally visits his mother, Dr. Beverly Crusher. Wes reveals that he doesn't know how long he can stay in this universe, but Beverly is glad to get whatever time she can with him. In a brief, but heartwarming scene, Beverly hugs her son before introducing him to his younger brother, Jack Crusher. This scene further connects Star Trek: Prodigy with the rest of the Star Trek timeline , bridging some of the gap between the TNG era and Star Trek: Picard .

There are still many years before the timeline of Star Trek: Prodigy catches up with that of Star Trek: Picard, and it remains unknown how Wesley spends the rest of that time. Maybe he visits his mom more throughout the intervening years, in between hopping universes and traveling in time. With the proposed Picard spin-off Star Trek: Legacy a no-go at this point, it remains up in the air whether Beverly and Wes will ever reunite in live-action. But even if they don't, Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 provided a lovely moment between Beverly and Wesley, her cosmic traveler son, as well as the historic first meeting between Dr. Crusher and Admiral Janeway.

Star Trek: Prodigy

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Star Trek: Prodigy is the first TV series in the Star Trek franchise marketed toward children, and one of the few animated series in the franchise. The story follows a group of young aliens who find a stolen Starfleet ship and use it to escape from the Tars Lamora prison colony where they are all held captive. Working together with the help of a holographic Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), the new crew of the USS Protostar must find their way back to the Alpha Quadrant to warn the Federation of the deadly threat that is pursuing them.