10 Background Actors In Star Trek Who Got Themselves Noticed
5. Grace Lee Whitney (Janice Rand)
Grace Lee Whitney only appeared in a handful of episodes of Star Trek the Original Series, before leaving in less than pleasant circumstances. In that short time, however, she stood out so much that, when DeForrest Kelley discovered that she was unemployed ahead of Star Trek The Motion Picture, he arranged for her to return to the franchise.
Janice Rand returned to the Enterprise, this time as the transporter operative who is forced to witness the horrific death of two officers due to an accident.
She returned again in Star Trek III and Star Trek VI - though with a big promotion this time. Commander Rand served aboard the bridge of the USS Excelsior under Captain Sulu. They would both return for Star Trek: Voyager's tribute episode, Flashback.
Though never a starring character, Grace Lee Whitney is remembered years later as a key player in Star Trek, an essential part of the Original line-up.