10 Most Unusual Demands Made By Star Trek Guest Stars
8. Stephen Hawking Taking Jabs At Einstein
Dr. Stephen Hawking is the only person in Star Trek history to play himself in an episode. He appears in the episode, Descent, as a hologram created by Data in a simulation of a poker match between the greatest minds of human history.
Dr. Hawking was one of the world's most inspirational and accomplished physicists who fundamentally changed our understanding of black holes by applying the properties of quantum mechanics to explain their decay. Einstein, however (who also appears as a hologram), was a vocal opponent to quantum mechanics and referred to it as "spooky action at a distance," believing it to be merely a misinterpretation of the data (long before it was solidified in science by people like Hawking).
Hawking actually managed to sneak in a joke about this very disagreement. As Einstein tries to call Hawking on his bluff, he says to him, "all of the quantum fluctuations in the universe will not change the cards in your hand!" to which Hawking responds, "Wrong again, Albert."
The whole scene is flavored by the saltiness of Stephen's gloating.