10 Times When Star Trek Re-Cast Its Actors
9. Zefram Cochrane
Glenn Corbett originated the role of Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek The Original Series. He was, for want of a better word, very '60s in his portrayal.
He played the character as an old-man-turned-young-man, saved from certain death by an alien cloud, the Companion, that has fallen in love with him, prolonging his life and providing whatever he needs. Corbett was a bit part actor who portrayed several guest roles in various '60s, '70s and early '80s shows. It is these days a somewhat forgotten performance, one that has fallen into the annals of Star Trek history.
He died in 1993 from lung cancer, three years before the character returned in Star Trek: First Contact.
For the film, the role was taken over by James Cromwell, who was himself no stranger to Star Trek. Twice he had guest starred in The Next Generation, playing aliens each time. Here, he returned for his first human role and it would be become the Trek role he would be most remembered for. It almost wasn't to be, as the role for the film had been written with Tom Hanks in mind.
Hanks, a lifelong Star Trek fan, was unavailable for filming though has expressed regret for the missed opportunity since. Cromwell's performance as the somewhat drunkard, more comedic version of Cochrane is now the definitive version of the inventor of warp drive.