15 Star Trek Actors Who Directed Episodes

Picardo had a unique role in Star Trek history, playing what was officially called the Emergency Medical Hologram, but whom everyone on VOY simply called The Doctor. Picardo directed two episodes of VOY, one in the third season and one in the sixth.

Picardo attended Yale with the intent of becoming (ironically), a doctor. He was attracted to acting, however, and switched majors to graduate with a degree in Drama. He started acting in stage productions, which led gradually to acting in a series of legendary horror and sci-fi movies directed by Joe Dante.

Before Voyager, Picardo was best known for playing a military doctor on China Beach and the dreaded Coach Cutlip on The Wonder Years. He was given the role of The Doctor in 1994.

Picardo prefers the first episode he directed, 'Alter Ego'. Unlike many episodes of Voyager, it was more character driven than special effects driven, being a story about a hologram who becomes 'real' and obsessed with Vulcan officer Tuvok, to the point of threatening to destroy the ship if he does not return her affections.

Picardo likened it to 'Fatal Attraction' in space, a comparison it's likely Gene Roddenberry never envisioned!