15 Star Trek Actors Who Directed Episodes
11. Lawrence 'Larry' Dobkin - Ambassador Kell
Dobkin did things in reverse from everyone else in this list - he directed an episode of the original Star Trek in 1966, then twenty-five years later played Klingon Ambassador Kell on TNG.
Dobkin started out in radio in the 1940s. He moved into early TV in the 1950s, making appearances on legendary shows including I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. He also started directing at that point, which is what drew him to the attention of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
Dobkin directed the episode 'Charlie X' . Dobkin opted to make the episode more character-driven, telling the story of a teenager who survived alone on a planet for 14 years while developing godlike powers. The episode explored what a 'crush' would look like for such a teenager and was the first episode not to have any scenes off the ship. Dobkin subsequently said that if he had known what a cultural icon Star Trek would become, he would have enjoyed the experience more and taken more time.
In 1991, Dobkin was asked to return to the Star Trek fold and play a Klingon ambassador, a chance he jumped at. He died in 2002.