15 Star Trek Actors Who Directed Episodes

10. Michael Dorn - Lieutenant Worf

Star Trek Rainn Wilson
CBS

Michael Dorn, who played the role of Klingon security officer Worf in TNG and DS9, directed four episodes of the franchise, three DS9 and one ENT.

Dorn attempted to start a career in music, despite formally studying radio and TV production. When music didn't pan out, in the 1970s he moved into acting, playing small parts in several movies and guest star roles on popular TV shows. He landed a regular role on CHiPs until 1982, then went back to guest starring until he won the part of Worf in 1987.

Aside from his work as Worf, Dorn is also very well known for his voiceover work in dozens of animated shows.

Dorn states that his favourite episode of Star Trek is 'The Offspring', which was the first episode that fellow TNG actor Jonathan Frakes directed. Dorn said he learned much about the process of directing through watching Frakes put himself through directing 'school', and realized he wanted to do the same. Worf's character was eventually moved to DS9, and Dorn directed his first episode in Season 5 of that show.

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