Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor best known for his role as the Klingon character Worf in the Star Trek franchise, appearing in all seven seasons of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994), and later reprising the role in Seasons 4 through 7 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995–1999) and season three of Star Trek: Picard (2023). Dorn has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other Star Trek actor in the franchise's history, spanning five films and 284 television episodes.[1]
Michael Dorn | |
|---|---|
 Dorn at GalaxyCon San Jose in 2024 | |
| Born | December 9, 1952 Luling, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Pasadena City College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1976–present |
Outside of the Star Trek franchise, Dorn has appeared in the television series CHiPs (1979–1982), and has had voice roles as Coldstone and Taurus in the animated series Gargoyles (1994–1997), Kalibak and Vandal Savage in the DC Animated Universe, I.M. Weasel in I Am Weasel (1997–2000), Lord Darkar in the Nickelodeon dub of Winx Club (2011), and Captain Mozar in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2015–2016).
Outside of shows and movies, he has had voice roles in several Star Trek-related games, as well as more obscure voice roles such as his role as the main antagonist Frank Horrigan of the action RPG game Fallout 2 (1998) and a Krogan character in Mass Effect 2 (2010), among many other similar roles.
Early life
editDorn was born in Luling, Texas, the son of Allie Lee (née Nauls) and Fentress Dorn Jr.[2][better source needed] He grew up in Pasadena, California, where he studied radio and television production at Pasadena City College. Following his graduation, he pursued a career in music as a performer with several different rock music bands, traveling to San Francisco and then back to Los Angeles.[citation needed]
Career
editEarly work
editDorn first appeared on-screen in Rocky, in an uncredited role as Apollo Creed's bodyguard.[3] Two years later, he appeared as a guest star on a 1978 episode of the television show W.E.B.. Impressed by his work, the show's producer introduced Dorn to an agent, through whom he met acting teacher Charles E. Conrad. Dorn studied with Conrad for six months, until he landed a regular role on the crime drama series CHiPs.[3]
Star Trek
edit
Dorn's most notable role to date is that of the Klingon Starfleet officer Lieutenant (later Lt. Commander) Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Dorn was the last of the main actors to be cast in The Next Generation, and prepared for his audition by isolating himself from the other actors and remaining taciturn through his interview, mimicking the personality of the character.[4] His character proved so popular amongst fans that Dorn was added to the cast of spin-off series Deep Space Nine in an effort to boost ratings.[5][6]
Dorn (as Worf) has the record for the most on-screen appearances of any Star Trek character. As Worf, he appeared in 175 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (missing only the episodes "Code of Honor", "Haven", and "Shades of Gray"), 102 episodes of Deep Space Nine, four Star Trek movies, and seven episodes of Star Trek: Picard, bringing his total to 288 appearances as the character. He also appeared as Worf's ancestor, Colonel Worf, in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and directed the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes "In the Cards", "Inquisition" and "When It Rains...", and the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Two Days and Two Nights".
He was one of six actors to reprise his role, in voice over, for the Star Trek: Captain's Chair virtual reality game. In 2014, he participated in the fan-produced Star Trek episode "Fairest of Them All", giving his voice to the computer of the Mirror Universe Enterprise.[7]
In 2012, Dorn announced a desire to return to his Klingon role in a television series tentatively titled Star Trek: Captain Worf. He said:
I had come up with the idea because I love [Worf] and I think he's a character that hasn't been fully developed and hasn't been fully realized. Once I started thinking about it, it became obvious to me that I wanted to at least put it out there, which I have, and the response has been pretty amazing. We've been contacted by different individuals–I can't say who and all that–about wanting to come on board and be part of this.[8]
In April 2022, it was announced that he would reprise his role as Worf in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, which aired in 2023.[9]
Other work
editDorn has appeared in a number of TV shows, films, and video games. Also in animation as I Am Weasel as the voice of the titular character. He has been the spokesman for Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo, and has appeared in a Dodge Dart car commercial. He voiced Marcus and Frank Horrigan in Fallout 2. He appeared in a 2012 tongue-in-cheek television commercial for Chrysler as "Future Guy", a time traveler sent from the future to assist development of the 2013 Dodge Dart.[10] He also plays the role of General Thain in the Castlevania: Hymn of Blood web series.[11]
Following his Star Trek career, he had supporting roles in a number of independent feature films, including Shadow Hours (2000), Lessons for an Assassin (2001), and The Santa Clause trilogy, in which he appeared in a minor role as the Sandman. Dorn reprised his role as Worf for cameo appearances on Webster and Family Guy, the latter with several of his fellow Next Generation castmates. He had a recurring role on the television series Castle, playing the therapist of NYPD police detective Kate Beckett.[12]
In March 2023, Dorn was announced as the writer for a comic starring Steel (John Henry Irons), whom he voiced in Superman: The Animated Series. Steelworks #1 was published on June 6, 2023, with art by Sami Basri.[13]
Dorn provides the voice of the character Battle Beast in the animated series Invincible.
Personal life
editA member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association,[14] Dorn is an accomplished pilot. He has flown with the Blue Angels as well as the Thunderbirds.[3] He has owned several jet aircraft, including a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, which he jokingly refers to as his "starship",[15] a North American F-86 Sabre, and currently owns a North American Sabreliner. Dorn also serves on several aviation organizations, one of which is the Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation,[16] where he is on the advisory board. Dorn was interviewed for the "Private Jets" episode of Modern Marvels on The History Channel.
Dorn stated in a 2010 interview that he had been diagnosed with an "early early" stage of prostate cancer, which led him to become a vegan.[17]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Rocky | Apollo Creed's bodyguard | Film debut; uncredited |
| 1977 | Demon Seed | bit part (uncredited) | |
| 1985 | Jagged Edge | Dan Hislan | |
| 1991 | Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country | Klingon Defense Attorney (Colonel Worf) | |
| 1994 | Star Trek Generations | Lieutenant Commander Worf | |
| 1995 | Timemaster | Chairman | |
| Mission Critical | Commander | ||
| 1996 | Star Trek: First Contact | Lieutenant Commander Worf | |
| 1997 | Menno's Mind | Simon, Menno's Friend | |
| 1998 | Star Trek: Insurrection | Lieutenant Commander Worf | |
| 2000 | Shadow Hours | Detective Thomas Greenwood | |
| The Prophet's Game | Bob Bowman | ||
| 2001 | The Gristle | Tar | |
| Mach 2 | Rogers | ||
| Ali | Black pilot | ||
| 2002 | Face Value | Hitman | |
| Star Trek: Nemesis | Lieutenant Commander Worf | ||
| The Santa Clause 2 | Sandman | Cameo | |
| 2003 | Shade | Jack Thornhill | |
| Lessons For an Assassin | Quinn | ||
| The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space | Sam the Bartender | Direct-to-video | |
| 2005 | Heart of the Beholder | Lieutenant Larson | |
| Thru the Moebius Strip | King Tor | Voice[18] | |
| 2006 | The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause | Sandman | |
| 2007 | Fist of the Warrior | Arnold Denton | |
| Night Skies | Kyle | ||
| The Deep Below | Carl Bennett | ||
| 2009 | Bionicle: The Legend Reborn | Mata Nui | Voice, direct-to-video[18] |
| 2012 | Strange Frame | Guardship Commander | [18] |
| 2015 | Ted 2 | Rick | |
| 2019 | Wonder Woman: Bloodlines | Ferdinand the Minotaur | Voice, direct-to-video[18] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–1982 | CHiPs | Officer Jebediah Turner | 31 episodes |
| 1981 | Knots Landing | Paramedic | Episode: "The Vigil" |
| 1985 | 227 | Lester's friend | 1 episode |
| Hunter | Highway Patrolman | Episode: "Waiting for Mr. Wrong" | |
| 1986–1987 | Days of Our Lives | Jimmy | |
| 1987 | Punky Brewster | Councilman Weatherwax | Episode: "Fighting City Hall" |
| 1987–1994 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Lieutenant Worf | Main role, 7 seasons |
| 1988 | Reading Rainbow | Himself | Episode: "The Bionic Bunny Show" |
| 1989 | Webster | Lieutenant Worf | Episode: "Webtrek" |
| 1991–1994 | Dinosaurs | Elders, Solomon the Great, WESAYSO Announcer | Voice, recurring role |
| 1994 | SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron | Mutilor | Episode: "When Strikes Mutilor" |
| 1994–1997 | Gargoyles | Coldstone, Taurus | Recurring role[18] |
| 1995 | Amanda and the Alien | Lieutenant Vint | Television film |
| World of Wonder | Himself – Host | Science show on the Discovery Channel | |
| 1995–1996 | Fantastic Four | Gorgon | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| 1995–1999 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Lieutenant Commander Worf | Main role, 4 seasons |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits | Pete Claridge | Episode: "The Voyage Home" |
| 1996 | Adventures from the Book of Virtues | Apollo | Voice, episode: "Humility" |
| Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys | Lord Nebula | Voice, 2 episodes[18] | |
| The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Tala | Voice, episode: "The Dark Mountain"[18] | |
| 1996–2000 | Superman: The Animated Series | Kalibak, John Henry Irons / Steel | Voice, recurring role[18] |
| 1997 | Street Fighter | The Warrior King | Voice, episode: "The Warrior King"; uncredited |
| 1997–2000 | I Am Weasel | I.M. Weasel | Voice, main role[18] |
| 1998 | Haunted History | Narrator | Voice, episode: "Haunted History: Charleston" |
| 1998–1999 | Hercules | Minotaur | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Martial Law | Councilman Tynan | Episode: "No Quarter" |
| 2001 | 7th Heaven | Mr. Johnson | |
| 2002 | Through the Fire | Michael Collins | Television film |
| The Zeta Project | Colonel Lemak | Voice, 2 episodes[18] | |
| Static Shock | Reverend Anderson | Voice, episode: "Frozen Out"[18] | |
| 2003 | Justice League | Kalibak | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time | Rufus 3000 | Voice, television film | |
| Spider-Man: The New Animated Series | Kraven the Hunter | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| 2003–2005 | Duck Dodgers | Martian Centurion Robots, Captain Long, Klunkin Warrior | Voice, main role[18] |
| 2004–2005 | Megas XLR | R.E.G.I.S., Bot #14, Guard | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| 2004–2007 | Danny Phantom | Fright Knight | Voice, 4 episodes[18] |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Kalibak | Voice, episode: "The Ties That Bind"[18] |
| Descent | General Fielding | Television film | |
| 2005, 2009 | Family Guy | Lieutenant Worf, Himself | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2006 | All You've Got | Fire Captain Diaz | Television film |
| A.I. Assault | General Buskirk | Television film | |
| Fallen Angels | Taylor | Television film | |
| 2007 | Squirrel Boy | Reuben Belmont | Voice, 2 episodes |
| Ben 10 | Viktor, Benvicktor | Voice, 2 episodes[18] | |
| Without a Trace | Nathan Riggs | Episode: "Absolom" | |
| 2008–2009 | Heroes | US President | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Kru'll the Eternal | Voice, episode: "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!"[18] |
| Heroes | President of the United States | Episode: "An Invisible Thread" | |
| 2010 | Adventure Time | Gork, Monster Head #2 | Voice, episode: "Freak City"[18] |
| It's a Trap! | Lieutenant Worf | ||
| 2011–2015 | Castle | Dr. Carver Burke | 6 episodes |
| 2011 | Winx Club | Lord Darkar | Voice, recurring role |
| 2011 | The Super Hero Squad Show | Ronan the Accuser | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| 2012, 2014 | Regular Show | Thomas the Demon | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| 2014 | Ben 10: Omniverse | Dr. Viktor, I.M. Werfzel | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| 2015–2016 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Captain Mozar, Triceratons | Voice, recurring role[18] |
| 2016 | Uncle Grandpa | Crispin Mulcahy | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Arrow | Prometheus | Voice, recurring role; uncredited[19][20] |
| 2017 | Supergirl | Voice, episode: "Crisis on Earth-X"; uncredited | |
| Transformers: Titans Return | Fortress Maximus | Voice, web series | |
| 2017–2018 | Justice League Action | Atrocitus | Voice, 2 episodes[18] |
| 2017–2019 | The Lion Guard | Bupu | Voice, recurring role[18] |
| 2018 | OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes | Red Strike, I.M. Weasel | Voice, episode: "Crossover Nexus"[18] |
| 2021 | Invincible | Thokk / Battle Beast | Voice, episode: "That Actually Hurt"[18] |
| 2021 | Dogs in Space | Pistachio Soup | Voice, 6 episodes[18] |
| 2022 | Dota: Dragon's Blood | Asar | Voice, 8 episodes[18] |
| 2023 | Star Trek: Picard | Captain Worf | Season 3 |
| 2023 | The Santa Clauses | Sandman | [21] |
Video games
editWeb series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Mata Nui Saga | Mata Nui | Voice[25] |
| 2014 | Star Trek Continues | Computer Voice | Voice, episode: "Fairest of Them All" |
| 2015 | Con Man | Himself | Episode: "Thank Your for Your Service" |
| 2017 | Bravest Warriors | Armada Pilot | Voice, episode: "Dan of Future Past" |
| Transformers: Titans Return | Fortress Maximus | Voice, episode: "Aftermath and Rebirth"[18] |
Awards and honors
edit- 2024 – Saturn Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award – The Cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation[26][a]
Notes
edit- ^ "The Lifetime Achievement Award is usually presented to an individual for their contributions to genre entertainment. Top luminaries like Stan Lee and Leonard Nimoy, Mr. Spock himself, have received this top honor. It's not new, but we extended this award to cover the entire cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, due to its continued influence on the face of general television. It was originally doomed to failure since it was following in the footsteps of the original Star Trek, yet it carved its own identity, and its diverse cast was light years ahead of its time!" —Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films[26]
References
edit- ^ "Michael Dorn - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Dorn Family Tree". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Star Trek Database – Dorn, Michael". Star Trek Database. CBS Entertainment. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
- ^ Selected Crew Analysis: Casting (DVD). Michael Dorn (actor). Paramount. 2002.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Greenwald, Jeff (1998). "Worf Factors". Future Perfect: How Star Trek Conquered Planet Earth. New York: Viking. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-670-87399-9.
Dorn plays the immensely popular Worf ... Worf may be the most complex and sympathetic character in the history of Star Trek.
- ^ Charting New Territory: Deep Space Nine Season Four (DVD). Robert Hewitt Wolfe (writer/producer). Paramount. 2003.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) Of Worf, Wolfe says that the studio felt DS9's ratings were sagging at the end of the third season, and he and the other writers were asked to give viewers a new reason to watch. Their answer was to make Worf a part of the cast. - ^ Sloan, Sam (June 16, 2014). "Star Trek Continues: Fairest Of Them All – A Slice of SciFi Review". Slice of SciFi. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
- ^ Schaefer, Sandy (September 4, 2012). "Michael Dorn Confirms He's Working on a 'Star Trek: Captain Worf' TV Series". Screen Rant. IndieClick Film Network. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 5, 2022). "'Star Trek: Picard': LeVar Burton & Michael Dorn Among 6 'Next Generation' Alums Joining Third & Final Season". Deadline. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Vellequette, Larry (September 5, 2012). "Chrysler's latest treat wears a silver suit". Automotive News. Crain Communications, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ^ "Warp Factor 2 announces "Castlevania: Hymn of Blood" Web Series". PRWeb. October 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ^ "Castle Exclusive: Star Trek's Michael Dorn Is Beckett's Shrink". TV Guide. August 4, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
- ^ Schreur, Brandon (March 10, 2023). "Star Trek Icon Michael Dorn Joins DC to Script a New Steel Series". CBR. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ "AOPA Online: Instructor Reports". Aopa.org. November 30, 2006. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ Freeze, Di (June 2008). "Michael Dorn: A Trek worth Remembering". Airportjournals.com. Airport Journals. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
- ^ ":::Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation :::". Afahf.org. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ "Worf from 'Star Trek' goes vegan".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao "Michael Dorn (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 3, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (June 1, 2017). "Arrow: Season 5 Review". IGN. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- ^ Guggenheim, Marc (April 5, 2017). "marcguggenheim". tumblr. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- ^ Swann, Erik (October 17, 2023). "Tim Allen Clashes With Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet In The Santa Clauses Season 2 Trailer, And I'm Down To See These Sitcom Legends Face Off". CinemaBlend. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ Forté, Malik (February 18, 2016). "Master of Orion Voice Cast Includes Mark Hamill, Michael Dorn, and More". Nerdist. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ "LEGO DC Super-Villains Story Trailer Brings Back Classic Animated Series Voice Actors". GameRevolution. August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". August 6, 2019.
- ^ https://biomediaproject.com/bmp/music/dorn/
- ^ a b Pascale, Anthony (February 4, 2024). "'Star Trek: Picard' Wins 4 Saturn Awards, 'Strange New Worlds' Wins 1". TREKMOVIE.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024.
External links
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