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Michael Dorn

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Michael Dorn
Dorn at the 2019 GalaxyCon Richmond
Born (1952-12-09) December 9, 1952 (age 71)
Luling, Texas, U.S.
Alma materPasadena City College
OccupationActor
Years active1976–present

Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor best known for his role as the Klingon Worf in the Star Trek franchise. He has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other Star Trek actor in the franchise's history, spanning five films and 277[1] television episodes.

Early life

Dorn was born in Luling, Texas, the son of Allie Lee (née Nauls) and Fentress Dorn Jr.[2] 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.

Career

Early work

Dorn 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

Michael Dorn at the 2012 Phoenix Comic-Con with the cast of Next Generation. (L to R: LeVar Burton, Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Wil Wheaton)

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[5] that Dorn was added to the cast of spin-off series Deep Space Nine in an effort to boost ratings.[6]

He has appeared on-screen in more Star Trek episodes and movies as the same character than anyone else: 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 and five Star Trek movies, bringing his total to 282 appearances as Worf. He also appeared as Worf's ancestor, Colonel Worf, in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. He also 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 indeed be reprising his role as Worf, in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, which is scheduled to air in 2023.[9]

Other work

Dorn has appeared in a number of TV shows, films, and video games. He has been the spokesman for Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo, and has appeared in a Dodge Dart car commercial. 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]

Personal life

A member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association,[13] 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",[14] 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,[15] where he is on the advisory board. He has done interviews 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.[16]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Rocky Apollo Creed's bodyguard (uncredited) Dorn's film debut
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
1995 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
2000 The Prophet's Game Bob Bowman
2001 The Gristle Tar
2001 Mach 2 Rogers
2001 Ali Black pilot
2002 Face Value Hitman
2002 Star Trek: Nemesis Lieutenant Commander Worf
2002 The Santa Clause 2 Sandman Cameo
2003 Shade Jack Thornhill
2003 Lessons For an Assassin Quinn
2003 The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space Sam the Bartender Straight-to-DVD film
2005 Heart of the Beholder Lieutenant Larson
2005 Thru the Moebius Strip King Tor (voice)
2006 The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Sandman
2007 Fist of the Warrior Arnold Denton
2007 Night Skies Kyle
2007 The Deep Below Carl Bennett
2009 Bionicle: The Legend Reborn Mata Nui (voice) Straight-to-DVD film
2012 Strange Frame Guardship Commander
2015 Ted 2 Rick
2017 The Man from Earth: Holocene Dr. Parker
2019 Wonder Woman: Bloodlines Ferdinand the Minotaur (voice) Straight-to-DVD film

Television

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
1985 Hunter Highway Patrolman Episode: "Waiting for Mr. Wrong"
1986–1987 Days of Our Lives Jimmy
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 (voices) Recurring role
1994 SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Mutilor Episode: "When Strikes Mutilor"
1994–1997 Gargoyles Coldstone, Taurus Recurring role
1995 Amanda and the Alien Lieutenant Vint Television film
1995 World of Wonder Himself – Host Science show on the Discovery Channel
1995–1996 Fantastic Four Gorgon 2 episodes
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 1 episode
1996 Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys Lord Nebula 2 episodes
1996–2000 Superman: The Animated Series Kalibak and John Henry Irons / Steel Recurring role
1997 Street Fighter The Warrior King 1 episode
1997–2000 I Am Weasel I.M. Weasel (voice) Main role
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
2003 Justice League Kalibak (voice) 2 episodes
2003 Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time Rufus 3000 (voice) Television film
2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Kraven the Hunter (voice) 2 episodes
2003–2005 Duck Dodgers The Martian Centurion Robots, Captain Long, Klunkin Warrior (voice) Main role
2004–2005 Megas XLR R.E.G.I.S. Mark V, Klaar's Robot Guards and Number 14 (voice) 2 episodes
2004–2007 Danny Phantom Fright Knight (voice) 3 episodes
2005 Justice League Unlimited Kalibak (voice) Episode: "The Ties That Bind"
2005 Descent General Fielding Television film
2005, 2009 Family Guy Lieutenant Worf, Himself (voice) Episodes: "Peter's Got Woods"
"Not All Dogs Go to Heaven"
2006 All You've Got Fire Captain Diaz Television film
2006 A.I. Assault General Buskirk Television film
2006 Fallen Angels Taylor Television film
2007 Squirrel Boy Reuben Belmont (voice) 2 episodes
2007 Ben 10 Frankenstrike, Viktor (voices) Episodes: "The Return" and "Be Afraid of the Dark"
2007 Without a Trace Nathan Riggs Episode: "Absolom"
2008–2009 Heroes US President 2 episodes
2009 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Bane, Krull the Eternal (voices) Episode: "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman"
2009 Heroes President of the United States Episode: "An Invisible Thread"
2010 Adventure Time Gork (voice) Episode: "Freak City"
2010 It's a Trap! Lieutenant Worf
2011–2015 Castle Dr. Carver Burke 6 episodes
2011 Winx Club Lord Darkar (voice, Nickelodeon dub) Recurring role
2012, 2014 Regular Show Thomas the Demon (voice) 2 episodes
2014 Ben 10: Omniverse Dr. Viktor, Plumber (voices) 2 episodes
2015–2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Captain Mozar (voice) Recurring role
2016–2017 Arrow Prometheus (voice) Recurring role (uncredited)[17][18]
2017 Supergirl "Crisis on Earth-X" (uncredited)
2017 Transformers: Titans Return Fortress Maximus (voice) Web Series
2017–2019 The Lion Guard Bupu (voice) Recurring role
2018 OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Red Strike, I.M. Weasel (voice) Episode: "Crossover Nexus"
2021 Invincible Thokk / Battle Beast (voice) Episode "That Actually Hurt"
2023 Star Trek: Picard Worf Season 3

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers Dr. John
1993 Stellar 7: Draxon's Revenge Narrator
1995 Mission Critical Captain Stephen R. Dayna
1995 Star Trek: The Next Generation – A Final Unity Lieutenant Worf
1996 Vikings: The Strategy of Ultimate Conquest Narrator
1997 Star Trek Generations Lt. Commander Worf
1998 Fallout 2 Marcus, Frank Horrigan
2000 Star Trek: Armada Ambassador Worf
2000 Star Trek: Klingon Academy Thok Mak
2000 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Fallen Lt. Commander Worf
2000 Star Trek: Invasion Lt. Commander Worf
2001 Emperor: Battle for Dune Duke Achillus
2006 Star Trek: Legacy Worf
2008 Saints Row 2 Maero
2008 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures Kazim
2010 Mass Effect 2 Gatatog Uvenk
2010 Fallout: New Vegas Marcus
2010 StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Tassadar
2013 Saints Row IV Maero
2013 Star Trek: Online Ambassador Worf
2015 Infinite Crisis Swamp Thing
2015 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. John Henry
2016 Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Narrator [19]
2017 XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Pratal Mox
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains Kalibak [20]
2019 Indivisible Ravannavar [21]

References

  1. ^ "Michael Dorn - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "Michael Dorn Family Tree". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Star Trek Database – Dorn, Michael". Star Trek Database. CBS Entertainment. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  4. ^ Selected Crew Analysis: Casting (DVD). Michael Dorn (actor). Paramount. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Sloan, Sam (June 16, 2014). "Star Trek Continues: Fairest Of Them All – A Slice of SciFi Review". Slice of SciFi. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Vellequette, Larry (September 5, 2012). "Chrysler's latest treat wears a silver suit". Automotive News. Crain Communications, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  11. ^ "Warp Factor 2 announces "Castlevania: Hymn of Blood" Web Series". PRWeb. October 26, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Castle Exclusive: Star Trek's Michael Dorn Is Beckett's Shrink". TV Guide. August 4, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  13. ^ "AOPA Online: Instructor Reports". Aopa.org. November 30, 2006. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  14. ^ Freeze, Di (June 2008). "Michael Dorn: A Trek worth Remembering". Airportjournals.com. Airport Journals. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  15. ^ ":::Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation :::". Afahf.org. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  16. ^ "Worf from 'Star Trek' goes vegan".
  17. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (June 1, 2017). "Arrow: Season 5 Review". IGN. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  18. ^ Guggenheim, Marc (April 5, 2017). "marcguggenheim". tumblr. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "LEGO DC Super-Villains Story Trailer Brings Back Classic Animated Series Voice Actors". GameRevolution. August 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". August 6, 2019.
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