'Star Trek' Stars and Their Adorable Dogs: Celebrating 60 Years
Much to my dog’s chagrin, I’m a pretty big Trekkie. (She hates nerds.)
So, even though my pup absolutely doesn’t agree with this, I would like to celebrate Star Trek’s big 60th birthday by spotlighting the biggest dog lovers in the franchise.
Without further ado, here are some Star Trek stars who have continuously made sure their furry friends live long and prosper.
William Shatner
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William Shatner, who famously played Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series, has a deep devotion to Dobermans.
Leonard Nimoy
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Star Trek: TOS star Leonard Nimoy actually named his furry friend in the ‘60s after his iconic character, Science Officer Spock.
Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols, who originated the role of Communications Officer Nyota Uhura, had a beautiful long-haired pup in her later years.
DeForest Kelley
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DeForest Kelley had a sweet poodle/Schnauzer mix named Cheers during the ‘70s. The Dr. McCoy actor also used to doodle pictures of his dogs. Those adorable sketches currently go for a pretty penny on eBay. (I’m so tempted to buy one, but my bank account and Star Trek-hating dog are screaming at me).
George Takei
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Oh my! George Takei’s late dog named Ren-Ren was gorgeous!
Patrick Stewart
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Patrick Stewart, the man behind Next Gen’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard, is a pit bull advocate. During a 2020 interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, while promoting Picard, Stewart shared that his beloved pit bull Ginger was just supposed to be a foster. However, he soon realized he needed to give his furry friend a forever home.
He also said he thoroughly disagrees with the belief that pit bulls are inherently dangerous.
“These are the sweetest, most empathetic, most sensitive creatures I’ve ever known,” said the actor.
Brent Spiner
Brent Spiner, who played everyone’s favorite android Data, has a super cute pup named Luna.
LeVar Burton
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LeVar Burton, who portrayed Data’s bestie, Geordi La Forge, is a proud pup parent to a sweet little poodle named Roux.
Wil Wheaton
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Like Stewart, Star Trek: The Next Generation star Wil Wheaton adores pit bulls! Unfortunately, the actor’s sweet pits, Marlowe and Seamus, have passed away.
Jeri Ryan
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Jeri Ryan, AKA Seven of Nine, is a devoted dog mom to a Boxer!
Tawny Newsome
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Tawny Newsome, who has played two incredible Trek characters, Beckett Mariner and Professor Illa Dax, has a dog named Jewel, who seems to enjoy outdoor adventures.
Christina Chong
Christina Chong, who plays La'an Noonien Singh, famously owns an adorable dog named Runa.
Fans of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will recognize Runa for her scene-stealing role as Princess Runa in season 1, episode 8, “The Elysian Kingdom.” In a behind-the-scenes interview, Chong explained that she asked one of the show’s producers and directors, Chris Fisher, if her canine companion could appear in “The Elysian Kingdom,” as it was a fantasy episode where “anything goes.”
Chong also noted that she and Runa wore gorgeous matching dresses during the season 1 episode.
“The fantasy episode was my favorite episode of the entire show. Because who gets to play a fantasy princess, the childhood dream princess dress, which is sparkly and glittery and twirls, and gets to have her little dog in it, in her own little princess costume,” said Chong.
Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell
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Rebecca Romijn, who plays One/Una Chin-Riley on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and her husband, Jerry O’Connell, who played Jack Ransom on Star Trek: Lower Decks, own three dogs, as reported by People.
Paul Wesley
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Paul Wesley, who plays a younger version of Captain Kirk, has a sweet pup called Greggy the Dog.
Carol Kane
Legendary actress Carol Kane is a total scene stealer as Pelia in Star Trek: SNW. In an April 2024 interview with People, Kane, who has rescued older pups, shared why she believes dog lovers should adopt senior canines.
“It's a wonderful thing if you feel like maybe rescuing an older dog because a lot of people don't want them, because they want a quote-unquote, ‘cute puppy.’ But a puppy's not going to stay a puppy, so that's a bad idea anyway!” said Kane.
In addition, she said she believes senior dogs in shelters “really need a welcome and is so grateful for it.”
“And you can keep them alive for a lot longer than they would've been kept alive. And they just are so sweet,” continued Kane.