Let’s face it: Star Trek vs. Star Wars is the ultimate pop-culture rivalry. It’s Coke vs. Pepsi, Marvel vs. DC, cats vs. dogs-two universes that have defined sci-fi fandom for decades. But every so often, an actor boldly crosses the stars and joins both. From starship officers to Jedi masters, these crossover legends prove that peace between galaxies isn’t just possible-it’s cinematic magic. So grab your phasers and your lightsabers, here are ten icons who’ve lived in both galaxies far, far away.
10. Olivia D’Abo – From Q to Jedi Master
In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Olivia D’Abo played Amanda Rogers, a young Starfleet officer who suddenly discovers she’s part of the omnipotent Q Continuum. Not bad for an internship gone cosmic. But D’Abo didn’t stop there; she later voiced Jedi Master Luminara Unduli in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, guiding young Padawans with calm authority and serious lightsaber skills. From godlike being to serene Jedi, D’Abo’s sci-fi résumé is pure Force energy.
9. Fionnula Flanagan – The Mother of Many Worlds
Irish actress Fionnula Flanagan has practically adopted half of sci-fi. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, she played Juliana Tainer Data’s “mother,” an android who doesn’t even know she’s artificial. She later appeared in Star Trek: Enterprise as a Vulcan ambassador, all logic and diplomacy. But her Star Wars moment came much earlier, in the TV movie Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, where she played Catarine Towani, a stranded mother on Endor. From Ewoks to androids, Flanagan’s maternal energy spans galaxies.
8. Fred Tatasciore – The Voice That Bridges Universes
You may not know his face, but you’ve definitely heard Fred Tatasciore. The voice acting legend brings Lieutenant Shax to life in Star Trek: Lower Decks, the gruff but lovable Bajoran security officer with a flair for explosions. Over in the Star Wars universe, Tatasciore has voiced several characters in The Clone Wars, including Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Council member Oppo Rancisis. Few performers can switch so seamlessly between franchises. Tatasciore does it like it’s warp speed.
7. Christina Chong – From Jakku to the Enterprise
Before she was the fierce and stoic Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Christina Chong nearly made her mark in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She was originally cast as a character on Jakku who knew Rey, but her scenes didn’t make the final cut. Still, the journey from a desert planet to the bridge of the Enterprise is a pretty epic trajectory-and fans are more than happy she found her home among the stars.
6. Ethan Phillips: From Talaxian Chef to Galactic Voice
Trekkies adore Ethan Phillips for his portrayal of Neelix, the ever-optimistic cook and morale officer aboard Star Trek: Voyager. He also popped up as a Ferengi in Star Trek: Enterprise. However, Phillips has lent his voice to Star Wars games such as Force Commander and Knights of the Old Republic, too. Be it dishing out meals in the Delta Quadrant or commands in the Republic, Phillips proves that good energy travels at lightspeed.
5. Brent Spiner – From Android to Imperial Spy
Few names are more synonymous with Star Trek than Brent Spiner, who immortalized the role of Data, the lovable android searching for humanity. Across multiple series, he’s also played generations of the Soong family. But in Star Wars: Rebels, Spiner took a darker turn as Senator Gall Trayvis, a charming politician who turns out to be an Imperial double agent. After years of playing straight-laced heroes, Spiner clearly had fun going full villain.
4. George Takei: From Starfleet Pilot to Clone Wars Villain
George Takei doesn’t just belong to sci-fi; he is sci-fi. As Hikaru Sulu, he helmed the Enterprise through countless adventures. But Takei lent his unmistakable voice to the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, too, playing Lok Durd, a cowardly Neimoidian general with a devastating weapon. Takei says he doesn’t really see it as “jumping ship”-for him, the spirit of Star Trek and Star Wars is the same inclusive spirit. And who’s going to argue with Sulu himself?
3. Greg Grunberg: Abrams’ Multiverse MVP
Greg Grunberg might just be the luckiest geek in Hollywood. As one of J.J. Abrams’ frequent collaborators, he’s appeared across both galaxies-playing Resistance pilot Snap Wexley in the Star Wars sequels, and providing the voice of young Kirk’s stepfather in 2009’s Star Trek. Whether he’s flying an X-wing or grounding a rebellious future captain, Grunberg brings a relatable, everyman energy that fits both worlds perfectly.
2. Ron Perlman – From Reman Warlord to Scavenger Scum
The man behind Hellboy and countless creature roles has worn some serious prosthetics in his time, including the Reman Viceroy in Star Trek: Nemesis. Perlman also joined The Clone Wars as the voice of Gha Nachkt, a scheming Trandoshan who trades junk and information. In Star Trek, he was menacing and regal; in Star Wars, slimy and sly. Either way, Perlman makes alien life look good.
1. Simon Pegg – The Ultimate Crossover King
If there’s one actor who really embodies the sci-fi dream, it’s Simon Pegg. As Scotty in the rebooted Star Trek trilogy, he gave the fabled engineer fresh life with his trademark wit and warmth, and even co-wrote Star Trek Beyond. But Pegg also popped up as Unkar Plutt in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the grumpy junk dealer trying to scam Rey on Jakku. It’s the ultimate nerd crossover, one man, two galaxies, infinite street cred.
So there you have it, ten actors who’ve achieved the impossible: uniting Star Trek and Star Wars with pure talent and love for storytelling. Be it saving the Federation or scamming scavengers, these legends prove sci-fi doesn’t have to be a rivalry; it can be a shared celebration of imagination.