Michael Dorn


Even if you don’t know the name Michael Dorn, you are probably familiar with the character he played in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Worf. While Worf is what Michael Dorn is best known for, there’s more to him than Star Trek. And even though you probably haven’t seen him on screen in a long time, it doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy working in Hollywood.

Here’s everything we know about where Michael Dorn is and how he’s set to reprise the most popular role of his career. Before this, it’s been an active and productive time on screen for the actor.

MICHAEL DORN RETURNED AS WORF IN STAR TREK: PICARD SEASON 3

It had been rumored for quite some time, and Michael Dorn had signaled he would like to return to his Worf character at some point. Seeing as how seemingly the entire former cast of Star Trek was getting a chance to reprise their roles in some form or fashion, it seemed weird that Dorn hadn’t gotten a chance. But that has now all changed

Michael Dorn, along with many other Star Trek: The Next Generation folks (some who’ve already taken the step) were featured in the third season of Star Trek: Picard. Others who made appearances included LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge, Jonathan Frakes as William Riker, and Gates McFadden as Beverley Crusher.

Star Trek fans were rightfully excited about the inclusion of this original cast into the series which had already brought back John de Lancie as Q in Season 2.

And for Dorn, as we’ll see below, it’s been something he’s clearly been open to for some time now. Picard Season 3 is set to premiere on February 16, 2023.

MICHAEL DORN HAD A ROLE IN CHIPS AND OTHER SERIES

Michael Dorn’s career began way back in 1976 when he grabbed an uncredited role in the Sylvester Stallone Oscar-winning movie Rocky. In it, he played boxer Apollo Creed’s bodyguard. After this bit role, Dorn took on acting lessons to better hone his craft and from there landed his first TV series.

CHiPS came calling and Michael Dorn answered. The series starred Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox as Ponch and Jon, with Michael Dorn coming on board as Officer Jedediah Turner.

It followed the adventures of two motorcycle CHP officers and ran for six seasons with 139 total episodes. Dorn appeared in 60 episodes, using CHiPS as a stepping stone to more work.

Michael Dorn
Michael Dorn in Jagged Edge with Glenn Close

And more work is what Dorn got. Throughout the early and mid-80s, Dorn appeared in numerous TV series, guest-starring in shows such as Hotel, Hunter, Gimme A Break!, Punky Brewster, and Falcon Crest. During this time, he also appeared in a feature film, the thriller Jagged Edge which also starred Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges. Of course, all this was leading up to the role he is best known for.

MICHAEL DORN IS WORF ON STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

Worf on Star Trek

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry had no intention of making Worf a main character on The Next Generation. His desire was to avoid characters or races that had been present in the original Star Trek series. So, bringing in a Klingon was at first intended only as a recurring role at best.

Michael Dorn as Worf

Michael Dorn was not the first actor looked at to portray Worf, but his presence during his audition won him the part. In fact, it not only won him the part of Worf, son of Mogh, but changed the minds of the show’s producers, who then decided to make his character a regular part of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

DS9
Michael Dorn on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

As Worf, Michael Dorn appeared in all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, comprising 176 episodes. He then beamed aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Worf from Season 4 through 7, covering 102 episodes.

Not only that, but Dorn also appeared as Worf in the feature movies Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis. He even played Worf’s ancestor in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Michael Dorn
Michael Dorn In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Of all the series and movies, of all the actors and actresses that have been part of the Star Trek franchise, Dorn’s 282 appearances as Worf ranks him number one. He has appeared in more Star Trek than any other actor.

HE HAS DONE EXTENSIVE VOICE WORK

Michael Dorn now

Michael Dorn’s voice acting credits are extensive and impressive. While Dorn probably could have grabbed more roles in front of the camera, much of his career has been in the audio booth. This is not to say after all his Star Trek work he didn’t star in the occasional movie or guest star on a TV series, he did. But his resume is littered with voice work.

Michael Dorn’s partial voice acting list includes Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Superman: The Animated Series, Dexter’s Laboratory, Spider-Man, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, The Lion Guard, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Mind you, this is only a partial list.

Not only has Dorn worked on animated series, but he has also done extensive voice work on video games. They include Emperor: Battle for Dune, World of Warcraft, Saints Row 2, Mass Effect 2, Infinite Crisis, and Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars. Again, this is also a partial list. Dorn continues on with his amazing voice work, his strong video game work, and the occasional jump in front of the camera.

Recently, Michael Dorn appeared in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine documentary What We Left Behind. He also appeared in the science-fiction movie Agent II and in the movie Unbelievable!!!! with Snoop Dogg and a host of other Star Trek alums.

The Best Michael Dorn Photos And Images

Latest Michael Dorn Articles


Star Trek Desperately Needs To Give DS9 Hero Their Own Series

For many years, Star Trek icon Michael Dorn has campaigned for a solo Worf series. Having seen more of our …

21 hours ago

Star Trek Fans All Get This Wrong About Worf and Picard

A few years ago, fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation began to reevaluate the relationship between Worf and Captain …

5 days ago

Quentin Tarantino

Worf Is A Bad Dad Who Deserves His Own Story

One of the major lessons that modern classic shows like Breaking Bad have taught us is that flawed characters offer …

1 month ago

star trek worf
star trek prodigy

Star Trek Takes Home A Bunch Of Awards

Star Trek is one of the biggest sci-fi franchises, and the recent number of award nominations reflects its magnitude. Namely, …

2 months ago

star trek hogwarts

Star Trek TNG Cast Finally Getting The Recognition They Deserve

Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most beloved sci-fi TV shows of all time, in no small …

2 months ago

Star Trek TNG Movie Ties Into Deep Space Nine

Star Trek fans will be the first to tell you that movies based on The Next Generation were a decidedly …

2 months ago

star trek worf

Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Reveals Worf’s Tragic Past, See The Video

While Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard has a lot going on, viewers missed out on a deleted scene where …

7 months ago

star trek worf

7 Best Worf Episodes Of Star Trek

We cover the 7 best Star Trek episodes dedicated to Michael Dorn’s iconic Worf.

10 months ago

star trek worf

Star Trek Needs To Fix Its Biggest Worf Mistake

Star Trek needs to undo to ridiculous mistake of Worf having his brother Kurn’s memory wiped in the Season 4 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Sons of Mogh.”

1 year ago

michael dorn

Star Trek’s Worf Really Does Behead People On Wednesdays

Michael Dorn confirmed that when Worf said that “Beheadings are on Wednesdays” on Picard, the character wasn’t joking.

1 year ago

Michael Dorn Getting A Worf Movie By Quentin Tarantino?

Michael Dorn would love to play Worf in a Quentin Tarantino movie.

1 year ago

worf raffi star trek

Exclusive: Worf And Raffi Star Trek Spinoff In The Works

Star Trek is developing a series that would see Michael Dorn’s Worf and Michelle Hurd’s Raffi team up after the events of Star Trek: Picard.

1 year ago

star trek worf

See Star Trek’s Worf Reunite With The Franchise’s Best Captain

While Michael Dorn and Patrick Stewart have certainly crossed paths plenty of times over the years, Star Trek’s Worf and …

1 year ago

star trek patrick stewart

See Patrick Stewart Return In Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Teaser

Patrick Stewart and the TNG crew return in a new teaser for Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard.

2 years ago

star trek
levar burton
worf series star trek michael dorn
worf series star trek michael dorn

Star Trek’s Michael Dorn Isn’t The Only One Pitching A Worf Spinoff

A new Star Trek pitch for a Worf spinoff series has been revealed. This time, it isn’t from Michael Dorn.

3 years ago

star trek worf

Michael Dorn’s Captain Worf Star Trek Series Gets Support From Another Cast Member

While Michael Dorn seems to be moving on, another cast member is now speaking up for a Worf Star Trek show.

3 years ago

Worf Michael Dorn Star Trek

New Star Trek Game Teaser Reveals Michael Dorn Back As Worf

Michael Dorn reveals his latest Star Trek appearance in a teaser for the Legends video game.

3 years ago

Worf michael dorn

Star Trek’s Michael Dorn Teases A Return As Worf

Michael Dorn recently teased the possibility of return to the Star Trek world and universe as Worf. What would the new project be?

3 years ago

Worf Michael Dorn Star Trek

Michael Dorn Trying To Get A Star Trek TV Show Made

Actor Michael Dorn, who played Worf on multiple Star Trek films and television shows, is apparently still trying to get a Worf TV series up and running.

3 years ago

star trek worf

Michael Dorn Says The Script For A Worf TV Show Is Written

Michael Dorn has been conspicuously absent from the Star Trek franchise over the last few years, but he says a Worf script has been written

3 years ago

Fascinating

Zachary Quinto Invites You To Ask Him Anything: Today In Science & Science Fiction

Star Trek’s Zachary Quinto is braving the wilds of Reddit today, participating in an AMA — “Ask Me Anything” — …

10 years ago

Worf

Michael Dorn Returns To Voice Worf In Star Trek Online

Actor Michael Dorn has never been shy about his love of playing Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation and …

10 years ago

Michael Dorn Didn’t Want To Work With Patrick Stewart On Star Trek

It’s hard to believe that Star Trek: The Next Generation first graced television screens all the way back in 1987. …

12 years ago