Unseen & Epic: 49 Jaw-Dropping Pics of the Original Star Trek Cast That’ll Blow Your Mind From ’69 to ’79!

Ever wonder how a show canceled after just three seasons could transform from a humble sci-fi flick to a cultural colossus? By the mid-to-late 1970s, Star Trek was far more than a canceled TV series collecting dust on NBC’s shelf. Thanks to a passionate fanbase who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, the show ignited a renaissance through syndication, conventions, and fan-made content that kept Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the gang blazing across screens everywhere. The actors, having ventured into other worlds, found themselves irresistibly pulled back into the universe they’d once left behind. This shift was undeniable, culminating with the blockbuster launch of Star Trek: The Motion Picture in December 1979. Dive into this visual journey spanning candid snapshots, convention magic, and those defining moments that transformed Star Trek from cult classic to mainstream juggernaut — a true testament to fandom’s power to rewrite destiny. LEARN MORE

By the mid-to-late 1970s, Star Trek was about as far removed from just being a canceled television series as you could get. Yes, NBC had pulled the plug on the original show in 1969 after three seasons, but the fans —as their letter-writing campaign to get the show renewed for its third year had proven—refused to let it fade away.

Thanks to syndication, a growing convention scene and an ever-expanding body of fan-created content, Star Trek had experienced a renaissance that kept Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) and the rest as relevant as ever. And the actors, many of whom had moved on—or attempted to—were finding themselves drawn back into a universe they thought they’d left behind, which would be irrefutable in December of 1979 with the theatrical release of the big-budget Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

These photos, ranging from candid moments to convention appearances and a press conference announcing the first movie, tell the story of that crucial transitional era, which saw Star Trek evolve from cult favorite to mainstream juggernaut. You’ll see Leonard Nimoy in early 1978, not as Spock but in promotion mode for Invasion of the Body Snatchers, standing alongside Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams—evidence of his growing presence in other genre work, even as he remained inextricably tied to the Enterprise. Elsewhere, James Doohan (Scotty) dons a futuristic uniform for his role in Jason of Star Command, a Saturday morning sci-fi show that let him flex his acting muscles for a new generation of fans.

Then there’s the aforementioned press conference for Star Trek: The Motion Picture in March 1978—a moment that signaled the franchise’s official leap to the big screen. Seated before a dramatic backdrop of the refitted Enterprise were series creator Gene Roddenberry, director Robert Wise, Paramount’s Michael Eisner and much of the original cast, all of whom faced the press with a mix of guarded optimism and palpable excitement. And just a year later, William Shatner, relaxed and grinning in athletic gear, would be photographed at NBC’s U.S. Against the World II, a celebrity sports event that reflected just how omnipresent Trek’s biggest stars had become.

These images capture a time of renewal and redefinition, when Star Trek was on the cusp of becoming something much bigger, and these are the people who would return us to the final frontier.

1969

1. The supporting cast of ‘Star Trek’

From left: Walter Koenig (Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), James Doohan (Scotty) and George Takei (Sulu) in a publicity shot from the original Star Trek series in its final season. After the show’s cancellation in 1969, all four actors stayed closely connected to the franchise through fan conventions, animated voice work and public appearances—helping sustain Star Trek’s popularity during its years off the air and paving the way for its cinematic rebirth (though nobody knew it at the time).

2. Life beyond the final frontier

Leonard Nimoy (far left) joined the cast of Mission: Impossible in 1969, stepping into the role of master of disguise Paris following Martin Landau’s departure. Seen here with co-stars Greg Morris, Lesley Ann Warren, Peter Lupus and Peter Graves, Nimoy remained with the hit spy series for two seasons. The move allowed him to further distance himself from Spock while still showcasing his versatility—though the shadow of Star Trek loomed large.

3. Shatner between space gigs

William Shatner is seen here with co-star Elizabeth Ashley in the 1969 television special The Skirts of Happy Chance, which aired May 28, shortly before the final original Star Trek episode hit NBC. With the series canceled and personal finances tight, Shatner spent the following years taking on guest roles and live stage work—often living out of his car between jobs. This period became a critical bridge in his journey from cult sci-fi captain to pop culture icon.

4. Spock is on the lot!

Leonard Nimoy stands outside the gates of Paramount Pictures in the 1970s, emblematic of his complicated relationship with Star Trek and his struggle to define a career beyond Mr. Spock. After initially distancing himself from the role—famously titling his 1975 memoir I Am Not Spock—Nimoy would later reconcile with the character and return for Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979.

1970

5. Hailing NASA

Actress and cast member of the Star Trek television series Nichelle Nicholas and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) employee Isaac Gillam, with model of the Space Shuttle, Washington, DC, 1970. Nichols was heavily involved in astronaut recruitment of women and minorities at the time.

6. Nimoy goes Western

Leonard Nimoy gets a costume adjustment on the Spanish set of the 1971 Western Catlow, filmed in Almería in 1970. Fresh off Star Trek’s cancellation, Nimoy sought to break away from Spock with roles that challenged audience expectations. In Catlow, he played a ruthless gunslinger opposite Yul Brynner, marking one of several deliberate attempts during the early 1970s to redefine his screen identity—and escape the shadow of the Enterprise.

7. Captain Kirk in the Civil War

William Shatner (right) stars alongside Richard Basehart, Jack Cassidy and Cameron Mitchell in the 1970 CBS teleplay The Andersonville Trial, directed by George C. Scott. Airing the year after Star Trek’s cancellation, the Emmy-winning production cast Shatner as Judge Advocate Chipman in the real-life post–Civil War trial of a Confederate officer. It marked a dramatic departure from Captain Kirk and offered Shatner an opportunity to flex his dramatic range in prestige television.

8. Gene Roddenberry’s risky detour

Director Roger Vadim, actor Rock Hudson and Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry appear at a press event announcing Pretty Maids All in a Row, Roddenberry’s first feature film as screenwriter and producer. Released in 1971, the darkly comic high school murder mystery—starring Hudson as a sex-obsessed guidance counselor—was a radical departure from the hopeful, utopian tone of Star Trek. Though critically panned and commercially unsuccessful, it marked Roddenberry’s attempt to break out of the science fiction genre and redefine his Hollywood identity.

9. Shatner’s ‘Trek’-free years begin

Photographed in October 1970, William Shatner strikes a confident pose during a transitional time in his career. With Star Trek canceled the year before and his personal life in flux, Shatner took on a wide range of guest appearances, stage work, TV movies and commercials to stay afloat financially. While public affection for Captain Kirk was growing in syndication, Shatner was still years away from realizing that Star Trek—and Kirk—would ultimately define his legacy.

10. Spock ‘flips’ out

Leonard Nimoy shares the stage with comedian Flip Wilson during a 1970s episode of The Flip Wilson Show, NBC’s breakout sketch comedy hit. Ditching his Vulcan reserve for a bit of variety show fun, Nimoy showed off his comedic chops to a national audience. Wilson—then one of television’s biggest stars—regularly welcomed major names for sketches and musical numbers, and Nimoy’s appearance proved he could laugh at himself just as easily as he could raise an eyebrow.

11. A moment of uncertainty?

Photographed on New Year’s Eve 1970 at his Los Angeles home, William Shatner lounges in a moment of quiet introspection. By his own admission, this was a difficult time for him.

12. Waiting for what’s next

Leonard Nimoy is photographed in New York circa 1970, reading a movie magazine while awaiting an interview. With Star Trek freshly canceled and Spock’s shadow looming large, Nimoy was navigating a tricky in-between phase—seeking new acting opportunities while confronting the limits of typecasting.

1971

13. NASA and Nichelle Nichols keep things going

Nichelle Nicholas, Roscoe Monroe, James King, Leon N Perry and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) employee Isaac Gillam at NASA headquarters, Washington DC, 1971.

14. ‘Who loves ya, Baby?’

James Doohan (right) appears alongside future Kojak star Telly Savalas and William Campbell in Gene Roddenberry’s 1971 dark comedy Pretty Maids All in a Row. The film, set in a scandal-ridden high school, marked Roddenberry’s first theatrical screenplay—and one of the rare occasions where Doohan stepped outside his iconic role as Montgomery Scott.

1972

15. Killer wabbits!

DeForest Kelley (second from left) appears alongside Stuart Whitman in the 1972 horror film Night of the Lepus, in which a small town is terrorized by giant mutant rabbits. In one of his rare post-Star Trek film roles, Kelley plays a skeptical scientist caught in the carnage. Though the movie became an object of ridicule, it remains a quirky fan favorite and perhaps one of the explanations for why Kelley didn’t seek out acting opportunities; he just wasn’t interested in what was being offered to him.

1973

16. ‘Star Trek: The Animated Series’

From 1973 to 1975, NBC aired an animated version of Star Trek on Saturday mornings, which brought back the original cast to voice their characters as well as a number of the original writers.

17. Broadway bound

Leonard Nimoy (far left) sits in rehearsal with cast and crew for the 1973 stage production of Full Circle. Following Star Trek’s cancellation, Nimoy turned increasingly to theater, finding creative refuge and critical respect on the stage.

18. Love and the second act

Actor William Shatner and actress Marcy Lafferty pose after revealing their marriage in a private ceremony held at the Los Angeles home of Lafferty’s father, CBS executive Perry Lafferty. The marriage, his second, would last for over two decades—spanning Star Trek’s resurgence and Shatner’s own evolution into a pop culture legend.

19. Taking the helm

James Doohan and George Takei suit up (in very 1970s attire) for a photo op on a fan-built Enterprise bridge at a 1973 Star Trek convention. Doohan, ever the engineer, looks right at home in the captain’s chair, while Takei channels full Sulu energy at the controls. These lovingly crafted sets were a hallmark of early conventions—DIY, delightfully imperfect, and totally thrilling to fans who’d never imagined they’d see the crew back on the bridge, even in wood paneling and cardboard stars.

20. Studio reunion

Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and William Shatner share a light moment in the recording booth while working on Star Trek: The Animated Series. For many fans, it was their first glimpse of new Star Trek adventures since the show’s 1969 cancellation—bridging the gap until the franchise’s live-action return at the end of the decade.

21. ‘Just one more thing, Mr. Spock’

Leonard Nimoy guest stars opposite Peter Falk in the Columbo episode “A Stitch in Crime,” which originally aired February 11, 1973. Playing the arrogant and lethal Dr. Barry Mayfield, Nimoy fully embraced the role of a cold-blooded villain—a sharp departure from the logic-bound Spock. The episode remains a fan favorite for its tension, clever twists, and the chance to see Nimoy and Falk go head-to-head in a classic battle of wits.

1974

22. Waxing legendary

Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner flank a wax figure of Shatner’s Captain Kirk at the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, California, circa 1974. With them is a fan and museum official during a publicity event that underscored just how iconic Star Trek had become—despite its cancellation five years earlier. As syndication and fan conventions fueled the show’s resurgence, Kirk and Spock were no longer just TV characters—they were cultural monuments, now quite literally cast in wax.

23. Chekov speaks

Walter Koenig takes the mic at a 1974 Star Trek convention, greeting fans with a mix of modesty and deadpan humor that became his trademark on the con circuit. Though he joined the show in its second season, Koenig quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his role as Ensign Pavel Chekov—and his willingness to embrace fandom wholeheartedly. The turtleneck-and-blazer combo? Very ’74 and logical.

24. Getting gritty

Nichelle Nichols and Isaac Hayes strike a glamorous pose behind the scenes of the 1974 cult action film Truck Turner. Cast against type, Nichols played Dorinda, a ruthless and tough-talking Madam—a stark contrast to her dignified role as Lt. Uhura. The film, starring Hayes as the titular bounty hunter, gave Nichols a rare opportunity to show her dramatic and gritty range. Though controversial at the time, her performance became a standout moment in the blaxploitation era and a daring career move post-Star Trek.

25. ‘Big Bad Mama’

William Shatner and Angie Dickinson in a scene from the 1974 cult classic Big Bad Mama. Set during the Great Depression, the film follows Dickinson’s gun-toting matriarch and her daughters on a crime spree across the South—with Shatner playing a smooth-talking con man who gets swept up in their chaos.

26. ‘I’m a doctor, not a public speaker!’

DeForest Kelley addresses a packed ballroom at a 1974 Star Trek convention, bringing his signature warmth and dry wit to the stage. Though famously shy about the spotlight, Kelley quickly became a fan favorite at early cons—often surprising audiences with how different he was from the gruff, sardonic Dr. McCoy. Dressed in classic ’70s tones (hello, turtleneck!), he was soft-spoken, gracious and deeply moved by the fan devotion that helped keep Star Trek alive between its cancellation and big-screen rebirth.

1975

27. ‘Barbary Coast’

Doug McClure and William Shatner star in the short-lived 1975 series Barbary Coast, seen here in the episode “Arson and Old Lace,” which aired November 14, 1975. Set in post–Civil War San Francisco, the show cast Shatner as government agent Jeff Cable, a master of disguises who partnered with McClure’s saloon owner to battle crime. Despite elaborate costumes and spy-fi flair, the series struggled with tone and ratings, lasting just one season. Still, it remains a fascinating detour in Shatner’s pre-Star Trek: The Motion Picture years.

28. The crew reunited in Chicago

From left to right: Walter Koenig, George Takei, William Shatner (in full ‘70s rust-tone glam), James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols (partially blocking DeForest Kelley), Leonard Nimoy rocking a Spock T-shirt, and Arlene Martel—aka T’Pring—adding extra Vulcan cool. This 1975 convention moment captures the original cast and key guest stars basking in the glow of early Trek fandom, years before the franchise’s movie revival. The backdrop? A homemade bridge set, of course.

29. Not Spock, just Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy poses in 1975 during a period of career reinvention and creative exploration. Still navigating the lasting grip of Spock on his public image, Nimoy was acting on stage, directing theater, publishing poetry and hosting In Search Of…, which had just debuted. His fashion-forward denim look here reflects the casual confidence of a man determined to forge a path beyond Vulcan ears—and on his own terms.

30. Bones, front and center

The bridge may have been cardboard, but the energy was pure warp speed. Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley (in full paisley mode), and Arlene Martel (far right, all denim and boots) share a warm moment on stage with fans looking on. Note Nimoy’s iconic Spock tee—proof that even the most logical among us knew how to lean into the fandom. Behind them, George Takei and William Shatner seem captivated by the retro controls of the DIY Enterprise set.

1976

31. Reuniting with the Enterprise

Star Trek television cast members at the roll out of the Space shuttle prototype Enterprise. L-R: James Fletcher, NASA Administrator; DeForest Kelley (McCoy); George Takei (Sulu); James Doohan (Scott); Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura); Leonard Nimoy (Spock); Gene Rodenberry; and Walter Koenig (Chekov). Sept. 17, 1976.

32. ‘I am not Spock… but I might be Sherlock Holmes’

Leonard Nimoy strikes a playful pose as Sherlock Holmes while holding his 1975 memoir, I Am Not Spock. Photographed on January 22 during a promotional stop in Midtown Manhattan, Nimoy was in New York doing press for his upcoming stage tour portraying the legendary detective. The book’s title caused confusion at the time, but Nimoy later clarified he was simply trying to draw a line between himself and his most famous role—not disown it. In the years that followed, he continued navigating the balance between his own identity and the enduring legacy of Mr. Spock.

33. Captain Kirk meets Columbo

William Shatner and Peter Falk go head-to-head in the 1976 Columbo episode “Fade In to Murder.” Shatner stars as Ward Fowler, a television actor who plays a detective on a hit crime show—until he becomes a murder suspect himself. Falk, as always, is razor-sharp as Lt. Columbo, slowly unraveling the case with his trademark mix of rumpled charm and dogged persistence. The episode offered a meta twist, poking fun at the television industry while giving fans a rare showdown between two iconic small-screen personas.

34. Reuniting for the fans

Walter Koenig, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, and George Takei share a moment backstage at a Star Trek convention in January 1976. At a time when fan-driven interest in the original series was helping keep the franchise alive in syndication and early conventions, these appearances became vital touch points between the cast and the growing Trek fandom. Sporting casual 1970s style—from Koenig’s gingham shirt to Takei’s animated tee—the actors appeared relaxed and engaged, supporting a show that, despite its cancellation in 1969, was proving itself quite enduring.

35. ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’

Before or between his time on Star Trek, George Takei took on various guest roles in film and television. Here, he appears as a Japanese soldier opposite Robert Conrad’s Col. Greg “Pappy” Boyington in the WWII-set series Baa Baa Black Sheep (later retitled Black Sheep Squadron). The show aired on NBC from 1976 to 1978. This image captures a tense scene with Takei and another soldier flanking a bare-chested Conrad under hot studio lights and faux jungle surroundings.

36. Exploring the unknown

Between Star Trek adventures, Leonard Nimoy took on a different kind of role—as the thoughtful host of the syndicated docuseries In Search Of…, which ran from 1976 to 1982. Each week, Nimoy guided viewers through mysteries ranging from ancient astronauts and Bigfoot sightings to lost civilizations and psychic phenomena. Seen here in a Season 5 publicity still for the episode “UFO Coverups,” which aired September 20, 1980, Nimoy brought his distinctive voice and quiet authority to the show, making even the most speculative subjects feel just within reach.

1977

37. William Shatner and Yvette Mimieux share a laugh

Before boldly going back to Broadway, William Shatner and Yvette Mimieux brought their comic chemistry to Tricks of the Trade, a two-character mystery-comedy they workshopped in regional theaters in 1974. Captured here in a candid moment following a rehearsal in Paramus, New Jersey, the pair appear relaxed and full of laughter—an offstage camaraderie that mirrored the play’s lighter tone. Though best known for Star Trek and The Time Machine, respectively, Shatner and Mimieux sought to showcase a different side of themselves in this intimate stage production, which was scheduled for stops in Westport and Falmouth before an anticipated Broadway debut.

38. Mr. Spock meets Norman Bates

Leonard Nimoy, Peter Firth and Anthony Perkins share a laugh at the closing night party for the Broadway run of Equus, which concluded its acclaimed two-and-a-half-year engagement in 1977. Nimoy, best known as Mr. Spock, played psychiatrist Dr. Dysart during the final leg of the play’s run, while Perkins—forever associated with Psycho—also took a turn in the role earlier in the production’s history. Firth, who originated the role of Alan Strang on stage, was preparing to reprise it in the upcoming film adaptation. Their camaraderie in this candid moment captures the deep bonds forged through one of Broadway’s most psychologically intense dramas.

39. Taking the stage with spoken-word flair

The cover of William Shatner Live, a 1977 double album that captured the Star Trek actor’s dramatic flair in front of a live audience, features Shatner surrounded by microphones in a bold, theatrical pose. The performance combined personal anecdotes, Shakespearean monologues and famously intense spoken-word interpretations of pop songs—cementing Shatner’s reputation as a one-of-a-kind performer who embraced both his earnestness and eccentricity. Part concert, part confessional, the album was recorded during a national tour that showed Captain Kirk could command a stage just as easily as a starship.

40. ‘Kingdom of the Spiders’

In the 1977 cult horror film Kingdom of the Spiders, William Shatner stars as veterinarian Rack Hansen, seen here confronting a horrifying scene as tarantulas swarm a lifeless body. Riding the wave of eco-horror films of the era, the movie tapped into fears of nature turning against humanity—with the added thrill of Shatner going full throttle in a performance equal parts heroic and unnerved. Shot on a modest budget in Arizona, Kingdom of the Spiders became a late-night staple and remains one of the most memorable entries in the “animals attack” genre.

1978

41. Shatner and family

In March 1978, William Shatner made a red carpet appearance at the premiere of American Hot Wax, accompanied by his daughters Lizebeth and Melanie Shatner, along with his second wife, actress Marcy Lafferty. Still a few months away from filming Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Shatner exuded late-’70s charisma in an open-collar shirt and leather jacket. The family moment offered a rare glimpse of the off-screen Captain Kirk surrounded by loved ones, radiating warmth just as his iconic role was about to be resurrected for the big screen.

42. ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’

In this moody promotional portrait from 1978, Leonard Nimoy, Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams strike a serious pose for Invasion of the Body Snatchers, director Philip Kaufman’s chilling remake of the 1956 classic. With Nimoy stepping away from Spock to play a skeptical psychiatrist, Sutherland as the film’s anxious everyman and Adams bringing emotional intensity to the unfolding paranoia, the trio became the face of one of the most acclaimed science fiction remakes of the era. The film’s eerie tone and shadowy themes of identity loss reflected a growing cultural unease—fitting for a story about humanity slowly being replaced.

43. ‘Jason of Star Command’

In this colorful production still from the late 1970s sci-fi series Jason of Star Command, James Doohan (left) joins Craig Littler (second from left) and co-stars Susan Pratt and Charlie Dell for a family-friendly space adventure that aired as part of CBS’s Saturday morning lineup from 1978 to 1981. The show, a spinoff of Space Academy, blended pulp serial energy with miniature effects and earnest performances. Doohan, who played Commander Canarvin in the first season, left the show when Star Trek: The Motion Picture went into production—passing his post to actor John Russell in later episodes.

44. ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’: The Press Conference

On March 28, 1978, the cast and creative team of Star Trek: The Motion Picture gathered at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles for a high-profile press conference to promote the upcoming return of the beloved science fiction franchise. From left to right: Leonard Nimoy (Spock), director Robert Wise, Paramount executive Michael Eisner, series creator and producer Gene Roddenberry, William Shatner (Captain Kirk) and DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy). The film, which reunited the original television cast, marked the franchise’s ambitious leap from the small screen to the big screen after nearly a decade off the air.

45. Spock and Kirk, together again

Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner are all smiles at a press conference at Paramount Studios in which it was announced that they would again be playing Mr. Spock and Captain James T. Kirk in the motion picture version of Star Trek.

46. Kirk and Bones meet their creator

Gene Roddenberry, William Shatner and DeForest Kelley sit side by side during a March 28, 1978, press conference at Paramount Studios for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. With a backdrop boldly declaring the franchise’s return, the trio represented the creative and emotional core of Star Trek: its visionary creator and two of its most beloved original cast members. The event marked the official announcement that the once-canceled TV series was being reborn for the big screen, thanks in large part to growing fan demand and the resurgence of science fiction in cinema.

1979

47. TV competition

William Shatner flashes a wide smile while attending the celebrity athletic competition U.S. Against the World II in Los Angeles, August 1979. Dressed in a sporty blue T-shirt with white stripes and an event logo patch, Shatner joined a host of American stars competing against international counterparts in a series of televised challenges. The NBC special aired at a time when Star Trek fandom was surging in the lead-up to Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Shatner’s off-screen charisma was as evident as ever.

48. Posing on the bridge

Actors Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and William Shatner pose for a portrait with writer/producer Gene Roddenberry and director Robert Wise during the filming of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which was released December 7, 1979, in the United States.

49. Reunited and it feels so good

It took a decade of building momentum and a number of false starts, but Star Trek finally made a triumphant return, this time on the big screen in the form of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the success of which paved the way for everything that has followed and continues boldly going to this day.