Patrick Stewart is a legend (and is talking about marijuana), William Shatner has been cast in a new romantic comedy, Linda Park talks new Enterprise fans and her upcoming projects, and Robert Picardo will record your voicemail message. Also, there is sad news with iconic Star Trek guest star Lawrence Montaigne passing away.

Patrick Stewart Wins Empire Legend Award

On Sunday night in London Sir Patrick Stewart became the seventh recipient of the Empire Legend Award at the 22nd annual Empire Magazine Awards. Past honorees include Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman, and Tom Cruise. The award was presented to the Star Trek: The Next Generation star by his long-time friend Sir Ian McKellen. After some jibes at Stewart’s expense, McKellen got serious saying “The range of his work is so gratifying and enviable…He’s one of my heroes for the way he stands up for his causes. He’s the actor that people of my generation would like to be.”

Stewart was greeted with a standing ovation, and not just because he gave McKellen a big kiss when he got on stage (see above photo). Stewart got philosophical while accepting the award, saying (via Empire):

“‘Success is an impostor. It conceals the flaw, the wound, the fundamental doubt at the core of the artists’ being’. Well, I only quoted that as I wanted to go down as the only actor in history to quote Nietzche. But nevertheless, sometimes, Mr Nietzche, you are right.” He also makes sure to thank his “brother and friend, Ian.”

Star Trek Beyond was also nominated for Best Makeup and Hair, but the award went to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. More details on the ceremony at empireonline.com.

Stewart Backs Medical Marijuana in UK, Reveals He Uses it Every Day for Arthritis



Speaking of Sir Patrick, this week the actor took on another cause, advocating for medical marijuana in the United Kingdom. Oxford University announced a new study on the medical benefits of marijuana, titled the Cannabis Research Plan. Backers hope to influence the debate over changing laws in the UK to allow for medical marijuana. Stewart was one of the key celebrity backers of the new research project, and revealed that two years ago in California he was prescribed medical marijuana to treat arthritis. Stewart told the UK’s Telegraph he regularly uses a marijuana-based ointment for his hands, as well as edibles, to treat pain.

Shatner to Star in Romantic Comedy

William Shatner is set to star in the upcoming romantic comedy Senior Moment, according to Variety. Shatner will play a retired Navy fighter pilot and NASA test pilot who battles the law as his town seeks to get dangerous senior drivers off the road, resulting in his coveted convertible being impounded, and his license revoked. Shatner had this to say about the production, which begins shooting later this year: “I’m thrilled to be working with this group of talented people,” Shatner said. “I’m really looking forward to making a wonderfully funny movie.”

Park Talks New Audiences Finding Enterprise and New Play

Star Trek: Enterprise’s Linda Park recently began starring in the classic play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as Maggie at the Gindler Performing arts Center in Glendale, CA. To promote the play she has a new interview with the official Star Trek site where she talked a bit about how Enterprise is finding new audiences:

I’ve been meeting so many young children who’ve had Enterprise introduced to them by their parents. So, that’s been really exciting for me, to have young audiences get excited about the show and the work we did. We came on very late in that whole Star Trek run. We didn’t really get the promotion we should have. We never had a lot of eyes on us when we were on the air, so it’s nice to know that people are finding Enterprise now, all this time later. And there are people re-discovering it, too. Some of the fans maybe did give us a chance when we were on and they’ve gone back and realized it was really pretty good.

Park also discussed her role in the upcoming third season of Amazon’s Bosch, which has previously cast Trek alumni. Jeri Ryan had a large role in season two. Bosch‘s third season will begin airing on April 21st.

Park yesterday offered this photo preview (below) of her character Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof via Instagram.

Perfecting the cat eye for Maggie the cat #catiscoming @antaeustheatre A post shared by Linda Park (@reallindapark) on Mar 18, 2017 at 11:12am PDT

Robert Picardo Will Record Your Voicemail Greeting If You Help Fund His New Play



Robert Picardo, Star Trek: Voyager’s Emergency Medical Hologram, has signed on to co-star in a new comedy play called “A Joke.” The production is trying to get enough money together to premiere at the Edinburgh Festival later this year. As with many crowdfunding projects, there is an abundance of possible rewards available. Picardo will record a custom ringtone or voicemail message for you for £50 (or about $63). More info on the play and possible funding rewards at danfreeman.co.uk.

Spoke about " A Joke " @TorontoComiCon yesterday. Please consider a unique gift for a pledge! https://t.co/iEmBmGduOm — Robert Picardo (@RobertPicardo) March 18, 2017

Picardo was on hand at Toronto Comic Con over the weekend and NerdBastards has a con report from his panel. As is his custom, Picardo was also available for photos with fans, which he likes to share on Twitter with pithy comments, as demonstrated below.

Did a Cos-Play interview with Hannah dressed as 7-of9 ; sponsored by Armor-All. pic.twitter.com/5R7lsdCM29 — Robert Picardo (@RobertPicardo) March 18, 2017

Lawrence Montaigne passes away at 86

Over the weekend, with sadness TrekMovie reported via Twitter and Facebook that actor Lawrence Montaigne had passed away in Las Vegas. Trek fans will know Montaigne from two classic Star Trek episodes, playing the Vulcan Stonn in “Amok Time,” and the Romulan Decius in “Balance of Terror.” He has also been a regular on the Trek convention circuit for years and even returned to the role of Stonn in the fan film Of Gods and Men. The news of Montaigne’s passing was first revealed by his daughter on Facebook, where friends, family, and fans have been offering their condolences. Fans can offer condolences on Lawrence’s own Facebook page as well.

Keep up with all the Star Trek celeb news at TrekMovie.com.