(Image Credit: Paramount)

Let's start with one that you might actually remember, Whoopi Goldberg. More than just a guest star, Goldberg actually appeared in 28 episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", as well as a substantial role in "Star Trek: Generations" and a small appearance in "Star Trek: Nemesis". Goldberg played the role of Guinan, the bartender and manager of the Ten-Forward lounge on the Enterprise, a perfect job for a character that is desribed to be from a race of listeners. Goldberg was a fan of the original series due to Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura), and asked her friend LeVarr Burton to put in a good word when he was cast in the role of Geordi LaForge. Originally, creator Gene Roddenberry and the producers of the show thought this to be a joke and passed on the offer. It wasn't until Goldberg contacted Roddenberry directly that they understood her to be serious. When asked why she wanted to appear on a syndicated television show, Goldberg said that she was already a successful comedian and actress and felt that she was at the point that she could do any project that interested her. The role of Guinan was immediately rewritten for Goldberg and she debuted on the first episode of season 2.