Author: Jeffrey Clark

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Walter Koenig

Through his earnest and sometimes humorous portrayal, Walter Koenig made the role of Ensign Pavel Chekov, navigator of Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise, famous.  Portraying the Russian character for the original series’ final two seasons, he went on to re-create the role in the first seven Star Trek motion pictures, his largest role being in the franchise’s arguably most popular entry, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, in 1982.  The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Mr. Koenig credits the Russian accent he uses for the character of Chekov to his father – a transition from hearing “Pass the w’egetables” at the dinner table to lines such as “This is w’odka” in front of the cameras.

Walter Koenig VIP Event - Star Trek Tour

After his iconic role on Star Trek, he had the recurring guest-starring role of Psi Corps leader Alfred Bester on the Babylon 5 television series, where the production company applied for an Emmy nomination on Koenig’s behalf.

His total television, film and stage career spans well over 50 years and includes directing behind the stage as well as teaching his various craft privately and at UCLA, amongst several other schools.  He has written screenplays for many television series, including for the animated Star Trek series in the early 1970s, and has worked for the human rights group U.S. Campaign for Burma.

We are thrilled to welcome Walter to his second appearance at Trekonderoga! Take advantage of this opportunity to see him at our more intimate event, not to mention on board the Enterprise herself!

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Brent Spiner

Originally from Houston, Texas, Star Trek: The Next Generation star Brent Spiner got his start in the biz in New York City in the early 1970s in plays such as The Three Musketeers, A History of the American Film, and Sunday in the Park with George. He appeared in Stardust Memories and an episode of The Paper Chase before moving to Los Angeles in the mid-80s and landing a recurring role in Night Court as well as appearances in various television shows.

Brent started his 15-year stint as Lieutenant Commander Data in 1987’s debut of Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as appearing in the four Next Gen motion pictures.  With his appearance in Star Trek: Nemesis, Brent helped co-develop the story of the film and received a “Story by” credit. He also appeared in three Star Trek: Enterprise episodes in 2004 as an ancestor of Data’s creator, Dr. Soong, and has most recently appeared Star Trek: Picard.

Outside of Star Trek, Brent played the popular scientist character Dr. Brackish Okun in Independence Day (released the same year as the highly successful Star Trek: First Contact) and its sequel and remained quite busy in other productions.  He has appeared as himself in The Big Bang Theory, in the Friends spin-off Joey, and voicing himself in Family Guy, and says of these experiences, “I’ve never been very good at playing myself…. It’s one of the most difficult characters to play…. It’s just a person who happens to be named Brent Spiner, who was on Star Trek.”  How’s that for modesty – and Brent will be playing himself again in 2023’s edition of Trekonderoga – here’s your second chance to meet the actor who gave life to Data, this time appearing on board the original Enterprise!

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Michael Rizzo

Mike Rizzo is a lifetime Star Trek and SciFi Fan. He grew up watching classic SciFi TV like Star Trek the original series, Lost in Space, and Space 1999. Of course, in 1977 his world changed when Star Wars hit the theaters. Throughout the years he has collected and created props and memorabilia from the many movies and TV shows he loved. Mike worked in the TV broadcasting industry for 23 years with specialty in studio lighting and engineering. Mike has been a volunteer at the Set Tour since 2015. He currently hosts his own SciFi webcast called SciFi Distilled airing weekly on Facebook and YouTube!

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Kent Schmidt

Kent Schmidt was born in South Carolina, but was relocated to Upstate NY when he was a teenager. He graduated college with a degree in Political Science. He began working in retail environments until he started a 22-year career selling and leasing automobiles. A lifelong computer and electronic enthusiast, he transitioned into an IT management position with the Della Auto Group and now supports 250+ users with their technology issues. He is one year and one day younger than the original Star Trek, but was propped up in his crib to watch some of the original run… After Trek went into syndication, he rarely missed an episode after school and never during the summer months. He worked as a Production Assistant, then Grip, Key Grip, and finally, Gaffer for the long-running fan series Star Trek New Voyages/ Phase II. His study of Jerry Finnerman’s lighting techniques and practices and his application of those methods resulted in the high point of his lighting career when David Gerrold said “You are channeling Jerry Finnerman with your lighting. Kent, he would be proud of you.” His perspective on the Borg stems from an extensive Science Fiction library and decades of reading, watching, and studying Sci-Fi in all its forms.

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Phil Merkel

Phil Merkel aka “Captain Phil” is a DJ on WUSB 90.1 fm radio and host of “Captain Phil’s Planet.” The Planet airs alternate Thursdays 3 pm to 5 pm and streams at www.wusb.fm if you are out of the WUBS listening area. Captain Phil embraces all music genres on his planet and most other planets as well. In a former life, Phil taught music for a Special Education agency on Long Island for 31 years. He is now retired and living in his secret underground headquarters somewhere in West Coxsackie, NY.

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802 Ghostbusters

802 Ghostbusters is a group of Ghostbusters cosplayers based in Rutland, Vermont. We attend several events over the course of the year, including conventions, fundraising events, parades, and other community activities. We are happy to help with cosplay and prop-building questions. We are a group for fans and members alike and we support anyone who wants to be a Ghostbuster!

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Ed Speleers

Welcome to Jack Crusher played by Ed Speleers!! He will be joining us for our annual Trekonderoga event here at STAR TREK TOUR this August!

Ed Speleers publicity photo.

Ed can be seen on this season of Star Trek: Picard as Jack Crusher, son of Jean Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher!
He is also known for his portrayal of villain ‘Stephen Bonnet’ in the Starz! series Outlander as well as playing ‘Footman Jimmy’ for two seasons on the SAG Award-winning (for Best Ensemble) Downton Abbey. Other television credits include starring as ‘Slean’ in Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands for ITV, as ‘Edward Seymour’ in the critically acclaimed Golden Globe- and Bafta-winning Wolf Hall alongside Mark Rylance and Damien Lewis, and Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime. While starring as Jack Crusher on Picard, Ed can also be seen as ‘Rhys Montrose’ during the ongoing fourth season of the Netflix series You.

Ed’s feature credits include Breathe opposite Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, Disney’s fantasy film Alice Through the Looking Glass, and Lars von Trier’s The House that Jack Built opposite Uma Thurman and Matt Dillon. Ed made his film debut as the titular role in the 20th Century Fox action fantasy film Eragon. He was selected by director Stefen Fangmeier from a worldwide casting search.

Come and meet Ed on board the original Starship Enterprise at this year’s event – don’t miss your chance to meet one of the newest stars of Star Trek and hear tales from his experiences filming Star Trek: Picard!

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