Star Trek star dies at 97 as friend shares heartbreaking tribute
Star Trek star dies at 97 as friend shares heartbreaking tribute
Jennie Buzaglo Sat, October 17, 2026 at 5:06 PM UTC
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Michael Forest was 97 years old (Image: Gabe Ginsberg, Getty Images)
Veteran Star Trek actor Michael Forest has passed away at the age of 97.
His close friend James A. Brown announced the news on Facebook, writing: "It is with great sadness that I report that we have lost Michael Forest (Gerald Michael Charlebois) April 17, 1929 - October 14, 2026. I knew him as an actor and loved him as a friend. I'm sure others will share, but that's all I'm capable of right now."
Forest died on Wednesday, October 14, at an assisted living facility in Sparks, Nevada, where he had been residing for several years. This comes after Eva Marie Saint, Oscar winner and star of 'North by Northwest,' died at 102.
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The seasoned performer accumulated more than 200 acting credits over his decades-long career, appearing in numerous television series and cult films.
He was particularly beloved by Star Trek enthusiasts for his portrayal of Apollo in the iconic 1967 episode Who Mourns for Adonais. Forest later revisited the role in the fan-made web series Star Trek Continues in 2013, sharing the screen with his late wife, actress Diana Hale, who portrayed Athena, reports the Express.
Forest had over 200 acting credits (Image: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
The actor also left a lasting impression on audiences with his appearance in The Twilight Zone episode Black Leather Jackets in 1964, in which he played a member of an alien biker gang. That same year, he featured in The Dick Van Dyke Show as a former love interest of Laura Petrie, portrayed by Mary Tyler Moore.
Originally from Harvey, North Dakota, Forest relocated with his family to Seattle during his childhood and subsequently studied at the University of Washington and San Jose State. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1955, he set about establishing himself across television, theater, and film.
His breakthrough arrived following an encounter with legendary filmmaker Roger Corman, who cast him as the barbarian Zarko in the 1957 adventure film The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, launching a series of collaborations with the director.
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Michael Forest was known for his role in Star Trek (Image: Getty)
He subsequently took on the role of Gil Jackson in the 1959 horror film Beast From Haunted Cave, which went on to become a cult favorite among classic B-movie enthusiasts.
Forest's television credits included Zorro (1958), Maverick (1959-1961), Gunsmoke (1963), The Outer Limits (1963), Mission: Impossible (1967), Gilligan's Island (1967) and Get Smart (1968).
He also featured in the long-running American soap operas The Young and the Restless (1973), Days of Our Lives (1979-1990) and As the World Turns (1980-1982).
In his later years, he gravitated increasingly toward voice work, contributing his talents to animated productions, video games, and major franchises, among them Power Rangers, Dynasty Warriors, and World of Warcraft.
He also made a late-career appearance as a pilot in the Tom Hanks film Cast Away.
Outside of his screen work, Forest was a highly respected theater performer, tackling the role of Othello on three separate occasions and portraying Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew at the Old Globe in San Diego.
Forest's passing comes four years after the death of his wife, Hale, in 2022.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
