Whoopi Goldberg - Then
The iconic Whoopi Goldberg made her mark in a few episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, featuring prominently from season two to season six. In the series, she portrayed the character Guinan, a fascinating and enigmatic figure who managed the lounge aboard the Enterprise-D and served as a kind of therapist, offering counsel and wisdom to numerous Starfleet members.
Whoopi's connection to the show ran deep, as she had always been interested in Star Trek. She was genuinely excited to discover a black woman character in the original series, and she vividly recalled telling her mother, "There's a black lady on T.V., and she ain't a maid!" Her presence as Guinan added a unique dimension to the series and left an indelible mark on Star Trek fans.
