Michael Dorn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Dorn
Dorn at GalaxyCon San Jose in 2024
Born	(1952-12-09) December 9, 1952 (age 72) Luling, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	Pasadena City College
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1976–present

Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor. He is most famous for playing the Klingon character Worf in the Star Trek universe. He was in all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994). Later, he played Worf again in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995–1999) and Star Trek: Picard (2023). Michael Dorn has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other actor in Star Trek history. He has been in five movies and 284 TV episodes.

Besides Star Trek, Dorn was in the TV show CHiPs (1979–1982). He has also used his voice for many animated characters. These include Coldstone and Taurus in Gargoyles (1994–1997). He was also Kalibak in the DC Animated Universe and I.M. Weasel in I Am Weasel (1997–2000). He voiced Lord Darkar in the Nickelodeon version of Winx Club (2011). He also appeared in Castle (2009-2016) as a psychotherapist. Other voice roles include Captain Mozar in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2015–2016) and Battle Beast in Invincible (2021—present).

He has also lent his voice to many video games. These include Star Trek games and other popular titles. He voiced Marcus and Frank Horrigan in Fallout 2 (1998). He was also a Krogan character in Mass Effect 2 (2010).

Early Life and Education

Michael Dorn was born in Luling, Texas. His parents are Allie Lee and Fentress Dorn Jr. He grew up in Pasadena, California. There, he studied how to make radio and television shows at Pasadena City College. After college, he played music in different rock bands. He traveled to San Francisco and then returned to Los Angeles.

Acting Career

First Roles

Dorn's first time on screen was in the movie Rocky. He played Apollo Creed's bodyguard, but his role was not credited. Two years later, in 1978, he was a guest star on the TV show W.E.B.. The show's producer liked his work. He introduced Dorn to an agent. Through this agent, Dorn met acting teacher Charles E. Conrad. Dorn studied acting for six months. After that, he got a regular role on the crime drama CHiPs.

Star Trek Adventures

Michael Dorn with some of the Next Generation cast in 2012. From left to right: LeVar Burton, Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Wil Wheaton.

Dorn's most famous role is playing Worf. Worf is a Klingon Starfleet officer. He was a Lieutenant and later a Lieutenant Commander. Dorn played Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He was the last main actor to be chosen for The Next Generation. For his audition, he acted like Worf. He stayed quiet and separate from other actors.

Worf became very popular with fans. Because of this, Dorn joined the cast of the spin-off show Deep Space Nine. This helped to make the show more popular.

Michael Dorn holds the record for the most appearances as a Star Trek character. As Worf, he was in 175 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was also in 102 episodes of Deep Space Nine. Plus, he appeared in four Star Trek movies. He also returned as Worf in seven episodes of Star Trek: Picard in 2023. This brings his total to 288 appearances as the character. He also played Worf's ancestor, Colonel Worf, in the 1991 movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Dorn also directed some Star Trek episodes. He directed "In the Cards", "Inquisition", and "When It Rains..." for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also directed "Two Days and Two Nights" for Star Trek: Enterprise.

In 2012, Dorn shared his wish to play Worf again in a new TV series. He thought it could be called Star Trek: Captain Worf. He said he loved the character and felt Worf had more stories to tell. He put the idea out there, and many people liked it.

In April 2022, it was announced that he would play Worf again. This was for the third season of Star Trek: Picard, which aired in 2023.

Other Acting Roles

Michael Dorn has been in many other TV shows, movies, and video games. He was a spokesperson for Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo. He also appeared in a Dodge Dart car commercial. In 2012, he was in a funny commercial for Chrysler. He played "Future Guy," a time traveler helping with the 2013 Dodge Dart. He also played General Thain in the Castlevania: Hymn of Blood web series.

After his Star Trek roles, he was in several independent movies. These include Shadow Hours (2000) and Lessons for an Assassin (2001). He also had a small role as the Sandman in The Santa Clause movie series. Dorn played Worf again for short appearances on Webster and Family Guy. In Family Guy, he was with some of his Next Generation co-stars. He had a repeating role on the TV show Castle. He played a therapist for police detective Kate Beckett.

In March 2023, it was announced that Dorn would write a comic book. It stars Steel (John Henry Irons), a character he voiced in Superman: The Animated Series. The comic, Steelworks #1, was released on June 6, 2023.

Dorn also voices the character Battle Beast in the animated series Invincible.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Michael Dorn is a skilled pilot. He is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He has flown with famous flight teams like the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds. He has owned several jet aircraft. He jokingly calls his Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star his "starship." He also owned a North American F-86 Sabre and currently owns a North American Sabreliner. Dorn is also part of several aviation groups. He is on the advisory board for the Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation. He was interviewed about "Private Jets" on Modern Marvels for The History Channel.

In 2010, Dorn shared that he made changes to his diet for health reasons.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games

Web Series

Awards and Recognitions

• 2024 – Saturn Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award – The Cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation

See also

In Spanish: Michael Dorn para niños