Michael Dorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Dorn
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Michael Dorn at GalaxyCon San Jose in 2024
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| Born | December 9, 1952 Luling, Texas, U.S.
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| 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 appeared in many Star Trek TV shows and movies. These include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Picard.
Michael Dorn has played Worf more times than any other actor has played a main character in Star Trek. He has been in five Star Trek movies and 284 TV episodes. Outside of Star Trek, he was in the TV series CHiPs. He has also lent his voice to many cartoon characters. These include Coldstone in Gargoyles and I.M. Weasel in I Am Weasel. He also voiced Captain Mozar in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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About Michael Dorn's Early Life
Michael Dorn was born in Luling, Texas. He grew up in Pasadena, California. There, he studied how to make radio and TV shows at Pasadena City College. After college, he played music in rock bands. He traveled to San Francisco and then returned to Los Angeles.
Michael Dorn's Acting Journey
Starting His Acting Career
Michael Dorn first appeared in the movie Rocky. He had a small, uncredited role as Apollo Creed's bodyguard. Later, in 1978, he was a guest star on a TV show called W.E.B.. The show's producer was impressed with him. The producer helped Dorn meet an agent and an acting teacher. Dorn studied acting for six months. After that, he got a regular role on the crime drama CHiPs.
His Famous Role as Worf in Star Trek
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Michael Dorn's most well-known role is playing Worf. Worf is a Klingon Starfleet officer in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Dorn was the last main actor chosen for The Next Generation. He prepared for his audition by acting quiet and serious, just like Worf's character. Fans loved Worf so much that Dorn was added to the cast of Deep Space Nine. This helped make that show more popular.
Michael Dorn, as Worf, has appeared on screen more than any other Star Trek character. He was in 175 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also appeared in 102 episodes of Deep Space Nine. Plus, he was in four Star Trek movies and seven episodes of Star Trek: Picard. This makes a total of 288 appearances as Worf! He even played Worf's ancestor, Colonel Worf, in the 1991 movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Michael Dorn also directed some Star Trek episodes.
In 2012, Dorn shared his wish to play Worf again in a new TV series. He thought the character of Worf could be explored more. He said many people were interested in his idea. In 2022, it was announced that he would return as Worf in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, which aired in 2023.
Other Roles and Voice Work
Besides Star Trek, 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 car commercial for Dodge Dart. He voiced characters like Marcus and Frank Horrigan in the video game Fallout 2. He also played Dr. Carver Burke in the TV series Castle.
Dorn has had supporting roles in independent films. He was in Shadow Hours and Lessons for an Assassin. He also had a small role as the Sandman in The Santa Clause movies. He even made guest appearances as Worf on Webster and Family Guy. In 2023, Michael Dorn became a writer for a comic book series called Steelworks. This comic stars Steel (John Henry Irons), a character he voiced in Superman: The Animated Series. He also voices Battle Beast in the animated series Invincible.
Michael Dorn's Personal Interests
Michael Dorn is a skilled pilot. He is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He has even flown with famous flight teams like the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds. He has owned several jet planes, including a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. He jokingly calls it his "starship." He also owns a North American Sabreliner. Dorn is part of several aviation groups, helping to advise them.
In 2010, Michael Dorn shared that he had an early stage of prostate cancer. This led him to become a vegan, changing his diet for his health.
Images for kids
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Michael Dorn at GalaxyCon San Jose in 2024
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Michael Dorn with some of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast in 2012. From left to right: LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Wil Wheaton.
