Gates McFadden

Cheryl Gates McFadden portrayed Beverly Crusher, MD, in most episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and in four Star Trek films. McFadden also directed the TNG episode “Genesis” and choreographed the dance routine in “Data’s Day”.

McFadden left the series at the end of the first season and was replaced by Diana Muldaur as Doctor Katherine Pulaski in the second season. But thanks to a letter-writing campaign, support from Patrick Stewart, and a personal invitation from Rick Berman, McFadden was brought back to the TNG cast for the third and subsequent seasons.

McFadden became pregnant with her son during the fourth season of TNG; Brent Spiner is his godfather. McFadden has been quoted as saying her son grew up on the bridge of the USS Enterprise-D, and he was upset when the sets were torn down following Star Trek Generations.

Gates McFadden is an accomplished dancer and puppeteer; she worked on several Jim Henson productions as a choreographer, most notably in the film Labyrinth. She prefers stage roles to television, and has been seen in countless productions over her career. She has also taught at several Universities, including Harvard, Brandeis and Purdue.