18. Brent Spiner; Lt. Commander Data, TNG
When producers created the characters of The Next Generation, they intended to bring back elements of the original characters. The character of Data, played by Brent Spiner, represented the cool, logical side of Spock, but as a Lieutenant Commander, not as a first officer. Spiner did so well, audiences have had a hard time accepting him in other roles since then. He was in both Independence Day movies, but in a role that seemed like Data with long hair. As such, Spiner’s film career hasn’t been too busy. The Star Trek universe has provided plenty, though, several movie reprisals of Data for Spiner, and cameo work. As one example, in 2014 he voiced a version of Data for a video game based on the series Family Guy.
17. Wil Wheaton; Wesley Crusher, TNG
When Wil Wheaton played Wesley Crusher, son to the ship’s captain Dr. Beverly Crusher, it was a little prophetic. His character, Wil, transformed started as a cadet then left the ship in order to wander the universe on a bigger, more spiritual journey. His destiny was something quite different than what it seemed at first. Wheaton himself has followed a route quite different than what fans may have expected. After the show ended, he developed something of a cult following. Fans of the show The Big Bang Theory recognize him as a caricature of himself, but he’s stayed busy doing interviews and TV series, The Wil Wheaton Project, Family Guy, Criminal Minds, Numb3rs, and more.