Though he was most known for his time playing in the classic rock band Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood also had a cameo role in an episode of Star Trek. The legendary drummer's role was quite small, and he even wore a massive prosthetic head that rendered him unrecognizable, but he was nevertheless part of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Not known for his acting chops, Fleetwood nevertheless stepped out of his comfort zone and played a role that didn't take advantage of his celebrity. If it wasn't for his credit at the end of the episode, it would have been impossible to know that he even appeared.
The first few seasons of TNG were rocky times for the franchise, and season 2 culminated in the notorious clip show episode "Shades of Gray." Early episodes of TNG often copied plots from The Original Series, but by the end of the second season, the show had begun to find its footing. Even with its difficult start, it was obvious that TNG was gaining an audience, and people like Fleetwood wanted to get in on the action any way they could. Though the episode he appeared in was mediocre at best, Fleetwood's cameo was proof-positive of the Star Trek franchise's cultural impact.
Mick Fleetwood Played An Antedean Ambassador In Star Trek TNG
Star Trek: The Nex Generation, season 2, episode 19 "Manhunt" followed the Enterprise crew as they transported a group of Antedean dignitaries to an important conference. Most remembered for their silly, fish-like appearance, the Antedean delegation featured Fleetwood as one of its members. Perfectly built for the role, Fleetwood's tall frame made the fish creatures look imposing, even if their masks were downright laughable and the episode was one of Star Trek's funniest. Fleetwood himself had no lines, but he proved himself to be an adept physical performer as he created a series of distinct movements that made the Antedeans look genuinely alien.
In the end, Fleetwood's Antedean character actually turned out to be the villain, and it was a rewarding twist for his understated cameo appearance. Though real-life figures like Stephen Hawking would make appearances in episodes later down the line, Fleetwood was one of the first famous people to declare their love for Star Trek by making a cameo on the show. Fleetwood had a few other credits in his career as an actor, and he stuck mostly to science fiction in projects like 1987's The Running Man.
Mick Fleetwood Was A Star Trek Fan
Remembered as one of the best cameos in Star Trek, Fleetwood's performance showed that he had a sense of humor about himself, and that he truly loved the Star Trek franchise. When speaking with Vancouver Sun, Fleetwood mentioned that it was his fandom that lead him to pursue a role on the fledgling TNG series. He was even willing to shave his trademark beard for the part, as long as he "got to beam up or down," which was a dream come true for him. Even though he was a music superstar, Mick Fleetwood was just another Star Trek fan at heart.