Here is a breakdown of all USS Enterprise Captains across the various Star Trek movies, live-action series, comics, and books. Beginning with Star Trek: The Original Series, the Starship Enterprise has been at the very heart of the enduring sci-fi franchise created by Gene Roddenberry in 1966. Of course, the two most famous Captains of the Enterprise are James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who shared the big screen together in 1994's Star Trek Generations, but Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) is quickly achieving greatness in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Star Trek has introduced other successful spinoffs set on different starships like Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Discovery, as well as the space station-based Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. But, in the eyes of many fans, it isn't truly Star Trek unless it's about the Enterprise. The men and women who have commanded the Enterprise rank among the greatest heroes in Star Trek, because they know that when they sit in that chair, they can make a real difference. These are the accomplishments of all USS Enterprise Captains from every TV show, movie, and alternate reality.
The 22nd Century - USS Enterprise NX-01
Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) - Star Trek: Enterprise's titular starship was the first United Earth starship that could travel at Warp 5. Captain Archer commanded it during its missions which created pivotal alliances that ultimately led to the founding of Star Trek's United Federation of Planets, which Archer presided over in 2161 – marking him among the most important of all USS Enterprise Captains.
The 23rd Century - USS Enterprise NX-0002
Admiral/Captain Charles Rasmussen - A Federation Starfleet Admiral and instructor at Starfleet Academy, Charles Rasmussen captained the Constitution-class ship NX-0002, during which Rasmussen also sacrificed his life to save his crew. This occurs in an issue of the Star Trek: The Original Series comics called "Shakedown."
The 23rd Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701
Captain/Admiral Robert April - Captain April first appeared in Star Trek: The Animated Series, where he was voiced by James Doohan. In the 23rd century, Robert April was the first Captain of the Constitution-class USS Enterprise NCC-1701 deep space heavy cruiser when it launched in 2245. Christopher Pike was his First Officer during the starship's first five-year mission. Admiral April (Adrian Holmes) is a recurring character in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Captain/Fleet Captain Christopher Pike - The Captain of the Enterprise in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Christopher Pike leads a new five-year mission of exploration. Pike counts Enterprise legends like Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) and Number One (Rebecca Romijn) among his crew. In a few years, Fleet Captain Pike will suffer a horrific accident that leaves him trapped in a wheelchair. Jeffrey Hunter played Pike, Leonard Nimoy played Spock, and Majel Barrett played Number One in the original Star Trek pilot, "The Cage."
Vice Admiral/Captain Katrina Cornwell (Jayne Brook) - Starfleet Vice Admiral Katrina Cornwell temporarily assumed command of the USS Enterprise and then later transferred it back to Pike in 2258. This was part of the efforts to keep the Enterprise out of the war with the Klingons. At the Battle near Xahea, Cornwell ends up sacrificing her life in order to save the ship from an undetonated photon torpedo. Before that, in 2257, Cornwell also temporarily commanded the USS Discovery.
Captain/Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) - The most legendary Enterprise Captain of the 23rd century, Kirk's five-year mission was seen in Star Trek: The Original Series. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) held the dual role of the Enterprise's First Officer and Science Officer. Kirk's Starship Enterprise engaged in numerous pivotal missions that resulted in Kirk's promotion to Admiral at the end of his voyages. Outside of the main series and movies (and often even outside of the Star Trek universe), Captain James T. Kirk continues to be referenced in animated series such as Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Prodigy.
Captain Zarlo - In the Star Trek comic book series, Kirk gets assigned to take on a secret mission against the Klingons on the planet of Mobita, and Captain Zarlo gets assigned to replace Kirk as Captain of the Enterprise.
Captain Willard Decker (Stephen Collins) - In Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Captain Will Decker was in command of the retrofitted Starship Enterprise when Admiral Kirk demoted him to First Officer and took command of the mission to intercept V'Ger. Decker merged with V'Ger at the end of the film and was listed as "missing in action".
Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) - In 2285, Spock was promoted to Captain and commanded the Enterprise, which was primarily used as a training vessel. In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Admiral Kirk once again assumed command when Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) stole the Genesis Device, which resulted in Spock's death.
Captain Lawrence H. Styles (James B. Sikking) - The arrogant and appropriately named Styles was actually the captain of the experimental USS Excelsior, which chased but failed to catch up to the Enterprise, ending up stolen and used in Kirk's mission to resurrect Spock. In the Star Trek novel "Prime Directive," Styles temporarily assumed command over the Enterprise during its refit after it was severely damaged. Styles has a similar attitude to Kirk, which is why they severely dislike each other (and mainly why their dynamic works).
The 23rd Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A
Captain James T. Kirk - After stealing the Enterprise to resurrect Spock, and subsequently saving Earth from a space probe seeking to communicate with humpback whales in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Admiral Kirk was demoted to Captain and given command of the new USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A. Kirk's Enterprise-A in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country met God and helped secure peace with the Klingon Empire before the Enterprise-A was decommissioned.
The 23rd Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-B
Captain John Harriman (Alan Ruck) - The Excelsior-class USS Enterprise-B was launched in 2293 under the command of Captain John Harriman. Their shakedown cruise is infamous for encountering the Nexus, which resulted in the presumed death of Captain Kirk, as seen in the prologue of Star Trek Generations.
The 24th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C
Captain Rachel Garrett (Tricia O'Neill) - The Ambassador-class USS Enterprise-C made only one appearance, in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Yesterday's Enterprise". The Enterprise-C was meant to be destroyed at Narendra III while defending a Klingon outpost from a Romulan attack, but it fell through a time vortex that altered the timeline. Captain Garrett died before the Enterprise-C could return to its proper era and set the timeline right.
The 24th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) - Star Trek: The Next Generation's Galaxy-class USS Enterprise-D was designated as the flagship of the United Federation of Planets. Under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the Enterprise-D's numerous missions involved multiple first contacts with new species, diplomatic and military engagements, and scientific pursuits. The Enterprise-D was destroyed on Veridian III in Star Trek Generations but the D was rebuilt and saved the galaxy one last time in Star Trek: Picard season 3.
Acting Captain William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) - In TNG's "The Best of Both Worlds" two-parter, Captain Picard was abducted by the Borg and turned into Locutus. Commander William Riker became the Enterprise-D's Acting Captain and led the successful rescue of Picard and defeat of the Borg, after which Picard resumed his role as Captain of the Enterprise.
Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) - Perhaps the most despised Captain of the Enterprise, Edward Jellico was assigned to take over the Federation flagship when Picard went on a secret mission and was captured and tortured by the Cardassians in the "Chain of Command" two-parter. After alienating the crew and clashing with Riker, Jellico returned the Enterprise-D back to Picard once he was rescued.
The 24th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E
Captain Jean-Luc Picard - The Sovereign-class USS Enterprise-E was the most advanced starship in the Federation when it was assigned to Captain Picard prior to Star Trek: First Contact. Continuing as the Federation flagship, the Enterprise-E was the setting of three Star Trek: The Next Generation movies and the crew successfully faced the Borg, the Son'a, and the Remans led by Picard's clone, Shinzon (Tom Hardy).
Captain Worf (Michael Dorn) - Captain Picard was promoted to Admiral and left the USS Enterprise-E to lead the Federation's mission to rescue the Romulans from their sun going supernova. Worf was promoted to Captain of the Enterprise, but the ship was lost under mysterious circumstances. In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Worf insisted what happened to the E was "not my fault."
The 25th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F
Admiral Elizabeth Shelby (Elizabeth Dennehy) - The Odyssey-class USS Enterprise-F made its lone appearance in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Under the command of Admiral Shelby, the F was intended to lead Starfleet's Frontier Day celebration before the starship was retired. Tragically, the Enterprise-F and the rest of the assembled Starfleet were assimilated by the Borg, and Shelby was apparently killed at the end of Star Trek: Picard season 3.
The 25th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Commodore Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) - In Star Trek: Picard season 3, Commodore Geordi La Forge oversaw the Fleet Museum on Athan Prime where he painstakingly restored the USS Enterprise-D in secret. Geordi got to unveil his surprise to Admiral Picard and his fellow Enterprise-D crew mates as they warped off to save the galaxy on Frontier Day. When Picard beamed to the Borg Cube to rescue his son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), Geordi became Acting Captain of the Enterprise-D. La Forge led the Enterprise's assault against the Borg Cube and successfully rescued Picard and friends before ending the threat of the Borg, at last.
The 25th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-G
Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) - The Constitution III-class USS Titan-A was rechristened as the USS Enterprise-G at the end of Star Trek: Picard season 3. The Titan's First Officer, Seven of Nine, was promoted to Captain of the Enterprise, with Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) as her First Officer and Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) appointed as Special Counselor to the Captain. Seven also makes history as the first LGBTQI Captain of the Enterprise.
Star Trek Alternate Reality Enterprise Captains
The 22nd Century Mirror Universe - ISS Enterprise NX-01
Captain Maximilian Forrest (Vaughn Armstrong) - In the Mirror Universe, the NX-01 ISS Enterprise was commanded by Captain Forrest. In the Star Trek: Enterprise "In a Mirror, Darkly" two-parter, Forrest engaged in a tug-of-war for control of the Enterprise with Commander Jonathan Archer until he was killed by Tholians. However, Archer took command of the USS Defiant, a 23rd-century Constitution-class starship from the Prime Universe.
23rd Century United Earth Fleet Timeline - USS Enterprise NCC-1701
Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) - In an alternate reality created by Romulan interference in Earth's 21st-century history, Captain James T. Kirk commanded the USS Enterprise, a starship in the United Earth Fleet. The UEF was mired in an endless war with the Romulans, which humanity was losing. Kirk and Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) traveled back to 21st-century Toronto to reset the course of history back to Star Trek's proper Prime Timeline, but Captain Kirk was tragically shot and killed by a Romulan time traveler named Sera (Adelaide Kane) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 3, "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow."
The 23rd Century Mirror Universe - ISS Enterprise NCC-1701
Captain Christopher Pike - The ISS Enterprise's original Captain was assassinated by James T. Kirk prior to the events of the Star Trek: The Original Series season 2 episode, "Mirror, Mirror".
Captain James T. Kirk - After he killed Pike, Captain Kirk maintained his control over the Enterprise thanks to a device called the Tantalus Field, which allowed him to vaporize his enemies remotely. Kirk was briefly switched with his Prime Universe counterpart, who posed as the Mirror Kirk until they were switched back to their proper realities.
Captain Spock - When the Mirror Kirk returned to the ISS Enterprise, Spock relieved him of command, took the Tantalus Field, and also Kirk's mistress Marlena Moreau (Barbara Luna).
"All Good Things..." Timeline - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Admiral William T. Riker - In the future reality seen in TNG's series finale, "All Good Things...", the refurbished Enterprise-D (which had a third nacelle allowing the starship to reach Warp 13) was Riker's personal flagship.
26th Century - USS Enterprise NCC-1701-J
Captain Dax - In the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Azati Prime", Captain Archer was brought to a potential 26th-century timeline where the Universe-class U.S.S. Enterprise-J was under the command of Captain Dax, a Trill who hosts the Dax symbiote that once joined with Jadzia (Terry Farrell) and Ezri (Nicole de Boer) from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
J.J. Abrams Star Trek Kelvin Timeline - USS Enterprise NCC-1701
Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) - In the alternate Kevin timeline created by J.J. Abrams' Star Trek 2009 reboot, Christopher Pike was Captain of the Enterprise, which was the Federation flagship, when Starfleet mobilized to save Vulcan from the time-traveling Romulan named Nero (Eric Bana).
Acting Captain Spock (Zachary Quinto) - After Pike was abducted by Nero, First Officer Spock became Acting Captain, which was challenged by cadet James T. Kirk, who later assumed command of the Enterprise as Acting Captain, leading to Nero's defeat.
Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) - As thanks for saving the Earth from Nero, Kirk was promoted to Captain and given command of the Enterprise. Kirk remained Captain in Star Trek Into Darkness and then launched a five-year mission of exploration.
Kelvin Timeline - U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A
Captain James T. Kirk - Three years into their five-year mission, the Enterprise was destroyed by Krall (Idris Elba). After Kirk saved the Starbase USS Yorktown from Krall, he was given command of the newly-built Constitution-class USS Enterprise-A at the conclusion of Star Trek Beyond.