# The Most Interesting Man On Star Trek?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136 "2012-10-08T21:34:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/1 "2012-10-08T21:34:00Z")
There’s a photo going around on Facebook (and elsewhere) which claims that “The World’s Most Interesting Man” once played a Red Shirt on \*Star Trek \*- and didn’t die! However, the photo looks nothing like him, even accounting for the decades: [![](https://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/most-interesting-man-in-the-world-red-shirt.jpg) ](https://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/most-interesting-man-in-the-world-red-shirt.jpg) Add to the fact that the actor’s (Jonathan Goldsmith) IMDb entry lists him as “uncredited” on that episode, yet he has no other uncredited roles (before or after), and I find this entire thing difficult to believe. Anyone know for sure if this is just a big internet prank that someone is trying to pull on us? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/2 "2012-10-08T21:41:02Z")
Yeah, I saw that picture on FB this morning. I choose to be skeptical until stronger proof emerges. OTOH, Goldsmith’s Wikipedia entry indicates that he moved to Los Angeles in 1966 to pursue acting work. Since the Trek episode in question ([The Corbomite Maneuver](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708458/)) first aired in November of 1966, the timing might line up. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/3 "2012-10-08T21:56:36Z")
It’s listed in his imdb entry: [Jonathan Goldsmith - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0326091/) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/4 "2012-10-08T22:16:52Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > It’s listed in his imdb entry: [Jonathan Goldsmith - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0326091/) Yes, I mentioned that in the OP. But he already had six credited roles at that point; why would he take an uncredited one? IMDb is much like Wikipedia: anyone can suggest edits. It wouldn’t be that tough to punk it. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/5 "2012-10-08T22:38:14Z")
Ah - missed that. Sorry; carry on. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/6 "2012-10-08T22:42:58Z")
I’m just glad to see he was able to throw off his slave name and reclaim his heritage. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/7 "2012-10-08T23:22:48Z")
I think it’s legit. ETA: This information has been out there since 2005. I think it’s only now that people have realized that Jonathan Lippe and Jonathan Goldsmith are the same person. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/8 "2012-10-08T23:41:40Z")
While it’s entirely possible he’s been punked…it was from George Takei’s feed that it showed up on mine. I expect he was, y’know, actually there. (Although whether or not he’d have taken note of an extra, much less remember him from decades ago, is debatable.) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/9 "2012-10-09T01:54:18Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Yes, I mentioned that in the OP. But he already had six credited roles at that point; why would he take an uncredited one? Not hard to believe. Lots of actors do the same. William Shatner. > **[William Shatner | Actor, Producer, Writer](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/)** > > Known for: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Many credited roles from 1951-1960, then he took an uncredited role in \*Adventures in Paradise \*(1960), a few more credited roles, then uncredited narrator in \*Operation Bikini \*(1963) Leonard Nimoy > **[Leonard Nimoy | Actor, Producer, Director](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000559/)** > > Known for: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Many credited roles 1953-58, then 2 different uncredited roles in _Sea Hunt_. Deforest Kelley, > **[DeForest Kelley | Actor, Soundtrack](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001420/)** > > Known for: Star Trek, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Uncredited role in The Untouchables (1962) after many credited roles. And so on. Most actors will be the same. Except for Patrick Stewart, who has only ever had 1 uncredited role in his career. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/10 "2012-10-09T02:16:44Z")
It may be true, but IMDb is in no way proof. It’s user edited. Sure, it’s also verified, but it’s hard to verify such things as uncredited roles. WhyNot, what does Takei actually say? Did he talk to the guy again and thus can confirm it’s him? Does he remember asking the guy his name at some point? I know I’ve thought I recognized people from something and it turned out they were completely the wrong person. And nowhere near as much time had passed, seeing as my parents had only been schoolkids for a couple of years when the show aired. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/11 "2012-10-09T02:26:47Z")
So what makes this person (never heard of him) “The World’s Most Interesting Man”? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/12 "2012-10-09T02:30:00Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > So what makes this person (never heard of him) “The World’s Most Interesting Man”? Welcome to pop culture. It’s a Dos Equis ad campaign. Entirely worth checking out…if you have a TV or radio. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/13 "2012-10-09T02:35:04Z")
Takei just reposted a photo that I’d seen show up earlier in the day in another friend’s Facebook reposts. He didn’t have anything to say about the veracity. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/14 "2012-10-09T02:35:06Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > WhyNot, what does Takei actually say? Not much. He posted the picture that’s going around, with the note: “From some fans, posted to my wall. He truly is The Most Interesting Man in the World…” It’s possible he Commented later, but I’m not wading through 1,614 Comments to find out. 😉 From a quick scan, though, no one’s challenging it. Proof? No, not even close. But I’m not sure why it’s hard to believe. Same build (allowing for youth), same hair, same brow… ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/15 "2012-10-09T02:44:50Z")
OK, how about this: The “Most Interesting Man” campaign started in 2006. The Jonathan Lippe uncredited role has been out there at least since 2005. “Start Trek” has a very extensive cast list of uncredited roles. Nothing special here. As I’ve said before, it’s only recently that people have \*Jonathan Lippe is Jonathan Goldsmith. \*That’s a name that I was always familiar with, but I could never pick him out in anything. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/16 "2012-10-09T03:23:40Z")
Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/17 "2012-10-09T05:40:04Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Yes, I mentioned that in the OP. But he already had six credited roles at that point; why would he take an uncredited one? > > . Needed to eat that week? The check cleared? As a favor to a friend? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/18 "2012-10-09T09:26:03Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Yes, I mentioned that in the OP. But he already had six credited roles at that point; why would he take an uncredited one? > > IMDb is much like Wikipedia: anyone can suggest edits. It wouldn’t be that tough to punk it. He wanted to eat. Actors **do** , you know. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/19 "2012-10-09T17:13:00Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > He wanted to eat. > > Actors **do** , you know. Male ones, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136/20 "2012-10-09T17:27:08Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > So what makes this person (never heard of him) “The World’s Most Interesting Man”? His mother has a tattoo that says “Son” . [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-interesting-man-on-star-trek/637136.md?page=2)