Star Trek Guide

Actress Stephanie Niznik passes away at age 52

Best known in Star Trek fandom for her role in Star trek: Insurrection, Stephanie Niznik passed away unexpectedly on June 23 in California.

It is being reported by Variety that actress Stephanie Niznik has died unexpectedly in California. She was only 52 years old.

Originally from Maine, Niznik caught the acting bug in college and got her start on television series such as Murder, She Wrote and Vanishing Son. Form there she small parts in Nash Bridges, Sliders and Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman before landing a regular role on Diagnosis Murder. She also appeared in all four seasons of the medical drama Everwood and had guest starring roles in Lost and NCIS.

Niznik is best known among Star Trek fans for her role as the Trill Kell Perim in the feature film Star Trek: Insurrection. She mans the ops station during the movie and plays a key part in helping Riker get the Enterprise-E out of the Briar Patch and do battle with a number of Son’a ships.

Later Niznik also appeared on Star Trek: Enterprise in the first season episode “Rogue Planet.”

It always seemed a shame the character of Kell Perim wasn’t brought back for Star Trek: Nemesis. Much like Lieutenant Hawk from Star Trek: First Contact, the character seemed to have a great deal of potential that could have been expanded upon. Plus Niznik was great in the role and had some amazing chemistry with Jonathan Frakes.

Niznik was active in various charitable causes, including hunger and animal rescue organizations. Our hearts and that of Trek fandom go out to her family and friends.

Source: redshirtsalwaysdie.com