Michael Forest, Star Trek's Apollo and Corman Regular, Dies at 97
The actor appeared in Roger Corman B-pictures and classic TV series, and returned to the role of Apollo decades later in Star Trek Continues.
Actor Michael Forest, known for Roger Corman B-movies and guest roles on classic television including Star Trek's Apollo, has died at 97. He died Wednesday while living in a senior facility in Sparks, Nevada, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His friend James A. Brown announced the death.
Forest starred in Beast From Haunted Cave and other Roger Corman productions and made guest appearances on The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show and Star Trek. In 2013, he returned as Apollo on the fan-produced series Star Trek Continues.
Born Gerald Michael Charlebois on April 17, 1929, in Harvey, North Dakota, he moved to Los Angeles in 1955 and met Corman in an acting class taught by Jeff Corey. Corman hired him to play Zarko in The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957), and he went on to star as Gil Jackson in Beast From Haunted Cave (1959), as an American soldier in Ski Troop Attack (1960) and in the title role of Atlas (1960).
His television work included the recurring role of Pierre Duran alongside Roger Moore on The Alaskans in 1960, a 1964 appearance on The Twilight Zone in the episode 'Black Leather Jackets' and, nine days later that same year, The Dick Van Dyke Show episode 'The Life and Love of Joe Coogan.' The Star Trek episode 'Who Mourns for Adonais?' first aired in September 1967.
He made more than 20 movies in Spain, France and England, including 100 Rifles (1969), and dubbed more than 500 films while living in Rome from 1968 to 1978. His late wife was actress Diana Hale.
Quick answers
How old was Michael Forest when he died?
He was 97. He died Wednesday while living in a senior facility in Sparks, Nevada.
What Star Trek character did Michael Forest play?
He played Apollo in the original Star Trek episode 'Who Mourns for Adonais?' and returned to the role in 2013 on the fan-produced series Star Trek Continues.
Which Roger Corman films did Michael Forest appear in?
He played Zarko in The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957) and starred as Gil Jackson in Beast From Haunted Cave (1959), among other Corman B-pictures.