This well-known actor had a Star Trek (2009) voice cameo (& he portrayed James T. Kirk's stepfather)

The 2009 Star Trek film was a reboot of the original Television series, directed by J.J. Abrams. Attaching Abrams to the Star Trek franchise meant that the new reboot film would be filled with easter eggs, as Abrams is known to use this fun tactic in many of his movies.

One of the many easter eggs in this Chris Pine-starrer was a voice cameo by his longtime friend, Greg Grunberg. Grunberg played Captain James T. Kirk’s stepfather in the 2009 movie, as his voice could be heard in the opening sequence, yelling through the dashboard of his car.

More on this in our story.

Greg Grunberg voiced James T. Kirk’s stepfather in Star Trek (2009)

The popular actor, Grunberg, was bound to be a part of the Abrams film as he was first offered the role of Chief Engineer Olson but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts. He later became a part of the film when he was added in a voice-only role during post-production.

In the film, Eric Bana’s Nero time-travels in search of Spock and attacks the USS Kelvin, in which James’s father, George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth), and mother, Winona (Jennifer Morrison), were present. Hemsworth's George sacrifices his life to save his pregnant wife and the crew members of the USS Kelvin, which altered the timeline of events.

In the years to come, James’s mother remarries another man whose name is not revealed in the film, as we only hear his voice when a young James Kirk steals his stepfather’s ‘60 Corvette. Greg Grunberg’s voice can be heard from the dashboard cell phone when he yells and threatens James for taking the car and not to get a scratch on it.

It is speculated that Grunberg’s role might have been added after Brad William Henke’s role was cut from the movie. Henke was supposed to play James’s abusive uncle, Frank.

Other than that, in some earlier drafts of the film, Grunberg was also supposed to play Harry Mudd.

Greg Grunberg and J.J. Abrams’ connection beyond Star Trek

Grunberg and Abrams have been friends since childhood and Grunberg has appeared in many of Abrams' projects. Beyond Star Trek, he appeared in the J.J. Abrams-created show, Felicity, as Sean Blumberg, and also appeared in Alias as a CIA agent, Eric Weiss, and had a recurring role in season 1 and season 3, but was one of the main characters in season 2.

That’s not all for the two working together, as he had also appeared in an uncredited role in the Abrams-directed pilot episodes of What About Brian and Lost.

Abrams also rolled in his longtime friend to appear in his directorial debut, Mission: Impossible III.

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Also Read: Star Trek: The Next Generation had a first officer who fans often forget (& it’s not William Riker) | How to watch Star Trek TV Shows in order? Explained

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