Yaphet Kotto as Captain Picard? It almost happened!

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Yaphet Kotto, who passed away late last night at the age of 81, was once offered the role of Jean-Luc Picard for Star Trek: The Next Generation.

It's true! When casting for the show was coming together, Denise Crosby was on deck to be cast as Counselor Troi, not Lt. Tasha Yar, and Kevin Peter Hall (Predator, Without Warning) was considered for both Lt. Cmdr. Data and Lt. Geordi LaForge. As interesting as those choices might be, nothing comes close to Yaphet nearly landing the part of Jean-Luc Picard. What's more, is that Yaphet turned down the role.

Back in 2015, Kotto spoke to The Big Issue about denying the role, and how he regrets not boldly going where no man has gone before:

"I think I made some wrong decisions in my life, man. I should have done that, but I walked away. When you're making movies, you tend to say no to TV. It's like when you're in college and someone asks you to the high school dance. You say no."

Obviously, the role of Jean-Luc Picard ended up going to Patrick Stewart, who is a legend in his own right. To think about how Kottot might have changed the game if he accepted the part, though. It's a head-scratcher for sure.