M (Part 1) Majors - McNeill

As we approach the middle point of this journey through my photo album, reflecting on those I met at conventions over the last 8 or so year, you might have worked out that meeting my  heroes from science fiction shows and movies has been the main motivation for dragging my old bones all over the country. There were very few occasions where I was disappointed, (I'm saving a special blog entry for those memories), and this week's list contains nothing but the happiest of memories. 

Today we recall meeting: 

Lee Majors

Stephen Manley

Eddie McClintock

Sonequa Martin-Green

Mary McDonnell

Robert Duncan McNeill

Lee Majors

I guess it’s apparent that I enjoy meeting actors whose work I have appreciated but the biggest thrill is meeting actors who were heroes from my childhood and meeting Lee Majors was a huge thrill. The Six Million Dollar Man…how could I not join the queue to shake his hand? As a 12 year old boy, I never missed an episode and it was through tv series like his that my love of science fiction grew. It was nice to say ‘thank you’ to Mr Majors. 

Stephen Manley

A name you might not know, unless you’re a dedicated Star Trek fan. If I asked you, who played Spock in Star Trek: The Search for Spock, you might say, Leonard Nimoy…and you’d be partially correct. There were actually several actors used to play Spock in that film and Stephen Manley was one of them. 

During the film Spock is shown at ages 9,13, 17, and 25. Manley was the 17 year old Spock. Meeting Stephen Manley meant that I have now met 3 Spock’s - sadly none of them was Mr Nimoy.

Eddie McClintock

Eddie McClintock has appeared in numerous tv shows and movies and I really hadn’t intended to meet him when I attended Em-Con in 2019. I was there to meet another actor but Mr McClintock is one of those unfussy actors who didn’t really abide by the rules of the convention and just liked wandering off and chatting to people. I was one of those people. What a lovely man. I booked to have a photo after that impromptu chat. 

Sonequa Martin-Green

The first black female lead for a Star Trek show. If that doesn’t encapsulate all that Gene Roddenberry envisioned about the future in which Star Trek was set, then I don’t know what does. I’ve been watching Trek for over 50 years and I saw all the criticism aimed at Star Trek : Discovery when it was launched, but I love it. And I think one of the reasons is that this is like no Trek that has gone before. In Michael Burnham, we have a brilliantly written and acted character, there was no way I wasn’t going to join the very long queue and grab just a few words with Sonequa Martin-Green. I love this photo. 

Mary McDonnell

I always think of the word ‘dignity’ when I see Mary McDonnell act on screen, I’m pretty certain that comes from all her stage experience. Her work in Dances With Wolves, Independence Day and especially Battlestar Galactica, were enough to prompt me into booking a ticket. 

I  heard her being interviewed at the convention and again, the true heart of a stage performer was visible in her responses. It was a privilege to meet her if only briefly. 

Robert Duncan McNeill

Even slightly hung over, Robert Duncan McNeill is just lovely to talk to. He’s been acting a long time and has graduated to directing as well, but probably being remembered as Tom Paris in Star Trek : Voyager will be his curse. I’m not going to say anymore about him other than he’s a really good guy. 

Next week, we have the story of the best smelling celebrity I ever met. 

M Part 2

Kenneth Mitchell

Jason Momoa

Caroline Munro

Anson Mount

Kate Mulgrew