Star Trek actor Bruce Hyde dead: George Takei leads tributes to original cast member

Hyde died from throat cancer aged 74

Bruce Hyde has died aged 74

George Takei has led tributes to Bruce Hyde, one of the original Star Trek cast members who died aged 74 from throat cancer.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Hyde studied English at Northwestern University, where he began to show an interest in acting. In 1966, he played USS Enterprise crew member Lt. Kevin Riley in two early episodes of the popular sci-fi series, ‘The Naked Time’ and ‘The Conscience of the King’, according to the SCTimes.

He went on to appear on Broadway and in the US sitcom, That Girl.

His Star Trek co-star Takei, who worked with Hyde on his “favourite” episode, ‘The Naked Time’, remembered him as a joy to work with.

Speaking to StarTrek.com last year, Hyde said he was “honoured to have my little toe in pop culture history”.

“I have the sense that Gene Roddenberry had a vision, a kind of ‘We come in peace’ vision of the world,' he said. “That vision was embedded in this whole Star Trek phenomenon.

“There is, in a world of chaos and separation, this vision of a group of people who go out into space, unified in their purpose. And that’s great. As for me? I thank people for even remembering me.”

Hyde joined St Cloud State University as a professor in 1990, where he taught acting and communication studies. He died in a Minnesota hospital on 13 October.

He is survived by his wife Susan Saetre and two step children.