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THE ULTIMATE FANDOM NEWSLETTER

Next release: January 17 | 4 PM EDT

The FHQ

Actor Appreciation

Crushing it!

Most known for her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gates McFadden has had a long career on the screen, on stage, and behind the camera. She started off her career at the Jim Henson Company as the director of choreography and puppet movement for Labyrinth and The Muppets Take Manhattan (credited as her first name Cheryl). There have been many things that Gates McFadden has done over the years, from dancing with Muppets, to exploring space, to teaching at universities, and there is still more to come. In Picard Season 3, which premiered on February 16th, 2023, Gates McFadden returned to her iconic role as Dr. Beverly Crusher. Let's take a moment to appreciate all of her accomplishments and take a look at Gates McFadden's career.

A young boy in a brown turtle neck sweater is standing next to Gates McFadden, in a black and green uniform. She is looking at a man in a red uniform.

The Legacy of Star Trek

Gates McFadden has played Dr. Beverly Crusher since her first appearance in 1987 on Star Trek: The Next Generation. After three decades from her initial appearance, she has returned to the USS Enterprise in the latest Star Trek Show, Picard. Here are the other Star Trek projects that Gates McFadden has been a part of: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: Nemesis, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Picard. Quite the list!

Director of Choreography and Puppet Movement

Gates McFadden has a separate career from acting. She was the Director of Choreography and/or puppet movement for a few movies such as The Labyrinth, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and Rustlers' Rhapsody. She is usually credited as Cheryl McFadden for that side of her career.

Gates McFadden looking at a baby in a stripped shirt. In between them is a smiling woman.
Gates McFadden looking at the camera with the caption under her face reading: Cheryl McFadden Director of Choreography and Puppet Movement
Gates McFadden with short hair and black top/ Behind her is Sir Didymus from the Labyrinth. Caption: Gates McFadden Choreographer

Lights, Camera, Action

The Muppets Take Manhattan 1984

The Hunt for Red October 1990

Make the Yuletide Gay 2009

On Stage Live

  • Ellen/Mrs. Saunders and Betty, Cloud 9
  • Title role, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
  • Ruth, The Homecoming
  • Annie Sutter, The Bloodletters
  • Casey Staiger, How to Say Goodbye
  • Dr. Handleman, Couch Tandem
  • Kate, Emerald City, Perry Street Theatre
  • Lil, Voices in the Dark
  • Mary, Rosario and the Gypsies (As Cheryl McFadden)
  • Viva Detroit, Los Angeles

Photo Gallery

Gates McFadden smiling on a panel at FAN EXPO. She is wearing a gray shirt and a blue puffy coat.
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher in a green suit with a silver leotard. Next to her is another woman in a silver suit and a pink leotard. They are stretching in a futuristic dance studios.
Gates McFadden as Cathy Ryan, aka Mrs. Ryan, in the Hunt for the Red October.
Gates McFadden wearing a black suit sitting on a FAN EXPO panel.
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher in the newest Star Trek. Looks like she is in the ship.
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher in a blue Star Trek Uniform.