The history of the Star Trek universe is full of great Klingon warriors, and here are ten of the finest that Qo’noS has to offer. First introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 27, “Errand of Mercy”, the Klingons are the best-loved and most recognizable of the franchise’s many alien races. Despite the multiple Klingon variants across almost six decades of Star Trek TV shows and movies, everyone from die-hard fans to everyday people can identify a TNG-era Klingon. They’re such a part of television’s cultural heritage that shows like Frasier and Night Court feature references to Klingons.

The longevity of the Klingons is thanks to the many great actors who have played members of the Empire across the entire Star Trek timeline. From John Colicos originating the character of Kor in Star Trek: The Original Series all the way to Robert Wisdom as Dak’Rah in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, actors have found new and interesting ways to approach the classic warrior race. There’s no better example of how intrinsically linked Star Trek is with the Klingons than the fact that Michael Dorn’s beloved Worf is the longest-serving character in the entire franchise.

10

Ma’ah (Jon Curry)

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Ma’ah (Jon Curry) is one of the newest additions to the Klingon canon, as he first appeared in Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 2, episode 9, “wej Duj”. Ma’ah had a meteoric rise through the ranks on the IKS Che’Ta’, after he challenged his captain Dorg (Colton Dunn) to a duel for dishonorable conduct toward Federation allies. Ma’ah was later deposed as captain of the Che’Ta’ by his crewmates, who wished to join Nova Fleet, commanded by Nick Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) in Lower Decks season 4.

Stranded on Sherbal V, Ma’ah ended up in a brutal fight to the death with Lt. Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome). After calling a temporary truce, Ma’ah counseled Mariner on her internal struggle with her new promotion. A fierce Klingon warrior who also possesses emotional intelligence is hard to find, which makes Ma’ah something special in the Star Trek universe. By the end of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, Ma’ah and Mariner have become close friends, hopefully setting up a future appearance for the Klingon counselor in season 5.

9

Koloth (William Campbell)

Star Trek: TOS/DS9

Captain Koloth (William Campbell) first appeared in Star Trek: The Original Series, season 2, episode 13, “The Trouble with Tribbles”, in which he was roundly embarassed by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the USS Enterprise. Enraged by his experiences with Kirk and the Tribbles, Koloth launched the Great Tribble Hunt, which eradicated the species from the galaxy for nearly 100 years. Koloth (this time voiced by James Doohan) again encountered Kirk in Star Trek: The Animated Series, and later confided in Curzon Dax that he regretted never meeting the Enterprise captain on the field of battle.

Koloth was one of three returning Klingons in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode 19, “Blood Oath”. The trio were reunited to seek vengeance on the Albino, who had been responsible for the deaths of their firstborn sons. Koloth fought bravely against the Albino and his troops, and honorably died in battle. As he proved against the Albino, Koloth is a great Klingon, but his quest to eradicate the Tribbles doesn’t feel like an honorable pursuit for a warrior.

8

Kang (Michael Ansara)

Star Trek: TOS/DS9/Voyager

Kang (Michael Ansara) was another of the three Klingons who returned for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s “Blood Oath”. Kang debuted in Star Trek: The Original Series, season 3, episode 11, “Day of the Dove”, in which Kang and Kirk’s crews’ antagonism toward each other was feeding a manipulative energy being. In a rare display of cooperation between Kirk and the Klingons, he and Kang worked together to starve the creature by generating positive emotions. Kang later came into conflict with Captain Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) during the Khitomer Conspiracy, but both men emerged unscathed from the confrontation.

Kang died alongside Koloth in battle against the Albino, and it was he who delivered the killer blow to his mortal enemy before succumbing to his injuries. A prolific character actor, Michael Ansara reflected in 1989 that it was still Kang that people recognized him for. Interviewed for Starlog #138, Ansara talked of Kang’s impact on the general public, saying:

“What’s amazing is that even today, I still get recognized for that part. It is pleasurable and always positive, but surprising. I played that character almost 20 years ago, but people still remember.”

7

Kruge (Christopher Lloyd)

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock

It takes a brave man to follow Ricardo Montalban’s Khan Noonien Singh, but Christopher Lloyd’s Kruge was a particularly dastardly villain. In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Kruge wanted to obtain Starfleet’s Genesis Device technology. Kruge was utterly ruthless in his quest, killing anyone who had knowledge of Genesis – including his lover Valkris (Cathie Shirriff). After he arrived at the Genesis planet, Kruge destroyed the USS Grissom, and held the teenage Spock, Lt. Saavik (Robin Curtis), and Kirk’s son David Marcus (Merritt Butrick) hostage.

Although Kruge didn’t kill Kirk’s son directly, he did order the execution of the hostages, forcing David to sacrifice himself for Spock and Saavik. Kruge is arguably one of the very worst Klingon villains, as he has no redeeming features whatsoever. An opportunist who would kill anyone who stood in the way of his goals, Kruge possessed a ruthless brutality that is very Klingon. Kruge is eventually kicked off a cliff by Kirk, left to burn in the destruction of the Genesis planet at the end of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

6

General Chang (Christopher Plummer)

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

General Chang (Christopher Plummer) is the Klingon Empire’s best Star Trek movie villain, appearing in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. A Klingon with a love of Shakespeare and a determination that his people shouldn’t make peace with the Federation, General Chang was the Klingons’ key representative in the Khitomer Conspiracy. It was Chang who allowed Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner) to be assassinated, only for the crime to be pinned on Captain Kirk and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.

Once the conspiracy had been unearthed, General Chang took his Klingon bird-of-prey into battle against the USS Enterprise to prevent Kirk from notifying the Federation. Chang was killed in battle, earning him glory as a Klingon warrior. However, as he was effectively sealing the Klingon Empire’s death warrant by rejecting the peace treaty, it’s arguable if he was a truly great Klingon.

5

Lt. B’Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson)

Star Trek: Voyager

Following in the footsteps of Worf, Lt. B’Elanna Torres was a half-human, half-Klingon member of Voyager’s Maquis crew. Torres regularly clashed with Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) throughout Star Trek: Voyager, but again, like Worf and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) there was a mutual respect despite their occasional antagonism toward each other. Similar to Worf with his human upbringing, B’Elanna sometimes struggled to find a place for herself due to her dual heritage. This conflict became literal in the Star Trek: Voyager episode, “Faces”, in which both aspects of B’Elanna Torres worked together, with the Klingon half dying in battle to save her human side.

Torres’ internal struggle between her Klingon and human heritage resurfaced in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Barge of the Dead”. Discovering that her mother Miral is in hell, B’Elanna fights to earn her mother a place in Klingon heaven, Sto-vo-kor. However, it was revealed that Torres’ determination to live life on her own was truly Klingon, a realization that ultimately saved her mother from an eternity in Klingon hell. While Torres may struggle to fully see herself as a Klingon throughout Voyager, there is no doubt that she has the heart of a warrior.

4

Chancellor Gowron (Robert O’Reilly)

Star Trek: TNG/DS9

Played by Robert O’Reilly, Chancellor Gowron is one of Star Trek‘s best-loved Klingons. Not only did O’Reilly have a prolific career playing Gowron in 12 episodes of Star Trek, but he also adorned various bits of merchandise, including the videogame Klingon and the Star Trek: The Next Generation interactive board game. First introduced in TNG season 4, episode 7, “Reunion”, Chancellor Gowron was a great ally of the Federation from his ascension to the head of the Klingon Empire to his fall from grace during the Dominion War.

During his reign as Chancellor of the Klingon Empire, Gowron averted civil war, and even weathered a challenge to his position by the Klingon’s mythical hero Kahless the Unforgettable. However, the infiltration of the Klingon Empire by the Changelings, and the increasing love for General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) severely dented Gowron’s ego. Becoming increasingly reckless, Gowron had to be brought down by Worf during Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s epic 10-part finale. While Gowron’s death may have been ignominious, his impressive record before the Dominion War guaranteed his place in Sto-vo-kor.

3

General Martok (J.G. Hertzler)

Star Trek: DS9

General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) was the Klingon Empire’s greatest military hero during DS9‘s Dominion War. Among many military achievements, Martok played a vital role in retaking Deep Space Nine from the Dominion, which helped secure him the role of Supreme Commander of the Ninth Fleet. In this capacity, Martok and his fleet helped defend the Dorala system until Federation reinforcements arrived, and also scouted the Cardassian border for Dominion activity. As great a military mind Martok was, his loyalty to Chancellor Gowron began to be seen as a failing in the Dominion War’s latter stages.

Keen to gain some of the glory for himself, Chancellor Gowron demoted Martok and sent him on increasingly dangerous missions. Perceiving Martok as a threat to his status, Gowron wanted rid of the Klingon Empire’s beloved war hero. Despite this, Martok refused to challenge Gowron, forcing Worf to fatally depose the Chancellor instead. A loyal servant of the Empire, and a decorated war hero, General Martok is one of the finest sons of Qo’noS, and was ultimately rewarded with the role of Chancellor.

2

Kor (John Colicos)

Star Trek: TOS/DS9

A Klingon Dahar Master, Kor (John Colicos) is the originator of the Klingons in Star Trek. Playing Star Trek: The Original Series‘ first Klingon villain, John Colicos helped to define the look and mannerisms of a Klingon warrior. While there are obvious differences between the TOS Klingons and their 1990s counterparts, John Colicos as Kor originated the idea that these aren’t just meatheaded warriors. Kor is cunning, charismatic, and above all, very funny indeed.

It’s possible that, without the success of John Colicos as Kor, the Klingons would never have become the iconic Star Trek villains that still define the franchise nearly 60 years later. When John Colicos returned for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s “Blood Oath,” he insisted that Kor survive to tell his story. This savvy move by the actor gave Kor further adventures in DS9, as he sought the legendary Sword of Kahless, and finally ended his life in glorious battle against the Dominion.

1

Worf (Michael Dorn)

Star Trek: TNG/DS9/Picard

Worf is the greatest Klingon, a history-making Starfleet officer who played an integral role against the existential threats of the Borg Collective and the Dominion. Orphaned by a Romulan attack and raised by humans, Worf often struggled to fit in with other Klingons. However, this arguably made Worf the most Klingon character in all of Star Trek. Worf is a fierce warrior, an honorable man, and a loyal subject of the Klingon Empire. However, he’s not blind to the corruption and dishonor that can erode Klingon society, and he was often willing to make himself an enemy of the Empire to protect its integrity.

For example, in Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “Sins of the Father”, Worf accepted dishonor to protect the stability of the Klingon Empire. In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4, Worf opposed the Klingon war against the Cardassians and was made an outcast. However, the revelations of Dominion interference later vindicated Worf’s position. In his later years, the trauma and tragedy that Worf endured made him a terrific mentor in Star Trek: Picard. Now he’s become an enlightened warrior poet, who isn’t afraid to take arms and defend honor and integrity, Worf resembles the very best in all of Star Trek‘s greatest Klingons.