Actor James Sloyan, who appeared in the Star Trek franchise numerous times over the course of his decades-long career has died at the age of 86, his family have announced
James Sloyan has died at the age of 86. The actor played several roles in the Star Trek franchise over the years and was also perhaps best known for voicing the Lexus commercials for over 20 years , but passed away in July at his home in Sherman Oaks, it has now been revealed.
No cause of death has been revealed yet, but his family confirmed the news with a statement. They said: “Friends and colleagues remember him always present, always curious, courageous, inventive and loyal as well as brash, mouthy and very urban. He was one-of-a-kind.”
During his decades-long career, James appeared the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, where he played Admiral Alidar Jarok and K’mtar/Future Alexander, before retuning for Deep Space Nine where he starred as Dr Mora Pol in two episodes in late 1990s. In Star Trek Voager, he took on the part of Ma’bor Jetrel in a single episode in 1995.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana in February 1947, James grew up as one of four children and spent much of his childhood in Europe before moving to New York in his teens.
In 1957, he enrolled at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts before beginning his acting career, but had to take a break from his showbiz work in 1962 when he was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife Deirdre Lenihan, whom he married in 1973. As an actress, Deirdre is best known for her roles in the NBC sitcom Needles and Pins and The Waltons. Together, they are parents to Samantha Sloyan, who is has appeared in Midnight Mass and Grey’s Anatomy, and son Dan.
James began his on-screen career in 1970 when he played the part of Piquant in The Traveling Executioner and later became known for starring as Mottola in The Sting, in which he starred alongside Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw.
In 1980, he starred as Simpson in the musical Xanadu, which served as a vehicle for Olivia Newton-John after she found global stardom with her role in Grease and went on to become a cult classic.
On television, he appeared in numerous daytime shows such as Westside Medical, General Hospital, and Ryan’s Hope, and his final screen appearance came in 2000 when he played the role of Harvey Sakin in four episodes of the soap opera The Young and the Restless.
Fans instantly flooded social media to pay tribute to James, with one writing on Facebook: “He was in one of my favorite Star Treks – ‘The Defector’ and played a Romulan. I also remember him from his Buck Rogers episode and Xanadu as well. May he RIP.”
Another said: “We lost one of the greats. So many memorable performances. He will be missed,” and a third wrote: “We lost another great character actor, James Sloyan. I remember him most from The Sting but he has appeared in countless films & TV series, including Star Trek. R.I.P”
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