Joel Marston was an American actor who is best known for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Heaven Can Wait. Born on March 30, 1922, in Baltimore, Maryland, he had a diverse career in film and theater.
Personal and Family Life
Joel Marston was married to Marilyn June Marston until her passing, and together they had two children named Richard “Rik” Marston and Rosemary Marston. He was also known as an internationally recognized breeder of Chow Chows and operated Starcrest Kennels in California for many years. In Jacksonville, Florida, he enjoyed teaching water aerobics for a long time.
Career Highlights
Before transitioning to film, Marston had a successful career as a Broadway actor for twenty years. He moved to Hollywood after securing a screen test, and while he had roles in the first four original Star Trek movies, he was credited primarily for his part in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He stepped away from acting in the 1970s to run his kennel but returned to the screen later on.
Death and Legacy
Joel Marston passed away on October 18, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida, under undisclosed circumstances. His contributions to film and breeding Chow Chows left a lasting impact on both communities. Marston’s roles, particularly in the Star Trek franchise, are fondly remembered by fans of the series.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Julie | 1956-10-17 | Garage Mechanic |
| FBI Girl | 1951-11-04 | Alex Nicholson |
| Ring of Fire | 1961-06-14 | Deputy Joe Pringle |
| The Decks Ran Red | 1958-10-10 | Russ Henderson |
| The Disembodied | 1957-08-25 | Norman |
| Point of Terror | 1971-10-01 | Martin Hilliard |
| There’s a Girl in My Heart | 1949-12-19 | Doctor Henlein |
| White Lightning | 1953-03-08 | Roger Stanton |
| Old Oklahoma Plains | 1952-07-25 | Lieutenant Spike Connors |
| Sky Dragon | 1949-04-27 | Co-Pilot Don Blake |
| The Last Voyage | 1960-02-19 | Third Officer Ragland |
| The Gun Runners | 1958-08-01 | Palm Reader (uncredited) |
| The Fearmakers | 1958-10-01 | Rodney Hillyer |
| The War of the Worlds | 1953-08-13 | Military Policeman in Jeep (uncredited) |
| Heaven Can Wait | 1978-06-28 | Board Member |
| Purple Heart Diary | 1951-11-12 | Kalick |
| Mississippi Rhythm | 1949-05-28 | Duke McCall |
| The Turning Point | 1952-07-12 | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan | 1982-06-04 | Crew Chief |
| The Red Badge of Courage | 1951-09-27 | Union Soldier (uncredited) |
| T. J. Hooker | 1982-03-13 | Desk Sgt. / Squad Room Sgt. |
| The Lucy Show | 1962-10-01 | Grocery Clerk |
| The Lucy Show | 1962-10-01 | Father |
| The Lucy Show | 1962-10-01 | Denton |