Steve Hershon (born 8 December 1943; age 80) is a former actor and hand double who appeared as an Enterprise officer in several Star Trek: The Original Series second season episodes and the third season episode "Turnabout Intruder". Footage of his "The Trouble with Tribbles" appearance was later used for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fifth season episode "Trials and Tribble-ations".
Hershon had the choice to work as an editor, stuntman or extra in the film industry in 1966 and became an extra. He signed with Central Casting and one of his first work as a background performer was his part on Star Trek. Other projects he worked on include an early episode of Happy Days (1973) as well as the recurring part of a bailiff in the comedy series The Tony Randall Show (1976-1978) on which he worked with recurring guest stars Diana Muldaur and Michael Durrell.
Hershon also became a regular stand-in on The Tony Randall Show as well as on the television series Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977), Rhoda (1974-1978), Doc (1975-1976), and Phyllis (1975-1977). One day he received ten questions from Central Casting regarding a job as a hand double. He then was the insert shots and second unit hand double for Bill Bixby on The Incredible Hulk (1978-1982), for David Hasselhoff on Knight Rider (1982-1986), and for Gerald McRaney on Simon & Simon (1981-1986, with Mary Carver). During his work on Simon & Simon, Hershon was interviewed by a reporter for a special at CBS News. He also worked as hand double on Cannon (1971-1976), McMillan & Wife (1971-1977), starring John Schuck), Barnaby Jones (1973-1980, starring Lee Meriwether), Magnum, P.I. (1980-1986), Airwolf (1984-1986), and The Colbys (1986, with Stephanie Beacham, Tracy Scoggins, Ricardo Montalban, Judson Scott, John Hugh McKnight, Suzanne Lodge, and Roger Trantham). In addition, Hershon appeared as a policeman in Buddy Buddy (1981, featuring Trek alumni Michael Ensign, Ed Begley, Jr., Biff Manard, and Troy Melton).
In 1991, Hershon appeared as a hotel bellboy in the first part of Dynasty: The Reunion. Other Trek actors include Joan Collins, Robin Sachs, Tony Jay, Keone Young, Wendie Malick, Evelyn Guerrero, Jeff O'Haco, Ray Reinhardt, Renna Bogdanowicz, Phil Culotta, Bruce Dobos, Peter Eastman, Michael Echols, Faith Burton, Melanie Hathorn, Bill Blair, Debra Dilley, and Curt Truman.
Hershon's career as hand double in the film and television industry was cut when he, following an innocent car accident and a broken shoulder, was not able to stop chattering while his hands were photographed. He was not able to work as Don Johnson's hand double on Miami Vice and also had to stop working as double for Gerald McRaney on Simon & Simon. The consequence were no further jobs. [1]
One last scene for Steve Hershon, eyeing William Shatner in the final episode
Hershon was interviewed by film maker Ryan Palmieri for the 2012 short documentary The Hands of Hollywood on which he talked about his career and the cut. [2]
Hershon again interviewed by Bryan Kreutz and Lili Fox-Lim in 2023 for the television talk show series A Captain's Log on which he pointed out Star Trek first assistant director Rusty Meek took a liking to him bringing him to work in every other second season episode. Hershon then articulated that he walked past William Shatner in the corridor while working on the final Original Series episode while discussing many other Hollywood career highlights. [3]
Star Trek appearances[]
- TOS:
- DS9: "Trials and Tribble-ations" (archive footage)