{{short description|American actress (born 1956)}} {{for|the Canadian film and media scholar|Robin Curtis (scholar)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox person | image = Robin Curtis 2015.jpg | name = Robin Curtis | caption = Curtis in 2015 | birth_name = | birth_date = June 15, 1956 | birth_place = | known_for = ''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock''<br />''Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' | occupation = Actress | spouse = | years_active = {{hlist|1981–2005|2022–present}} | alma_mater = State University of New York at Oswego }}
'''Robin Curtis''' (born June 15, 1956), is an American actress. She is best known for replacing Kirstie Alley in the role of Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik in the film ''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock''.<ref name=Seibold>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1675679/robin-curtis-star-trek-blames-leonard-nimoy-saviik-complaint/|title=Star Trek's Robin Curtis Blames Leonard Nimoy For A Common Saavik Complaint|first=Witney|last=Seibold|website=/Film|publisher=Static Media|date=September 29, 2024|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref><ref name=John>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-trek-3-kirstie-alley-saavik-not-return-why/|title=Why Kirstie Alley Didn't Return As Saavik For Star Trek III|first=John|last=Orquiol|website=Screen Rant|publisher=Valnet|date=March 8, 2024|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Schnakenberg>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YP1bAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22+Actress+Robin+Curtis%22&pg=PA18|title=The Encyclopedia Shatnerica: An A to Z Guide to the Man and His Universe|first=Robert|last=Schnakenberg|publisher=Quirk Books|location=Philadelphia|page=18|year=2014|isbn=9781594747762}}</ref><ref name=Altman>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KG0fDAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA457|title=The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek: The First 25 Years|first1=Edward|last1=Gross|first2=Mark A.|last2=Altman|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York City|year=2016|page=457|isbn=9781250065841}}</ref>
==Early years== Curtis is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Curtis;<ref name="rdc">{{cite news|last1=Jaquays|first1=Mike|title='Star Trek' role gave local family a blessing during a tragic time|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-robin-curtis/170827155/|work=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|publisher=Gannett|date=July 18, 2021|page=6 D|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref> her hometown is New York Mills, New York.<ref name=longview/> She has two brothers.<ref name=":0" /> In 1974 she graduated from New York Mills Union Free School,<ref name="rdc" /> where she acted in plays.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=McBride|first1=Laura H.|title=Trekkies convention will bring enterprising Robin Curtis|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bristol-herald-courier-robin-curtis/170826405/|work=Bristol Herald Courier|publisher=Lee Enterprises|date=October 15, 1992|page=4 D|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref> She graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1978,<ref name="rdc" /> majoring in theater and communications.<ref name=longview>{{cite news|last1=Spelling|first1=Ian|title=The return of Robin Curtis to 'Star Trek'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-news-journal-robin-curtis/170824341/|work=Longview News-Journal|publisher=M. Roberts Media LLC|date=October 3, 1993|page=TV Week 2|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref>
== Career == === Film === Curtis' first film was ''Ghost Story'' (1981). Next she starred as Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik in ''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock'' (1984).<ref name=John/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tWEeAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22&pg=PA27&article_id=3417,4606660|title=Robin Curtis: New Vulcan Aboard|page=27|first=Vernon|last=Scott|work=TimesDaily|publisher=Tennessee Valley Printing Co., Inc.|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 17, 1984|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Schnakenberg/><ref name=Altman/> Her performance in the film drew a mixed reception from ''Trek'' fans.<ref name=Seibold/> For ''The Search for Spock'', Curtis was paid $30,000.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1qVPEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA171|title=Phasers on Stun! How the Making (and Remaking) of Star Trek Changed the World|page=171|first=Ryan|last=Britt|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|location=London|year=2022|isbn=9780593185698}}</ref> She reprised the role of Saavik for a brief appearance in ''Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' (1986).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trekmovie.com/2007/01/01/review-star-trek-iii-the-search-for-spock/|title=Review – Star Trek III: The Search For Spock|first=Jeff|last=Bond|website=TrekMovie.com|publisher=SciFanatic Network|date=January 1, 2007|accessdate=June 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Joel B. Kirk|url=http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=106p014qilipifd@news.supernews.com|title=Retrospective: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) – rec.arts.sf.reviews | Google Groups|date=April 1, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fistfullofcomics.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=77|title=Fist Full of Comics & Games – Star Trek Movies|website=|publisher=Fist Full of Comics & Games, LLC|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304005652/http://www.fistfullofcomics.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=77|date=March 4, 2007|accessdate=February 4, 2008|archive-date=March 4, 2007}}</ref>
In the 1990s, Curtis was in ''Hexed'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/1/28/20087747/film-review-hexed/|title=Film review: Hexed|first=Chris|last=Hicks|website=Deseret News|publisher=Deseret Management Corporation|date=January 29, 1983|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''The Unborn 2'',<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q60poKxIN7cC&dq=%22+Actress+Robin+Curtis%22&pg=PA353|title=Horror Films of the 1990s|page=353|first=John Kenneth|last=Muir|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson|year=2011|isbn=9780786484805}}</ref> ''Babyfever'', ''Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/db/movie/bloodfist-vi-ground-zero/|title=Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero|first=|last=|website=Screen Rant|publisher=Valnet|date=|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''Hostile Intentions'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/864684/best-movies-of-2022/|title=Catherine Cyran, Writer Of Roger Corman Movies Like Slumber Party Massacre III, Has Died At 59|first=BJ|last=Colangelo|website=/Film|publisher=Static Media|date=January 2, 2023|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''Dark Breed'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/db/movie/dark-breed/|title=Dark Breed|first=|last=|website=Screen Rant|publisher=Valnet|date=|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''Santa with Muscles'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/santa-with-muscles-1200447631/|title=Santa with Muscles|first=Joe|last=Leydon|website=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 21, 199|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''Recoil'', ''Scorpio One'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/db/movie/scorpio-one/|title=Scorpio One|first=|last=|website=Screen Rant|publisher=Valnet|date=|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''The Sex Monster'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/the-sex-monster-1200458021/|title=The Sex Monster|first=Todd|last=McCarthy|website=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 21, 199|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-sex-monster-1798195566|title=The Sex Monster|first=Nathan|last=Rabin|website=AV Club|publisher=Paste Media Group|date=March 29, 2002|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> and ''Making Contact''.
In 2022, Curtis was cast in the horror film ''Awaken the Reaper'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=London|first=Rob|date=November 30, 2022|title=Robin Curtis Joins Horror Movie 'Awaken The Reaper' After 23-Year Acting Hiatus|url=https://collider.com/awaken-the-reaper-cast-louis-gossett-jr-lance-henriksen-robin-curtis/|access-date=December 8, 2022|website=Collider|publisher=Valnet|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/lance-henriksen-louis-gossett-jr-robin-curtis-horror-awaken-the-reaper-1235183646/|title=Lance Henriksen, Louis Gossett Jr & Robin Curtis Lead Horror 'Awaken The Reaper'|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=November 9, 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref> her first film role since 1999.<ref>{{cite news|last=Creith|first=Matthew|title=Star Trek Star Making A Comeback After Long Retirement|date=November 30, 2022|work=Giant Freakin Robot|publisher=Walk Big Media|url=https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/star-trek-robin-curtis-comeback.html|access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref>
=== Television === She co-starred in the 1983 episode "Short Notice" during the first season of the ''Knight Rider'' television series. Curtis guest starred as Company operative Ginger Brock in ''The Equalizer'', in the 1986 episode, "Dead Drop." In 1991, she portrayed Carol Pulaski on the soap opera ''General Hospital''. In 1993, she portrayed an unrelated Vulcan character disguised as a Romulan (Tallera/T'Paal) in the two-part episode of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' titled "Gambit".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qXeNAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT822|title=Science Fiction Television Series Episode Guides, Histories, and Casts and Credits for 62 Prime-Time Shows, 1959 Through 1989|first1=Mark|last1=Phillips|first2=Frank|last2=Garcia|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson|page=822|year=2014|isbn=9781476610306}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbYf2l7gczUC&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT631|title=The Star Trek Encyclopedia|first1=Michael|last1=Okuda|first2=Denise|last2=Okuda|first3=Debbie|last3=Mirek|publisher=Pocket Books|location=New York City|page=631|year=2011|isbn=9781451646887}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbYf2l7gczUC&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT632|title=The Star Trek Encyclopedia|first1=Michael|last1=Okuda|first2=Denise|last2=Okuda|first3=Debbie|last3=Mirek|publisher=Pocket Books|location=New York City|page=632|year=2011|isbn=9781451646887}}</ref> In the ''Babylon 5'' episode "Deathwalker" (1994), she appeared as Abbai Ambassador Kalika.
Curtis also appeared in the television series ''Dream On'', ''Herman's Head'', ''Night Court'', ''MacGyver'', and ''Johnny Bago''. She starred in the made-for-TV movies ''In Love with an Older Woman'', ''First Affair'', ''Northstar'', ''LBJ: The Early Years'' as Jacqueline Kennedy,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/db/movie/lbj-the-early-years/|title=LBJ: The Early Years|first=|last=|website=Screen Rant|publisher=Valnet|date=February 1, 1987|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/01/arts/tv-view-lbj-a-powerful-portrait.html|title=TV VIEW; 'LBJ' -- A POWERFUL PORTRAIT|first=John|last=Corry|website=The New York Times|page=33|date=February 1, 1987|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-30-ca-1655-story.html|title=DRAMATIC BIOGRAPHY : WARY NBC TO AIR 'LBJ: THE EARLY YEARS'|first=Lee|last=MarguliesS|website=Los Angeles Times|date=January 30, 1987|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> ''Shootdown'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/11/28/shootdown-misses-on-007-tragedy/|title='SHOOTDOWN': MISSES ON 007 TRAGEDY|author=Chicago Tribune Staff|website=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Tribune Publishing|date=August 8, 2021|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> and ''Tagteam''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/db/tv-show/tagteam/|title=Tagteam|first=|last=|website=Screen Rant|publisher=Valnet|date=|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref>
=== Stage and commercial work === Curtis has numerous stage credits in regional and national theatre, including ''Gyspy'', ''Applause'', ''Oliver!'', and ''...And Other Songs'' in New York City. She performed in ''The City Suite'' off Broadway and in ''Garden'' in Los Angeles. Her other work includes ''The Nerd'', ''The Man of La Mancha'', and ''The Apple Tree''. She has also appeared in several television commercials and infomercials.
Curtis made frequent appearances at ''Star Trek'' conventions starting in 1986<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VM9PAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22&pg=PA31&article_id=3544,5024351|title=August Star Trek Convention Features Actress Robin Curtis|page=31|first=|last=|website=Ocala Star-Banner|publisher=Gannett|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 10, 1986|accessdate=May 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hWGgPXtRA7AC&dq=%22Robin+Curtis%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA31|title=Enterprising Women Television Fandom and the Creation of Popular Myth|first=Camille|last=Bacon-Smith|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|location=Philadelphia|year=1991|page=31|isbn=9780812213799}}</ref> to the mid-1990s, but by 2014, she was appearing only occasionally. She became a residential real estate agent in 2004 and the following year debuted her one-woman show, a work-in-progress, ''Not My Bra, You Don't! – The Sexual Odyssey of a Forty-Nine-Year-Old Woman''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2015/02/stark_treks_leonard_nimoy_told_me_to_go_for_it_says_cny_actress.html|title=Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy told me to 'Go for it,' says CNY actress|first=Elizabeth|last=Doran|date=February 27, 2015|website=Syracuse.com|publisher=Advance Publications|accessdate=May 21, 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== Curtis married Kent Williams after meeting on the set of ''The New Mike Hammer''. They divorced soon afterwards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=okgoAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Kent+Williams%22+actor&pg=PA24&article_id=6016,1965658|title=Robin Curtis Trades Vulcan Ears For Romulan Ones.|first=Ian|last=Spelling|newspaper=The Herald Journal|publisher=Adams Publishing Group|date=October 8, 1993|access-date=May 30, 2025|page=24|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
== Filmography == === Film === <!-- Rowspans are only allowed for the "Year" column per WP:FILMOGRAPHY --> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ {{Screen reader-only| Robin Curtis film credits}}<!-- WP:ACCESSIBILITY & MOS:TABLECAPTION --> |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 1981 | ''Ghost Story'' | Rea Dedham | Directed by John Irvin |- | 1984 | ''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock'' | rowspan="2" | Lieutenant Saavik | rowspan="2" | Directed by Leonard Nimoy<ref name=Reflect/> |- | 1986 | ''Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' |- | 1993 | ''Hexed'' | Rebecca | Written and directed by Alan Spencer |- | rowspan="2" | 1994 | ''The Unborn 2'' | Linda Holt | Directed by Rick Jacobson |- | ''Babyfever'' | Carol | Directed by Victoria Foyt and Henry Jaglom |- | rowspan="2" | 1995 | ''Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero'' | Major Marin | Directed by Rick Jacobson |- | ''Hostile Intentions'' | Janine West | Written and directed by Catherine Cyran |- | rowspan="2" | 1996 | ''Dark Breed'' | Marian | Directed by Richard Pepin |- | ''Santa with Muscles'' | Leslie | Directed by John Murlowski |- | rowspan="2" | 1998 | ''Recoil'' | Julie Sloan | Directed by Art Camacho |- | ''Scorpio One'' | Shannon Brey | Directed by Worth Keeter |- | rowspan="2" | 1999 | ''The Sex Monster'' | Woman on Street | Written and directed by Mike Binder |- | ''Making Contact'' | | Directed by Molly Smith |- | rowspan="2" | 2024 | ''Awaken the Reaper'' | Connie | Written by Dave Campfield and directed by Dave Campfield and Justin Paul |- | ''765874 – Unification'' | Saavik | Directed by Carlos Baena<ref name=Reflect>{{cite web|url=https://trekmovie.com/2024/11/20/watch-william-shatner-george-takei-and-robin-curtis-reflect-on-their-star-trek-histories-in-new-videos/|title=Watch: William Shatner, George Takei, And Robin Curtis Reflect On Their Star Trek Histories In New Videos|first=Brian|last=Drew|website=TrekMovie.com|publisher=SciFanatic Network|date=November 29, 2014|accessdate=November 21, 2015}}</ref> |}
=== Television ===
<!-- Rowspans are only allowed for the "Year" column per WP:FILMOGRAPHY --> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ {{Screen reader-only| Robin Curtis television credits}}<!-- WP:ACCESSIBILITY & MOS:TABLECAPTION --> |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 1982 | ''In Love with an Older Woman'' | Michelle | Made-for-TV movie directed by Jack Bender |- | rowspan="2" | 1983 | ''Knight Rider'' | Nicole Turner | Episode: "Short Notice" {{small|(S 1:Ep 22)}} |- | ''First Affair'' | Uncredited | Made-for-TV movie directed by Gus Trikonis |- | rowspan="2" | 1985 | ''MacGyver'' | Kate Connelly | Episode: "The Gauntlet" {{small|(S 1:Ep 4)}} |- | ''Northstar'' | Jane Harlow | Made-for-TV movie directed by Peter Levin |- | rowspan="2" | 1986 | ''The Equalizer'' | Ginger Brock | Episode: "Dead Drop" {{small|(S 1:Ep 15)}} |- | ''The New Mike Hammer'' | Peggy Ryan | Episode: "Dead Pigeon {{small|(S 3:Ep 2)}} |- | rowspan="6" | 1987 | ''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' | Alice Trask Babcock | Episode: "Rumors of my Death" {{small|(S 4:Ep 14)}} |- | ''MacGyver'' | Kate Connelly | Episode: "Friends" {{small|(S 2:Ep 20)}} |- | ''Airwolf'' | Lynn | Episode: "Rogue Warrior" {{small|(S 1:Ep 13)}} |- | ''LBJ: The Early Years'' | Jacqueline Kennedy | Made-for-TV movie directed by Peter Werner |- | ''Private Eye'' | Eileen Quinlan | Episode: "War Buddy" {{small|(S 1:Ep 13)}} |- | ''Rags to Riches'' | Eileen Newman | Episode: "Dear Diary" {{small|(S 2:Ep 5)}} |- | rowspan="2" | 1988 | ''CBS Summer Playhouse'' | Barbara | Episode: "Sniff" {{small|(S 2:Ep 12)}} |- | ''Shootdown'' | 1st Newswoman | Made-for-TV movie directed by Michael Pressman |- | 1989 | ''Night Court'' | Dr. Judith Malloy | Episode: "Mental Giant" {{small|(S 6:Ep 10)}} |- | rowspan="2" | 1990 | ''Dragnet'' | Vikki Lucas | Episode: "The Auditor" {{small|(S 2:Ep 15)}} |- | ''Dream On'' | Doctor St. Claire | Episode: "Death Takes a Coffee Break" {{small|(S 1:Ep 2)}} |- | rowspan="3" | 1991 | ''Tagteam'' | Lt. Carol Steckler | Made-for-TV movie directed by Paul Krasny |- | ''General Hospital'' | Carol Pulaski | 1 episode dated March 26, 1991 |- | ''The New Adam-12'' | Mrs. Thomas | Episode: "Lock House" {{small|(S 2:Ep 11)}} |- | 1992 | ''Herman's Head'' | Diane Shaw | Episode: "Intern-al Affairs" {{small|(S 2:Ep 4)}} |- | rowspan="2" | 1993 | ''Johnny Bago'' | Nella | Episode: "Johnny Saves the World" {{small|(S 1:Ep 8)}} |- | ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' | Tallera / T'Paal | Episode: "Gambit" {{small|(2 Parts: S 7:Ep 4-5)}} |- | 1994 | ''Babylon 5'' | Ambassador Kalika | Episode: "Deathwalker" {{small|(S 1:Ep 9)}} |- | 1995 | ''Space: Above and Beyond'' | Andrea Wilkins | Episode: "Eyes" {{small|(S 1:Ep 6)}} <br /> uncredited |- | 1996 | ''Murder, She Wrote'' | Rosemary Tynan | Episode: "Murder Among Friends" {{small|(S 12:Ep 16)}} |}
=== Podcast === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ {{Screen reader-only| Robin Curtis television credits}}<!-- WP:ACCESSIBILITY & MOS:TABLECAPTION --> |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 2016 | ''Starship Excelsior: The Star Trek Audio Adventure'' | Commander Saavik | Episodes: <br /> "Impeccable Logic" {{small|(S 4:Ep 12)}} <br /> "Tomorrow's Excelsior" {{small|(S 4: E13)}} |} == References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|id=0193495|name=Robin Curtis}} * [http://www.thefutureandyou.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=57256 Interview with Robin Curtis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172604/http://www.thefutureandyou.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=57256 |date=December 15, 2018 }} on the podcast ''The Future and You''
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Curtis, Robin}} Category:Living people Category:1950s births Category:20th-century American actresses Category:Actresses from New York (state) Category:American film actresses Category:American musical theatre actresses Category:American soap opera actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American real estate brokers Category:21st-century American women Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:State University of New York at Oswego alumni