Eddie Paskey
Encyclopedia
Edward J. Paskey, better known as Eddie, (born August 20, 1939) is a U.S. actor primarily known for his role as "Lieutenant Leslie", a redshirt
, on Star Trek
. He appeared in 57 episodes.
but was raised in California
. He moved with his family to Santa Monica
in 1952. In his youth he was immersed in automobiles by working at his father's garage, and developed an interest in hot rods from a young age. His first car was a 1941 Ford
coupe
but was later replaced by a 1955 Ford Thunderbird
that he purchased while earning $1.25 per hour.
(1966)
after meeting series producer Irving Elman while working at a service station in Pacific Palisades
. In it he was credited as "Policeman." For the next five or six years he continued to act while working at the service station on weekends. He appeared on Mission: Impossible
in the 1966 episode "The Ransom," The Lucy Show, Twelve O'Clock High
, The Wild Wild West
and Please Don't Eat the Daisies
. He also appeared in uncredited rolls in the films What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
and Mister Buddwing
.
," and was first identified by name in "Mudd's Women" in an early scene where Doctor McCoy
refers to him as "Connors." In subsequent episodes, he was cast regularly as a crewman, but also appeared as a security officer, a helmsman, an engineer station officer, even an alien, all to create a sense of continuity on Star Trek during the series' run. Paskey had scripted lines in four episodes and was credited in two. His character, Mr. Leslie, appeared in more episodes than principal characters Sulu
or Chekov
. William Shatner
gave the character the name "Leslie", after Shatner's eldest daughter. To pay homage to the character of Leslie, a fan based website created an 8" action figure
in Paskey's likeness.
Paskey credits the longevity of his character to his sense of caution. Since he was on the set most of the time and knew the script well, he made sure that he was always elsewhere when an episode called for someone to die.
When his character does die in the episode "Obsession," Paskey explains his mysterious return in the next episode by describing a lost scene, where Dr. McCoy administered a miracle potion that saves Leslie's life, that ended up on the cutting room
floor. In some cuts of the episode, a scene showing him receiving treatment is shown at around 14 minutes into the show.
In "This Side of Paradise" his is the only character to mutiny
openly against his superior, Captain Kirk
, and even disobeys orders again in "And the Children Shall Lead," although under an alien influence. In "The City on the Edge of Forever," Paskey was the driver of the truck in the scene where character Edith Keeler (Joan Collins
) is struck down and killed.
Paskey also appeared occasionally as a stand-in for Shatner in certain long scenes. He was the hand-double for James Doohan
, who was missing a finger, in "Wolf in the Fold" and "That Which Survives." He appeared in most of the episodes from the first two seasons of the original series. A bad back and cluster headaches from an old injury, which worsened from the set lighting, led to his leaving the show in the third season. Paskey admitted in a July 1988 Starlog Magazine interview that once the pain had gone, he tried to return to acting but had lost many of his Hollywood contacts while working on Star Trek, and eventually retired from the profession.
, owning and operating an auto-detailing service called The Air Shop with his wife Judy. He sold the business in 2004. He and his wife are members of Hot Rods Unlimited, a Southern California
auto club. They have four children.
Paskey admitted that he considered auditioning for 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture
but later reconsidered. He remained a fan of the film series but not the television follow-up Star Trek: The Next Generation
, as he explained that "he went to sleep on it". In 2004, he appeared in the Star Trek: New Voyages
episode "Come What May" as Admiral Leslie, a character established as Lieutenant Leslie's father.
Redshirt (character)
A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek , from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.-Star Trek:...
, on Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
. He appeared in 57 episodes.
Early life
Paskey was born in a small farming town in DelawareDelaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
but was raised in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He moved with his family to Santa Monica
Santa Mônica
Santa Mônica is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
in 1952. In his youth he was immersed in automobiles by working at his father's garage, and developed an interest in hot rods from a young age. His first car was a 1941 Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
but was later replaced by a 1955 Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
that he purchased while earning $1.25 per hour.
Career
Paskey's first television role was in the drama Ben CaseyBen Casey
Ben Casey is an American medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, *, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe intoned, "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity." Neurosurgeon Joseph...
(1966)
after meeting series producer Irving Elman while working at a service station in Pacific Palisades
Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California
Pacific Palisades is an affluent neighborhood and district within the U.S. city of Los Angeles, California, located among Brentwood to the east, Malibu and Topanga to the west, Santa Monica to the southeast, the Santa Monica Bay to the southwest, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the north. The...
. In it he was credited as "Policeman." For the next five or six years he continued to act while working at the service station on weekends. He appeared on Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is an American television series which was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicled the missions of a team of secret American government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force . The leader of the team was Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, except in...
in the 1966 episode "The Ransom," The Lucy Show, Twelve O'Clock High
Twelve O'Clock High (TV series)
Twelve O'Clock High or 12 O'Clock High is an American drama series set in World War II. This TV series originally broadcasted on ABC-TV for two-and-one-half TV seasons from September 18, 1964, through January 13, 1967; was based on the motion picture Twelve O'Clock High...
, The Wild Wild West
The Wild Wild West
The Wild Wild West is an American television series that ran on CBS for four seasons from September 17, 1965 to April 4, 1969....
and Please Don't Eat the Daisies
Please Don't Eat the Daisies (TV series)
Please Don't Eat the Daisies is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 14, 1965 to April 22, 1967. The series was based upon the 1957 book by Jean Kerr and 1960 film starring Doris Day and David Niven....
. He also appeared in uncredited rolls in the films What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? is a 1966 comedy film written by William Peter Blatty and directed by Blake Edwards. It stars James Coburn and Dick Shawn.-Plot:...
and Mister Buddwing
Mister Buddwing
Mister Buddwing is a 1966 American film drama starring James Garner, directed by Delbert Mann.It is the story of a well-dressed man who finds himself on a bench in Central Park with no idea of who he is...
.
Star Trek: The Original Series
Paskey first appeared on Star Trek as a "crewman" on the second pilot episode "Where No Man Has Gone BeforeWhere No Man Has Gone Before
"Where No Man Has Gone Before" is the second pilot episode of the television series Star Trek: The Original Series. It was produced in 1965 after the first pilot, "The Cage", had been rejected by NBC. The episode was eventually broadcast third in sequence on September 22, 1966, and was re-aired on...
," and was first identified by name in "Mudd's Women" in an early scene where Doctor McCoy
Leonard McCoy
Leonard "Bones" McCoy is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by DeForest Kelley in the original Star Trek series, McCoy also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and in numerous books,...
refers to him as "Connors." In subsequent episodes, he was cast regularly as a crewman, but also appeared as a security officer, a helmsman, an engineer station officer, even an alien, all to create a sense of continuity on Star Trek during the series' run. Paskey had scripted lines in four episodes and was credited in two. His character, Mr. Leslie, appeared in more episodes than principal characters Sulu
Hikaru Sulu
Hikaru Sulu is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by George Takei in the original Star Trek series, Sulu also appears in the animated Star Trek series, the first six Star Trek movies, one episode of Star Trek: Voyager, and in numerous books, comics, and video games...
or Chekov
Pavel Chekov
Pavel Andreievich Chekov is a Russian Starfleet officer in the Star Trek fictional universe. Walter Koenig portrayed Chekov in the original Star Trek series and first seven Star Trek films; Anton Yelchin portrayed the character in the 2009 film Star Trek.-Origin:Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry...
. William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
gave the character the name "Leslie", after Shatner's eldest daughter. To pay homage to the character of Leslie, a fan based website created an 8" action figure
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
in Paskey's likeness.
Paskey credits the longevity of his character to his sense of caution. Since he was on the set most of the time and knew the script well, he made sure that he was always elsewhere when an episode called for someone to die.
When his character does die in the episode "Obsession," Paskey explains his mysterious return in the next episode by describing a lost scene, where Dr. McCoy administered a miracle potion that saves Leslie's life, that ended up on the cutting room
Film editing
Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...
floor. In some cuts of the episode, a scene showing him receiving treatment is shown at around 14 minutes into the show.
In "This Side of Paradise" his is the only character to mutiny
Mutiny
Mutiny is a conspiracy among members of a group of similarly situated individuals to openly oppose, change or overthrow an authority to which they are subject...
openly against his superior, Captain Kirk
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
, and even disobeys orders again in "And the Children Shall Lead," although under an alien influence. In "The City on the Edge of Forever," Paskey was the driver of the truck in the scene where character Edith Keeler (Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
) is struck down and killed.
Paskey also appeared occasionally as a stand-in for Shatner in certain long scenes. He was the hand-double for James Doohan
James Doohan
James Montgomery "Jimmy" Doohan was a Canadian character and voice actor best known for his role as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the television and film series Star Trek...
, who was missing a finger, in "Wolf in the Fold" and "That Which Survives." He appeared in most of the episodes from the first two seasons of the original series. A bad back and cluster headaches from an old injury, which worsened from the set lighting, led to his leaving the show in the third season. Paskey admitted in a July 1988 Starlog Magazine interview that once the pain had gone, he tried to return to acting but had lost many of his Hollywood contacts while working on Star Trek, and eventually retired from the profession.
Star Trek: Phase II
Paskey returned to Star Trek as “Admiral Leslie” in the Star Trek: Phase II fan series.Appearances
| No. | Episode name | Role | Talks | Credit | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Where No Man Has Gone Before Where No Man Has Gone Before "Where No Man Has Gone Before" is the second pilot episode of the television series Star Trek: The Original Series. It was produced in 1965 after the first pilot, "The Cage", had been rejected by NBC. The episode was eventually broadcast third in sequence on September 22, 1966, and was re-aired on... |
crewman | no | no | seen behind Kirk James T. Kirk James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies... and Spock Spock Spock is a fictional character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by Leonard Nimoy in the original Star Trek series, Spock also appears in the animated Star Trek series, two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, seven of the Star Trek feature films, and numerous Star Trek... while they engage in Tri-D Chess |
| 1 | The Man Trap | Lt. Ryan | no | no | as helmsman Helmsman A helmsman is a person who steers a ship, sailboat, submarine, or other type of maritime vessel. On small vessels, particularly privately-owned noncommercial vessels, the functions of skipper and helmsman may be combined in one person. On larger vessels, there is a separate officer of the watch,... and medical assistant |
| 2 | Charlie X | crewman Crewman Crewman is a generic term for a crew member of an aircraft, naval vessel, military unit, or team of professionals attempting to accomplish a goal. In some science fiction , Crewman is the lowest military rank on board a spacecraft.The term "Crewman" may also be related in the non-gender specific... |
no | no | |
| 4 | The Naked Time | Lt. Ryan | yes | no | escorted, for being drunk, away from bridge Bridge (ship) The bridge of a ship is the room or platform from which the ship can be commanded. When a ship is underway the bridge is manned by an OOW aided usually by an AB acting as lookout... station |
| 5 | The Enemy Within | crewman | no | no | freezing with Sulu and landing party |
| 6 | Mudd's Women | Conners | no | no | caught, and reproached by Dr. McCoy Leonard McCoy Leonard "Bones" McCoy is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by DeForest Kelley in the original Star Trek series, McCoy also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and in numerous books,... , for ogling Ruth Bonaventure |
| 7 | What Are Little Girls Made Of? | crewman | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 9 | Dagger of the Mind | crewman | no | no | as bridge engineer Engineer An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,... & wayward eavesdropper |
| 10 | The Corbomite Maneuver | crewman | no | no | as bridge engineer, also seen on lower decks |
| 11 | The Menagerie, part 1 | crewman | no | no | as bridge engineer, witnesses Spock's arrest |
| 13 | The Conscience of the King | crewman | yes | no | as helmsman, with no rank insignia Starfleet ranks and insignia Starfleet ranks and insignia are fictional titles and badges that form the hierarchy of Starfleet in the Star Trek television shows and movies.-Overview:... |
| 14 | Balance of Terror Balance of terror The phrase "balance of terror" is usually used in reference to the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.... |
Mr. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 15 | Shore Leave | Mr. Leslie | no | no | as helmsman in opening prologue Prologue A prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance... only |
| 16 | The Galileo Seven | crewman | no | no | on bridge and in transporter Transporter (Star Trek) A transporter is a fictional teleportation machine used in the Star Trek universe. Transporters convert a person or object into an energy pattern , then "beam" it to a target, where it is reconverted into matter... room, always faceless |
| 17 | The Squire of Gothos | Lt. Leslie | no | no | in captain's seat, now with Lt's. insignia |
| 18 | Arena | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 19 | Tomorrow is Yesterday | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 21 | The Return of the Archons | Lt. Leslie | no | no | joins landing party, seen being awakened by Kirk |
| 22 | Space Seed | Lt. Leslie | no | no | dines at "Welcome to the 23rd Century" dinner for Khan Khan Noonien Singh Khan Noonien Singh, commonly shortened to Khan, is a villain in the fictional Star Trek universe. According to backstory given in the character's first appearance, the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "Space Seed" , Khan is a genetically engineered superhuman tyrant who once controlled more... |
| 24 | This Side of Paradise | Lt. Leslie | yes | yes | as "crewman", first time Leslie disobeys Kirk's orders, by mutiny Mutiny Mutiny is a conspiracy among members of a group of similarly situated individuals to openly oppose, change or overthrow an authority to which they are subject... ing |
| 25 | The Devil in the Dark | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as security and possible horta target |
| 27 | The Alternative Factor | Lt. Leslie | yes | yes | as "Lesley", sits in the command seat at beginning of last scene |
| 28 | The City on the Edge of Forever | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as science officer |
| 29 | Operation: Annihilate! | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as transporter chief, gets Vulcan nerve pinch Vulcan nerve pinch In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Vulcan nerve pinch is a technique used mainly by Vulcans to render unconsciousness by pinching a pressure point at the base of the victim’s neck... |
| 30 | Amok Time | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer and medical assistant |
| 31 | Who Mourns for Adonais? | Lt. Leslie | no | no | Sulu and Leslie scan for Apollo's power source |
| 32 | The Changeling | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as navigator in braided yellow command shirt |
| 33 | Mirror, Mirror | Lt. Leslie | no | no | briefly in prologue and epilogue |
| 34 | The Apple | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 35 | The Doomsday Machine | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 36 | Catspaw | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer and helmsman |
| 38 | Metamorphosis | Lt. Leslie | no | no | with Scotty when Kirk checks in |
| 39 | Journey to Babel | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 40 | Friday's Child | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 41 | The Deadly Years | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 42 | Obsession | Lt. Leslie | no | no | dies of asphyxiation |
| 43 | Wolf in the Fold | Lt. Leslie | no | no | on bridge, gets tranquilized with crew |
| 44 | The Trouble With Tribbles | Lt. Leslie | no | no | bridge, security, adopts a tribble from Uhura Uhura Nyota Uhura is a character in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, and the 2009 film Star Trek... |
| 45 | The Gamesters of Triskelion | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer and science officer |
| 46 | A Piece of the Action | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 47 | The Immunity Syndrome | Lt. Leslie | no | no | also security in transporter room, "yellowshirt" on lower decks |
| 48 | A Private Little War | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer |
| 49 | Return to Tomorrow | Lt. Leslie | no | no | also as security officer on transporter |
| 50 | Patterns of Force | Ekosian | no | no | as Nazi officer; also a second character with mustache |
| 51 | By Any Other Name | Lt. Leslie | no | no | dehydrated into a polyhedron Cuboctahedron In geometry, a cuboctahedron is a polyhedron with eight triangular faces and six square faces. A cuboctahedron has 12 identical vertices, with two triangles and two squares meeting at each, and 24 identical edges, each separating a triangle from a square. As such it is a quasiregular polyhedron,... |
| 52 | The Omega Glory | Lt. Leslie | no | no | on Bridge; and guard, arresting Tracy |
| 53 | The Ultimate Computer | Lt. Leslie | no | no | escorts a stunned Dr. Daystrom to sickbay with another security officer |
| 54 | Bread and Circuses | Lt. Leslie | no | no | |
| 55 | Assignment: Earth | Lt. Leslie | no | no | stunned by Gary Seven Gary Seven Gary Seven is the major character in the last episode of the second season of the original Star Trek television series, "Assignment: Earth". He is portrayed by Robert Lansing.-Assignment: Earth:... . Leslie actually appears here wearing a red-shirt and a gold shirt. |
| 57 | The Enterprise Incident | Lt. Leslie | no | no | a most happy Leslie, seeing that Kirk is alive |
| 59 | And the Children Shall Lead | Lt. Leslie | no | no | second time Leslie disobeys Kirk's orders |
| 60 | Is There in Truth No Beauty? | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as security |
| 61 | Spectre of the Gun | Lt. Leslie | no | no | as bridge engineer, prologue only |
| 68 | Elaan of Troyius | Lt. Leslie | no | no | kindly offered his seat to the Dohlman, even though he needed it to work |
| 503 | Trials and Tribble-ations | Lt. Leslie | no | no | on Deep Space Nine Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe... , as security |
Later years
After retiring from acting, Paskey went into business for himself in Santa Ana, CaliforniaSanta Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
, owning and operating an auto-detailing service called The Air Shop with his wife Judy. He sold the business in 2004. He and his wife are members of Hot Rods Unlimited, a Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
auto club. They have four children.
Paskey admitted that he considered auditioning for 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a 1979 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. It is the first film based on the Star Trek television series. The film is set in the twenty-third century, when a mysterious and immensely powerful alien cloud called V'Ger approaches the Earth,...
but later reconsidered. He remained a fan of the film series but not the television follow-up Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
, as he explained that "he went to sleep on it". In 2004, he appeared in the Star Trek: New Voyages
Star Trek: New Voyages
Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II is a fan-created science fiction series set in the Star Trek universe. The series was created by James Cawley and Jack Marshall in April 2003...
episode "Come What May" as Admiral Leslie, a character established as Lieutenant Leslie's father.