'Star Trek' Actress Stephanie Niznik Dies Suddenly at Age 52

Stephanie Niznik, best known for starring in "Star Trek: Insurrection" and "Everwood," has died unexpectedly. She was 52.

NTD Newsroom

Published: 7/13/2019, 12:26:08 PM EDT

'Star Trek' Actress Stephanie Niznik Dies Suddenly at Age 52 — Actor Stephanie Niznik speaks onstage in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Aug. 2, 2017. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Stephanie Niznik, best known for starring in "Star Trek: Insurrection" and "Everwood," has died unexpectedly. She was 52.

She passed away suddenly on June 23, in Encino, Calif., according to Variety.

Niznik played Nina Feeney in the drama series "Everwood" from 2002-2006, according to IMDb. She also appeared in the 1998 film, "Star Trek: Insurrection" as well as in "Star Trek: Enterprise."

Born in Bangor, Maine, she originally aimed to become a geneticist before graduating from Duke University majoring in theater and Russian.

She decided to pursue acting and landed roles in "Vanishing Son," "Murder She Wrote," and even had an appearance in "Apollo 11," according to IMDb.

Other roles included shows such as "Nash Bridges," "NCIS," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Diagnosis Murder."

Stephanie Niznik arrives at the 7th Annual Tiger Woods Tiger Jam, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 29, 2004. (Stringer/Getty Images) — Stephanie Niznik arrives at the 7th Annual Tiger Woods Tiger Jam, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 29, 2004. Stringer/Getty Images

Niznik worked with Four Winds Heart-Centered Healing, as well as volunteering for organizations combating hunger and helping with children and animal rescue, according to Page Six.

Founder of Four Winds Heart-Centered Healing, Jamie Cook-Tate, wrote on Twitter: "Rest In Peace my dear friend."

No cause of death has been given at this time.

Niznik is said to be survived by her mother and stepfather, brother and sister-in-law, her niece and nephews, aunt and uncle, and beloved dogs, Nucleus and Jack.

Other Star Trek Deaths This Year

Earlier this year, Star Trek actor William Morgan Sheppard died at the age of 86.

The British actor known for his many appearances across the Star Trek franchise, passed away on Jan. 6.

William Morgan Sheppard at the opening night gala for Method Fest Independent Film Festival in Burbank, California, April 11, 2003. (Dan Steinberg/Getty Images) — William Morgan Sheppard at the opening night gala for Method Fest Independent Film Festival in Burbank, California, April 11, 2003. Dan Steinberg/Getty Images

His son, "Supernatural" star Mark Sheppard, confirmed the news of his father's passing on Instagram post.

"We went to spend some time with my father today," he wrote on Instagram. "Though he couldn't speak, we held hands, he laughed and was so happy to see us. We left and came home. A good day. He was rushed to hospital and passed at 6:30 p.m., my mother by his side. I am so grateful that he didn’t have to suffer any longer. Thank you for all your kind thoughts, love and prayers."

William Morgan Sheppard first graced the Star Trek universe in "The Next Generation" episode, "The Schizoid Man," where he portrayed Dr. Ira Graves.

He then appeared as a Klingon commandant on Rura Penthe in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." Then as Qatai in "Bliss," an episode from "Voyager." And lastly, in 2009 he made an uncredited appearance as a Vulcan science minister in "Star Trek," according to StarTrek.com.

His son, Mark Sheppard, also made an appearance in Star Trek, playing Leucon in the "Voyager" episode, "Child's Play."

The father-son duo starred together as older and younger versions of the same character in the season six episode "Broken Bird" of "NCIS." They also starred together in the opening episode of series six of "Doctor Who," in "The Impossible Astronaut" (2011). William Morgan Sheppard played the older version of the character, Canton Everett Delaware III, while his son, Mark Sheppard, played the younger version.