Gates McFadden

Gates McFadden was born Cheryl Gates McFadden on March 2, 1949, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She pursued a comprehensive education in the arts, earning a Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts, cum laude, from Brandeis University. Her passion for performance and movement led her to Paris, France, where she studied physical theatre at L’École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. This specialized training laid the groundwork for a multifaceted career that would span acting, choreography, and teaching across various mediums. Early in her career, McFadden dedicated herself to academia, teaching in theatre and dance departments at institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard University, and George Washington University. During the 1970s, she also founded her own theatrical company, The New York Theatre Commotion, and toured a distinctive all-female clown act called “Commedia Dell Pinky” in 1975, showcasing her diverse talents and commitment to theatrical exploration.

McFadden’s career saw a significant turning point with her involvement in The Jim Henson Company, where she served as the director of choreography and puppet movement. Her work included notable projects such as the films ‘Labyrinth’ (1986), ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’ (1984), and uncredited contributions to ‘Dreamchild’ (1985). This period established her as a distinguished choreographer, often crediting herself as Cheryl McFadden to differentiate from her acting performances. In 1987, she achieved widespread recognition by securing the role of Dr. Beverly Crusher in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. Despite a temporary departure after the first season due to creative differences, she returned for seasons three through seven and continued to portray the character in four subsequent Star Trek films, solidifying her place in popular culture. Her recent work includes reprising her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher in ‘Star Trek: Picard’ (2023) and ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ (2022-2024), demonstrating the character’s lasting impact.

Beyond her iconic role in Star Trek, McFadden has maintained a diverse career. She directed the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ episode “Genesis” (1994) and choreographed the dance routine in “Data’s Day” (1991). Her filmography includes roles in ‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990) and ‘Taking Care of Business’ (1990), and television appearances in ‘Marker’ (1995), ‘Mad About You’ (1995-1996), and ‘NCIS’ (2017). McFadden has an extensive background in theatre, both as an actress and director, with stage appearances and work spanning decades, including artistic director of the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Los Angeles from 2009 to 2014. She has also contributed her voice to video games like ‘Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff’ (2014) and several audiobooks, and hosts the podcast ‘Gates McFadden InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are?’ (2021–present), which further expands her reach as a creative professional.