'Star Trek' & '2001 A Space Odyssey' The Gary Lockwood Gary Mitchell Frank Poole Connection

Gary Lockwood Plays Gary Mitchell In Star Trek's 2nd Pilot 'Where No Man Has Gone Before' He Then Played Frank Poole In Stanley Kubrick's Epic '2001: A Space Odyssey'

I enjoy working with people. I have a stimulating relationship with Dr. Poole and Dr. Bowman. - HAL 9000

Man cannot survive if a race of true espers is born. In time you'll understand that. - Gary Mitchell

Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry and 2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick remain global sci-fi icons who enjoy a faithful fanbase. They also share a creative connection other than both of them being popular science fiction vehicles. One actor stars in both - he bridges the gap between the two beloved sci-fi icons.

Roddenberry launched his NBC television Wagon Train To The Stars in 1966 while Kubrick released his Arthur C. Clarke inspired feature film in 1968. Both of these bold speculative fiction favorites are linked by an actor - Gary Lockwood - who played Starfleet Officer Gary Mitchell in Trek's 2nd pilot, Where No Man Has Gone Before.

Lockwood would then go on to co-star with Keir Dullea (Dr. Bowman) in 2001: A Space Odyssey as Dr. Frank Poole. Despite many thinking Kubrick had cast Lockwood because of his 1966 TV role, the actor had actually been hired for 2001 before Roddenberry cast Lockwood for the Gary Mitchell role opposite William Shatner in his now fabled sci-fi TV series.

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