Star Trek: The Next Generation Cast's Costume Controversy: Who Got to Keep Their Uniforms?
The cast of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" did not get to keep their Starfleet uniform costumes after the show ended. Denise Crosby, who played Tasha Yar, had her lapel communicator prop taken away by executive producer Rick Berman on her last day of filming. Most actors in the "Star Trek" franchise end up wearing the same outfit every day for years, making the costumes valuable collectibles. Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander Riker, managed to keep his uniform by simply walking off the set wearing it one day. Brent Spiner, who played Data, also took his outfit without permission. The actors were frustrated by Paramount's rule that they had to return their costumes after the show ended. LeVar Burton, who played Geordi La Forge, revealed that a Paramount representative came to his house to retrieve his uniform. Frakes and Gates McFadden wore their costumes home after the series wrap party, allowing Frakes to keep his uniform to this day.