Which actor played Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact?

James Cromwell played Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact.

Cochrane is the inventor of humanity’s first warp-capable spacecraft, the Phoenix. In the film’s 2063 setting, he launches the Phoenix from Montana, attracting the attention of a Vulcan survey ship and triggering humanity’s first official contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.

Cromwell’s portrayal is notably different from Glenn Corbett’s earlier version of Cochrane in the 1967 Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Metamorphosis.” First Contact depicts Cochrane as a cynical, self-interested, somewhat disreputable engineer rather than the polished historical hero later generations remember.

A common mix-up is Tom Hanks, who was reportedly considered or discussed for the role because of his enthusiasm for Star Trek. Patrick Stewart played Jean-Luc Picard, while John de Lancie played Q. Cromwell later reprised Cochrane in Star Trek: Enterprise and Star Trek: Lower Decks.