There's no going back for Worf

After spending more time on "Star Trek" than any actor in its 40-year history, Michael Dorn figures he's finished. Well, maybe.

"I'm smart enough to never say never in this business," said Dorn, who played Lt. Commander Worf for seven seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and four seasons of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," as well as five "Trek" movies. "But when 'Next Gen' was over I said I'd never put that makeup on again, and then I got a call the next year for 'Deep Space Nine.' "

He even pops up in "Star Trek Fan Collective: Klingon," a four-disc DVD set of choice Klingon episodes. As the saga's biggest Klingon ever, Dorn scowls from its cover.

Worf was like that: gruff, tough and taciturn. But just having him on board the Enterprise for "Next Gen's" debut voyage in 1987 was a huge leap. In the original '60s series, Klingons were bad guys defying the good-guy Federation.

The late Gene Roddenberry, "Trek's" creator, told Dorn to forget what he'd heard and make the character his own.

"So I took that and, because the Klingons had been mortal enemies, made him the opposite of everybody else on the ship.

"I really committed to that gruff surliness."

Yet through Worf, Klingons came to be respected for their warriors' courage and fierce sense of honor.

"It opened up a lot of people's attitudes," Dorn said. "Worf was a Star Fleet officer and obviously not a wild animal."

Dorn, 53, doesn't think Paramount will make another "Trek" series, now that five have come and gone.

"Once Gene died, the brakes were off," he said. "I don't think he'd have done any of those shows (after 'Next Generation')."

Having milked its cash cow almost dry, he thinks Paramount has had enough of "Star Trek."

"From what I hear, they're tired of it."

Even so, an 11th "Trek" film is in the works from "Lost" creator J.J. Abrams.

Rumors hint that Abrams will make a prequel to the original '60s "Trek," with the Kirk and Spock characters meeting at Starfleet Academy.

"I think that would be a mistake," Dorn said. "You don't go backward in 'Star Trek.' "

He's been going forward since landing the plum Worf role, after years of struggling as an actor and making ends meet by playing bass in various bands.