Ken Thorley, who played Mr Mot (The Best Barber in Starfleet) passed away last Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

I knew him as my best friend’s dad. He let our band practice in his garage all through high school, and he gave us something that, looking back, was a pretty p rare space to be loud, to create, and to feel like what we were doing mattered. He was encouraging and supportive. As you can imagine he was an amazing dad.

He had a really unique energy. He was funny, witty, sharp, patient and caring . When he talked to you, he truly listened. Even though I was a weird punky looking high school kid, he gave me the same respect and attention that he would give to an adult when he would speak to me. And his son and I were pretty strange kids.

A random fun memory that always pops into my head is that often he would come into the garage while we were practicing and say “I got an eviction notice for you boys…”, which is a line from his role as the bug guy from Men in Black. And I loved it.

As a Star Trek fan, it’s surreal knowing he was part of this universe. I didn't become a huge Star Trek nerd until years later. But more than anything, I’ll remember him as someone who gave us a place to be ourselves and to be creative. An adult that could goof off with us like kids but never talk down to us when we needed guidance. Good father, an amazing friend, a wonderful person and actor. And the best Barber in Starfleet.

Rest in peace, Ken. 🖖

Love ya