American producer who helped create The Next Generation, co-created Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise, and led the Star Trek franchise from Roddenberry's death until 2005.
Rick Berman, an American television producer born in 1945, was a Paramount executive when Gene Roddenberry selected him, alongside Maurice Hurley, to help create Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987. Berman rose to executive producer of the series and, as Roddenberry's health declined, took over day-to-day stewardship of the franchise, overseeing The Next Generation through its seven seasons and its Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.
During The Next Generation's penultimate season he co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Michael Piller, the first time two Star Trek series ran at once. He went on to co-create Star Trek: Voyager with Piller and Jeri Taylor and Star Trek: Enterprise with Brannon Braga.
Berman also produced all four Next Generation films, Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis, sharing the story credit on each. He remained head of the franchise until Enterprise ended in 2005.