Cheryl Gates McFadden (born March 2, 1949, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), usually credited as Gates McFadden, is an American actress and choreographer. She is best known for portraying the character of Dr. Beverly Crusher in the television and film series Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Brent Spiner is the godfather of Gates's son.
Graduated from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts (Class of 1970).
Her son, James Cleveland McFadden-Talbot, was born on June 10th, 1991.
She was a Muppeteer and movement coordinator for Jim Henson (I) prior to her role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).
She choreographed the ballroom scene in the Jim Henson (I) film Labyrinth (1986).
Studied acting in Paris with famed teacher Jacques LeCoq.