“Star Trek: First Contact,” for non-Trekkies, was the film where the U.S.S. Enterprise-E traveled back in time to the year 2063 to stop the Borg — a destructive race of unthinking cyborgs — from altering Earth’s history. It featured a lot of action and violence, and Captain Picard was transformed from a stern diplomat into an action hero hellbent on bloody vengeance. The film was well-received, and many consider it to be the best of the four featured based on “Next Generation.”

It seems that Kelley also liked the movie. The actor had more or less retired from performing by 1996, but was still appearing at “Star Trek” conventions and had a deep appreciation for the sci-fi franchise that brought him so much fame. Evidently, he went to see “First Contact,” and was moved to call Frakes.

Frakes recalled receiving the call and being very moved, telling THR:

“Opening weekend, my wife and I went to stay with friends in Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. We stayed in a barn and I put my head down and […] one of my fondest memories from the entire weekend was: I got a phone call from DeForest Kelley, who I had only met briefly at Rick Berman’s house. He was a neighbor of Rick’s. And I guess he had seen the movie and he contacted Rick and asked Rick how to get in touch with me. And he called to congratulate me on how wonderful the movie is and on the success. And I carry that with me to this day.”

Rick Berman was the executive producer of the franchise and ran the joint after the death of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry. Still, how kind of Kelley to reach out. It’s the ultimate blessing, it seems, when a star of Kelley’s stature reaches out of his own accord.