Robert Beltran Robert Adame Beltran is the actor most famous for his role as Commander Chakotay on the television series . He had already gained a certain degree of fame long before coming aboard " Voyager " . In 1982 , in only his second film appearance , he starred as the titular character in the dark comedy " Eating Raoul " . Written and directed by Paul Bartel and also featuring appearances by future guest actor Hamilton Camp and future " Voyager " guest star Ed Begley , Jr . , the voyeuristic " Raoul " has become a cult favorite , the film also starred Ralph Brannen . Beltran went on to have several lead roles in other films throughout the rest of the 1980s , no doubt as a result of his role as Raoul . Beltran made his film debut with a small role in the 1981 film " Zoot Suit " , also featuring Tony Plana and Kurtwood Smith . In 1983 , he went on to co - star opposite action superstars Chuck Norris and David Carradine in " Lone Wolf McQuade " . By the following year , however , he was being offered lead roles . He starred in the popular science fiction film " Night of the Comet " , which has also reached cult status . In 1985 , he starred in the war drama " Latino " , produced by George Lucas , which also featured his fellow " Zoot Suit " actor Tony Plana . Beltran also starred in several made - for - TV movies . Among these were 1984 ' s " The Mystic River " , co - starring Nick Ramus and Ron Soble , and 1986 ' s " The Family Martinez " , co - starring Denise Crosby . By 1987 , however , Beltran was back to playing supporting roles . That year , he co - starred with fellow " Star Trek " alumni Rosalind Chao , Herta Ware , and John Fleck in the film " Slam Dance " . That same year , he had a supporting role in the acclaimed drama " Gaby : A True Story " , co - starring Lawrence Monoson . In 1989 , Beltran reteamed with his " Eating Raoul " director , Paul Bartel , for another dark comedy , " Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills " . Ed Begley , Jr . and Wallace Shawn also had roles in this film . Beltran also co - starred with Cliff DeYoung in " Forbidden Sun " that same year and then 1990 ' s " To Die Standing " . Beltran played the title role of the 1991 TV movie " El Diablo " , co - starring one - time DS9 guest star John Glover and actor Jim Beaver . That same year , Beltran again co - starred with Tony Plana in the short - lived TV series " Veronica Clare " . Also in 1991 , Beltran appeared in the gangster film " Bugsy " , which also featured one - time guest star Bebe Neuwirth . Afterward , Beltran appeared primarily in TV movies , including " State of Emergency " , with Paul Dooley and Richard Beymer , in 1994 . Also in that year , Beltran guest starred in an episode of the TV series " Lois and Clark : The New Adventures of Superman " , starring Teri Hatcher ; TNG guest star Chris Demetral guest - starred in the same episode . Just before landing his starring role on " Voyager " , Beltran played the recurring role of Detective Louis Soto on the " Melrose Place " spin - off " Models Inc . " in episodes with Victor Bevine , Randy Oglesby , Cristine Rose , and Margot Rose . Later in , Beltran was cast as Chakotay in " Star Trek : Voyager " . Since " Voyager " first aired , Beltran has only appeared in one other major feature film . He played one of the Watergate burglars in the 1995 biographical drama " Nixon " , chronicling the fall of US President . " Trek " alumni such as Tony Plana , Saul Rubinek , and Paul Sorvino also had roles in this film . While still filming " Voyager " in 2000 , Beltran co - starred opposite future " Star Trek : Enterprise " star Scott Bakula in the independent film " Luminarias " , based on the play of the same name . He also voiced Commander Chakotay in the video game " " . After " Voyager " ended in , Beltran worked in the TV movie " Manticore " , in which he co - stars with DS9 actress Chase Masterson . He was next seen in TV ' s " Fire Serpent " for the Sci - Fi Channel , written by Garfield and Judith Reeves - Stevens . In March of 2007 , Beltran made an appearance on the NBC series " Medium " . His upcoming credits include the Sci - Fi Channel TV movie " Cry of the Winged Serpent " and the comic film " Taking Chances " . Beltran , like " Enterprise " actress Jolene Blalock , was infamous for his outspoken views on how his series was progressing . He once remarked in an interview that he thought " Star Trek : Voyager " was " " punishment for everything in my life up till that point . Thanks , dear Lord for the . . . uh , Star Trek gig . " " His outbursts against the series became so great that executive producer Kenneth Biller said in late , " " I think Robert Beltran should stop whining and do his job . . . print that if you want ! " " Despite this , he won a Golden Eagle Award as Outstanding Actor in a Television Series for his role as Chakotay in 1997 and had also been nominated for two ALMA Awards . After " Voyager " ended , Beltran had a recurring role as Native American casino promoter Jerry Flute on the HBO series " Big Love " . Charles Esten , Raphael Sbarge and Noa Tishby have also made appearance on " Big Love " . In 2009 , Beltran released a video on YouTube , saying " " I busted my ass off for seven years playing Chakotay . . . on " Voyager " . Having to work with Tim Russ and Ethan Phillips , you have no idea how difficult that is . And Bob Picardo walking around going ' I ' m signing autographs ! " " The video was a joke video made by Robert Beltran and a " Star Trek " fan , capitalizing on his outspoken views to get " Star Trek " fans in particular to attend a new performance that was opening that month .