James G . Becker James G . Becker was a former background actor who appeared as the Starfleet officer known behind the scenes as Ensign Youngblood throughout the first three seasons of . He also worked as one of the stand - in s for Jonathan Frakes on the series . Hailing from a small farming community in Naperville , Illinois , and moving to Oswego , Illinois during his early years , Becker was on the road to becoming a farmer like his father , majoring in Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois . After two years , however , he decided that , while he enjoyed farming , it was not something he wanted to do for the rest of his life . He returned home to Oswego and , with his parents ' blessing , took a construction job while saving money and contemplating what to do with his life . Fascinated with television ( which did include ) , he ultimately decided to move to Los Angeles and try his luck in Hollywood . Once in Los Angeles , Becker began taking acting classes . About six months later , a friend introduced him to Les Landau , the First Assistant Director for TNG . Soon , Becker found himself on the set of TNG ' s pilot episode , , as one of many background performers in the mall scene of Farpoint Station . The following week of filming the pilot , he was on the set of the bridge in a science blue Starfleet uniform . Although his character never received an official name , his cast and crewmates referred to him as " Ensign Youngblood " – " " an affectionate tribute to the way Becker ' s personality shines clean and fresh . " " Becker ' s determination had also shown through . Even when he wasn ' t working , Becker was still on the set observing and learning about the many intricacies of television production , including direction , lighting and photography . After filming on the pilot was finished , Becker asked Landau to allow him to become an occasional stand - in , which he permitted . A few weeks later , Becker ' s devotion and willingness to learn led to his becoming a stand - in for Jonathan Frakes and filming scenes with the regular actors . ( ) After " Encounter at Farpoint " , Becker went on to appear as Youngblood in 40 episodes of " The Next Generation " . During the third season , Becker decided to return to Illinois and resume college at the University of Minnesota where he earned his Bachelors Degree . Among his last episodes was , directed by Jonathan Frakes . As a parting gift , Frakes gave Becker his first and only word of dialogue – " " Gentlemen " " – as well his first and only on - screen credit . Becker reprised his role of Youngblood for the final " Webster " episode " Webtrek " , filmed in during TNG ' s second season . He shared the scenes filmed on the bridge set with Lorine Mendell , Dexter Clay , and Michael Dorn . In 1989 , he first met his future wife , Tamara Harle , and the couple married on 29 June 1991 at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt , Iowa . They had three children Collin , Mallory and Gavin . Becker later settled in Britt , Iowa where he became a State Farm Insurance agent and a high school assistant boys basketball coach for West Hancock High School . He passed away on 5 December 2014 at the age of 48 at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona , Iowa following a car accident .