Dr. Beverly Crusher has one of the toughest jobs on the ship. Not only is she charged with healing crew members afflicted by often bizarre diseases that aren't in any medical textbooks, she's also a widow and mother to acting ensign Wesley Crusher.
Dr. Crusher has a secret ability, too: tap-dancing. She reveals footwork to Lt. Commander Data. She teaches him how to tap dance, but insists that he keep the lessons confidential; she doesn't want to be known as the "Dancing Doctor."
She also goes to great lengths to hide her feelings for Captain Jean-Luc Picard, but occasionally her affection is obvious. Once, the crew becomes intoxicated and inhibitions fall away. Dr. Crusher gets flirty with the Picard, and they almost kiss.
Dr. Crusher also shows an aptitude for command. After Picard and several others get stuck on a planet, she takes the helm of the Enterprise for two episodes and even destroys a Borg ship.
Gates McFadden and Cheryl McFadden share something important: They're the same person.
Born Cheryl Gates McFadden, the actress worked as a Muppeteer before serving on the Enterprise. She did choreography for Jim Henson's film Labyrinth, as well as The Dark Crystal, and also had a brief appearance in The Muppets Take Manhattan. Her choreography work usually appears under the name "Cheryl McFadden."
Gates McFadden wasn't Gene Roddenberry's first choice to play Dr. Crusher. She appeared in season one, then left the show. Fans didn't care much for her replacement, so she returned in season three after a persuasive phone call from Patrick Stewart
