10 Best Bearded Sci-Fi Captains

It's strange – kings, wizards, and warriors almost always sport some kind of beard or stubble. It's a staple of the fantasy genre. Sci-fi captains, on the other hand, either to differentiate themselves from fantasy stories or to mirror modern military conventions, rarely, if ever, don the beard.

Those who do choose to tread the path of beardhood, however, turn into legends. These rebellious bunch often grow a beard as a sign of waywardness, hard times, or a "take no prisoners" attitude. 

So, who are the greatest sci-fi captains ever to grow a beard? And what makes them so special? Below, we cover the top ten best beard sci-fi captains from film, TV, and literature.

Best Sci-Fi Captains With Beards

1. Captain Nemo – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Source - military.com

Jules Verne's enigmatic Captain Nemo, commanding the submarine Nautilus, is often depicted with a beard, which complements his mysterious and brooding nature. Nemo's beard signifies his detachment from society and his fierce independence, aligning with his role as a renegade of the seas who has turned his back on a world he views as corrupt.

His reimagining in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen saw Nemo appear with a proud, broad beard that is traditional in Sikh culture. With his turban and sword, Nemo was no longer just an adventurer but a fearless and intelligent team member. 

2. Dr. Hans Reinhardt – The Black Hole

Source - jamesriverfilm.wordpress.com

While not a traditional hero, Dr. Reinhardt from the 1979 sci-fi film "The Black Hole" sports a distinctive beard that reflects his complex character. His beard adds to his mad scientist persona, providing a visual cue of his descent into obsession and madness. 

Reinhardt's beard, coupled with his commanding presence aboard the USS Cygnus, makes him a memorable figure in sci-fi cinema, illustrating how facial hair can amplify a character's thematic presence.

3. Captain Riker – Star Trek: The Next Generation

Source - whatculture.com

Some beards change a character; Riker's beard changes the entire show. Star Trek fans put the show into two categories: prior to the beard, the first season was not great; only when Riker grows the beard does the show find its feet. Going back and watching the fresh-faced first officer just isn't right. 

In fact, it was such a landmark shift that it coined a TV trope. Growing the Beard refers to when a lackluster TV show suddenly gets good. Riker's beard isn't just mere facial hair; it's a cultural icon, representing the turning point of one of Sci-Fi's greatest captains. (Yes, Riker becomes a captain in later seasons.)

4. Colonel Saul Tigh – Battlestar Galactica

Source - tvguide.com

Captain Saul Tigh falls firmly into the clean-shaved officer category. As Captain Adam's Executive Officer (XO), the gruff militarist is a by-the-books officer who expects those under his command to follow his orders to the letter. 

However, as the seasons go on, the revelations about his past and intrinsic flaws are showcased not just by Michael Hogan's mesmerizing acting but also by the scruffy beard he grows. The message is clear: the man you thought you knew is gone. 

5. Alternate Future Captain Jean-Luc Picard – Star Trek: The Next Generation

Source - trekmovie.com

I know what you're thinking. Captain Jean-Luc Picard isn't just beardless; he's practically hairless! Well, yes! However, in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "All Good Things…," the previously clean-shaven captain appears with a thick, well-groomed beard. 

Why? Well, Picard has finally put his captaining days behind him to live his dream of tending to a vineyard. Unlike Tigh, however, it's not telling us that Picard is more unhinged or broken than ever, quite the opposite. He's now a gentle, simple agriculturalist.  

6. Peter "Star-Lord" Quill – Guardians of the Galaxy

Source - comingsoon.netThe charismatic leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Peter Quill, or Star-Lord, sports a casual yet distinctive stubble that complements his roguish charm. His facial hair enhances his laid-back, carefree persona, setting him apart as a captain who doesn't adhere to the traditional or formal expectations of leadership.

In the vast expanse of space and amidst a band of misfits, Star-Lord's beard underscores his identity as a relatable, approachable leader, one who's as much about fun and adventure as he is about bravery and heroism.

7. Marcus Cole – Babylon 5

Source - warpedfactor.comOkay, so while he's not "officially" a captain, he is a leading member of the Rangers and a key member of the Army of Light. That's good enough in my book. It's his role as a Ranger that really defines his beard – or is that the other way around? Dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to the greater good are values he follows. And yet, the rugged beard hints at a darker truth: that he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. 

8. Captain John Price – Call of Duty

Source - charactour.com

In the Call of Duty series, Captain Price is a leading character defined by his thick, bushy mutton chops and mustache. In fact, he bears a striking resemblance to Captain Boomerang from the DC Universe. However, the two couldn't be more different. Price is a cigar-smoking, gun-wielding, tactical genius who'll stop at nothing to achieve his mission objective.

But rather than being another carbon copy badass, the beard makes him an icon. Who can forget this British special forces sniper turning up in a beanie with mutton chops? It's like a Victorian marksman jumping through the pages of history. 

9. Captain Boomerang – DC Universe

Source - screenrant.com

We just mentioned him, and now he's back. Captain Boomerang is everyone's favorite Australian scumbag. How do you know? Well, the two red-haired mutton chops adorning these cheeks are a dead giveaway. It's just a quintessential part of his character.

This facial fuzz was dialed up to 11 when Jai Courtney wielded the infamous boomerangs. Unkempt and wild, his mutton chops also include a full-blown mustache and a bit of chin stubble. In dire need of a wash, he captured the essence of the superhero hobo. 

10. Captain America – The Avengers

Source - comicbook.com

 Captain America, as the world's straight-laced superhero, never has a beard. He's as clean as he is clean-shaven. But when the US government turns its back on him (and his friends) – following the events of Civil War – the MCU's headline hero goes on the run. When we see him next, gone is the naïve captain; in comes the war-weary, bearded hunk.

Throughout the final chapters of the Infinity War saga, we see a wiser, more experienced Cap', one who is not afraid to grow out his beard. It signifies his evolution from a symbol of idealism to a more grounded and realistic leader, wrestling with the weight of his decisions and the realities of a universe in turmoil.

Manage Your Beard Like the Greatest Sci-Fi Captains

Those are the best sci-fi captains ever to grow a beard. Some of these men chose the beard; others had beards thrust upon them. Either way, we think they all look damn magnificent (even Captain Boomerang).

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