"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before!"

British actor Patrick Stewart uttered those famous words at the beginning of every episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

But now so does Bob Caldwell, who not only sounds like Stewart, but looks uncannily identical to the man who portrayed the fictional character on the hit television series and movies. Since March, the 63-year-old Surprise resident has impersonated the actor at a number of events and parties.

"When I put on the captain's jacket, so many people really can't believe that I'm not him," said Caldwell with a laugh. "It's unbelievable some of the responses that I've been getting over the years because of Patrick Stewart and that show."

In 1987, Caldwell said people first noticed the resemblance when the series first hit airwaves.

"They would laugh and tell me 'do you know who you look like?'" said Caldwell, who lived in Chicago and worked in the railroad industry before moving to Surprise four years ago.

Earlier this year, Caldwell was working in Fry's Supermarket when a Surprise resident who was an Elton John impersonator spotted him.

"He handed me a card for an Arizona group that has celebrity impersonators, and I contacted the person to find out more about the organization," he said.

The organization, Crooners Unlimited, is an ensemble of celebrity impersonators and tribute artists who portray celebrities from Billie Holiday to Jack Nicholson.

Caldwell first sent a picture to the group's organizer, Jim Speiser, who responded he couldn't believe his eyes.

"He is the very spitting image of the man," said Speiser. "It was amazing to see."

Speiser knew the assistant to Gene Rodenberry, the creator of the "Star Trek" franchise. He sent a picture of Caldwell to the woman, who worked closely with the television series producer and many of its stars, including Stewart.

"She responded back by saying that's Patrick in the picture," said Caldwell with a laugh.

Caldwell's wife, Maureen, said she's not surprised at the reactions her husband elicits with his appearance.

"I get a kick out of it, because they think he's Patrick Stewart, and I love every last minute of it," said Maureen, who made Captain Jean-Luc Picard's jacket for him.

On Memorial Day weekend, Caldwell attended a national celebrity impersonator convention with a number of look-a-likes from around the country, ranging from Robert DeNiro and Jay Leno to President Obama and Whoopi Goldberg.

Since officially becoming an impersonator, Caldwell has booked a number of events from parties to making an appearance at UltraStar Cinemas in Suprise for the opening of the new "Star Trek." He closely studies Stewart and his depiction of Picard, from his voice to the three different iconic poses the captain does throughout the series.

"I really try to work hard at it, especially if I have to go to a sci-fi convention where there might be a lot of trekkies," he said with a chuckle.

In addition, Caldwell would like to try his hand at another of Stewart's famous characters, Professor X from the X-Men movies and comic books.

"I think that would be a lot easier than what I have to do now," he said. "It's funny because the older generation immediately looks at me and thinks Picard, but teenagers instantly recognize me as Professor X right away."

When he was first recognized as Stewart, Caldwell didn't understand why people would be so fascinated he looked like the celebrity.

However, now he's embraced the idea.

"I'll continue to do it and maintain this as long as I can put a smile on faces," he said.

Mitchell Vantrease can be reached at 876-2526 or e-mail mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.