Happy Birthday Denise Crosby!

The Crosby family is sort of legendary for all of its traumas and familial problems, even though it has this appearance of being this perfect world. It had quite a dark side to it.

That was a surprise. I just had wished that Wil Wheaton was there. He was missing from the last show and it would have been nice if everyone could have been there.

I know who I am.

I think that show will go down in history... people will scratch their heads and say 'How did this ever get on the air?' I mean, they finally have a planet that's populated with a black race and then they present them as savage warriors, and the men want the white girl!

Yesterday's Enterprise  was, to me, my favorite episode that I did and was one of the fans' favorites of the series and that I had to die to actually get that episode written.

A lot of show business, as you know, is about all the contacts you make and who you know.

Leaving the show was a really difficult decision to make. It was purely an artistic one. I was very, very frustrated as an actor on the show and I felt straight jacketed. I always kind of use the comparison of being drafted by the major leagues and then being benched so I just felt like I needed to keep going you know, keep running, but I had no idea that I would still have this continuous involvement you know.

Happy Birthday Terry Farrell!

I begged the producers not to kill me. They thought I was just being this neurotic little actress hoping to have a part to come back to, but I really meant it. I didn't want to see six great years end that way.

I grew up on red meat and corn. But I don't eat like that anymore.

I think it's rather sad, there's quite a fashion for keeping the outside appearance of a building at the expense of the interior. When you're inside Battersea Power Station, you won't know it because the corridors, shops and apartments will be the same as everywhere else.

My eyes are different sizes, my nose is too broad at the bridge and squishes up when I laugh, and my lips are sorta funny when I smile.

You would understand far more what it used to be. It would be a sort of monument, it would be far better than going to a shopping center, or a luxury home, and saying, 'do you realize this used to be Battersea Power Station?'.

I like athletic men, but not like Arnold Schwarzenegger, though he's gorgeous. A guy's got to be sexy, optimistic, like to have a good time.

I wouldn't say the nightlife for anybody in New York is all that wholesome.

Photographers and people do try to take advantage of you. You just have to stand your ground and prove you're not an easy target.

I wanted to be like Vivien Leigh in 'Gone With the Wind.' I wanted to have black hair, green eyes and break hearts.

I said that what we should do is remove the walls but retain the colonnade, and make the whole interior a park.

Happy Birthday Max Grodénchik!

It’s a rather idyllic place to raise kids, and the baby’s doing great, so in that sense we know we made the right decision. Whether we’ll move to some big city with a theater/film/TV scene is a question for the future. It might happen down the road, but for the time being, we’re good here. 

The catch is the producers keep saying “We’re trying to get the money.” One of these projects has been in the works for years now, so I’m not exactly holding my breath. But I understand, that’s the nature of show biz, no matter where you are. And it’s very nice of them to think of me. That they even know of me over here is kind of mind-blowing, and quite flattering.

I’m working on getting my German better. It’s a little tough here in the countryside, where the accent’s thick as Scottish brogue. I taught English at the local Berlitz school last spring, and I’m hoping to do that again. Part of me always wanted to teach, so, now I have my chance. And most importantly, of course, I’m working on raising a child.

I also do spend time trying to come up with new songs for Creation’s “Rat Pack” show, featuring Armin Shimerman, Jeff Combs, Casey Biggs, Vaughn Armstrong and myself. We’ve performed it many times in a number of cities, and we’ve been the last act at the annual Las Vegas convention the past two years, and are already contracted for next year. We actually close the show, which is quite an honor. And this past August, James Darren sang with us, which was pretty cool!

In Hollywood they generally don’t call when you don’t get a job. You call your agent and ask if the role’s been cast and the standard answer is something like, “He read great, we’re just going in another direction,” something like that. The news would’ve come from me calling my agent and asking her to see what, if anything, happened, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t make that call in that situation. Yeah, I could be wrong, but I don’t remember that piece of news being broken. I do remember that the time between the first and second auditions was maybe three weeks… I’m repeating what I said earlier, that after the phone didn’t ring right away after the first audition I figured I wasn’t getting called back and that there would be no second audition.

I don’t know how much later – but then the phone did ring. They wanted me for one day as a Ferengi Pit Boss. They paid me more money for one day than I’d ever gotten up to that point in time. Of course, I did it. I thought, “Well, that’s nice of them, they’re giving me a little bit of a consolation prize. OK, that’s truly sweet, like they actually did like me, but they couldn’t use me, that happens, so sweet of ’em, thank you very much.” Sincerely, that’s how I felt.

So Rom appeared and he was me or I was him and that was really great, but I thought it was a one-time thing. Never ever did I think I’d be back – for almost every episode the first three seasons or so, I thought, “Well, nice, they gave me another one. Each episode’s a nice little gift and thank you for that. You’ve done more than enough for me, so it’s quite OK that you’re done with me. I totally understand.” And that’s how it was in my head.

People have asked over the years if I knew how Star Trek would change my life when I first began working there. No, didn’t have a clue. It’s kind of nice that it all came as a series of lovely surprises.

Well, I didn’t realize how much there was in that episode. At the end of it I bring Nog into the bar, presenting him as a “cadet,” which he wasn’t yet, but Rom was being such a proud father. I remember holding Aron’s hand as I escorted him into the bar, because my own dad would sometimes hold my hand in a situation like that and I always thought it was a very loving gesture. But Aron hated it. I insisted. We both went to Armin to arbitrate and, of course, Armin worked out a compromise.

It’s an extremely serious episode in which Nog loses a leg in battle. I think the writers wanted the scene there so that the episode would have at least one lighter moment. I don’t think that little scene made the heaviness of what was to come any easier to take, but boy, I really got a kick out of them wanting me to sing.

Happy Birthday Armin Shimerman!

I’m particularly proud of the fifth season story ‘Business As Usual’ because it shows Quark as much more of a thinking, deeper person in the sense that he has a real problem to solve.

We were right across from each other for years on the lot, but I never met Jeri Ryan until Boston Public.

There are a number of episodes in which he must face moral dilemmas, such as ‘Bar Association’ and ‘Looking for Par’mach in All the Wrong Places.’ I always saw Quark as much more of a dramatic character than the show’s writers, who always saw him as sort of comic relief. They did give me some dramatic episodes, but there was always a lot of comedy mixed in.

I didn't take anything from the set, at the end of Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I wanted to remember everything the way it was.

Another change that took place with our show had to do with its characters. When we first started out, the flaws everyone had were minor, but as the series continued these imperfections expanded and all of our characters became much more three-dimensional because of it. Quark’s flaw was that he’d become a little too human and moral. Kira was much more of a jingoist; anything that wasn’t good for Bajor wasn’t good for her, either. Sisko struggled between being a captain for the Federation and also respecting his position as the Bajoran emissary. So every now and then he was caught up in a moral dilemma as far as which path he had to follow. All of this, hopefully, is what made the show interesting to watch and the audience tune in week after week.

Rick told me at the end of the audition process for Quark that the part had been written for me but I still had to try out for it. I was thrilled when I heard that they were doing a third Star Trek series, Deep Space Nine, but when I discovered they were also going to have a regular Ferengi character in it I was determined to get the part. I’ve always been a big fan of the show and the idea of my possibly making a bigger contribution to the Trek myth other than my work on The Next Generation really appealed to me.

The worst diva moments I ever had, without a doubt — two shows that are neither Buffy nor Star Trek — I hated the ladies on Charmed. 

Because we stayed in one place we really went from being an episodic program to something more like a serial. With an episodic show you can tune in any week having never watched before and know what’s going on as well as understand what’s going on with the characters because it’s all new every week. With Deep Space Nine we had more than 40 recurring characters and ongoing story lines, so our show was closer to being a serial. If you tuned in for the first time and, let’s say, saw the relationship between Worf and Dax you were going to be a little bit ‘lost at sea’ because you weren’t aware of what had come before.

I was the first person read for Quark, and I waited about a month and a half, two months to get feedback. I had always been a big Star Trek fan. I was very honored to have been on Next Generation - even though I wasn’t happy with my performance, I was very honored. When I heard that they were casting a Ferengi for Deep Space Nine, I did everything I could to try and get an audition - and as I said, I was the first person seen. Two months went by and I began to get depressed about the fact that it wasn’t going to go any further … because nobody was giving me any feedback. Nobody was saying, “Yes, we’re interested/No we’re not interested.” The agent said they would call, but there was no feedback.

I really did want it, for all sorts of reasons. I thought I had had a good audition, but the situation would have been better if the agent had called and said, “Armin, they loved your audition, but they’re going a different way.” Which is what you hear often.

At that time I was doing a production of Richard II at the Mark Taper Forum, with Kelsey Grammar. So I was doing a play, and I was thinking about it, but my mind was focused on the play. But I was thinking about it. Also during that time, I think I finished Richard II and started doing a production of Hamlet as well … Then after two months they called me in for callback, and I read. While I was sitting in the room waiting for the audition, I saw another actor who I recognized from TNG, Max Grodenchik. I never met him before. I waited for him after he had finished reading, he was reading for Quark as well. We went out and had a long, 45 minute chat about the audition, about the script and about the roles. When I left, I sort of said to myself, “I guess it must be between me and Max.” Then there was a third audition about a week or ten days after that one. I walked in and there was no Max Grodenchik - however, there was Rene Auberjonois, there was Avery Brooks, and there was Nana Visitor… I think Sid was there, too …

Yes, essentially the cast was there. I didn’t know that, of course, at the time. I looked around, and there weren’t any other short actors there. That gave me pause. I thought, “Well, maybe they’re coming in later.” Of those people, I was the first one to read, and I read all of Quark for the “Emissary” episode for the suits in Paramount. When I was finished, Rick Berman came out and chatted with me for a little while. I told him I was very nervous about it, and he said, “There’s no reason to be nervous, Armin, we wrote this role for you.” Now, I wish they’d told me that at the beginning of the audition process, but as it turned out, everybody that Rick had handpicked for that day’s audition, he got.

Classical literature is primarily about language. The plots are rather stodgy and they’ve been copied over and over again. The language that the great playwrights used to talk about those plots and characters is what fascinates, intrigues and why those particular plays have survived the centuries. In the theatre, we call it language or composition – in Star Trek, they call it techno-babble. It’s the same thing. But the actor, teacher,  has to be able to use that language correctly to reach the audience to facilitate understanding through imagination.

I’m somewhat within the nexus of acting and teaching. One of my many hats at Antaeus is that of a teacher of Shakespeare. I’ve been teaching there for quite some time.

To be an actor capable of shouldering those huge topics is essential to communicate with them.

Of course! We store curse words in a different part of our brain than language. Which is why when you hit your thumb with a hammer, that’s what comes out!

The generosity of the entire company has been astounding. We are blessed to have so many passionate people in our midst whose hearts are so devoted to the arts. Having emptied our pockets, we now look to a wider community to help build our new home.

I got involved as an actor back in 2005, I had tried to get into the membership years before. It started in L.A. about 25 years ago by a wonderful Shakespearean scholar by the name of Dakin Matthews. I had just moved to Los Angeles and very much wanted to be a part of the company because of my Shakespearean background. I had a lot of Broadway experience and a great deal of Shakespeare festivals and thought I’d be a good part of the ensemble. But… they rejected me!

Language. Language and the struggle – climbing that impossible hill. The other thing is, in TV and film, in which you can find wonderful work, you have relatively little time to craft a performance. You show up on the set, you make some choices, the other actors make some choices, and in a relatively short matter of time – in TV it’s usually an hour, in film it could be half a day – you come up with a performance, and it gets put on tape, and it lives there forever.
In the theater, you get a month to craft every nuance of your performance, and that’s appealing to actors of all stripes, because you have a more sculpted performance, and you can be proud of all your choices. You can be proud of your choices when you do them quickly too, but this gives you the time to really hone your work, and really be sure of what it is that you’re doing.
And there’s also the immediacy of the relationship between the actors and the audience. You’re immediately given feedback when you do something on stage, which you don’t get on-camera.

Each actor finds within himself the essence of what he thinks the character is and then plays that essence. So the scamp that is Quark is somewhere inside of me and I let that part show. The anal-retentive son-of-a-bitch that is Principal Snyder must be inside me as well and I let that show. And Anteaus, who I found to be a wonderful mercurial fantastical fairy-like character, that must be in there too.

I'm often asked that but, no, I don't have a favourite character. I do have favourite experiences though. It's not so much what happens on camera but rather what's happening off camera. Each character is a part of me so it would be wrong of me to prefer one part of me over another. As far as backstage experiences go, my favourite would be Buffy.
When I was working on Buffy it was a new show that was just becoming quite popular. I was working with young actors who were very excited about the opportunities they were facing and that they knew eventually that they would attain. It was a great delight to watch that take flight. Star Trek is a brilliant franchise and everything works like clockwork and works perfectly, but everyone knows what's going to happen. There's a security in that, but there isn't as much epiphany in that.

At this time in my life, it is enlightening to discover that I much prefer writing to acting. Writing is more creative because you are the principal creator as a writer. As an actor you are always the interpretive vessel.

The gods have made science fiction my favourite genre. But I've always thought of myself as a classical actor so classical theatre would be my favourite genre. One of the reasons I write about John Dee is that he is an Elizabethan and my forte is Elizabethan theatre and history. I actually teach seminars on Elizabethan language. There's something called Elizabethan Rhetoric, which was a primary study at the time.

I am greatly honoured. I campaigned strenuously to become Quark because I'd always been a major Star Trek fan, so nothing was going to stand between me and that role. I am very proud to be one of the icons of Star Trek and by extension of modern television.

The luck of having talent is not enough; one must also have a talent for luck and unwavering focus.

Creativity can only happen if you take risks. But there are no guarentees, only the hope of artistic rewards.

Creative people often want to be outsiders.They want 2 live in chaos 2 maximize the creative tensions between different parts of themselves.

Trying 2 determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying 2 tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock

Never loose sight of the fact that just being is FUN! Let us celebrate the enormous miracle that we ARE.

A school principal may not behave in an autocratic manner,but he or she is a prince or princess, etymologically speaking.Same Latin rootword

Got my taxes done.The liberal in me wants to pay more;the Ferrengi in me wants to pay less. At least,there's the satisfaction of finishing.

Nearly had heart attack.Backed all up then rebooted computer 4 test.For 10 minutes,I thought I had lost 44 chapters of my novel. Found them!

Sitting home memorizing lines. The challenge never gets easier. Tedious and painfully slow.

Seems to me that the root cause of our political differences is whether one has faith in government or not. Is that intelligence or nurture?

Everything Bill Shakespeare ever wrote can be reduced down to 140 characters.
Yea verily!

Shot the Ghost of Hamlet's father today. What a glorious experience. How I love doing Shakespeare.

While I was signing photos in Nashville, the world turned a corner on Syria. We should all be grateful for global sanity and cooperation.

To those kind enough to inquire, laptop is going in for a checkup tomorrow at Apple store.Everything copied including the book in progress.

Time weighs heavy today.Nothing on the schedule.Perhaps, I should return to my novel; but my laptop is on the fritz. Maybe its just the heat

The word FASHION was invented by Shakespeare in AYLI. 11 letters and the world has been debating its meaning and relevance for centuries.

A small prayer to all.Whatever weighty problems you may be facing, no matter how dreadful, I wish you the strength and courage to persevere.

On all matters of controversy,the Pope's question must be asked first,"Who am I to judge?" So much anger & misunderstanding could be avoided

Alert the media.I came through my minor surgery w/flying colors.However, my refrigerator is completely empty.Time and travail have their end

Off to hear a Mozart concert at the Mirabelle palace tonight. then on to Wels to meet Max's Lenya and Carina. Cuddles and hiking to follow.

Liz. Saltzburg is just as you said. Brilliant. Kitty and I are gobbsmacked.

Salzburg.Wow! Most beautiful city me and @kittyswink have ever seen. Sat by the river &stared at castle in the distance.Young lovers again!

Packing to travel abroad is always an adventure.What do I need?What have I forgotten?Though surely they must have stores in the UK & Austria

Having lunch today with @RobertPicardo and Ethan Phillips. Star Trek characters never die; they just wallow in ice tea and smoke cigars.

Sliced my index finger while cutting the cheese. Two stitches. Recovering nicely. Luckily not my autographing or directing hand.

Skype'd Max Grodenchik in Austria today,setting up plans 4 our visit in July.Saw him, his wife, his baby-all while I sat in Los Angeles.Wow!

Just come from a High School seminar on the Crucible.Later today I walk the red carpet for small film"Intelligence."Life is real interesting

Finished first week of Crucible rehearsals.2 acts blocked. Inspiring cast. Talk of rebellion in play,but luckily none in the dressing rooms.

Just about finished casting for the Crucible. Start rehearsals in 48 hours. Did you know in Shakespeare's day, hours was pronounced whores?

Just taught a brilliant bunch of people in the ways of Shakespearian Rhetoric at Theatricum Botanicum. Bravo to the nine of them. A real joy

Holy Cow!I've seen the Riley Parra first season and it was terrific. With Marina in the next season, it will surely be better.I'm donating!

Alright. I'm a democrat. I'm very sorry if my tweet hurt your feelings.

So much can be done, by simply saying, "You're going thru so much, I'm sorry if my words were hurtful."

I'm a student of Charlie's and there is no better teacher for this stuff. Sign up now!!! 

Ira, so glad you made into "twit world." We are all better for having you around.
Blow out your candles and rock the night away.

When I first met them, they were kids (well one of them). Where did the time go? But they are fine men now.

The DS9 reunion took place a block & 1/2 from where we shot Beauty and the Beast.Roy's passing & the proximity of the reunion was unsettling

Nana, you are continually beautiful. I share in the love and know we all made a difference. Dinner at my house, soon.

Wonderful film #LuckyFilm produced by @IraStevenBehr When it comes out, everyone should run to see it.So many wonderful actor performances!

Trump misfires on tweet re:Iranian missile launch.Isn't this the same Prez error that got us into Vietnam war? Take Twitter away from him!

Have arrived in Bath at the end of the 100 mile Cotswold walk. Footsore but happy. I recommend the scenery to all who love life.

POTUS, why must you denounce EVERYONE that disagrees with you? You are President now, not a landlord.

I have been to Shropshire in years past. Visited the castle. Alas no can visit this time around.

We where in York last year. Stayed at the Guy Fawkes Inn and walked the Dales. Historical and gorgeous.

I have been to Leicester and walked over Richard III's body and visited Bosworth field. Very historical.

We have been to the Lake District many times and it is indeed beautiful. Lake Windemere under a full moon. Delicious.

Kitty in the Cotswolds. Could life be any better? I don't think so.

Finished my 1st day of the Cotswold walk. Beautiful scenery. 90 miles to go to walk to Bath. But my calves and thighs are definitely sore.

Does anyone besides me see the similarity between our current political situation & the daily bizarre reveals as episodes of Penny Dreadful?

Wishing Nana a wonderfully happy birthday. In my mind, she is always the young girl I met back in the early 90's. How the time flies.

Well, maybe not for the first time!! But it sure was a swell time. Thank you, Rick,
for a wonderful day!

Is it 'fake news?'The White House wants voting records of every citizen in the country?That true? I thought the voting booth was sacrosanct.

Been absent for awhile.But I do have a proud announcement. I am the newest Shakespeare professor at the University of Southern Calif (USC) !

I'll be on-line soon.

If you live anywhere near D.C, you must see the play, the Originalist, to see Ed Gero! He is a master class in Acting. Truly superb.

Two men and a woman of integrity. Thanks to them we can all breath a bit easier.

White House said FBI was suffering under James Comey administration. The acting FBI director says not so.

The Prez is meeting with Russians today. Although Russian press can attend the meeting, no Am. press is allowed. Is this "America first"?!

James Comey's firing is a shock to the system.We must all hope the investigation into Russian meddling will not be scuddled. FBI hang tough!

I have been remiss thanking you all for kudos on my work(TV, games, theatre, cartoons & activism).I bow respectfully to all your kind words.

To all celebrants & non-celebrants,happy Easter and Passover.Both are steeped in tradition and good news.Let us all keep hope in our hearts.

Saw this on internet: What can be asserted w/out proof can be dismissed without proof-Christopher Hitchen. A sound course of action 4 us all

9 days left to perform King Lear @Guthrie . 10 Days left until I am home with Kitty and Rosalind.I am both sad and happy. Life is like that.

24M people will still have decent insurance till the next attempt at"replace".

As Americans&participants in democracy,we must stay vigilant.

Don't politicians know Politifact is monitoring all their statements. But of course if you say a lie long enough, people will believe it.

If FBI kept Trump's ongoing investigation from JUly onward as a secret, why didn't he do the same about HRC one?At least he's impartial now.

This worth watching. We cannot let good people loose their health care. The question must be are we a civilized nation or not.

Happy St. Pat's day to one and all. May the wind always be behind your back and may life rise up to meet you.

MAY I ask how today's exec.order jives w/ one limiting new hires at Exec. branch?How do new panels get staffed?

Just heard how well the DS9 Indiegogo campaign has done.My thanx to all the folks who helped.This will be a great documentary-I'm in it!  ;)

This bears repeating. Devos is not one of Trump's hi IQs.

And who will support the Arts? Have YOU tried getting awards from corporations? I have.They don't give like they used to.So, adieu Culture!

Trump administration plans 2 eliminate the National Endowment for the Art National Endowment for the Humanities entirely.So long Art&Culture

Facts are facts.

A metaphor for life in Regional Theatre is the trudge home from rehearsal:done w/conviction, full of ideas, memories of good work,but lonely

Many friends all in one place. Warms the cockles of my heart.

The holy days are upon us. Wishing all my friends joy, comfort, and someone to love. You are all in my prayers.

It doesn't happen often but Kitty&I will both be doing plays at the same.King Lear for me;"Ah,Wilderness" for Kitty-Two thousand miles apart

When you fall down, wisely pick something up.

Thanksgiving. So much to say thanks for. May you and yours be filled with friendship and family and warm memories. Life is good!

Despair. Utter incomprehensible despair. Our country is broken and we are now adrift. May the Good Lord take mercy on us.

I'm 67 years old,this is the most crucial election I have ever seen. You must vote Dem.not only 4POTUS,but Fed. senators.I fear 4 our nation

To those patriotic Americans who stood in line for hours to make sure their voice,their duty,their conscience was heard-I thank & salute you

Facts:There is a decline of people in poverty&a major decline of the uninsured.The country is better economically than it was a few yrs ago.

Facts:15.2M plus jobs have been added >2010. Unemployment rate is 1/2 of the Republican brought recession.Hourly wages raised 2.8% to $25.92

To all the kind & wonderful people who sent me their wishes,have a grand good time today.Let's all celebrate being alive.I know I do.