R.I.P. Rene Auberjonois

More sad Trek news this week— actor Rene Auberjonois died on December 8, at the age of 79. 

Auberjonois (which is pronounced "Awe-bear-zhen-wa") was a hard-working character actor who appeared in dozens of films, guest starred on hundreds of TV shows and was a prolific voice artist in many animated series.

He got his first big break playing Father Mulcahy in the film version of M*A*S*H. He had a small role in the 1976 King Kong as well. He was a regular on several TV series, including Benson, where he played hypochondriac Clayton Runnymede Endicott III, and Boston Legal, in which he played Paul Lewiston. He also voiced Chef Louis in Disney's The Little Mermaid.

Of course Star Trek fans remember Auberjonois as the shapeshifting Constable Odo on Deep Space Nine. His face may have been hidden beneath a latex mask, but his gravely voice was unmistakable. I enjoyed the "friendly enemies" relationship he had with Quark, the station's Ferengi bartender.

I feel like I've been watching Auberjonois my whole life— probably because I have! I always enjoyed his work, and loved seeing him pop up on various shows.

Auberjonois is survived by his wife Judith, their daughter Tessa and son Remy.

Out Of Context Star Trek Moment #9

 

I've been an avid Star Trek fan for many decades, but even I have to admit that certain episodes could get a little silly now and then, especially when viewed out of context.

So sit back and enjoy this totally Out Of Context Star Trek Moment.

Today's Moment comes from the Star Trek:Deep Space Nine first season episode "Move Along Home." This is the first time I've featured DS9 and also the first time I've used a video clip. 

DS9 had a darker and more somber tone than most of the other Trek series, but every now and then a ridiculous scene would slip through the cracks. Like this one, for example. Lean in close to the screen and enjoy this jaw-dropping video of the DS9 crew playing hopscotch with a little alien girl.

My favorite part of this clip: seeing galactic douche bag Dr. Julian Bashir plow nose first into a force field.

By the way, Commander Sisko (the black gentlemen) is played by actor Avery Brooks, who hails from my city of Evansville, Indiana. After seeing the scene above the whole darn city can barely contain their pride.