Trek Actors Who Don't Like STO For Some Reason

aristocratsuprem

Having an open discussion in ESD earlier tonight and mentioned that Jeffrey Combs was coming to a local con this Summer. Someone mentioned that JC doesn't like Star Trek Online and refuses to do voice-acting work for it (also heard some say the same about John De Lancie). I was kind of hoping to have JC autograph a screen shot of my Andorian STO character, but I don't wanna vex the guy and make a fool of myself. So, can anyone help give the straight dope as to what's going on? Anyone ever encountered Jeffrey Combs? What's he like? Is it safe to mention "that game" in front of him?

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daveyny

Shatner has been known to dis STO on occasion, at least on his Twitter account.

legendarylycan

for not liking video games, sir patrick stewart sure has reprised his role (and others unrelated to trek entirely) in a lot of them​​

aristocratsuprem

azrael605 wrote: »

Well, the thing is, a lot of actors don't even really like the shows/movies they are in. Not talking just about Trek actors here, but for a Trek example, Wallace Shawn, who played Grand Nagus Zek, doesn't even watch TV, which he mentioned in an interview. Patrick Stewart has said that he doesn't like Sci-Fi, Cartoons, Comic Books, or Video Games. After all they are just people like anyone else, how much do most of us like our job?

See, that's what baffles me. If Combs didn't like Trek, he sure signed up to play a lot of roles for it. You'd think he would want to have as little to do with it as possible and try to find roles elsewhere if Trek wasn't his thing.

This is why I'm asking out for anyone's past encounters, so I can get a "feel" for what topics to avoid. God only knows that most fans aren't likely going to ask him to sign their photos of Edgar Allan Poe for them.

I really am hoping that there's an anti-Trek bias being held by some of it's principal actors is a falsehood.

angrytarg

I can imagine that many actors get annoyed if they're constantly associated with that one role. Some people get over it and take it with a bit of humour, at least Stewart and Shatner did at least whenever you see them speaking about Trek they do so by of course making fun of it but I think they don't want to undo what they did. But others would prefer that this particular role or show they were in wouldn't come up any more. As azrael said, its a job and being fed up with it is something we all can get behind. If you look at Stewart in and about "Blunt Talk" for example you see it's a kind of personal passion and joy he has associated with this (hilarious) show.

Having someone sign a screenshot of ones in-game character would be, in my opinion, weird in general, though. I'd think twice about doing that.​​

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fovrel

Most actors will probably have some sort of restraints in these matters. A role in a good running tv show can be of tremendous value for your career, but it can also holding you seriously back because of type casting. You want the role, but you don't want it your only role; you don't want to be that guy from.

starkaos

angrytarg wrote: »

I can imagine that many actors get annoyed if they're constantly associated with that one role. Some people get over it and take it with a bit of humour, at least Stewart and Shatner did at least whenever you see them speaking about Trek they do so by of course making fun of it but I think they don't want to undo what they did. But others would prefer that this particular role or show they were in wouldn't come up any more. As azrael said, its a job and being fed up with it is something we all can get behind. If you look at Stewart in and about "Blunt Talk" for example you see it's a kind of personal passion and joy he has associated with this (hilarious) show.

Having someone sign a screenshot of ones in-game character would be, in my opinion, weird in general, though. I'd think twice about doing that.​​

Reminds me of a certain American Dad episode. In case anyone doesn't know, Bullock looks exactly like Patrick Stewart and is voiced by him. He plays the best character on the show.

Bullock: This control room is able to calibrate force fields so strong that the holographic images projected onto them feel real to the touch.
Richard: Oh, so it works like the holodeck? (actual name is censored for obvious reasons)
Bullock: The what now?
Stan: From Star Trek.
Bullock: Some of us spent the late 80s and early 90s getting laid, Smith.

aristocratsuprem

Man! I came here to ask a question and now I feel like I'm part of some horrible curse that an actor is condemned to. Like "Alexander Dane" in Galaxy Quest.


I really wish there was a database that fans could go to in order to share past encounters with whatever con guest that people would like to know more about. No one wants to be the oddball that said THE wrong thing and ended up becoming a laughing stock forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cWBG1GKn8A

kodachikuno

considering how much of the player base bitched about not liking the game can we really expect some trek celebs to be different?

irm1963

Doesn't like playing video games doesn't mean hates STO :P

brian334

You expect it at a convention, where the actor is presumably voluntarily subjecting himself to a particular fanbase. And you expect all sorts of fans, from the fanatical, love everything about you type to the passionate fan who wants to change your character's ways on a series that's already over. So if the actor, at a convention, is signing autographs, he'll likely sign anything you shove under his pen just to get you to gush and move on.

goodscotch

The game is Star Trek related. He's become connected at the hip to Star Trek because of the many roles he's had in multiple series. I'm sure he would gladly sign your STO screenshot understanding that it's Star Trek related. He's not stupid. He's a talented actor who has a fan base. Sci-Fi/Horror his specialty!

nikeix

Just be polite, compliment him as an actor, not just for being a single character, and keep it brief unless clearly invited to chat a bit more, because he's there working and there's likely people in line behind you .

jkwrangler2010

I'm betting it comes down more to "how much will you pay me?"

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jovianus

I'm not aware of Combs ever suggesting he doesn't like Trek or being remembered for his work on it, in fact everything I've seen suggests he quite enjoyed it and in fact tried for years to get his foot in the door before finally catching a break on DS9 and then becoming the go-to guy for guest star/supporting aliens.

There could be any number of reasons he just doesn't care for STO in particular. As for your wanting to get a picture of your in game character signed, I suspect that will have far more to do with his general opinions on signing 'memorabilia' than with the particular picture, and can't really help you on that front as I've never met him or seen anything from him discussing it.

jaguarskx

If Jeffrey Combs is going to be at a local con, then has been paid to make an appearance. Therefore, it is fine for you to ask him for his signature. After all, he is getting paid to meet with fans of Star Trek.

Whether or not Mr. Combs like Star Trek or not, he is being compensated for his time to make an appearance at your local Star Trek con. That means he should be expected to speak with fans and sign autographs.

happyhappyj0yj0y

azrael605 wrote: »

Patrick Stewart has said that he doesn't like Sci-Fi, Cartoons, Comic Books, or Video Games.

ORL?

aristocratsuprem

jaguarskx wrote: »

If Jeffrey Combs is going to be at a local con, then has been paid to make an appearance. Therefore, it is fine for you to ask him for his signature. After all, he is getting paid to meet with fans of Star Trek.

Whether or not Mr. Combs like Star Trek or not, he is being compensated for his time to make an appearance at your local Star Trek con. That means he should be expected to speak with fans and sign autographs.

True. But still, I'd rather be a part of an enjoyable experience he had and not part of something he simply endured. I know David Prowse is known for a foul attitude at cons (and probably part of why he's been "excommunicated" by Lucasfilm) and Anthony Daniels acts like it's a godly privilege just to be within three feet of him. Thank god there's true heroes like Peter Mayhew and Warwick Davis to help restore one's faith in those films.

I know that Walter Koenig likes to wander around the con dealer's hall and still does (albeit with a little assistance these days) so at least he has no problem embracing the geekness of it all. And Robert Picardo really seems to enjoy it.

cadorette101

I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple years ago, and he is very down to earth. We talked a bit about his different roles in Star Trek. I don't think he would have any issue with signing your picture, but he will charge you for it..lol.

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sheldonlcooper

I am a HUGE Jeff Combs fan. And he is a huge star trek fan. I would say he is a practical person as well, so he would be looking to make a fair wage for any voice work. Maybe he was insulted by Cryptic at some point or as annoyed at not being approached. Regardless I've never heard him say anything at all about STO. His talks tend to be in the smaller room and are plenty long and intimate. hubba hubba. So come Cherry Hill I'll ask him if I remember, because I'd love to see him ingame. Brunt would have been great for the Ferengi episodes a while back.

alonar

I guess I'm old, when it came to Patrick Stewart, Jeffery Combs, and Robert Picardo, when I first saw them on the various trek shows my first thoughts were, Look its Gurney Halleck (Stewart), Dr Herbert West (Combs), and The Cowboy (Picardo).

artan42

aristocratsuprem wrote: »

I know David Prowse is known for a foul attitude at cons (and probably part of why he's been "excommunicated" by Lucasfilm)

It's the other way around. He was shafted by Lucasfilm as he thought he'd be playing all of Darth Vader and not just acting as a glorified puppeteer so he's not exactly on the best of terms with them.

I don't know if he even does conventions (outside of local ones anyway).​​

samt1996

He was picked because he was huge, that was it. If Lucasfilm shafted him that is pathetic and inexcusable but he had the acting abilities of a cardboard cutout and the voice of Darth Helmet. To say Star Wars owes much of its success to Darth Vader's brilliant portrayal would be a vast understatement, so while Lucasfilm TRIBBLE behavior does not endear me I understand their reasons.

But this is all just hearsay.

davefenestrator

nixboox wrote: »

It is all just lies. Any actor from the series(es) will reprise their role if they are asked nicely. Jeffery Combs is a real trooper when it comes to these things, just never make Reanimater jokes...he hates that. Hates it...

Really? He'll always be Dr. Herbert West and the From Beyond guy to me

taylor1701d

It's well known that Nimoy felt type cast because of the Spock character.
I can' blame him, the only thing people would remember of his career was his role as Spock.
After a while, I'm sure it became very problematic for him, when trying to get other "different roles".

It's not that he was ungrateful, it just made his life as an actor more difficult.
He was so recognizable as Spock, that producer couldn't picture him in other very different roles, and he didn't work as much as he wanted to because of this.

crypticarmsman

aristocratsuprem wrote: »

azrael605 wrote: »

Well, the thing is, a lot of actors don't even really like the shows/movies they are in. Not talking just about Trek actors here, but for a Trek example, Wallace Shawn, who played Grand Nagus Zek, doesn't even watch TV, which he mentioned in an interview. Patrick Stewart has said that he doesn't like Sci-Fi, Cartoons, Comic Books, or Video Games. After all they are just people like anyone else, how much do most of us like our job?

See, that's what baffles me. If Combs didn't like Trek, he sure signed up to play a lot of roles for it. You'd think he would want to have as little to do with it as possible and try to find roles elsewhere if Trek wasn't his thing.

This is why I'm asking out for anyone's past encounters, so I can get a "feel" for what topics to avoid. God only knows that most fans aren't likely going to ask him to sign their photos of Edgar Allan Poe for them.

I really am hoping that there's an anti-Trek bias being held by some of it's principal actors is a falsehood.

Why would they do it? For the money - plain and simple. Working actors like to work, and they'll happily take a gig for a decent paycheck. They are hired to play a role; and if they agree, that's what they do. Whether they like the role (that's certainly a plus) or the script; it's a job they do and good ones can do their best even if they don't necessarily like the material.

Hell, Michael Dorn pretty much said (with regard to what had been written for Worf in STO) it's not where he saw the character going; but he came it read his lines, cashed the check and went on his way.

aristocratsuprem

taylor1701d wrote: »

It's well known that Nimoy felt type cast because of the Spock character.
I can' blame him, the only thing people would remember of his career was his role as Spock.
After a while, I'm sure it became very problematic for him, when trying to get other "different roles".

It's not that he was ungrateful, it just made his life as an actor more difficult.
He was so recognizable as Spock, that producer couldn't picture him in other very different roles, and he didn't work as much as he wanted to because of this.

There are worse things he could have become typecast for.