Mr. O'Reilly plays "Gowron" on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, after several years on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Robert O'Reilly: Glad to be here! Q'apla!

Question: I heard you're a father! Congrats! What's it like?
Chasman

ROR: I'm a father of triplets. It's tiring, but a lot of fun.

Q: Do you read/watch any science fiction besides your work in Star Trek?
Chronon

ROR: Yes, I've done quite a bit of science fiction in the past. A good friend is Ray Bradbury, and I have done 2 of his original plays. One was The Martian Chronicles, and I did the lead role in Fahrenheit 451. I am also an artistic director of a theatre, and he is one of the writers for our theatre. I also worked with Matt Frewer on Max Headroom. I just finished a feature film called Moonbase that's going to be released in November.

Q: Can you tell us how many episodes you will be doing next season on DS9?
Cavebear1

ROR: That's always a mystery. Only the writers and producers know that.

Q: When did you decide to be an actor? Who are your role models?
Surfnerd

ROR: Probably about 2 years after I graduated from college. That's when I decided to try acting.

I have a lot of role models. I love character actors, so I would say the major character actors of our generation and previous generations. Two very special actors are Spencer Tracy and Marlon Brando.

Q: Have you done anything in Broadway?
Green_Booger

ROR: Yes, I started my acting career in New York. I did do one Broadway show, and I did many "off-Broadway" and "off-off-Broadway" plays over many years.

Q: What other tv/movie projects are you involved in right now?
Cavebear1

ROR: Right now, I'm waiting for the release of Moonbase, and I've been really busy at home, so I haven't been able to get out and do that much. Just about a month ago, I started to get back to work. I did a CD-ROM for the Simon Wiesenthal Center -- the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles. Another film I did with Gregory Hines, Good Luck, will be released on video in about a month. The Wiesenthal CD-ROM will only be at the museum.

Q: Mr O'Reilly , do you believe there is life in outer space?
drspin1

ROR: I think mathematically there has to be, because water is not the rarity that we thought it was. If you go out on a clear night and look up... It may not be the kind of life that we expect, but it's out there. We may not ever see it, because space and time are too distant.

Q: What are your opinions on the recent Mars Mission with the Pathfinder?
Green_Booger

ROR: I think it's great. I think the Mars mission is something that's needed. Any space program is valuable, because through it the United States creates a lot of new technology that make us the new technology leaders of world. Which is a great bonus for scientists.

Q: I heard rumors your character my get killed off. Is this true? If so would you like to play another character on Star Trek?
PineSol

ROR: There's always a rumor that Gowron is going to get killed off. I don't know if those rumors are true or not. This will be my tenth season with Star Trek, eight seasons as Gowron, which is pretty good for a Klingon leader. If it did happen, I would love to play another role on ST:DS9 or ST:VOY. I would like to play a Borg.

Q: Robert, I recently came across your character under a different name in a ST:TNG Video Board game. It's great fun, and we play it all the time. How did you get involved with that project?
DaveRoth1

ROR: I got the Decipher game through Star Trek. Decipher, Inc. came to me and asked if I would like to do the project, and we worked out a character that was not Gowron, but another character. We filmed it in two days. We used the Star Trek: The Next Generation sets, and curiously enough, I met Stephen Hawking on the set and found out that he's a huge Klingon/Gowron fan! We took a picture together. I think he was actually filming that day -- he was playing poker with Data (Brent Spiner).

Q: What was it like to work with actors such as Patrick Stewart and did he play as many jokes as reported by people such as Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner ?
drspin1

ROR: Patrick is really a wonderful actor to work with. He's extremely generous as an actor, and he's a lot of fun to work with. Particularly a lot of fun because he makes fun of Klingons... the way WE make fun of people with smooth heads!

Q: General Martok has become a very strong character on DS9. How do you see the relationship between Gowron & Martok?
Cavebear1

ROR: Martok and I graduated from the class of Pedestrian Savagery -- he's cool.

Q: What is the Wiesenthal CD_ROM about?
PineSol

ROR: The CD-ROM I just finished for the Wiesenthal Center is basically a bunch of actors playing characters who get into a conversation built on prejudice, and then the audience gets to ask and answer what caused the problems that are presented. It's very complicated and hard to describe, but it's very interesting.

Q: Robert, how tall are the kids?
greblach

ROR: (laughter) They are probably around 19". Their weights are 13lbs. 14oz., 13lbs. 4oz., and 12lbs. 10oz. (weight is more important at this age.)

Q: When you grow up what would you really like to do? Your ultimate thing that you could die happily after?
PineSol

ROR: I think to be the Klingon who's the head of the Federation.

Q: Have you played any other characters on Star Trek?
Ajax

ROR: I did a character on the holodeck - "Scarface" in "Manhunt." And the other Klingon on the CD-ROM game for Decipher. Also the Star Trek: Klingon CD-ROM that Jonathan Frakes directed. And the Hallmark commercial (for the Klingon Ornament).

Q: Why DID the Klingons suddenly develop bumpy foreheads after the original series?
Bman

ROR: Um... they started drinking that alcohol of theirs and head-butting after a late night. People think it's hereditary. It's not. It's the alcohol they invented.

Q: Did you have a good time at The Viacom retail store opening?
drtrek

ROR: I had a great time at the store. It looks like a really fascinating store, and hopefully I'll be signing some stuff for the store, too. The store is in Chicago, for those of you who don't know.

Q: Do you watch your episodes? Do you ever see something you did and just hate it or do you see things and say damn I am GOOD!?
Fred

ROR: I do watch everything I do on Star Trek, and I've felt both ways.

Q: Do you remember any particularly interesting guests to the sets while you were working?
Mookie

ROR: I was at Paramount when (former President) Reagan visited, and I was asleep in my room. Klingons aren't impressed by human politicians.

Q: Robert, as an actor, would you like the writers to explore the Gowron character more in depth, providing insight on his background, family, experiences, etc.? If so, what do you think we'd learn about him?
greblach

ROR: I'd love it if they went into Gowron's past. They've left some different questions about me being an outsider and then coming back into the empire and all of a sudden taking it over. I was at odds with the Duras family, and it would be neat to explore that aspect of Gowron.

Q: Do you feel your playing Gowron has limited your ability to get other acting jobs?
grimiore

ROR: Quite the contrary! I think it's helped me in some ways. It's such a heavy make-up job that nobody would recognize me. I also use a different voice. It's opened doors more than its hindered work. You're not type-cast as a Klingon because of all the make-up.

Q: Have you directed any plays since the last chat?
Johnykatz

ROR: I have not directed anything. I have really been quite busy with all the new babies and my wife. I suspect I won't be directing another play for at least a year, or acting in a play for at least two years.

Q: Do you speak Klingon? How do you manage all of the dialogue?
Gor'Klap

ROR: I do speak Klingon quite fluently, although I speak it in a southern accent...nuqneH, y'all! The truth of the matter is, I am not very good at Klingon. For the language lab on the CD-ROM, Marc Okrand was inches away from me, guiding my path. Marc has become a very good friend.

Q: Do you have a Bat'telh of your own? Do they let you keep stuff after you work? Do you want to sell any of it? (maybe a jacket or knife?)
Klorox2U

ROR: Yes, I do have a bat'telh of my own. But it's hell getting it on airplanes. They keep stopping me at the metal detector. And no, I pretty much keep all of my memorabilia, and don't sell it. I didn't get to keep any of my heads, but we did give one of my heads to the naval ship U.S.S. Enterprise. Michael Westmore and I signed it. It's in the ship's museum. Most of the memorabilia that I have, actually, are gifts from fans.

Q: What's in store for the Klingon Empire next season?
Janeway

ROR: Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!

Q: Has the Gowron makeup, costume, etc , evolved much over the years? He seems grayer, and that robe looks real heavy.
Host drtrek

ROR: That robe IS real real real REAL heavy. The makeup has evolved over the years, and my hair has thinned a bit. I'm a little balder on the dome, I believe... but aren't we all?

Q: How long does it take to complete your makeup?
Janeway

ROR: It takes 3 1/2 hours to put on, and one hour to take off.

Q: Do you have a favorite Star Trek episode (any series)?
Fred

ROR: Boy, I have a lot of them. From the original Star Trek, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," but there are about 5 or 6 that I really love. From ST:TNG, my favorite favorite (and my favorite line too) is "QPid" -- "Sir, I protest, I am NOT a merry man!" Also, the original Gowron show I did that Jonathan Frakes directed, "Reunion." I did like "Redemption I & II." ST:DS9's "House of Quark" was one of the best comedy ones, right up there with "QPid." From the CD-ROM, the actor who portrayed the Pakled was great. The scene I did with him was something I wish they'd put on TV. It kept me laughing for days. He was brilliant.

Q: Is there a possibility that you will be guest-starring in the finale of "A Call to Arms" in a scene with the Federation/Klingon Task Force or something like that?
Green_Booger

ROR: No, I'm not in it.

Q: How is Jonathan Frakes as a director?
Cavebear1

ROR: Jonathan is really a great director because he helps the actors. I think Gowron's popularity has a lot to do with him helping me create Gowron, and going as far as we did in "Reunion." He really helped me establish that character. He also has a lot of fun, and keeps the cast loose, which is important. And you can tell he does his homework as a director.

Q: Are you going to be involved at all with Star Trek: The Experience? Playing a character or doing voices for events or rides etc...?
Spic and Span

ROR: Not to my knowledge, but I would love to. Get on it for me. :)

Q: Do you ever watch the other Klingon episodes for notes?
Larry

ROR: I try to keep up with it, but sometimes I'm a year behind.

Q: I see from your bio that you like directing and have won several awards for it as well, would you like to direct a ST: DS9 or ST: VOY episode?
Andy

ROR: I'd love to direct either show!

Q: Do you like doing Sci-Fi?
Kleenex

ROR: I love doing science fiction, it's a lot of fun. The heroic characters are a lot of fun either to be, or to play against.

Q: Robert, how do you maintain the balance between your personal and professional life? It's got to be much harder now with the little ones.
Rockyl

ROR: It's actually a lot more difficult. I'm still experimenting with it. The personal life is winning right now.

Q: How would you say ST has influenced your life?
Irish1

ROR: I think it changed my life professionally. I'm extremely well known throughout the country and the world now. I do a lot of conventions in the US, Germany, England, and Scotland. It's just changed my life, and since I am a fan of the original Star Trek, it's meant a lot to me.

Q: How do you feel about charging for signing autographs? I know there has been alot of backlash lately about Sports figures and Actors only signing things now only if they get paid?
ByronLord

ROR: It's a tough question. Take someone like Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays, who were terribly underpaid in their careers, then it's a way to make up that money in their later years. I have a problem with someone who's making $4 million a year, and they don't want to sign at the ballpark.

Q: You say you speak Klingon with a southern accent. I can relate to that, I'm from Texas. What part of the south are you from?
Janeway

ROR: Texas isn't part of the south! I thought it was an independent country... much like Qo'noS! I just meant "southern" in that I sleep on the southern end of the Great Hall.

Q: Have you ever done any Shakespeare with Armin? What do you like better the stage, TV, or Features?
Snuggles

ROR: I did Mr. Roberts and Hamlet with Armin (Shimerman) many years ago. I think my preference order is: feature films, stage, and then television. Feature films because you get time with the scripts and time to film. Stage because you have more influence on the final product -- you can't have someone edit you out. Having that live audience is really nice. It gets very difficult to work on stage when you're older, not because you're older, but because of the time commitment -- you've got to earn a living. I don't know of any actor who would rank those differently.

Q: Where you ever on a episode of Silk Stalkings? I thought I saw you on it the other day?
Snuggles

ROR: Yes, I was on Silk Stalkings. I played a photographer. Snuggles is right.

Q: putting loyalty aside, can you say which Star Trek you think it was the most fun being a member of the cast? In other words, would you have enjoyed acting with Captain Kirk and Spock on the original Star Trek?
sunny

ROR: I think, in my imagination, putting the best group together would be: Bones, Scotty, Worf, Picard, and Gowron stuck in an elevator. With some libation!

Q: Are you friends with any if the other ST actors from any of the shows?
Janeway

ROR: Yes. Jimmy Doohan, whom I love dearly, George Takei, Michael Dorn, and William Campbell.

Q: Where you classically trained as an actor? It seems most of the people who have played Klingons are Shakesperean-type actors?
Rubbing Alcohol

ROR: I have done a lot of Shakespeare. I have done King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and a number of other Shakespeare plays.

Q: what other movies or TV shows has Robert done..?
trekker1

ROR: Off the top of my head... Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, the film, and The Mask. I've done well over 100 TV shows, and about twelve to fifteen films, usually playing the bad guy. I've also been on Murder She Wrote twice, playing good people.

Q: Would you like to command a Federation Starship like the Enterprise?
Tidy Bowl

ROR: No. Only Klingon Ships.

Q: How do you think Gowron feels about the treaty formed between the Klingons and Capt. Sisko?
Ben and Syl

ROR: Gowron is not totally pleased with it, but it's a practicality.

Q: What was your favorite role outside of Trek?
Larry

ROR: Tough question. I would have to say I really love Gowron... and his beginnings came from a role of Edmund I did in King Lear. And THAT is my absolute favorite role that I ever did. There are also some TV characters I did that I loved because I could be really wacky in them. Like the Mad Bomber in Max Headroom. I also loved the character I did with Armin in Mr. Roberts, at the Colony Theatre. Some actors who have performed there are John Laroquette, and Armin, who was in Mr. Roberts. The Colony, at the Studio Theatre Playhouse, is in LA, but we're soon going to move to Burbank, CA. It's getting the use of a building that was formerly a museum. For any questions regarding the Colony Theatre, call (213) 665-0280.

Q: I know Gowron can't really be on Voyager but would you like to do a character on that show?
Ionae

ROR: I'd love to be on ST:VOY. That's where I'd love to be a Borg.

Q: Have you ever turned down a role that you regretted later?
Caster Oil

ROR: No. I have turned down roles, but I have never regretted it when I did.

Q: Will you let STC know when you have a new play or role coming up so us fans can go see you?
Mentholatum

ROR: Absolutely. I will give that note when it happens. I pretty much only do stage work at the Colony, and I will probably be back in about a year.

Q: What do you think of yourself in your Gowron makeup? I love how your big, round eyes stand out.
Janeway

ROR: They call Frank Sinatra Ol' Blue Eyes. They call me Ol' Bug Eyes. "...scooby-doo-bee-doo... you pahtk!" (lol) Actually, when I went to England they presented me with a bug-eyed doll that looked very much like myself and my son Jack.

Thanks for joining us Robert! We've had a great time and I'm glad you could celebrate our anniversary with us!

ROR: I was glad I could be here. Q'apla! nuqneH, y'all!