StarTrekHost: Let's get started! Everyone please welcome Andrew J. Robinson!

Andrew Robinson: I'm very pleased to be here today and I think this is my maiden voyage with this form of communication. It's an exciting day!

Q: As an actor, what did you find was the greatest challenge in dealing with so nuanced a character?
captain_thespus

AR: Probably the greatest challenge was working with a character where the subtext is far more powerful than the actual text. Garak for me was like an iceberg. The tip is easy to define, but it's the rest of the character that's the challenge.

Q: Were you a fan of The Original Series?
scftw7

AR: No, not until I started with Garak.

Q: Mr. Robinson, did you keep anything from the set, like a prop?
mikejmoe

AR: No, because Rene Auberjonois got there before me! (This is a private joke.)

Q: Hi, Andy, this is Ina from andytalk. Will you be doing readings from your next Garak book at any upcoming cons?
cardie

AR: Good question! The next conventions that I'll be doing are in England, in Las Vegas and in Indianapolis over the course of the rest of this year. At all of those conventions, I'll be doing the play that Alexander Siddig and I have written called "The Dream Box." I have, however, written new material for Garak to be done as a reading in case Siddig flakes out.

Q: Was Garak's development from a rather obvious spy villain into someone more complex intended from the first? A work in progress? A cooperative effort between you, writers, and directors?
moria_silver

AR: It was a work in progress. And most definitely a cooperative effort between me and the writers. That was probably one of the most creative experiences I have ever had. The writers would add to Garak's character with each episode.

Q: What was it like doing the last episode of Deep Space Nine?
visser59

AR: Very sad. But also very satisfying because I loved the way the resolved Garak's character and left him on Cardassia, so that I could write my book!

Q: Are you planning to write any more books? I really enjoyed "A Stitch in Time," as Garak was my favorite DS9 character.
springster1

AR: Thank you! The book was a work of love for me. I know I have said that I would never write another Garak book, but when I started to write material in case I showed up at a convention, I got sucked into a great idea for another book. Now I really don't know what to do.

Q: You once did a reading from Garak's diary at a con in Hamburg. Any of that ever going to come up again?
solatan

AR: Do you mean, "Will any of the old material come up again?" Or new material? No, I will never read old material. Too many people have already heard it, nothing's more stale than a twice told tale. That rhymes! I have new material, which will indeed see the light of a reading.

Q: I've enjoyed your work ever since I saw you for the first time in "Dirty Harry," and your portrayal of Garak on DS9 was one of the many reasons it was such an enjoyably complex and thought-provoking show. But for some reason DS9 is not the "popular" Trek, which I think is unfortunate. What's your take on this?
vivvyviv

AR: It's not the most popular because it's the most morally ambiguous. Whenever you have characters who are gray rather than black and white ... Although they are more interesting, they are more difficult for people to get a handle on. I loved DS9 because they were gray, because the characters were not easily definable, but that's not for everybody.

Q: Mr. Robinson, are you ever going to be in a Star Trek movie?
mikejmoe

AR: No.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?
captain_malik

AR: I'm an avid gardener. And that's about it.

Q: Do you have any children and if you do, do you like being a father?
bigfootc7

AR: Being a father was probably the most important thing I've ever done. I've raised one daughter and two stepsons. They are great people!

Q: How is your daughter Rachel doing with her music and acting? I caught her recently on a Judging Amy episode.
merrie

AR: Wasn't she terrific on that episode? I was so proud of her. But mostly, she has been writing great music, playing with a band and doing a lot of performing. And I think she's going to be huge. Of course, I'm a biased observer.

Q: Of writing, directing and acting, which is your first love?
cassmeifyoucan

AR: Acting, but I love to do all three. I would not be happy without all three.

Q: The episode where Garak had to go cold turkey and turn that implant in his brain off "The Wire" was some of the best acting I have ever seen on Star Trek. What do you think your best acting has been on Star Trek?
blazingrebel

AR: Exactly that episode. It's my favorite episode and it's some of the best acting I've ever done in my career. Thank you for being such a discerning viewer.

Q: How did you work yourself up for those scenes where Garak was really ticked off? They got rather intense at times.
ladyjoules

AR: I have a bad temper. And the only time I have a chance to let it roar is when I'm acting. In that sense, acting is a psychological release for me.

Q: Do you share any traits/similarities with Garak?
jamesb

AR: Not many. I'm a bad liar. Of course, Garak is the best. I have no ridges on my body and my hair was never black. I do share his sense of humor and his sense of irony.

Q: Was the makeup uncomfortable?
star_gazer_89

AR: That was the worst part of playing Garak — I had to sit in that chair anywhere from two to four hours to have cold goop put on me, then have a furniture rug thrown around me.

Q: Do you have any anecdotes or bloopers from the set you would like to share?
cassmeifyoucan

AR: No, we were much too serious for that kind of stuff. You'll have to ask one of the cast members from Voyager — they were the fun crowd.

Q: What made you decide to write "A Stitch in Time?"
jesterwr

AR: I loved Garak. When the series ended, I found myself still writing about Garak. The book started as an acting exercise, creating a history for the character. But from the exercise, it became an obsession. The more I played Garak, the more information I gained about him. And the more pleasure I got from writing these diaries. At one convention, David George, the writer who co-wrote a novel with Armin (Shimerman) "The 34th Rule" suggested I approach Pocket Books and see if they'd be interested in having this diary turned into a novel.

Q: Are you claustrophobic in real life? If not, what are your fears?
chbrel3

AR: I am claustrophobic. Other than that, I'm fearless. (laughs)

Q: Andrew, of all the films you have been in, what is your favorite?
st101alpha

AR: I liked "Dirty Harry." I liked "Charley Varrick." And I like "Hellraiser." And I like this film that I did with Roy Rogers — the last one he ever did — called "Mackintosh and T.J." Unfortunately, no one ever saw it because it ended up in a courtroom.

Q: Another unique character that you played was Liberace. What did you find most fascinating about this private person?
chempseyasks

AR: One of my favorite roles ever! The man's courage, his talent, and above all, his ability to create this creature called "Liberace" that so many people loved. The most fun was wearing his furs and jewelry and singing "I'll be Seeing You."

Q: What was it like playing a man who can turn into a wolf on The X-Files?
jmorris12

AR: They didn't give me a morphing shot! It's unheard of! How can you make a film about a werewolf and not having a morphing shot? Even Lon Chaney had a morphing shot! Other than that, it was a lot of fun. I especially liked working with David Duchovny.

Q: Your portrayal of "Scorpio" in "Dirty Harry" was the most disturbing performances I've ever seen. It creeps me out even to this day! (That's a compliment, by the way.) Did you find yourself typecast after that?
marc

AR: Yes. I must tell you that there are still parts of that film that I can't watch — it creeps me out, too. It did typecast me and hurt me in the business, but it's my own damn fault. I shouldn't have been so scary!

Q: Do you enjoy directing Judging Amy and Gilmore Girls?
carol003

AR: You know, I don't know how this Gilmore Girls rumor happened. I've never directed that show. But I love Judging Amy. Working with the actors on that show, especially Amy (Brenneman) and Tyne (Daly), is pure joy.

Q: Several actors from Star Trek tend to come back as multiple characters (Jeffrey Combs, for example). Do you think you'll return as someone else in Enterprise or the movies? Or maybe even as Garak?
rpasini

AR: I don't know. That's out of my hands.

Q: Have you kept in touch with any of the other co-stars?
luv7of9

AR: Yes. I'm very close with Armin and Siddig, and with Johnny Ethan Phillips and (Robert) Picardo.

Q: Who in the television and film industry have you not worked with but would like to?
dascape

AR: I always wanted to work with Brando, but I have a feeling it's just as well that I never did. I always wanted to work with Gene Hackman. I would have loved to have work with ... oh, a lot of people too numerous to mention. But I'm really happy that I worked with the people I did, like Walter Matthau, who was a great man and great actor. Clint (Eastwood) is a phenomenon. But the two companies of actors that gave me the greatest pleasure were the actors on the old soap Ryan's Hope, where I first worked with Kate Mulgrew, and the actors on DS9.

Q: Will you be attending the convention in Vegas in August? And maybe signing your book?
ladyjoules

AR: Yes. I'll also be performing the play with Sid that we wrote.

Q: What is "The Dream Box" about?
visser59

AR: Ohhhhh, how can I explain this?! We combined a story by Borges called the "Aleph" with the string theory and threw Garak and Bashir into the mix. We stirred for several minutes. You should check it out — it's hot!

Q: Is there anything that you regret not having had the chance to explore as Garak?
wayyist1

AR: No, I have to say that the writers did such a brilliant job with Garak that I did not walk away feeling denied anything.

Q: What made you get into acting?
captain_malik

AR: I don't know. What makes anybody follow a career path? It's funny, because next week, I've been invited to deliver the commencement address at my old school back East, and this is one of the things I've been thinking about. Maybe it's because it was through acting and theater that I was able to start to figure out who I was. But it's a mystery.

Q: What are the differences between directing for television and for feature films?
temporalcoldwar

AR: I've never directed a feature film. I would like to find out how different it is from television. I have a feeling it's a bit more creative. And the money's better, maybe.

Q: You are a great actor, and Garak was one of my favorites on Star Trek. I was wondering, when did you begin acting?
jemhadar_1st

AR: I acted in school and in college, but I decided to become a professional actor after I spent a year at drama school in London. That was the turning point for me.

Q: You are very recognizable to the movie-going public. You are associated with many, many great movies. Is Garak the role for which you are most recognized, or is it another?
jeffh

AR: Garak and "Dirty Harry" are the two roles I'm most recognized for. A close second would be "Hellraiser," where I played a dual role. Fourth would be Liberace.

Q: What was your first major role?
silverspider

AR: In film, it was "Dirty Harry." But I had been doing theater for many years before that.

Q: We've read your book about Garak, and we're quite surprised at how detailed it was about the Cardassian culture. Some aspects of Garak's life were very sad. Did you draw on any personal memories to give him more depth, or did you go strictly from what was already covered in the series?
Lwaxana and Mr. Homn

AR: I tried to stay away from the series as much as possible. The whole opening section of the book when Garak is at the school was emotionally similar to my early school experience. Obviously, I'm not a Cardassian, so the experience I drew upon for the book was the psychic, emotional, intellectual stuff.

Q: Has being associated with Trek affected your life in ways you did not anticipate?
comicsfan2001

AR: Absolutely! This was more than just a job. I'm really grateful it gave me seven years with this wonderful character, but it also allowed me to expand other career options. My first directing was with Trek. The first novel that I've written, and I've tried writing others, was about Garak. And the fact that I'm sitting here now, answering these questions, is enough of a change.

Q: Do you find the attention from fans overwhelming or do you like it?
who_has_my_hart

AR: I'm not aware of the attention from the fans unless I'm in a chat room or at a convention. Other than that, nobody recognizes me from Garak, but I enjoy especially going to conventions and meeting people. You see, nowhere else as an actor do you get this chance to meet the people who essentially support your career. So Trek is indeed unique in that respect.

Q: Any fan encounters come to mind that were particularly amusing?
springster1

AR: This one woman dressed, I think as a Bajoran, wanted me to marry her to another guy. I don't think I've gotten any marriage proposals, nobody gave me their firstborn child ... or a million dollars.

Q: Is there a role that you'd like to play someday?
thanatos47

AR: There are a lot of them. In Shakespeare alone, there are roles like Prospero or King Lear. In (Eugene) O'Neill, there's "Long Day's Journey Into Night." A lot of roles, so little time. In the old days it used to be, a lot of women, so little time. (laughs)

Q: Do you have any pets?
captain_malik

AR: No, ever since my last dog and my last cat died, I can't go through that again. I babysit for my daughter's dog, Lulu — a joy, and my grand-dog.

Q: Mr. Robinson, what were you doing on September 11th?
mikejmoe

AR: Well, when the horror happened I was asleep. I woke up just in time to see the second tower come down. I didn't do anything else that day.

Q: Did you enjoy working on the episode in which you fell in love with Tora Ziyal?
jcsammon

AR: I enjoyed the episode very much. I wished that they could have made up their minds as to what actor would play Ziyal — it was a relationship I would have loved to pursue.

Q: As a parent myself, I get much laughter from my children. What are the funniest things your children have done?
tailkinker

AR: You know, I envy that your children have given you such a good time. Maybe my children came from another part of the woods. Maybe they are tragedians, not comedians. But no ... they give me a lot of laughs, maybe not out loud. But it's better than crying.

Q: What is your all-time favorite movie?
jeffh

AR: "8 1/2" by Fellini.

Q: How did your relationship with Alexander Siddig parallel Garak's relationship with Dr. Bashir?
visser59

AR: There's no parallel. We're just two actors stumbling around trying to make sense of our lives. Neither one of us is a secret agent or a doctor.

Q: Do you personally believe in the idea of humanity maturing beyond a fractured global political structure and creating a unified government?
ladyjoules

AR: Sure. Why not? Anything to get us out of the woods — if it works for you, it works for me.

Q: Do you play any musical instruments?
giventofly462

Q: What kind of music do you like?
mariapaula

AR: Maybe the only regret I have in my life is that I did not become a jazz musician, because jazz is my passion. That's where Avery Brooks and I found common ground.

Q: Did you enjoy working with Avery Brooks on "In the Pale Moonlight?"
designationlocutus

AR: One of my favorite episodes. I always enjoyed working with Avery. We're a couple of old Shakespearean warhorses.

Q: If possible, would you actually want to live on a space station?
ttreck

AR: No.

Q: Do you believe in alien life forms?
captain_malik

AR: I don't know. I've seen alien life forms on Hollywood Boulevard, but I'm not sure those are the ones that you mean. I have a friend who goes to Area 51 in the desert every year because he's convinced he'll be able to interview an alien and get a scoop. Live tonight on Channel 5!

Q: What is the funniest thing about Garak?
mercedes5

AR: The way he shaves in the morning.

Q: How did you feel when you got your own action figure?
hamachi

AR: Oh, I felt that I had made it as an actor, and that my life had meaning, and perhaps there is a God when I saw my first Garak action figure! I think it's probably like a British actor being knighted.

Q: How did you feel the first time you saw yourself in full Cardassian makeup?
captain_malik

AR: Good question. Because I am claustrophobic, when they slapped the makeup and the heavy costume on me, I nearly freaked out. I wanted to quit — I'm not kidding. But when I saw this creature staring back at me in the mirror, I knew I was onto something really good, and the claustrophobia went away just like that. It was an experience I'll never forget ... looking at Garak looking back at me.

Q: What would you like for Father's Day coming up?
dascape

AR: Probably any jazz between 1948 and 1962, mainly East Coast bop. That would do fine. Maybe some of the later stuff by Vivaldi. That would be cool too. Or just a good wish would work as well.

Q: What other projects in film or TV do you have in the offing?
nashtrek

AR: Nothing that I'm acting in. I'm presently writing something that I'd like to direct myself, but you could go to your local restaurant and any waiter will tell you the same thing. My dentist doing a root canal once gave me a script. I promised to find the 40 million dollars he needed to make it.

Q: What are some of your upcoming appearances?
giventofly462

AR: On the solstice weekend, I'll be at Blackpool in England, doing the play with Sid. Later that week, we'll be appearing in a couple of other towns in England. In August and September, I'll be in Las Vegas, doing the play with Siddig. And in Indianapolis at Thanksgiving.

StarTrekHost: Unfortunately, it is time to wrap! Thank you everyone for joining us today! Thanks to you, Mr. Robinson, for joining us!

AR: It was a great pleasure!

StarTrekHost: Everyone please say thanks to Andrew!

Q: Thanks a lot for chatting with us. I hope you have great success whatever you do!!!!
mikejmoe

Q: Thank you, Mr. Robinson, you are awesome.
tailkinker

Q: Thanks, Andrew.
st101alpha

Q: Andrew, you had all the best lines :-) I loved Garak's warped humor.
neutral_zone

Q: Thank you, Mr. Robinson. We'll keep watching!
ladyjoules

Q: Goodbye Mr. Robinson, it was an honor to chat with you.
captain_malik

Q: Thanks Andrew, see you in Blackpool!!
dascape

Q: Bye, Andrew Robinson! Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!!!
vixis738

Q: Thanks ... a good time was had by all!
cassmeifyoucan

Q: Come again!
designationlocutus

Q: Bye Andrew, it's been fun.
iborg359

Q: Thanks, Andy! :-D
merrie