With a curriculum vitae as long as your arm, plus a leg or two, Richard Herd has become one of entertainment's most recognizable faces. He's also one of the most active. Well known in the Star Trek world for multiple roles, the busy Bostonian is most visible as Voyager's Admiral Owen Paris, Tom's strict father and a former commander of Captain Janeway's. Herd has also performed myriad roles in TV, film and theatre and is perhaps best known to today's audience for his recurring part on the mega-hit comedy Seinfeld as George Costanza's boss and fellow employee of the Yankee organization, Mr. Wilhelm.

Sci-fi fans will also know Herd as the character "John" from the early '80s TV mini-series "V." Recent talk of reviving this show has also caught Richard's attention; he hopes to be involved with any new production. Although no official casting announcements have been made, according to yesterday's Daily Variety the new "V," dubbed "The Second Generation," could take the form of a three-hour TV movie serving as a sequel to the original.

A seasoned traveler, Herd and his wife Patricia have recently returned from the London Expo, a huge two-day comics, cards and collectibles event. Following this and prior to a return stateside, the Herds spent time traveling and taking in the sights and sounds of Europe, including Italy. "Hey, someone's gotta do it," he laughs.

 Almost always traveling together with his wife, Herd is a frequent guest at TV and genre conventions, media events, celebrity signings and lectures. But the pace never slackens. After a mere few days back home, Herd is about to head off and give a talk at the prestigious Santa Barbara Writer's Conference at Westmont College. Then he's off again to be a performing, speaking and signing guest at Starbase 21 in Tulsa, OK, from June 27-29. The highlight for many attendees will come on the first night of the convention when he and Walter Koenig ("Chekov") will be performing in a David Mamet two-hander titled "Duck Variations." The two have performed this play before, including a highly praised performance at Starfest 2003 in Denver back in April. Starfest organizer Stephen H. Walker called it "performance at its best ... it was remarkable the way you two transformed right before our eyes ..."

"Duck Variations" has been described as two old men sitting on a park bench discussing the mating habits of ducks, but it's much more than that. The play hits a high note by contemplating life, friendship, aging and death. "Laugh, cry and let your imagination run wild," says Herd about the play. He goes on to say that they would like to take the play to the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland next year, followed by a Fringe run in London.

Following soon after his appearance at Starbase 21, Herd will be visiting the InConJunction Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention in Indianapolis over the Fourth of July weekend. For further details on the event, please check the link below. Richard would also like to point out that if there are any interested parties who would like to book the duo into their theatre space, they should contact Doug Conway (239) 565-4986.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Herd has also been performing in a one-man show based on the life of Cecil B. DeMille. The James A. Brown-penned piece, titled "Cecil B. DeMille Presents ... A One Man Show," begins, as did DeMille's movie career, in 1913 with the silent film production of "The Squaw Man" and continues through the life of one of Hollywood's most legendary larger-than-life figures. Although no performances are currently scheduled, please check STARTREK.COM for updates.

For those of you going to Creation's "Official Star Trek Las Vegas Convention" in August, Richard has also just been added to the extensive list of guests.

A busy man but a happy performer, Richard Herd is not only one of the hardest working people in show business, but also one of the nicest. If he happens your way, be sure to say hello, get an autograph and watch him perform in his natural habitat ... the stage. But remember, when he's performing "Duck Variations," it may be the only time you see him in a fowl mood. [OK, definitely no soup for you!-Ed.]