On Star Trek: DS9, Jonathan Frakes gave Jeffrey Combs his major breakthrough.
Casting the guest parts fell to Jonathan Frakes, the director of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 8, "Meridian,". Frakes remembered Jeffrey Combs from the days Star Trek: The Next Generation began casting calls for the Commander William T. Riker post. Combs lost the job to Frakes, of course, but the TNG star made it up for him by putting him in the breakthrough part of Tiron in "Meridian". Though Tiron wasn't a very memorable character, a scuzzy extraterrestrial fixated on Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) gave Jeffrey Combs an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Together with "The Search, Part II" and "Past Tense, Part II," "Meridian" was the second of three Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes. In "Meridian," Jeffrey Combs had several moments with Rene Auberjonois that let the two performers re-establish rapport. Auberjonois was casting episode 23, "Family Business," while Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3's production was under progress. The producers approved Rene Auberjonois's recommendation that Combs be Liquidator Brunt since, as the actor subsequently informed StarTrekcom, "no one will know" that it was the same guy. Combs's performance of Brunt finally gained him the part of Weyoun; otherwise, Jonathan Frakes's absence would have never allowed Jeffrey Combs and Rene Auberjonois to be reunited.
Would it have worked if Jeffrey Combs had been Riker in Star Trek: TNG?
First seeing each other at the Star Trek: The Next Generation auditions for the position of Commander William T. Riker, Jeffrey Combs and Jonathan Frakes One wonders how different Star Trek would have been if Combs had been cast as Riker rather than Frakes. Combs shines at portraying egotistical villains, as his two recurrent characters in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine show. While Combs portrayed characters who had a surplus of confidence, often to their disadvantage, Jonathan Frakes' Commander Riker was always confident and charming.
Riker needed a compelling romantic lead, adjectives that don't capture the roles Jeffrey Combs is known for, and Though he couldn't portray Will Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jeffrey Combs is a superb character actor, a real chameleon of a performer. Riker needed a compelling romantic lead, adjectives that don't capture the roles Jeffrey Combs is known for, and Fortunately, Jonathan Frakes, Rene Auberjonois, and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine crew realized Jeffrey Combs' potential and at last assigned him not one, but two roles that aptly matched his great acting ability.
Love Jeffrey Combs in DS9 Star Trek? Please Jonathan Frakes!
Jonathan Frakes of Star Trek: The Next Generation is to thank for the appearances of fan-favorite actor Jeffrey Combs on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Jeffrey Combs made thirty-one appearances as Liquidator Brunt, Weyoun, or both following his first appearance in DS9 season 3, episode 8, "Meridian". Jeffrey Combs rapidly became a regular member of the Star Trek: DS9 cast thanks to Brunt and Weyoun's many forms.
Though most famously portrayed as Herbert West in cult horror film Re-Animator, Combs is associated with 1990s Star Trek. Jeffrey Combs performed ten Star Trek characters since his first appearance in season 3, becoming to be among the most beloved recurring guest actors in the series. Combs even stands out as one of very few performers in a single Star Trek episode playing two unique roles. The remarkable Star Trek career of Combs starts with a 1994 decision taken by Will Riker actor and director Jonathan Frakes.
Characters Jeffrey Combs Designed for Us
Character | Star Trek Show They Made Appearance
Tiron | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Brunt, Liquidator | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Weyoun
Kevin Mulkahey, Officer | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Penk | Voyager: Star Trek
Thy'slek Shran | Enterprise Star Trek
Krem | Enterprise | Star Trek
AGIMUS | Star Trek: Lower Decks
The Jeffrey Combs of Star Trek
Jeffrey Combs of Star Trek has made a career delivering subtle performances between layers of alien prosthesis from DS9 to Enterprise and beyond. Among admirers, Combs—a seasoned actor with a great range of skills in several genres—is a favorite.
Future Star Trek films probably feature combs in more of their scenes. Considering his own talent and the popularity of his characters, he most likely will keep helping to create the vast Star Trek world.
