Jeffrey Combs is, perhaps, the greatest Star Trek star to never be a part of any show's regular cast. Whether done up in Andorian blue, Ferengi orange, or Vorta purple, Jeffrey Combs has played ten different characters throughout Star Trek. Although frequently covered in large amounts of prosthetics, Combs's voice and mannerisms make him unmistakable in 1990s Star Trek, as well as his one appearance (so far) in modern Trek. Each of Jeffrey Combs' Star Trek characters has been iconic in their own way, but Jeffrey Combs has played a few characters whose popularity, and infamy, set them above his other performances.
In Star Trek: Enterprise, Combs appeared as Commander Thy'lek Shran in the Andorian Imperial Guard. When he first met Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), Commander Shran was an antagonist figure, but through repeated contact with Captain Archer, Combs's Enterprise Commander Shran became an integral force in the creation of the Federation. In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Combs played Vorta Field Supervisor, Weyoun. Since Weyoun, like all Vorta, was a clone, Combs played four different iterations of the character, maintaining continuity while showing the subtle differences between each Weyoun.
Weyoun Was Jeffrey Combs’ Best Star Trek Character
Jeffrey Combs' Favorite Character To Play, And An Audience Favorite To Watch
Despite Commander Shran's immaculate role in Star Trek: Enterprise, Deep Space Nine's purple-eared Vorta, Weyoun, is Jeffrey Combs's best Star Trek character. Weyoun first appeared in DS9 season 4's episode, "To The Death," and was a recurring character all the way up to the series finale, "What You Leave Behind." But Weyoun started long before the character’s debut in season 4.
Combs has stated that Weyoun was his favorite role to play for Star Trek .
Jeffrey Combs had already appeared several times on Deep Space Nine as Brunt, Liquidator for the Ferengi Commerce Authority, and Combs's first-ever Star Trek character, Tiron. Combs's success in these roles led to the creation of Weyoun with Combs in mind, and he had lots of input in the creation of the character. Perhaps this is why Combs has stated that Weyoun was his favorite role to play for Star Trek.
Across four seasons of Deep Space Nine, Combs appears as five different clones of the core being, "Weyoun." In one memorable episode, "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River," Weyoun Six attempts to defect to the Federation. Tragically, he ultimately sacrifices himself to save constable Odo (René Auberjonois). Across all of Deep Space Nine, Weyoun is at times sinister and comedic, but through the life and death of Weyoun Six, Combs's acting talent really shines. No one could come out of that performance and doubt that Weyoun is Jeffrey Combs' greatest Star Trek role.
Jeffrey Combs Returned In Star Trek: Lower Decks
As AGIMUS
Luckily, Jeffrey Combs's place in Star Trek history did not end with Enterprise and Deep Space Nine. As recently as 2023, Combs appeared in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks. On Lower Decks, Combs played the malevolent sentient AI, AGIMUS. Because Lower Decks is animated, Jeffrey Combs's face was even more obscured than it was under 90s prosthetics. Nevertheless, Jeffrey Combs's unmistakable vocal talents shine through on Lower Decks.
Unlike the morally complex Weyoun, and the downright heroic Commander Shran, AGIMUS has enslaved an entire planet and had plans to conquer the Federation. It is clear that Combs is having fun with his return to Star Trek. With any luck, there will be more appearances of Jeffrey Combs in the future, but for now, Weyoun from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine remains Jeffrey Combs's best Star Trek character.
