Love Jeffrey Combs In Star Trek: DS9? Thank Jonathan Frakes!

Star Trek: The Next Generation's Jonathan Frakes is to thank for fan-favorite actor Jeffrey Combs' appearances in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Since his debut appearance in DS9 season 3, episode 8, "Meridian", Jeffrey Combs went on to appear in thirty-one episodes as Liquidator Brunt, Weyoun, or both. Brunt and Weyoun, and their different iterations meant that Jeffrey Combs quickly became a recurring member of the Star Trek: DS9 cast.

Although probably best known for playing Herbert West in cult horror movie Re-Animator, Combs is synonymous with 1990s Star Trek. Since his debut in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, Jeffrey Combs played 10 Star Trek characters, becoming one of the franchise's best loved recurring guest actors. Combs even has the distinction of being one of very few actors to play two different characters in a single episode of Star Trek. Combs' impressive Star Trek resume begins with a decision made by Will Riker actor and director Jonathan Frakes in 1994.

Jonathan Frakes Gave Jeffrey Combs His Big Break On Star Trek: DS9

Tiron in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 3, Episode 8, "Meridian"

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 8, "Meridian" was directed by Jonathan Frakes, and so he was responsible for casting the guest roles. Frakes remembered Jeffrey Combs from when Star Trek: The Next Generation was auditioning actors to play Commander William T. Riker. Of course, Combs lost the part to Frakes, but the TNG star made it up to him by casting him in the breakthrough role of Tiron in "Meridian". A scuzzy alien who was obsessed with Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor), Tiron wasn't a particularly memorable character, but he gave Jeffrey Combs a chance to leave a lasting impression.

Jeffrey Combs had a number of scenes with Rene Auberjonois in "Meridian", which allowed the two actors to reconnect. While filming was taking place on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, episode 8, Auberjonois was casting episode 23, "Family Business". Rene Auberjonois suggested that Combs play the role of Liquidator Brunt, a suggestion that the producers allowed because, as the actor later told StarTrek.com, "no one will know" that it was the same actor. Eventually, Combs' performance of Brunt won him the role of Weyoun, something that would never have happened if Jonathan Frakes hadn't first reunited Jeffrey Combs and Rene Auberjonois.

Jeffrey Combs Could Have Been Riker In Star Trek: TNG - Would It Have Worked?

Jeffrey Combs and Jonathan Frakes first met at the auditions for the role of Commander William T. Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It's fascinating to ponder how different Star Trek would have been had Combs been cast as Riker instead of Frakes. As his two recurring characters in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine demonstrate, Combs excels at playing conceited villains. Jonathan Frakes' Commander Riker was always confident and charismatic, whereas Combs played characters who had an abundance of confidence, often to their detriment.

Jeffrey Combs is a terrific character actor, a veritable chameleon of a performer, but he couldn't play Will Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The role of Riker required a charismatic romantic lead, words that don't describe the roles that Jeffrey Combs is known for. Thankfully, Jonathan Frakes, Rene Auberjonois, and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine team saw Jeffrey Combs' potential, and finally gave him not one, but two roles that perfectly suited his considerable talents as an actor.