Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's dramatic personae is a deep well of powerful actors, from Avery Brooks, who played Captain Benjamin Sisko, to Nana Visitor, who embodied Major Kira Nerys, to the late Rene Auberjonois, who was Constable Odo. Recurring faces like Gul Dukat actor Marc Alaimo, Academy Award-winner Louise Fletcher as Kai Winn, and Andrew Robinson as Elim Garak were so impactful, they could anchor episodes by themselves. But Armin Shimerman has pinpointed an underrated DS9 mainstay who doesn't get the praise he deserves.
Armin Shimerman's Praise For Cirroc Lofton's Acting On Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Is Spot On
Shimerman Called Cirroc "The Very Best Actor On Our Show"
Appearing on Virtual Trek Con's The Main Viewer in support of Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer, Armin Shimerman shared "news" about Cirroc Lofton. Shimerman has been rewatching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Armin is a recurring guest on The Delta Flyers podcast reviewing DS9 episodes), and the Ferengi actor had high praise for Cirroc Lofton's talent as Jake Sisko, calling Cirroc "the very best actor on our show." Check out Armin's quote in the video at 44:42 and below:
“I’ve watched all the episodes of our show over again, and I have come to the realization that the very best actor on our show was Cirroc Lofton. That’s not hyperbole. You know, he was 14, 16, 18 when I was working with him, and I sort of didn’t pay as much attention to him than I should’ve when I was watching the shows. I am now agog at his acting work. It is extraordinary.
I have told him. I think he just kind of slept it off. But I’m watching these episodes, and the ones where he’s featured – extraordinary work. Ease. Patience. The very thing that Jonathan [Frakes] has learned over the years to do, he does it too now, but it took him a couple of years to learn. Cirroc had it off the top. Which is the ease, no pressure, no tension, no stress whatsoever. And he means what he says. Jonathan does that too.
He just says the words, and they’re real, and they’re coming from someplace deep. And he’s 16, he’s 17, he’s 18 years old. He’s extraordinary."
Cirroc Lofton's performance as Jake Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is underrated. Although he was a series regular, Lofton only appeared in 71 of DS9's 173 episodes. Because Jake wasn't part of Starfleet, he often had supporting roles relating to his father, Captain Sisko. Jake's best friend Nog (Aron Eisenberg) was easier to integrate into DS9's Dominion War storyline after he joined Starfleet. Still, Armin Shimerman's keen eye sees in Cirroc's acting what has been there all along.
Cirroc Lofton Delivers Some Great Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Moments
Jake Sisko's Dramatic & Comedic Moments Are DS9 Highlights
While Cirroc Lofton's work as Jake Sisko was easy to overlook, especially when Jake was just a boy, Armin Shimerman is right that Lofton always brought an "ease" and honesty to his performances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Jake was likable and believable, and he had standout moments in both comedic and dramatic moments on DS9. As Lofton got older, and Jake began his own path as a writer and reporter, the young Sisko especially shone, like when Jake was trapped on the Deep Space Nine space station when it was under Dominion rule.
Cirroc Lofton was versatile as well; he portrayed a doomed young hustler living in 1950s New York City in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine classic, "Far Beyond the Stars," and Cirroc was appropriately menacing when Jake was possessed by an evil Pah-Wraith. Jake's scenes with Captain Sisko showcased a heartwarming verisimilitude thanks to the real-life father-son bond between Lofton and Avery Brooks. Cirroc and Aron Eisenberg were a comedic tour-de-force as Jake and Nog, but when the best friends were at odds, they may have been even better. Rewatch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Armin Shimerman did, and marvel at just how great Cirroc Lofton is as Jake Sisko.
