Armin Shimerman: From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine To The Nox

Stargate SG-1 welcomed some terrific guest stars over its 10-year run, including several familiar faces from the Star Trek universe. The very first of those came early in the show’s freshman year, when “Quark” actor Armin Shimerman appeared in the episode “The Nox.” That episode, along with the ancient, forest-dwelling species that he helped to introduce, would become a fan favorite.

Shimerman played Anteaus, the leader of the Nox family that rescues SG-1 after a fatal encounter with Apophis (Peter Williams) in the forest of the Nox’s world. “Dial the Gate” was thrilled to sit down with the actor for a long overdue conversation about his character, the Nox, and how important the species went on to become for Stargate’s mythology — as one of the ancient alliance of four great races.

The part of Anteaus fortunately did not require the heavy prosthetic makeup that he had been used to on Star Trek — but the Nox’s distinctive headdress did cause some issues during filming.

“Because we did that episode in the woods, where rained a great deal, that straw headdress began to wilt as the days went by!” he revealed. “… They were constantly fluffing it up because it was wilting in the rain. But I didn’t have to wear any prosthetics on my face, for which I was enormously grateful.”

Check out this short clip from the longer conversation:

In this rich and insightful conversation Shimerman also tells the story of how he got the part (without auditioning), and ended up working alongside one of his closest friends — fellow actor Ray Xifo, who played the elder Nox Ohper.

“I had a wonderful time shooting the episode,” he said. “… [Ray] came out and was living with me, and had an audition for Stargate and got cast as that part. And after about two days … the casting director called me up [and said], ‘We’d like to offer you the part of Anteaus in Stargate.’ And I said, ‘Wait … is this the episode that Ray Xifo is in?'”

“She had no idea how I could possibly know that! … And I said, ‘I’ll take it!’ And she said, ‘Do you want to know about the part, or how much money, or what the billing is?’ And [I said], ‘No! Ray’s in it — I’ll take it!'”

Head over to “Dial the Gate” on YouTube to find the full interview with Armin Shimerman. While you’re there, subscribe to GateWorld’s YouTube channel for more Stargate content!