Changes: W. Morgan Sheppard

Revision as of 04:26, 28 January 2015

Template:Realworld

William Morgan Sheppard (born 24 August 1932; age 91), sometimes credited as W. Morgan Sheppard, is a British actor who played four characters throughout the Star Trek franchise. He most recently played the head minister of the Vulcan Science Council in 2009's Star Trek. [1] [2] He did not receive screen credit for his work on the latter. A picture of him was used for card #74, Vulcan Minister Orsak, of the 2013 virtual collectible card battle game Star Trek: Rivals.

While doing Additional Dialogue Recording for Star Trek, he told the film's director and producer J.J. Abrams – not realizing who he was speaking to – that the director was a "slave driver." He apologized after Abrams revealed himself to be the director. (Star Trek DVD commentary)

Outside of Star Trek, Sheppard is perhaps best known for his role as Blank Reg on the television series Max Headroom, which starred fellow Star Trek: The Next Generation guest actor Matt Frewer in the title role. He is also known for his portrayal of Confederate General Isaac Trimble in the films Gettysburg (for which he also provided, in his normal English accent, the opening narration describing the prelude to the battle) and Gods and Generals, both of which co-starred Billy Campbell, Joseph Fuqua, Kevin Conway, and Andrew Prine.

Personal life

Born in London, England, and educated in Ireland, Sheppard graduated from London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1958. He then spent twelve years as Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is the father of fellow Star Trek: Voyager guest actor Mark A. Sheppard, born in 1964.

Career

1960s–1980s

In 1965, Sheppard began appearing in the original, Tony Award-winning Broadway production of The Persecution and Assassination of Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade, which ran for 145 performances from December 1965 through April 1966. [3] Sheppard also appeared in the 1967 British film adaptation of the play.

In 1974, Sheppard appeared with future Star Trek: The Next Generation co-star Patrick Stewart in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Antony and Cleopatra. The production was video-taped and aired on US television in January 1975. Sheppard and Stewart worked together again on the films The Doctor and the Devils (1985) and Lady Jane (1986) before reuniting for the TNG episode "The Schizoid Man".

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he appeared on numerous British (and later American) television programs, mini-series and movies. Some of his credits during this time include "The Professionals", The Duellists (1977, starring Keith Carradine), Hawk the Slayer (1980), The Sea Wolves (1980), The Elephant Man (1980), The Keep (1983), Max Headroom - 20 minutes into the future (1984, co-starring Matt Frewer), Lassiter (1984, co-starring Ed Lauter), Cry Freedom (1987, featuring Nick Tate), and Lucky Stiff (1988, co-starring Larry Cedar, Jeff Kober, Leigh J. McCloskey, and Bill Quinn). He also starred in the 1988 cult favorite, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

1990s–present

In the early 1990s, Sheppard had supporting roles in films such as David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990), the 1992 comedy There Goes the Neighborhood (with DS9 guest stars Ron Taylor, Jonathan Banks, Harris Yulin, and Lee Arenberg), and the 1993 Stephen King horror film Needful Things (also featuring Star Trek VI co-star Robert Easton). His more recent film credits include the acclaimed 2006 period thriller The Prestige (which also featured Daniel Davis) and the 2007 blockbuster Transformers (written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci). In the latter film, Sheppard portrayed Captain Archibald Witwicky, the explorer who stumbled upon Megatron and grandfather of the film's central character, Sam Witwicky working with franchise leads Robert Foxworth, Glenn Morshower and Frank Welker as well as Andy Milder, Michael Shamus Wiles and Jamison Yang.

In addition to his Star Trek appearances, Sheppard portrayed two roles on the sci-fi series Babylon 5 and was a runner-up for the role of Ambassador G'Kar on the show, though the role eventually went to Andreas Katsulas. In addition, he had a recurring role as the holographic AI program known as "The Professor" on the series seaQuest DSV, alongside Richard Herd. Additionally, Sheppard was one of several Star Trek actors who voiced characters on the animated series Gargoyles. He voiced several characters on this show, including the father of Jonathan Frakes's character, David Xanatos.

Sheppard has also guest-starred on such popular TV shows as MacGyver, Murder, She Wrote, and Frasier (starring Kelsey Grammer). He also appeared in the final episode of Quantum Leap, the hit science-fiction series which starred Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell. This episode featured Bruce McGill (who had been in the series premiere in a different role), Richard Herd, Stephen McHattie, Susan Diol, and Dan Butler, as well.

Recent TV credits have included guest spots on Charmed (with Richard Lynch), Gilmore Girls (with Gregg Henry), and Criminal Minds (with Jennifer Hetrick). In addition, he appeared in an episode of Alias, the popular spy series created by J.J. Abrams, the director and producer of 2009's Star Trek. In 2009, Sheppard played war criminal Marcin Jerek also known as Mr. Pain on NCIS in "Broken Bird". Jerek was seen as a rival of Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. In scenes depicting Jerek's past, Sheppard's son Mark was hired to play his father's character as a younger man.

Sheppard also had a supporting role as Bishop Francois Malveaux in the 1996 computer game Zork Nemesis along with Deep Space Nine guest star Stephen Macht.

In 2011, Sheppard appeared in Doctor Who, alongside his son who played a younger version of the same character. This places W. Morgan Sheppard and Mark Sheppard among the small number of actors who have appeared in both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises.

Star Trek appearances

External links

W. Morgan Sheppard at Wikipedia
Template:IMDb-link
Template:NowCasting

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Sidebar actor|
 | Name              = W. Morgan Sheppard
-| Image             = Ira Graves.jpg
+| image             = Ira Graves.jpg
-| ImageCap          = ...as Ira Graves
+| imagecap          = ...as Ira Graves
 | Birth name        = William Morgan Sheppard
 | Gender            = Male
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 | Date of death     =
 | Place of death    =
-| Awards for Trek   =
-| Roles             =
 | Characters        = [[Ira Graves]]; Klingon Commandant; [[Qatai]]; Vulcan science minister
-| Image2            =
-| Caption           =
-| Image3            =
-| Caption2          =
 }}
-'''William Morgan Sheppard''' {{born|24|August|1932}}, sometimes credited as '''W. Morgan Sheppard''', is a British actor who played four characters throughout the ''[[Star Trek]]'' franchise. He most recently played the [[Unnamed Vulcans (23rd century)#Vulcan Head Minister|head minister]] of the [[Vulcan Science Council]] in {{y|2009}}'s {{film|11}}. [http://www.denofgeek.com/television/17066/max_out_william_morgan_sheppard_interview.html] [http://trekmovie.com/2009/04/12/trekmoviecom-review-of-jj-abrams-star-trek/] He did not receive screen credit for his work on the latter.
+'''William Morgan Sheppard''' {{born|24|August|1932}}, sometimes credited as '''W. Morgan Sheppard''', is a British actor who played four characters throughout the ''[[Star Trek]]'' franchise. He most recently played the [[Unnamed Vulcans (23rd century)#Vulcan Head Minister|head minister]] of the [[Vulcan Science Council]] in {{y|2009}}'s {{film|11}}. [http://www.denofgeek.com/television/17066/max_out_william_morgan_sheppard_interview.html] [http://trekmovie.com/2009/04/12/trekmoviecom-review-of-jj-abrams-star-trek/] He did not receive screen credit for his work on the latter. A picture of him was used for card #74, Vulcan Minister Orsak, of the {{y|2013}} [[Games|virtual collectible card battle game]] ''[[Star Trek: Rivals]]''.
 While doing Additional Dialogue Recording for ''Star Trek'', he told the film's director and producer [[J.J. Abrams]] &ndash; not realizing who he was speaking to &ndash; that the director was a "slave driver." He apologized after Abrams revealed himself to be the director. ([[Star Trek (Special Edition)|''Star Trek'' DVD]] commentary)
-Outside of ''Star Trek'', Sheppard is perhaps best known for his role as Blank Reg on the television series ''Max Headroom'', which starred fellow ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' guest actor [[Matt Frewer]] in the title role. He is also known for his portrayal of Confederate General {{w|Isaac Trimble}} in the films ''Gettysburg'' and ''Gods and Generals'', both of which co-starred [[Billy Campbell]], [[Joseph Fuqua]], [[Kevin Conway]], and [[Andrew Prine]].
+Outside of ''Star Trek'', Sheppard is perhaps best known for his role as Blank Reg on the television series ''Max Headroom'', which starred fellow ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' guest actor [[Matt Frewer]] in the title role. He is also known for his portrayal of Confederate General {{w|Isaac Trimble}} in the films ''Gettysburg'' (for which he also provided, in his normal English accent, the opening narration describing the prelude to the battle) and ''Gods and Generals'', both of which co-starred [[Billy Campbell]], [[Joseph Fuqua]], [[Kevin Conway]], and [[Andrew Prine]].
 == Personal life ==
-Born in London, England, and educated in Ireland, Sheppard graduated from London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1958. He then spent twelve years as Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is the father of ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' guest actor [[Mark A. Sheppard]], born in {{y|1964}}.
+Born in London, England, and educated in Ireland, Sheppard graduated from London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1958. He then spent twelve years as Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is the father of fellow ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' guest actor [[Mark A. Sheppard]], born in {{y|1964}}.
 == Career ==
@@ Line 33: / Line 27: @@
 In 1974, Sheppard appeared with future ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' co-star [[Patrick Stewart]] in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of ''Antony and Cleopatra''. The production was video-taped and aired on US television in January 1975. Sheppard and Stewart worked together again on the films ''The Doctor and the Devils'' (1985) and ''Lady Jane'' (1986) before reuniting for the TNG episode {{e|The Schizoid Man}}.
-Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he appeared on numerous British (and later American) television programs, mini-series and movies. Some of his film credits during this time include ''The Duellists'' (1977, starring [[Keith Carradine]]), ''Hawk the Slayer'' (1980), ''The Sea Wolves'' (1980), ''The Elephant Man'' (1980), ''The Keep'' (1983), ''Lassiter'' (1984, co-starring [[Ed Lauter]]), ''Cry Freedom'' (1987, featuring [[Nick Tate]]), and ''Lucky Stiff'' (1988, co-starring [[Larry Cedar]], [[Jeff Kober]], [[Leigh J. McCloskey]], and [[Bill Quinn]]). He also starred in the 1988 cult favorite, ''Elvira, Mistress of the Dark''.
+Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he appeared on numerous British (and later American) television programs, mini-series and movies. Some of his credits during this time include '''"The Professionals",''' ''The Duellists'' (1977, starring [[Keith Carradine]]), ''Hawk the Slayer'' (1980), ''The Sea Wolves'' (1980), ''The Elephant Man'' (1980), ''The Keep'' (1983), ''Max Headroom - 20 minutes into the future'' (1984, co-starring [[Matt Frewer]]), ''Lassiter'' (1984, co-starring [[Ed Lauter]]), ''Cry Freedom'' (1987, featuring [[Nick Tate]]), and ''Lucky Stiff'' (1988, co-starring [[Larry Cedar]], [[Jeff Kober]], [[Leigh J. McCloskey]], and [[Bill Quinn]]). He also starred in the 1988 cult favorite, ''Elvira, Mistress of the Dark''.
 === 1990s&ndash;present ===
-In the early 1990s, Sheppard had supporting roles in films such as {{w|David Lynch}}'s ''Wild at Heart'' (1990), the 1992 comedy ''There Goes the Neighborhood'' (with [[DS9]] guest stars [[Ron Taylor]], [[Jonathan Banks]], [[Harris Yulin]], and [[Lee Arenberg]]), and the 1993 {{w|Stephen King}} horror film ''Needful Things'' (also featuring ''Star Trek VI'' co-star [[Robert Easton]]). His more recent film credits include the acclaimed 2006 period thriller ''The Prestige'' (which also featured [[Daniel Davis]]) and the 2007 blockbuster ''Transformers'' (written by [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]]). In the latter film, Sheppard portrayed Captain Archibald Witwicky, the explorer who stumbled upon Megatron and grandfather of the film's central character, Sam Witwicky.
+In the early 1990s, Sheppard had supporting roles in films such as {{w|David Lynch}}'s ''Wild at Heart'' (1990), the 1992 comedy ''There Goes the Neighborhood'' (with [[DS9]] guest stars [[Ron Taylor]], [[Jonathan Banks]], [[Harris Yulin]], and [[Lee Arenberg]]), and the 1993 {{w|Stephen King}} horror film ''Needful Things'' (also featuring ''Star Trek VI'' co-star [[Robert Easton]]). His more recent film credits include the acclaimed 2006 period thriller ''The Prestige'' (which also featured [[Daniel Davis]]) and the 2007 blockbuster ''Transformers'' (written by [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]]). In the latter film, Sheppard portrayed Captain Archibald Witwicky, the explorer who stumbled upon Megatron and grandfather of the film's central character, Sam Witwicky working with franchise leads [[Robert Foxworth]], [[Glenn Morshower]] and [[Frank Welker]] as well as [[Andy Milder]], [[Michael Shamus Wiles]] and [[Jamison Yang]].
-In addition to his ''Star Trek'' appearances, Sheppard portrayed two roles on the sci-fi series ''[[Babylon 5]]'' and was an extremely close runner-up for the role of Ambassador G'Kar on the show, though the role eventually went to [[Andreas Katsulas]]. In addition, he had a recurring role as the holographic AI program known as "The Professor" on the series ''seaQuest DSV'', alongside [[Richard Herd]]. Additionally, Sheppard was one of several ''Star Trek'' actors who voiced characters on the animated series ''Gargoyles''. He voiced several characters on this show, including the father of [[Jonathan Frakes]]'s character, David Xanatos.
+In addition to his ''Star Trek'' appearances, Sheppard portrayed two roles on the sci-fi series ''[[Babylon 5]]'' and was a runner-up for the role of Ambassador G'Kar on the show, though the role eventually went to [[Andreas Katsulas]]. In addition, he had a recurring role as the holographic AI program known as "The Professor" on the series ''seaQuest DSV'', alongside [[Richard Herd]]. Additionally, Sheppard was one of several ''Star Trek'' actors who voiced characters on the animated series ''Gargoyles''. He voiced several characters on this show, including the father of [[Jonathan Frakes]]'s character, David Xanatos.
-Sheppard has also guest-starred on such popular TV shows as ''MacGyver'', ''Murder, She Wrote'', and ''Frasier'' (starring [[Kelsey Grammer]]). He also appeared in the final episode of ''Quantum Leap'', the hit science-fiction series which starred [[Scott Bakula]] and [[Dean Stockwell]]. This episode featured [[Bruce McGill]], [[Richard Herd]], [[Stephen McHattie]], [[Susan Diol]], and [[Dan Butler]], as well.
+Sheppard has also guest-starred on such popular TV shows as ''MacGyver'', ''Murder, She Wrote'', and ''Frasier'' (starring [[Kelsey Grammer]]). He also appeared in the final episode of ''Quantum Leap'', the hit science-fiction series which starred [[Scott Bakula]] and [[Dean Stockwell]]. This episode featured [[Bruce McGill]] (who had been in the series premiere in a different role), [[Richard Herd]], [[Stephen McHattie]], [[Susan Diol]], and [[Dan Butler]], as well.
-Recent TV credits have included guest spots on ''Charmed'' (with [[Richard Lynch]]), ''Gilmore Girls'' (with [[Gregg Henry]]), and ''Criminal Minds'' (with [[Jennifer Hetrick]]). In addition, he appeared in an episode of ''Alias'', the popular spy series created by [[J.J. Abrams]], the director and producer of 2009's ''Star Trek''.
+Recent TV credits have included guest spots on ''Charmed'' (with [[Richard Lynch]]), ''Gilmore Girls'' (with [[Gregg Henry]]), and ''Criminal Minds'' (with [[Jennifer Hetrick]]). In addition, he appeared in an episode of ''Alias'', the popular spy series created by [[J.J. Abrams]], the director and producer of 2009's ''Star Trek''. In 2009, Sheppard played war criminal Marcin Jerek also known as Mr. Pain on ''NCIS'' in "Broken Bird". Jerek was seen as a rival of Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. In scenes depicting Jerek's past, Sheppard's son Mark was hired to play his father's character as a younger man.
+Sheppard also had a supporting role as Bishop Francois Malveaux in the 1996 computer game Zork Nemesis along with ''Deep Space Nine'' guest star [[Stephen Macht]].
-==''Star Trek'' appearances==
+In 2011, Sheppard appeared in ''[[Doctor Who]]'', alongside his son who played a younger version of the same character. This places W. Morgan Sheppard and Mark Sheppard among the [[Doctor Who#Actors who have appeared in both franchises|small number of actors]] who have appeared in both the ''Star Trek'' and ''Doctor Who'' franchises.
+== ''Star Trek'' appearances ==
 <gallery>
-File:Ira Graves.jpg|[[Ira Graves]]<br />{{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}
+File:Ira Graves.jpg|[[Ira Graves]]<br>{{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}
-File:Klingon commandant, William Morgan Sheppard.jpg|[[Rura Penthe inhabitants#Klingon commandant|Klingon Commandant]]<br />{{film|6}}
+File:Klingon commandant, William Morgan Sheppard.jpg|[[Rura Penthe inhabitants#Klingon commandant|Klingon Commandant]]<br>{{film|6}}
-File:Qatai.jpg|[[Qatai]]<br />{{VOY|Bliss}}
+File:Qatai.jpg|[[Qatai]]<br>{{VOY|Bliss}}
-File:Vulcan science minister, alternate reality.jpg|[[Unnamed Vulcans (23rd century)#Vulcan Head Minister|Vulcan science minister]]<br />{{film|11}}<br />(uncredited)
+File:Vulcan science minister, alternate reality.jpg|[[Unnamed Vulcans (23rd century)#Vulcan Head Minister|Vulcan science minister]]<br>{{film|11}}<br>(uncredited)
 </gallery>
@@ Line 57: / Line 55: @@
 * {{NowCasting|wmorgansheppard}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheppard, W. Morgan}}
 [[de:W. Morgan Sheppard]]
 [[es:William Morgan Sheppard]]
-[[Category:Performers|Sheppard, William Morgan]]
+[[Category:Performers]]
-[[Category:TNG performers|Sheppard, William Morgan]]
+[[Category:TNG performers]]
-[[Category:Movies performers|Sheppard, William Morgan]]
+[[Category:Film performers]]
-[[Category:VOY performers|Sheppard, William Morgan]]
+[[Category:VOY performers]]