John de Lancie talks about Q and his time on Star Trek

[@loughkb]

John has a great sense of humor. I saw him speak once, and he had a short interaction with a young boy in the audience during Q&A. The boy asked him, "Do you ever talk to The Borg?" John paused, gave the kid a very Q stare and with a wry grin said, "Yes, and they always ask about you."

[@Royelsworth]

John Delance played Eugene on days of our lives

[@loughkb]

@@Royelsworth Oh, was he a funny character as well?

[@junerussell6972]

@@loughkb Yes. He was the "straight man" for his "partner" Calliope. They made a great pair!

[@dmp04]

@@Royelsworth I loved Eugene and Calliope.

[@Royelsworth]

@@junerussell6972 they were legands on the show

[@ppipowerclass]

For being 74, he looks FANTASTIC!

[@yvonnesanders4308]

😮

[@SupremacySinema]

SEVENTY FOUR!?!?!?! Christ I need his workout regimen.

[@SantaPorter]

Q doesn't age😂

[@GackFinder]

Compared to 72 year oId Mark HamiII who Iooks Iike an oId catcher's mitt.

[@Marchant2]

I can't imagine anyone else playing the role of Q as flawlessly as Mr. de Lancie.

[@Rekaert]

One of the fun aspects of Star Trek for me was that initially, I groaned when Q turned up, yet by the middle to end of TNG I looked forward to it. Brilliant mercurial character, played fantastically by De Lancie.

[@sealboy1211]

Him giving data laughter for a moment will always be an extremely wholesome memory for me. Very interesting character, fantastic actor.

[@SputnikDeb]

Any time Data attempted to laugh was fun to watch. But Q giving him the ability to let it all hang out was absolutely hilarious, a favorite moment in TNG viewing!

[@SantaPorter]

One of my favourite moments in TNG

[@lopa-u9f]

love it

[@davehambach]

I met him at LAX one morning while waiting on a plane. He began talking to me about missing the early morning flight. At first I thought, "why is this guy telling me this?" Then I realized who it was! He was extremely polite and down-to-earth. It was a very cool experience that I love to recall.

[@sarkedev]

That must have been when he was cast out of the Q Continuum and mortal.

[@starcrafter13terran]

I had a vastly different experience with him.

[@waltkowalski9040]

@@sarkedev That was when he took a job as an air traffic controller in Breaking Bad.

[@Bethos1247-Arne]

your are capping, right?

[@JeffTiberend]

Though I never liked the character Q, I loved John de Lancie’s acting.

[@karmicselling4252]

John de Lancie absolutely nailed "Q". It's impossible to imagine any other actor playing that role. He made it his own for all of time and space. Gene Roddenberry was a genius.

[@AzureIV]

Tim Curry would be a good Q.

[@raffriff42]

@@AzureIV Fun to imagine different Q's. How about Geoffrey 'Uncola Nut' Holder?

[@michelelindseth8250]

Karmic, a genius, yes!

[@Huell0]

I wouldn't go that far, I like Jonh de Lancie as much as the next trekkie, but his character is almost entirely the same as the one from the TOS episode they mentioned, the squire of Gothos. Trelane is just as mercurial, granted not as menacing as Q.

[@koczaioandaniel4014]

@@AzureIV Tom Cruise as Iron Man? Ben Affleck as Wolverine? You know what i talking about.

[@rfdave3980]

Thank you to the host for not interrupting John as he told the story. So many times other host interrupt the guest. So frustrating.

[@percypercerton2125]

The irony that Q became possible because of humans manipulating time(international date line), is just way too good.

[@ericmills9839]

He’s misremembering on some level, when you come back from Japan at best you arrive around the time you left. Still a good story!

[@ericmills9839]

@@liamloxley1222 He says he left Sunday afternoon, you're not getting back Saturday night from that flight is my point. If he did a show on Sunday in Tokyo, he didn't take a 6 AM flight to LA. Same time arrival is going to NYC, so you got me there. Congrats on the snark.

[@danielmabella]

Q was at its Best with Kathrin Janeway

[@brlyjo]

Patently perceptive prince Percy Percerton!

[@jimdigitalvideo]

I once took off on a plane at Sydney 11am on a Friday and arrived in San Francisco 6am that same Friday. Time travel is cool.

[@lordcarnivorous4751]

Met Mr. de Lancie when I was a waiter. One of the nicest people I've ever met.

[@jackfox5738]

I met him when he was a hooker. He was very expensive

[@jeffreyolin626]

When I was a kid, I went to a Trek convention in Maryland. John de Lancie and his wife walked around the convention. It was so cool and respectful to the people who treat him as a god (playing a god).. At the same convention, de Lancie did a panel with William Campbell, who played Trelane. de Lancie started the thing and later called Campbell to the stage from where he was sitting amongst the audience.. I was lucky - I unknowingly sat next to Campbell, but quickly recognized him. We had a great chat. He was so kind.

[@Elnont]

John De lancie gave Star Trek some of its best acting.

[@paulleckner8235]

He was a foil for Picard.

[@quietside3734]

John brings so much colour and personality to Q. In just one scene he can play the fool, the prankster, and then suddenly say a single line that cuts right to the heart of things, bringing the cold hard cruelty of truth into the light. A bitter-sweet character,

[@rich1051414]

When entitlement and arrogance can be backed up with omnipotence. I think gene did a great job explaining the assignment to someone who had no idea about any of the star trek universe.

[@patfrompeoria7976]

John de Lancie has an amazing voice.

[@CVSoprano]

I could sit and listen to him read the phone book.

[@BillGreenAZ]

It was really good to hear his voice again. It's been decades since I've heard him interviewed. The thing that impressed me about this interview is that his voice seems to be a bit more expressive with more vocal range. It's a delight to listen to.

[@danm6695]

Always loved when Q showed up. John really made that character work in all of the Star Trek series.

[@grumpus5248]

John de Lancie's Q was the perfect spice for TNG. I always got a laugh from the scene when Q gets his powers back. C'mon, a mariachi band on the bridge as he doles out favors? Pure comedy. But to end it with a laughing Data? Priceless.

[@nowthatsjustducky]

Worf! Eaten any good books lately?

[@1603shadow]

Brent Spiner did that scene perfectly, the unexpected laughter bubbling up and exploding out of him, kinda stole the scene.

[@deborahlanphear8863]

"What do I have to do to convince you people?" "DIE!"

[@carlaeskelsen]

One of the finest scenes in all trekdom.

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

Best Q scene is when he was arguing with Dr. Crusher and he turned her into a dog and she never realized it. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lithgowlights859]

My daughter was about 6 months old when John did a signing in Australia, and my wife lined up with our daughter asleep in her arms. We were told that there was no questions, just shuffle down and get the autograph and move on, and as she got to John he looked up at our daughter, Juanita, grinned and said "I'm not going to sign that" and continued with the signing. We did take pics though, so thanks for a very memorable one and only time we met :)

[@starcrafter13terran]

Sarchasm: The act of not knowing when someone is demeaning your intelligence.

[@The_Kiosk]

What an upstanding person. That thing about not dropping his existing commitment and asking Leonard how he would feel about it being done to him. That says everything about John DeLancie.

[@Zoroasterisk]

There's a documentary on Star Trek called "Chaos on the bridge" that goes into Leonard Mazlish's character (or lack thereof) a bit more. The consensus I drew was that he seemed to be a pretty disagreeable sort, the type of person that escalated conflicts by nature

[@existentity3476]

That kind of wisdom is amazing from someone at any age, let alone from someone who was roughly 38 years old when he had that conversation. It almost sounds normal coming from a 73-year-old. But to know he nearly passed up the opportunity and got Hollywood to schedule around him because he honors his commitments is inspiring.

[@SummerlinRealtor]

My favorite Trek character! I love Q’s sarcasm and one liners especially when he goes after Worf! Bravo John!!!

[@theshitheads3178]

Eat any good books lately?

[@SummerlinRealtor]

@@theshitheads3178 love that one! Growl for me micro brain, show me you still care!

[@captainpoppleton]

@@theshitheads3178 Growl for me , let me know you still care.

[@p3falien233]

This is one of the heroes that made me a fan instanly. The sarcasm of Q is only so good because of John's performance.... bless him.

[@jeffstewart454]

He does it so well. There are always roles where I have trouble omagining anyone else in the role. I really do not think anything else could have done this role. The voice. The way he carries off the arrogance and condescension. An still having those qualities while still having an air of affability much of the time. Just amazing.

[@jimmyyu2184]

"Let me catch up", I wouldn't expect less from Q and his higher than thou attitude. Great line.

[@EdmundKempersDartboard]

It is suddenly clearer why Encounter At Farpoint drags the way it does. It was extended due to network meddling. A blessing in disguise as it gave us the franchise's greatest recurring character.*

[@EdmundKempersDartboard]

*Aside from Morn of course.

[@Dream0Asylum]

Oh it was extended due to executive meddling, alright. That executive, however, was Gene Roddenberry himself. Gene wanted a writing/written by credit on the TNG pilot because he felt his influence waning on the TOS film sets. So, according to WGA, Gene had to be solely responsible for at least 50% of the writing to share credit with DC Fontana. So, he took her very coherent, concise script and bloated it with his meandering, unfocused "contributions." He got his credit, and ruined his friendship with Fontana.

[@photonsnphonons9349]

@@EdmundKempersDartboard idk I think Morn talks way too much and ruins scenes

[@EdmundKempersDartboard]

@@photonsnphonons9349 He does tend to chew the scenery. Everything has to be about him.

[@EdmundKempersDartboard]

@@Dream0Asylum oh, i'm aware of his meddling. Not some fanboy that deifies the man.

[@fdwyersd]

I could listen to John De Lancie talk for hours....

[@fessit]

Tapestries was life changing for me.

[@josephmassaro]

Strangely enough, De Lancie narrated a number of audio books with Q as the main nemesis (and even co-wrote one). In one of those books, Trelaine is not only a Q, but Q is Trelaine's godfather. It's good story and an even better listen. The book is called Q Squared for anyone interested.

[@lotsalube]

Yes, it was a Q vs spock.(on cassette, too.Somehow their minds got swapped on the 2nd tape, if i remember correctly.

[@donato_donato]

@@lotsalube such a story would have deserved a visual episode. I have always thought that if Q were to appear in the original series he would probably have chosen to "annoy" Spock over Kirk. Challenging Spock's ability to keep his two natures into balance would have been a fine hobby for Q

[@EvanCops]

DUDE I LOVE THAT BOOK i lost my copy but im so happy its an audiobook :D

[@RobKMusic]

I’m going to have to go into my Star Trek library and pull this one out to reread. I’ve got the hard cover. 😉

[@DavidJones-ct7fw]

One of my favorite Star Trek books.

[@BixbyConsequence]

John's insight that became "The Continuum", was a master-stroke.

[@Tahoi5678]

John is talking but all I hear is Q

[@thesum3312]

It's his personality that fit the role, because in his younger days, he was just like that

[@supersaiyankaine6469]

Hes portraying a human doing an interview. When no one's looking he's going to snap his fingers and vanish back to the continuum.

[@briandoyle3507]

He has that distinctive voice.

[@robgilmour3147]

i only hear allerark from his starcraft 2 voice over

[@seannorton]

Sometimes from Hand that Rocks the Cradle. The movie with Rebecca Damoray.​@@robgilmour3147

[@robertmac7833]

I’m an actor in community theatre. so I can easily appreciate what I’m about to say. What John brought to “Q” with his mere voice and vocal inflections was STELLAR!! He was the magic that this character was. No one could possibly have nailed it as he did.

[@sliceserve234]

Was waiting for this comment, his vocal inflections were masterful in his interpretation of Q.

[@robertmac7833]

@@sliceserve234 Exactly! As I said, being a thespian myself, these things jump out to me. It’s a certain, unique, difficult to describe, impossible to duplicate element in acting that is so elusive. But it’s pure gold. When it’s present, it makes the character that one is portraying impossible to duplicate by any other actor. John had it, and he nailed it. No one could ever be Archie Bunker after Carroll O’Connor. No one could ever be Herman Munster after Fred Gwynn. No one could truly ever be Superman (in my opinion) after Christopher Reeve. No one could ever be George Bailey after Jimmy Stewart. No one could ever be Matt Dillon after James Arness. No one could ever be Jeanie after Barbara Eden. No one could ever be Spock after Leonard Nimoy. No one could ever be Jedd Clampett after Buddy Ebson. No one could ever be the cowardly lion after Bert Lahr. And the list goes on.

[@sliceserve234]

@@robertmac7833 if only you could cite a few examples to illustrate your point. ;) Also I thought Rickman's voice inflections in his interpretation of Snape were incredibly good. Marlon Brando comes to mind. Nicholson in The Shining. Indeed the list goes on!

[@bumblebeedancer8511]

Love Q and his mariachi band! Best Q episode ever!

[@TurpInTexas]

John de Lancie created a peerless Q character, no one will ever fill those shoes as he did. I enjoyed the many episodes he played in, particularly the ones when he broached some of the deep philosophical questions of human mortality, and it really caught me off guard when HE said that final goodbye to Captain Picard. I was absolutely in tears like we all lost a close dear friend. I felt that episode was among the best, if not the best in the whole Star Trek universe.

[@CrackedCandy]

Good think ST:P isn't cannon

[@shelliecarlson7015]

"It was always about you".

[@OptimusGPrime]

@@CrackedCandy Of course not. It's a television show, not a heavy piece of artillery...

[@Tao_Tology]

@@CrackedCandy #ToxicGatekeeping And......you're wrong. It was made by the current rights holders of the franchise. It's Star Trek, no matter how much you cry about it.

[@myaccount__7269]

@@Tao_Tology no it's not. It's 25% canon. It's true and related to paying rights $. So no it's not canon

[@country_roadsWV]

He should have been given many awards for his character portrayal of Q. One of the most entertaining and comedic characters of all time. One couldn't help but to love and hate Q and laugh at humans with him - because the portrayal and his acting and vocal interpretation was impeccable. Q was a genius creation and Star Trek series and movies has a way to make esch viewer think of what it means to be human. Love it!

[@cryptog5543]

John de Lancie did some audio books for the Star Trek novels. This guy is so amazing and his voice characterization for the characters is spot on. Such a great actor and influence of the Star Trek franchise.

[@yvonnesanders4308]

Great voice

[@JohnGoetzGaming]

Which books?

[@michaelwiggins3663]

The way they explained and covered the aging for Q was perfect.

[@SantaPorter]

The filter😂

[@ClamBurger66]

It was obvious they were gonna do that

[@aionarkhe5260]

TNG/DS9/Voyager was truly the golden age of Star Trek. All of these actors are eloquent, many Shakespearean in their explanations and even acting history. They seem like genuinely GOOD people. Today's studios with their perfectly calculated formulas for maximizing profit and leveraging their viewers tendencies will probably never bother with such cast assemblage again.

[@jamescpalmer]

Its the difference between a project being run by a single will like Roddenberrys and what happens once the marketers take over and the CEO steps down.

[@markfox1545]

Sanctimonious bollocks.

[@sliceserve234]

I don't think DS9 and Voyager ever reached the heights of TNG. TNG still stands up, DS9 and Voyager do not (IMHO).

[@krymz1]

​@@sliceserve234 what do you mean by the heights? I grew up watching more of voyager than TNG and DS9, mostly because DS9 bored me as a young teenager only starting to get good with english, and TNG wasn't playing as much anymore, plus I wasn't watching much tv anyway and it was only on the english channels (in québec, canada), and I'd only catch them once in a while, random episodes to other random episodes. I think it's the big overarching plot of voyager that makes me like it more than the other series, being in "foreign country" and trying to get back home. everything is "always new" in a sense, and they are alone. the cast was good and endearing even if they were not the most well written characters at times. But I guess it's in the eye of the beholder.

[@aionarkhe5260]

TNG is a pretty high bar to be fair, it's unrealistic to expect anyone to top it so quickly so I can give them a pass. I liked DS9 and Voyager a lot, especially DS9. I didn't like Sisko at first because his decisions seems questionable, but he grew on me and I actually really like his character. He delivers his lines in that same Shakespearean manner and even when he has to make tough calls he seems thoughtful about it and probably wishes things could have gone better. I agree that it wasn't as good as TNG. The Dominion War angle left me scratching my head a lot at inconsistencies. Starfleet always had a stance of non-aggression so they shelved a consider amount of tech that would have make them far more potent in war. So... when they decided war was necessary, where were all the phasing cloaks and badass technology they absolutely could have used to wipe the floor with the Dominion? I feel like the Dominion War was kind of a shark jumping moment for the franchise.

[@roysnider3456]

If you recall (I’m actually old enough to have watched the Tralaine episode the end of the episode was Tralaine arguing and pleading with voices as if he were child talking to his parents IE other Q’s, older Q’s.

[@andrewtaylor940]

I don’t know if it was an intentional reference or not. But somewhere we find out the Q is the youngest of the continuum.

[@roysnider3456]

@@andrewtaylor940 are you saying that Trilane was not a Q?

[@andrewtaylor940]

@@roysnider3456 No just that he and Q share a similar character dynamic of being “the child” of their omnipotent species. Although it is very easy to mentally map out that Trelaine is simply a younger Q if you prefer that for your head cannon.

[@arthouston7361]

@tradde11 Yes….that was very much like the second episode, called Charlie X.

[@kathyeberly]

John De Lancie is a great actor. Years ago I saw him at a SciFi convention. He was very nice. It was fun and I am glad I met him!

[@larrylee9455]

John Delancie came to a convention years ago in Indiana and actually rode in my car to a grocery store. Very friendly and personable. That's NOT the norm for many actors. Most keep to themselves

[@dandeliondown7920]

He always seems to have a smile on his face. 🙂 Charming interview. 🖖

[@pamelamays4186]

A John de Lancie role that should not be forgotten. The quirky clairvoyant Eugene Bradford on the soap opera Days Of Our Lives.

[@atticstattic]

That role led to the 'payback' that leonard maizlish was referring to.

[@ScottyKirk1]

10 year old me says YAY! 🎉 🎊 🎂 Eugene was my middle name so I always felt a kinship with that character on the soap!

[@bobina05]

That's when I fell in love with him. He and Calliope were so adorable.

[@yrboogiemn]

I was thinking of Eugene Belfort from Hackers for some reason lol

[@ScottyKirk1]

@@bobina05 Deidra Hall was/is the bombdigity!

[@maximan4363]

I love John de Lancie - his voice, his movements, his attitude!!! This an is hilarious story!!!!! I have John as my ships voice in Star Citizen and he never gets old!!! I honestly thank you sooooo much!! My Man you are awesome!!!!

[@chuyocaca4153]

John is a great actor! Period!!!!!!!!!!!! can't picture anyone else with that great timing and humor portraying "Q" much of the episodes where he is featured i find most entertaining. thank you ! Mr. de Lancie

[@paulsmith-ll9vg]

john de lancie one of the best actors ever, and any episode of star trek that he`s in will soon be one of our favourite episodes, and watching him in next generation back in the day really made an episode not just a good episode, but a great episode and one not to be missed.

[@mirthenary]

Always were my sister and I's favorite eps, for some reason our mom doesn't like him

[@qjo]

@@mirthenary Maybe she's not your real mom. Could be an El-Aurian.

[@BixbyConsequence]

@@mirthenary Does your mom have a moldy clay pot in her closet?

[@Daehawk]

Met John at a Trek convention in Chattanooga TN around 1992 or so. I still cant find it ever happened. But I was on the news because of my jacket lol. He is as funny and gracious in person as can be. My wife nudged me into jokingly asking him if he would ever return to Days of Our Lives soap opera. Funnily enough he was up on current events in the show and said if so he's coming back as Roman!...because there were like 3 or 4 different actors playing Roman coming and going at the time. Tickled my wife. I have my autographed photo still. Thanks for the memory Mr J. :)

[@leokimvideo]

Q can be a difficult character to swallow in Star TrekNG / Voyager / Picard and whatever. What grows on you is the way John sticks to the menacing way Q operates. His weapon is his voice, spoken words. That's the beauty of this evil villain. John De Lance to me has a unique sounding voice thats interesting to listen to. Liberace also had an unusual interesting voice. It pays to sound different.

[@Francois424]

John was awesome in Stargate SG1 too. Awesome actor.

[@ValRoyD]

Hah! I was talking to someone about Liberace just two days ago. Crazy!

[@ElectroDFW]

I don't see Q as evil at all. I'd say he falls under Chaotic Neutral. Pointing out humanity's foibles, failings, and limitations is not evil. Showing humanity what awaits them out there in the cosmos, earning them they they're not ready, is not evil. He's impish, mercurial, a prankster and trickster, but not evil.

[@leokimvideo]

@@ElectroDFW Q sends the Enterprise in the path of a Borg cube in "Q Who," and a number of crew members die. So he's responsible for those deaths! In the first encounter with The Borg via Q the Saucer Section is cut into and there are crew killed. Do you want me to list any more deaths linked to this impish prankster?

[@craigusselman546]

Ive always been fascinated by Q despite all the holes of what he could be its kind of a poorly written character. But John gives it wonder and menace its amazing what a unique actor can do.

[@gwenking7700]

Really like John DeLancie. He seems to take particular interest when meeting his fans. Instead of me asking him questions he asked me questions

[@GlennHa]

Fabulous actor. He made Q an icon. Also, he had a role in the fan fiction Star Trek Continues episode "What Ships Are For" that was very well done.

[@markrich7171]

I loved it when Q turned up on DS9 and meets O'Brian. O'Brian goes to Sisko and said "We've got a problem Sir. I just saw Q on the promenade" Sisko "Q here?" Kera "what's Q?" Sisko " A powerful and unpredictable entity. I was at a star fleet briefing on him two of years ago". O'Brian "Blasted Menace is what he is" Kira "What does he want with us?" Sisko " What ever it is you can be sure won't like it" Classic!

[@CptJistuce]

"You hit me! Picard never hit me!"

[@stevenrichardbarnett]

@@CptJistuce "I'm not Picard."

[@SantaPorter]

Loved Sisko just laying him out 😂

[@juancarlosvaldes4538]

Q is one of the best characters that was brought in for TNG! Excellent performance and always a favorite to watch!

[@Matteo_the_Plague_Doctor]

I also love how John went on to play Discord in My Little Pony as well, which was very much the same character. Q was always one of my favorites of TNG and Gene was wise to not over do it with Q. When. He showed up it was a nice little treat, and I always enjoyed those episodes.

[@Lily-wp8ol]

I absolutely loved this guy on Days of Our Lives! Very good actor.

[@ScottyKirk1]

Eugene was my hero! 😉 👌

[@genericuser2339]

Why does listening to John make me smile? Love it.

[@clarkd1955]

I loved the character of Q. What a fabulous actor!

[@rosepalmer73]

I would love to see the rest of the interview. A did end up being a major part of Star Trek. He was alway look forward to showing up in the show and his parts were play / acted brilliantly.

[@geebrewer8186]

I loved the episodes with Q, loved the character.

[@silk7306]

John De Lancie is a fantastic actor. There is no one else that I could even imagine playing Q. I also very much enjoyed the way that the Q story line was wrapped up, it was very fitting for the character's story arc.

[@luckyblank]

I was never a huge fan of Q the character. But I've grown to love John de Lancie in the last few years. His kindness, his own backstory, and now with Picard s2 his tender reaction to his character's passing. He's just quite the mensch.

[@ScottyKirk1]

He was pretty hilarious on Voyager showing up while Janeway was in the bubble bath! Haha 😂 classic stuff!

[@Tao_Tology]

I wouldn't say "passing" (as in the character ending). More like moving on.

[@zimriel]

I would argue that The Prophets in DS9 > Q in TNG. (Q shows up in DS9 too but in only one, stupid, episode; in the mostly-stupid first season.) From a story-perspective, near-omniscient beings crowd out the narrative. The Prophets work, by contrast: because they are vulnerable to attack, aren't omniscient so much as exist at slight angles to our own spacetime, and aren't trying to *annoy* that show's protagonists.

[@bigal1863]

Deja Q is one of my very favorite TNG episodes.

[@kevinpresley3136]

Love John DeLancie since his"Emergency days.Wonderful actor who is very underrated.

[@stevengoodman3498]

One of me and my daughters favorite actors in the series and Star Trek Universe. We watched all the episodes together. I can't imagine anyone else taking his place. Thank you John!😊

[@rcslyman8929]

"International Date Line!" "How does that work?" Like your first use of Q powers, sir.

[@wendyh2708]

I absolutely loved the character "Q". I wish he had been in more episodes.

[@mtnbkr8480]

I liked the younger Q, when he was a serial killer named Eugene on days of our lives. He escaped by inventing a time machine and transporting into the future. 🙃

[@mobeck]

I met John at a convention and he was EXTREMELY cool

[@charlessedlacek5754]

De lancie is, I think, a fine actor...I wish he was in more movies and television.

[@wisconsinhugs]

I remember seeing John as a little kid on my mom's soap opera. And then he reappears on my radar as a college student when I was loving STTNG. He made Q great!!! Glad the show began and ended with his character. Loved his story in Voyager and Pucard as well!!!

[@nicholasdickens2801]

How he was never in a Star Trek movie is a total crime.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

There should have been a film ABOUT Q!

[@potato9832]

Nah. That'd be too interesting. let's make another Star Trek with a recycled Fern Gully script;

[@lopa-u9f]

eh, all of the movies after Generations suck, sooo /shrug not surprising

[@waltkowalski9040]

No we still have to have more movies with Klingons, Romulans, and Khan!!!

[@fearisthemind-killer]

@@lopa-u9f This is the first time I've heard someone say First Contact sucked. To each their own, I guess.

[@markhugo6642]

This was an AMAZINGLY FUN interview to watch.

[@vibesmom]

In middle school I used to race home to watch Days of our Lives just in the hopes of seeing John. He always made me laugh. Q though is one of my favorite characters.

[@Lola_Santoro]

John is a legend because of Q. He was perfect for this kind of character. I was so excited to see him on TNG, because he played another classic character - Eugene on Days of Our Lives. John is one of those actors where, if I see them on anything, I immediately have a big smile on my face. In fact, when I saw he was going to be on the 2nd season of Picard, I cried a little. Love this guy!

[@johncillis3431]

I remember him as Eugene of Days of Our Lives--when I was a senior in HS in '79 in my last semester I had a half day, morning schedule, so I would go home, my Mom would make me lunch, and I'd chat with her while I watched Days of Our Lives, The Doctors, and Another World. For a dude I got hooked, probably because they were escapist fare, but then Days of Our Lives got stuck on crazier and crazier story arks, like Roman Brady and John Black and Marlena's alien or demonic possession. Or the De Mera's playing Mob figures, and for an Italian I found that a stretch, since I was from Chicago and most mobsters there were not so odd or extreme, just moonshiners from the prohibition era gone legit.

[@Lola_Santoro]

@@johncillis3431 omg - that brings back so many memories. I wasn't in HS yet, but my mom watched Days. I loved that show.

[@drjones6567]

I absolutely love Q. I wish he had been in more of the shows and movies!

[@Prisoner_849]

John de Lancie is also on Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda as Uncle Sid. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry is the lead Executive Producer of Andromeda.

[@joeblow2426]

You can tell because of his thoughtfulness that John de Lancie is top shelf actor, another Shakespearean who do so well conveying the characters of Star Trek. Some of the original cast, like Shatner, were Shakespearean, too.

[@davidconnell1959]

Forty-five years ago, I accompanied lessons for oboists studying with his father. I never encountered a more tired, difficult, abusive teacher in my life than deLancie. I always believed that the actor based Q on his father. Totally creditable if you ever met the man.

[@bigal1863]

That is fascinating. Thanks for sharing it.

[@jrthiker9908]

Wow, I'm a professional musician and never realized he was John's father! Thanks for sharing. For the non-musicians, John de Lancie (the father and oboist) was one of the giants in the American classical music field, principal oboe of the Philly Orchestra and then ran the Curtis Institute. Very old school, tough as nails, I had many friends who crossed paths with him.

[@kennethgarland4712]

@@jrthiker9908 Apparently, he prompted Richard Strauss to write his oboe concerto. During WW2, he did his military service as a bandsman, and just after the end of the war in Europe he found himself based with the occupying forces very near Strauss' home and decided to pay him a visit. At the time, Strauss was not interested in the idea of an oboe concerto, but subsequently did write one (with a notoriously long opening tune that poses breathing problems for the oboist). There was some reason why de Lancie was not allowed to play the concerto, at least when it was first published.

[@annegolden3119]

That explains a few things.

[@Arundodonax]

Are there any interviews out there where John de Lancie Jr is asked about and talks about his father? I would love to hear his take on it.

[@luminyam6145]

John was brilliant in the role of Q. He is an amazing actor.🥰

[@badmutherfunster]

Fantastic actor, what more can you say

[@truthseeker6532]

Last part = Hilarious!!!!

[@trekker3468]

I met him briefly in Vegas during 2011 convention. A very nice and sincere individual.

[@kurtb8474]

The fact that Q was never in any Trek movie is a crime.

[@prof113]

De Lancie also did voice over work for documentaries and commercials back in the 70's. His voice struck me then and really stuck with me, so that when he came along in the late 80's as Q, I was all in from the first word.

[@Tommy_007]

John de Lancie is a great actor that should have been in many, many more great movies.

[@MrSpuzzz]

Yes, successful Star Trek appearances are a double edged sword. Definitely makes you a cult celebrity for life. But you kind of get type cast and seems to limit future non ST opportunities. Kirstie Alley escaped possibly because she was less recognizable in Vulcan ears.

[@Tommy_007]

@@MrSpuzzz That is true. Science fiction is probably not considered art be many. Just as many people have the delusional belief that literature is better thatn science and math .

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@Tommy_007 "the delusional belief that literature is better thatn science and math" What? (Despite the typo)

[@Tommy_007]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver The short version: Many people think that if you know literature, history, and art history, then you are an erudite person. (Please give me a better English adjective.) But if you know science and math, then they consider you a nerd or something similar. (Probably because they don't understand science or math.) A great quote: "It has become almost a cliche to remark that nobody boasts of ignorance of literature, but it is socially acceptable to boast ignorance of science and proudly claim incompetence in mathematics." Richard Dawkins

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@Tommy_007 If you mean blockheaded people, then yes, but the idea is that you know _all_of it. Science and math types may poo-poo art, you know. Are they correct?

[@evangoodrow]

These episodes were always the best!

[@ianoz1]

Met John DeLancie at an Australian convention in 1991 (less than a month before Roddenberry passed). A great raconteur and a very nice man to boot. In the venue, I was on the phone to a friend who couldn't make it. John was walking past and I beckoned him to the phone. Without hesitation he took the phone and said a drawn out "Hello". My friend, suspecting nothing, but realising it was no longer me on the phone asked, "who's this?". John replied, "This is Q" as only he could. A brilliant prank. I was told several years later by one of the organisers that John was reluctant to come to Brisbane as he'd had a family bereavement. Not knowing what to expect but assuming fans were the same the world over, he wasn't keen on being deluged as he had been in the States. Day 1, he's in the hotel elevator & some (obvious) attendees entered. They all pretty much ignored their travelling companion, which puzzled him. He leaned in and asked, "are you going to the convention?" They replied nonchalantly that yes, they were. A few seconds passed and it got the better of him. "Do you know who I am?". "Yes, we know who you are." Upon his return to the States, he told others of this encounter and said that Australian fans had "real class". And that praise/recommendation swayed quite a few subsequent convention guests to go to Australia. archive.org/details/star-trek-interviews-james-doohan-john-de-lancie

[@CavHDeu]

He is the perfect antagonist for Patrick. Love them performing together.

[@trhansen3244]

Iowa is very proud of deLancie.

[@kasbakgaming]

Leave it to Q to being able to make his appearance for the part by time traveling.

[@ftsstiffmiester4528]

the best character ever. so much fun and nobody could ever play him as good as mr de lancie did a legend

[@Kira-zy2ro]

Age certainly hasnt made him any less handsome or charming! I never could see him as anything else but Q. Even when he was in stargate:SG! as some government operative who got taken over by an alien parasite, i kept forgetting he was not going to burst into mischievous laughter and start warping reality.🤣

[@nobillismccaw7450]

Even as a pony, his character was still essentially Q.

[@piotrd.4850]

The moment he appeared as Becka's Uncle in Andromeda ... :D

[@RRW359]

He was also some godlike alien messing with people in 90's Outer Limits.

[@oliknow]

listening to John de Lancie is really easy and interesting. very calm yet interesting interview there, nice story told there.

[@moeball740]

Met John at Comic Con several years ago and he was very nice. Since it was July he was following the Tour de France so in between doing panels and signing autographs he kept asking for updates from the race!

[@christiandiemond9595]

Truly great actor and an iconic role never to be forgotten.

[@cryalot378]

I adore this man so much, too bad I will never be able to meet him in person. Live long and prosper Q! 🖖

[@High-Tech-Geek]

Why not? He's not dead. Just the character Q.

[@cryalot378]

@@High-Tech-Geek haha no, it's just that America is quite far and my financial situation is not that good... just overall I am very pessimistic xD

[@High-Tech-Geek]

@@cryalot378 I hear you. I'm a fellow pessimist. But if you want it, I bet you could make it happen. I'm sure de Lancie occasionally travels outside the US as well. Best of luck to you!

[@cryalot378]

@@High-Tech-Geek aw thank you so much!! Good luck to you too if you are "on the same boat" as me :D

[@tomjones2202]

So very interesting! He talks about Trelane and today I was watching STTOS and happened to watch the episode of Trelane! How fun!

[@frglee]

I think one key to his success here was that John De Lancie's acting skills easily balance out Patrick Stewart's. I wouldn't denigrate anyone else in the cast of ST-TNG; they were all pretty good (with special praise for Brent Spiner) and I suspect that having Patrick Stewart around was a master class in itself for the cast. However, John and Patrick seemed to be on another level and their exchanges together seemed very crisp and precisely timed.

[@tomasbengtsson5157]

Fantastic actor! One of my favourites.

[@chadwickerman]

I love this man. I literally grew up watching him. He's meant so much to me. Plus he was a voice in Starcraft II and I loved that game.

[@acarbonbasedlifeform70]

And in Planescape: Torment

[@michaellefevers4248]

Love this man! He IS Q.... everything about Q, the essence of Q. Amazing actor.

[@letty4558]

He is mesmerizing on screen. He made the first episode of Next Gen better.

[@animalyze7120]

Still one of my favorite Actors, He literally owns every role he's hired for.

[@francis400]

Remember de Lancie from his Days of our lives time.

[@crazyhorsejohnny1974]

That’s what the lawyer was watching at 1pm.

[@myopenmind527]

He made Q such a standout character in a way I don’t think anyone else could have done.

[@rbwok327]

Q was my favorite character. Probably because he could do anything. Wish I had his powers!

[@ost2life]

It wasn't so much that he could do anything for me. More that he could do anything and yet out of all time and space he kept wanting to hang about with humans. Picard called him next of kin to chaos yet in this chaos he always nudged humanity forward.

[@bgood8299]

@@ost2life Good point. Q was pretty much the embodiment of tough love.

[@caroldocherty6810]

I met John at a convention in Germany. I took my nephew who is a big fan. We were in the autograph queue and then it was my nephews turn and he walks up to John and says moin capitän. John looked so perplexed it was funny.