Mark Lenard & Trek Fandom
- Thread starter Steve67
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Lenard had a devoted and rather organized following (mostly female, natch) within Trek fandom. He kept in pretty close communication with at least some of them; a friend of mine was part of a group that attended the premiere of Star Trek V with him.
So...NOT like the autograph scene in "Galaxy Quest..." 
Very nice autographed picture! Thanks.
Very nice autographed picture! Thanks.
My impression at Dixie Trek in the '80s in Atlanta was that he was a gracious and informative guest who gave an interesting presentation. It's true that he wasn't ingratiating or fawning, but I'd say "dignified" rather than "icy." A classy man. He was polite and - I'd even venture - friendly at his autograph signing afterward:
I apologize for the use of the word "icy." I guess that I was just completely taken in by the man's brilliant characterization.
BTW, I love that charming, affectionate gesture he makes with Amanda after he and Spock tease her about her emotionalism in "Journey to Babel." It served as a great punchline or wink for that final scene in the sickbay. I read that Lenard came up with that himself, therefore adding something to the Vulan culture.
Mark Lenard was a heck of an actor and his intelligence always came across on screen.
Wow, I stand corrected... from all of the information I had seen previously about Star Trek conventions, I hadn't noticed Lenard on the roster. Clearly, I must have overlooked it.
Anyway, I'm so very sorry to hear that he died of multiple myeloma. What a horrible suffering he went through... and a chilling forecast, from his last appearance on TNG.
I had no idea he was a regular on the Planet of the Apes series. But now that I think about it, I have vague memories of voices where one of them sounded like him. Certainly I remember him doing the SAAB commercial voiceovers. "SAAB, the most intelligent car ever built."
He has been and always be the quintessential representation of a Vulcan...
Anyway, I'm so very sorry to hear that he died of multiple myeloma. What a horrible suffering he went through... and a chilling forecast, from his last appearance on TNG.
I had no idea he was a regular on the Planet of the Apes series. But now that I think about it, I have vague memories of voices where one of them sounded like him. Certainly I remember him doing the SAAB commercial voiceovers. "SAAB, the most intelligent car ever built."
He has been and always be the quintessential representation of a Vulcan...
Did anybody else see the animated Star Trek episode he was on ("Yesteryear")? It was nice to see him reprising the role of Sarek in animated form. I figure his willingness to do that showed how much he enjoyed playing the character. Here's the proof: http://www.treksinscifi.com/trekdaily/pictures/2008-03-08-Yesteryear.jpg
I think he and the actor who played Cyrano Jones in "The Trouble with Tribbles" were the only ones to play the same character in "Star Trek" and the animated adventures.
Also, in case all of you Mark Lenard fans and action figure collectors didn't know, an Art Asylum/Diamond Select action figure of him as the Romulan Commander from "Balance of Terror" is due this summer (circa August). Here's a picture: http://74.52.193.82/events/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=124779&g2_serialNumber=1
I think he and the actor who played Cyrano Jones in "The Trouble with Tribbles" were the only ones to play the same character in "Star Trek" and the animated adventures.
Also, in case all of you Mark Lenard fans and action figure collectors didn't know, an Art Asylum/Diamond Select action figure of him as the Romulan Commander from "Balance of Terror" is due this summer (circa August). Here's a picture: http://74.52.193.82/events/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=124779&g2_serialNumber=1
He did a convention in San Antonio prior to the release of ST:V when George Takei had to pull out. He was rather personable and had many stories to tell about ST, Planet of the Apes, and his other genre work. One that stands out in my head was after shooting his appearance as Sarek on TOS, he ran into the lady who played Amanda, and freaked her out by walking up to her (out of make up) and saying, "I'm your husband."
Richard Arnold told a story of a convention with Mark Lenard. A nervous young ST fan attempted to ask a question, and stumbled over it, and the audience was sniggering a bit. Mark Lenard was showing great patience and suddenly realized that the young guy was deaf, and he began speaking to him in sign language. Lenard's brother was/is deaf, and the young guy had a long conversation with Lenard while he was on stage, and everyone was smiling and wiping away tears.
Bjo Trimble has some great Mark Lenard anecdotes in her book "On the Good Ship Enterprise", from the set of "Here Come the Brides", IIRC.
Bjo Trimble has some great Mark Lenard anecdotes in her book "On the Good Ship Enterprise", from the set of "Here Come the Brides", IIRC.
I met Lenard at a convention in Seattle (!) back in the 1980s; he talked a lot about his role as the Klingon captain in STTMP, and brought parts of the costume, including the boots.
For me, it was great because I got an autograph and had a chance to talk to him -- he was very gracious and erudite. I also helped his driver bring his belongings to his car, so I got a little extra time to chat.
For me, it was great because I got an autograph and had a chance to talk to him -- he was very gracious and erudite. I also helped his driver bring his belongings to his car, so I got a little extra time to chat.
Ah! I love this photo. I remember it appearing in the ST fan club magazine around the time TSfS was released. What a wildly imaginative costume. Thanks for posting it.
Doug
Mark Lenard played the most important alien characters in Star Trek history! Sarek, the romulan commander and the klingon captain from TMP! I have not read all this thread and I am sure this has already been talked about! For me Mark Lenard was one of the most gracious trek VIPS I ever met! He was so good with and to the fans and I miss him very much!
I was lucky enough to see Mark Lenard 20 years ago at a Richmond, VA con. Since I was last in the autograph line we got to chat a little more than usual. He was charming, respectful, and very intelligent.
Actually, IIRC, the "spiky shoulders" were actually part of an alien plant in Kirk's foyer, not Sarek's robe.
Wow, I hadn't heard about that - what a great looking sculpt! Can't wait to get this figure.
