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Joining the esteemed ranks of the “Star Trek” universe wasn’t always a straightforward decision for its actors. Robert Picardo, known for portraying The Doctor on “Star Trek: Voyager,” initially had his reservations about the role. As someone not fully versed in the “Star Trek” lore, the concept of playing a holographic doctor puzzled him. He recalled the confusion during his auditions:
“My agent sent me the script, and I remember that the character description was ‘a computer program of a doctor, colorless, humorless.’ I was puzzled about what that entailed and then learned he was a hologram. My familiarity was more with the original ‘Star Trek,’ not so much ‘The Next Generation.’ The mechanics of how a hologram would interact in a physical world were beyond me. I wondered, ‘How does he pick up a hypo? How do you grab something when you have no material density?’”
It was only through the encouragement of Megan Gallagher, his “China Beach” co-star who had her own experience with a “Star Trek” series, that Picardo considered auditioning for a different role—Neelix. Gallagher’s understanding of the “Star Trek” audition process, having appeared in a “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” episode, proved influential. Though Gallagher did guest star on “Voyager,” it was not as Neelix but in the episode “Body and Soul.”
In retrospect, Picardo expressed relief at not being cast as Neelix because of the heavy make-up demands of the role that Ethan Phillips patiently endured. Neelix, being a Talaxian, required significant prosthetic work, which Picardo was rather averse to.
FAQs About Robert Picardo’s Audition for Star Trek: Voyager
- What role did Robert Picardo originally audition for on “Star Trek: Voyager”?
- Picardo originally auditioned for the role of Neelix on “Star Trek: Voyager” but was eventually cast as The Doctor.
- Did Robert Picardo have extensive knowledge of “Star Trek” before auditioning?
- No, Picardo wasn’t very familiar with “Star Trek,” especially “The Next Generation,” prior to his audition, which led to some confusion about playing a holographic character.
- What concerns did Picardo have about playing a holographic doctor?
- Picardo was concerned about how a hologram could physically interact with objects, such as medical instruments, because of his lack of knowledge about holotechnology within the “Star Trek” universe.
- Who convinced Picardo to audition for “Star Trek: Voyager”?
- Picardo was persuaded to audition by his friend Megan Gallagher, who had previously appeared on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
Conclusion
The casting journey of Robert Picardo onto “Star Trek: Voyager” is a testament to the serendipitous path many actors embark upon in their careers. Picardo’s initial hesitation, coupled with his lack of “Star Trek” knowledge, nearly led him to bypass the opportunity to play The Doctor—a role that he ultimately made his own and is now beloved for. His portrayal of the holographic medic proved to be a perfect fit, blending Picardo’s versatility as an actor with the innovative concept of a character who defies the traditional constraints of physicality in the storied “Star Trek” universe.