Playing the character Tiron in Deep Space Nine, Jeffrey Combs faced a unique challenge with his makeup for the role. Tiron, recognized as a rather unsavory character who attempted to violate a woman’s privacy, became part of a major on-screen ploy between Kira and Quark that climaxed in a humorous yet revealing switcheroo in one of Quark’s holosuite programs.
Adorning makeup that covered his nose and lacking vents for breathing, Combs had to be careful not to inhale too sharply to prevent the gill-like makeup from collapsing. This makeup was the craft of Dean Gates, a seasoned makeup artist on the DS9 set. Combs reflected on the experience:
“Tiron had a weird nose, and I had problems breathing out of it. I had gills, and every time I’d breathe in through my nose, the nose would suck in. So I really had to make sure, technically, that I didn’t blow the makeup by breathing!”
While Tiron’s species is not explicitly defined on-screen, he is listed as Serilian on StarTrek.com, with his only appearance as the species being in the episode “Meridian.”
Jeffrey Combs’ encounters with extensive makeup didn’t end with Tiron. He spent significant time being transformed by Gates for other memorable characters such as Brunt and Weyoun. His versatility was further highlighted in “Star Trek: Voyager,” and extensive makeup was utilized once again for his portrayal of Shran, which included animated antennae.
FAQs
- What role did Jeffrey Combs play that involved difficult makeup?
- Jeffrey Combs played the character Tiron in Deep Space Nine, which involved wearing makeup that covered his nose and had gill-like features, posing a challenge for breathing.
- What was the issue with Tiron’s makeup?
- The makeup extended over his nose without breathing holes, causing it to collapse inward when Combs inhaled through his nose.
- Who applied Jeffrey Combs’ makeup for Tiron?
- Dean Gates, a veteran DS9 makeup artist, was responsible for applying Combs’ makeup for Tiron.
- Did Jeffrey Combs play other characters with extensive makeup in Star Trek?
- Yes, Jeffrey Combs played several other characters such as Brunt and Weyoun, requiring substantial makeup, as well as an alien MMA fight commissioner in “Star Trek: Voyager,” and Shran, which involved full-head blue face makeup and mechanically animated antennae.
Conclusion
The art of character transformation through makeup is a pivotal aspect of science fiction storytelling, and actors like Jeffrey Combs have endured the uncomfortable and meticulous process to bring memorable characters to life. Despite the challenges associated with wearing complex prosthetics and makeup, these dedicated performers contribute significantly to the rich tapestry of the Star Trek universe, leaving an indelible impact on its fans and legacy.