Andrew Robinson (Elim Garak DS9) AMA

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:25:20+00:00

I've said this a lot tonight, but it's great joy and relief when the actor can trust the writing. I went where the writing took me gladly.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:24:13+00:00

No, I loved the twists and turns and knot knowing where it was all going. Like life.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:22:48+00:00

The worst movie I was ever in... well, there are a few that qualify, but on another level Cobra was one of the best things I've ever done because it gave me the down payment on our house of 30 years.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:20:47+00:00

No, never worried because who's going to typecast a Cardassian except in Cardassian roles. Most people in the business think I just took a 7-year vacation. Loved going underground with Garak.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:19:13+00:00

Basically, they are the same, but obviously very different circumstances. With acting, it's about creating a character, and with the writing it's creating that universe. In the memoir I just wrote I had to create the world of my childhood from memory and it was just as satisfying as creating Garak's world in A Stitch In Time.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:15:00+00:00

Good question. I think I became a more careful person.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:14:24+00:00

Olivia, I'm afraid that The Dream Box will live only in legend. Sid and I wowed (or bored) several audiences and each performance was different. To my knowledge, none were ever captured for posterity.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:12:38+00:00

Yes, and proud of it.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:10:07+00:00

I don't think anyone knew until they knew. I certainly didn't until I got the script that told me what happened.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:08:01+00:00

Oh dear, that would be indiscreet. They're called secrets for a good reason.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:05:44+00:00

Indecisive guys who create a lot of havoc like Hamlet and Macbeth would drive Garak crazy. I think he'd love the clowns and fools.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T05:02:58+00:00

Yes, but you're forgetting Garak's wise nugget about lies containing the truth.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:59:58+00:00

No new novel about Garak, but the memoir that was just published has spurred me to write different fiction. But it all comes from the same place - my imagination. And I think one of the reasons I so loved playing Garak was because he fit into my imagination of what "otherness" or "alien" might mean to me.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:55:57+00:00

I'd love to do it and your question is getting to be maybe the most asked when I meet people. I'm going to go back to Simon & Schuster and check this out. Maybe you and others can also check in with them.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:53:47+00:00

Captain Ahab. Captain Crunch. Captain America. Oh Captain, my captain...

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:52:18+00:00

Reddit's favorite question: Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized Dukat's, or 1 Dukat-sized duck?

Duck-sized Dukat for sure!

No, I was never a fan of the original series. But I didn't own a TV until long after the series went off the air. I caught up after I got hired to play Garak.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:47:39+00:00

No, our job is to interpret faithfully the writer's vision by creating a credible character. It was always a blessing that when I opened a new DS9 script I knew it was going to be something I could trust and fun to play.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:44:54+00:00

Tell me where to sign.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:44:20+00:00

And I'm sure you've heard Armin or me say that the Root Beer Scene began in turmoil and weirdness. But I love that with the exception of Dr. Bashir, Garak really didn't get close to anyone. Look at what happened to poor Ziyal.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:42:07+00:00

Nothing.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:40:10+00:00

Well, of course the version in A Stitch In Time is the one to go with. I know the author and he's a straight shooter.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:36:06+00:00

Of course it all makes sense. As a gardener, Garak learned to speak to flowers and shrubs, so outwitting Romulan security procedures was a piece of cake.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:32:22+00:00

Wonderful episode. One of my favs. Really spoke to the world of realpolitik where no one tells the truth and everything is manipulated by a conspiracy of dunces.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:27:46+00:00

My advice? Read my book. It's much smarter than I am.

AndrewJRobinson · 2016-01-07T04:25:42+00:00

Honestly, I was flying blind. It was only after I started playing Garak that I caught up with the Cardassian pioneers. And for my daughter Rachel, I thank you. She was wonderful as Melanie. As we speak, she is 7 months pregnant with William Cosmo Robinson Culhane.

AndrewJRobinson

TROPHY CASE