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{{realworld}}
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{{real world}}
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{{Sidebar actor|
[[File:Stone_(Commodore).jpg|thumb|... as Commodore Stone]]
 
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|name = Percy Rodriguez
'''Percy Rodriguez''' {{born|13|June|1918|died|6|September|2007}} was the Canadian actor of {{w|Afro-Portuguese|Afro-Portuguese}} descent who played [[Commodore]] [[Stone (Commodore)|Stone]] in [[Star Trek: The Original Series|''Star Trek: The Original Series'']]' first season episode {{e|Court Martial}}. As such, he was the first black actor to play a [[flag officer]] on ''Star Trek''. Several years after his appearance on ''Star Trek'', Rodriguez worked on another [[Gene Roddenberry]] project, the failed TV pilot ''Genesis II''. Among his co-stars on this project were fellow ''Trek'' veterans [[Majel Barrett]], [[Ted Cassidy]], and [[Mariette Hartley]].
 
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|image = Stone_(Commodore).jpg
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|caption = ... as Commodore Stone
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|birth name = Percy Rodrigues
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|gender = Male
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|birthday = {{d|13|June|1918}}
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|birthplace = Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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|deathday = {{d|6|September|2007}}
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|deathplace = Indio, California, USA
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|roles = [[:Category:TOS performers|Featured Actor]]
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|characters = [[Portmaster]] {{dis|Stone|Commodore}}
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}}
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'''Percy Rodriguez''' {{born|13|June|1918|died|6|September|2007}} was the Canadian actor of {{w|Afro-Portuguese|Afro-Portuguese}} descent who played [[Commodore]] {{dis|Stone|Commodore}} in the {{s|TOS}} [[TOS Season 1|first season]] episode {{e|Court Martial}}. As such, he was the first black actor to play a [[flag officer]] on ''Star Trek''.
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He filmed his scenes on Monday {{d|3|October|1966}}, and between Wednesday {{d|5|October|1966}} and Monday {{d|10|October|1966}} at [[Desilu Stage 9]] and [[Desilu Stage 10|Stage 10]].
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Several years after his appearance on ''Star Trek'', Rodriguez worked on another [[Gene Roddenberry]] project, the failed TV pilot ''Genesis II''. Among his co-stars on this project were fellow ''Trek'' veterans [[Majel Barrett]], [[Ted Cassidy]], and [[Mariette Hartley]].
   
 
Rodriguez is known for lending his rich, authoritative voice to the narration of a number of film trailers, most notably for the 1975 summer blockbuster ''Jaws''. He is also recognized for breaking the stereotype barriers faced by black actors during the 1960s and 70s by portraying characters of authority like Commodore Stone. He played the regular role of Dr. Harry Miles on the TV drama ''Peyton Place'' during that show's final season (1968-69); when he was initially cast on that series, a headline in the ''Los Angeles Times'' read "A Doctor's Role for Negro Actor," signifying the rarity of having black actors portray those types of roles at the time. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971998.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=%22Star+Trek%22]
 
Rodriguez is known for lending his rich, authoritative voice to the narration of a number of film trailers, most notably for the 1975 summer blockbuster ''Jaws''. He is also recognized for breaking the stereotype barriers faced by black actors during the 1960s and 70s by portraying characters of authority like Commodore Stone. He played the regular role of Dr. Harry Miles on the TV drama ''Peyton Place'' during that show's final season (1968-69); when he was initially cast on that series, a headline in the ''Los Angeles Times'' read "A Doctor's Role for Negro Actor," signifying the rarity of having black actors portray those types of roles at the time. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971998.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=%22Star+Trek%22]
   
In 1972, he starred with fellow TOS actor [[Phillip Pine]] in an episode of the Sixth Sense titled "Whisper of Evil". In 1979, he was part of the cast of the acclaimed mini-series ''Roots: The Next Generations'', along with fellow ''Trek'' actors [[Brock Peters]], [[Paul Winfield]], and [[Bernie Casey]]. In 1980, he played the recurring role of Winston on the short-lived ''Sanford and Son'' spin-off ''Sanford''. His other television roles include several appearances on ''{{w|Mission: Impossible}}'', which, like the original ''Star Trek'', was originally produced by [[Desilu]] Studios. [[Leonard Nimoy]] was a regular on ''Mission: Impossible'' when Rodriguez made his last appearance on the show in 1970. Rodriquez also appeared in an episode of ''Marcus Welby, M.D.'' with [[James Doohan]], at least one episode of ''T.J. Hooker'' with [[William Shatner]], and at least five episodes of ''Benson'', starring [[DS9]]'s [[Rene Auberjonois]] and [[VOY]]'s [[Ethan Phillips]].
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In 1972, he starred with fellow TOS actor [[Phillip Pine]] in an episode of {{wt|The Sixth Sense (TV series)|The Sixth Sense}} titled "Whisper of Evil". In 1979, he was part of the cast of the acclaimed mini-series ''Roots: The Next Generations'', along with fellow ''Trek'' actors [[Brock Peters]], [[Paul Winfield]], and [[Bernie Casey]]. In 1980, he played the recurring role of Winston on the short-lived ''Sanford and Son'' spin-off ''Sanford''. His other television roles include several appearances on {{wt|Mission: Impossible}}, which, like the original ''Star Trek'', was originally produced by [[Desilu]] Studios. [[Leonard Nimoy]] was a regular on ''Mission: Impossible'' when Rodriguez made his last appearance on the show in 1970. Rodriquez also appeared in an episode of ''Marcus Welby, M.D.'' with [[James Doohan]], at least one episode of ''T.J. Hooker'' with [[William Shatner]], and at least five episodes of ''Benson'', starring [[DS9]]'s [[Rene Auberjonois]] and [[VOY]]'s [[Ethan Phillips]].
   
In addition to his television work, Rodriguez co-starred in the acclaimed 1968 film ''The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter''. His other feature film credits include ''Come Back, Charleston Blue'' (1972), ''Rhinoceros'' (1974), and ''Invisible Strangler'' (1976, co-starring [[Robert Foxworth]], [[Marianna Hill]], and [[Leslie Parrish]]). His voice can be heard in such films as ''Galaxina'' (1980, starring [[Stephen Macht]]) and ''Heavy Metal'' (1981) and also as narrator of Wes Craven's ''Deadly Blessing'' (1981, featuring [[Michael Berryman]] and [[Lawrence Montaigne]]).
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In addition to his television work, Rodriguez co-starred in the acclaimed 1968 film ''The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter''. His other feature film credits include ''Come Back, Charleston Blue'' (1972), ''Rhinoceros'' (1974), and ''Invisible Strangler'' (1976, co-starring [[Robert Foxworth]], [[Marianna Hill]], and [[Leslie Parrish]]). His voice can be heard in such films as ''Galaxina'' (1980, starring [[Stephen Macht]]) and ''Heavy Metal'' (1981, co-starring [[John Vernon]] and [[Warren Munson]]) and also as narrator of Wes Craven's ''Deadly Blessing'' (1981, featuring [[Michael Berryman]] and [[Lawrence Montaigne]]).
   
Rodriguez's retired from acting soon afterwards, with his last known screen work was the 1987 ''Perry Mason'' telefilm ''The Case of the Sinister Spirit'', co-starring [[Dwight Schultz]], [[David Ogden Stiers]], and [[Leigh Taylor-Young]]. Recently, he came out of retirement to record the narration for the trailer of the upcoming documentary ''The Shark Is Still Workin'', which examines the cultural impact of the film ''Jaws''. Some two months later, on 6 September 2007, Rodriguez [[Star Trek deaths#September|died]] due to kidney issues at the age of 89. [http://www.sharkisstillworking.com/default.asp?c=percy]
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Rodriguez retired from acting soon afterwards, with his last known screen work being the 1987 ''Perry Mason'' telefilm ''The Case of the Sinister Spirit'', co-starring [[Dwight Schultz]], [[David Ogden Stiers]], and [[Leigh Taylor-Young]]. Recently, he came out of retirement to record the narration for the trailer of the upcoming documentary ''The Shark Is Still Workin'', which examines the cultural impact of the film ''Jaws''. Some two months later, on 6 September 2007, Rodriguez [[Star Trek deaths#September|died]] due to kidney issues at the age of 89. [http://www.sharkisstillworking.com/default.asp?c=percy]
   
==Other ''Trek'' connections==
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== Other ''Trek'' connections ==
 
Additional projects in which Rodriguez worked with other ''Star Trek'' alumni include:
 
Additional projects in which Rodriguez worked with other ''Star Trek'' alumni include:
 
*''The Fugitive'' episode "Passage to Helena" (1967) with [[Garry Walberg]]
 
*''The Fugitive'' episode "Passage to Helena" (1967) with [[Garry Walberg]]
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*''The Atlanta Child Murders'' (1985 mini-series) with [[Gary Graham]], [[Andrew Robinson]], and [[Noble Willingham]]; directed by [[John Erman]]
 
*''The Atlanta Child Murders'' (1985 mini-series) with [[Gary Graham]], [[Andrew Robinson]], and [[Noble Willingham]]; directed by [[John Erman]]
   
==External links==
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== External links ==
 
* {{Wikipedia}}
 
* {{Wikipedia}}
* {{IMDb-link|page=nm0735471}}
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* {{imdb|name/nm0735471||external}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT|Rodriguez, Percy}}
   
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[[de:Percy Rodriguez]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodriguez, Percy}}
 
 
[[es:Percy Rodriguez]]
 
[[es:Percy Rodriguez]]
 
[[Category:Performers]]
 
[[Category:Performers]]

Revision as of 16:50, 3 December 2019

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Percy Rodriguez (13 June 19186 September 2007; age 89) was the Canadian actor of Afro-Portuguese descent who played Commodore Stone in the Star Trek: The Original Series first season episode "Court Martial". As such, he was the first black actor to play a flag officer on Star Trek.

He filmed his scenes on Monday 3 October 1966, and between Wednesday 5 October 1966 and Monday 10 October 1966 at Desilu Stage 9 and Stage 10.

Several years after his appearance on Star Trek, Rodriguez worked on another Gene Roddenberry project, the failed TV pilot Genesis II. Among his co-stars on this project were fellow Trek veterans Majel Barrett, Ted Cassidy, and Mariette Hartley.

Rodriguez is known for lending his rich, authoritative voice to the narration of a number of film trailers, most notably for the 1975 summer blockbuster Jaws. He is also recognized for breaking the stereotype barriers faced by black actors during the 1960s and 70s by portraying characters of authority like Commodore Stone. He played the regular role of Dr. Harry Miles on the TV drama Peyton Place during that show's final season (1968-69); when he was initially cast on that series, a headline in the Los Angeles Times read "A Doctor's Role for Negro Actor," signifying the rarity of having black actors portray those types of roles at the time. [1]

In 1972, he starred with fellow TOS actor Phillip Pine in an episode of The Sixth Sense titled "Whisper of Evil". In 1979, he was part of the cast of the acclaimed mini-series Roots: The Next Generations, along with fellow Trek actors Brock Peters, Paul Winfield, and Bernie Casey. In 1980, he played the recurring role of Winston on the short-lived Sanford and Son spin-off Sanford. His other television roles include several appearances on Mission: Impossible, which, like the original Star Trek, was originally produced by Desilu Studios. Leonard Nimoy was a regular on Mission: Impossible when Rodriguez made his last appearance on the show in 1970. Rodriquez also appeared in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. with James Doohan, at least one episode of T.J. Hooker with William Shatner, and at least five episodes of Benson, starring DS9's Rene Auberjonois and VOY's Ethan Phillips.

In addition to his television work, Rodriguez co-starred in the acclaimed 1968 film The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. His other feature film credits include Come Back, Charleston Blue (1972), Rhinoceros (1974), and Invisible Strangler (1976, co-starring Robert Foxworth, Marianna Hill, and Leslie Parrish). His voice can be heard in such films as Galaxina (1980, starring Stephen Macht) and Heavy Metal (1981, co-starring John Vernon and Warren Munson) and also as narrator of Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing (1981, featuring Michael Berryman and Lawrence Montaigne).

Rodriguez retired from acting soon afterwards, with his last known screen work being the 1987 Perry Mason telefilm The Case of the Sinister Spirit, co-starring Dwight Schultz, David Ogden Stiers, and Leigh Taylor-Young. Recently, he came out of retirement to record the narration for the trailer of the upcoming documentary The Shark Is Still Workin, which examines the cultural impact of the film Jaws. Some two months later, on 6 September 2007, Rodriguez died due to kidney issues at the age of 89. [2]

Other Trek connections

Additional projects in which Rodriguez worked with other Star Trek alumni include:

External links