Robert O'Reilly (born 25 March 1950; age 74) is an actor best known for his portrayal of Gowron on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
As Kavok in Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Klingon Challenge
His first Star Trek appearance was in 1989 and his last was in 2003. He played Gowron for nine years. When he first auditioned for the role, he attempted to portray him as cold and calculating, but feeling this was not as successful, at his next audition, he flared his eyes aggressively (which Gowron has now come to be known for) and successfully obtained the role.
O'Reilly also portrayed Gowron in the video game Star Trek: Klingon. In addition, O'Reilly appeared as Kavok, the antagonist of the Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Klingon Challenge interactive board game, and he portrayed Gowron's ancestor Aakar in Star Trek Online's Star Trek: Discovery-based storylines beginning with the Season 20 update (Aakar's character model was also updated to resemble Gowron).
At DS9's wrap party, O'Reilly said DS9: "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang" was his favorite DS9 episode.
O'Reilly is a close friend of J.G. Hertzler. The two appeared in Douglas: The Christmas Movie, and often attend conventions dressed up as Gowron and Martok. [1](X)
Other acting work includes the science fiction film Moonbase (1998, with Antony Acker).
Star Trek appearances[]
Appearances as Gowron[]
- TNG:
- "Reunion"
- "Redemption"
- "Redemption II"
- "Rightful Heir"
- DS9:
- "The House of Quark"
- "The Way of the Warrior"
- "Broken Link"
- "Apocalypse Rising"
- "By Inferno's Light"
- "When It Rains..."
- "Tacking Into the Wind"
- "What You Leave Behind" (archive footage)
Star Trek interviews[]
- TNG Season 6 DVD special feature "Select Historical Data Year Six" ("Profile: Gowron"), interviewed on 2 July 2002