Armin Shimerman
Armin Shimerman (born November 5, 1949) is an American character actor. He is best known for his roles as Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Principal Snyder on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Andrew Ryan in the video game BioShock.
Shimerman was born in Lakewood, New Jersey, the son of Austrian-Jewish immigrants. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied theater. After graduating from UCLA, Shimerman began his acting career in the early 1970s, appearing in small roles in films and television shows.
In 1993, Shimerman was cast as Quark in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Quark was a Ferengi, a race of aliens who were known for their love of profit. Shimerman played the role for seven seasons, and he became one of the most popular characters in the Star Trek franchise.
After Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ended in 1999, Shimerman continued his acting career. He has appeared in films such as The Usual Suspects (1995), L.A. Confidential (1997), and Ocean's Eleven (2001). He has also guest-starred on numerous television shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and The West Wing.
In 2007, Shimerman voiced the character of Andrew Ryan in the video game BioShock. Ryan was a powerful businessman who had created a utopian city under the sea. However, the city is eventually taken over by a group of rebels, and Ryan is forced to flee. Shimerman's performance as Ryan was praised by critics, and he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Performance in a Video Game.
Shimerman has been married twice. He has two children from his first marriage.
Here are some additional facts about Armin Shimerman:
- He is a vegetarian.
- He is a political progressive.
- He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
- He has won numerous awards for his acting, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Saturn Award.
- He is a popular guest at science fiction conventions.