Hertzler began his acting career in the 1970s, doing mostly stage acting and appearing in some films. He guest starred in a few episodes for different television shows before landing the part of Alcalde Ignacio De Soto in the early 1990s show Zorro. In addition to Deep Space Nine, Hertzler has appeared on several other Star Trek shows, written two Star Trek novels, and has made appearances at Star Trek and science fiction conventions. Hertzler lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York where he was a lecturer at Cornell University's theater department, and has been active in the area's regional politics, as well as writing a screenplay.
Early life and education
Hertzler was born in Savannah, Georgia. His parents were from Port Royal, Pennsylvania,[1][4] and his family is descended from German-speaking Amish families.[3] His father John G. Hertzler served in the U.S. Air Force,[4][7] and his mother Eleanor Frances Beaver Hertzler was a Latin and French teacher.[4][8] His family lived in cities around the world including: St. Joseph, Missouri; El Paso, Texas; and Casablanca in Morocco.[1][9] He grew up mostly in the Washington, D.C., area, and attended Bucknell University, playing linebacker on their football squad.[6][9][10] While there, he got into acting when the drama department recruited him for a production of Marat/Sade as they were looking for a big guy for one of the roles.[11] After graduating in political science in 1972,[12] he got his master's in set design at the University of Maryland,[3][9] and attended law school for a year at American University. While he was in the DC area, he worked in the federal government,[1][13] including with the Nixon Administration for the National Environmental Policy Act,[9] and took an assortment of jobs to practice theatre including waiting at a dinner theater, bartending, and taxi-driving.[9]
His first notable guest role on television was in 1990 on the Quantum Leap episode "The Sea Bride – June 3, 1954".[26] His first major television role was in the 1990s series Zorro as Alcalde Ignacio De Soto, the antagonist character who replaces Ramone as the Alcalde (Mayor) of Los Angeles in the third and fourth seasons.[9][27][28] The show was filmed in a studio lot outside of Madrid, Spain,[29] and was broadcast on The Family Channel.[11] He was also involved in a television movie called Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins where he played a pirate called Black Dog. Treasure Island was broadcast to go along with a promotion for the casino resort in Las Vegas.[7]
Hertzler's first involvement in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was in the series' pilot episode "Emissary" as the Vulcancaptain of the Federation starship Saratoga.[30] In an interview with Startrek.com, Hertzler said he had worked with Patrick Stewart at the Paramount Studios lot where Stewart ran some Shakespeare workshops. He would later audition for DS9 multiple times, but did not receive any roles.[31] He was at the Paramount Studios auditioning for another series when DS9 casting director Ron Surma had him read for Klingon General Martok. At first, Hertzler portrayed Martok as a mild-mannered Klingon, but when he was asked to make him angrier, he picked up a chair and threw it into a wall. The chair's leg stuck briefly and he said he had also inadvertently ripped his thumbnail causing it to bleed, but it had impressed the auditors and he landed the part.[9][31]
Martok debuted in the season 4 premiere "The Way of the Warrior" followed by the season 5 premiere "Apocalypse Rising". His character was originally a changeling (shapeshifter) Dominion impostor. Hertzler said the writers chose Martok to be the changeling, because they thought that making the Klingon Chancellor Gowron to be an imposter was "too pat or too easy." After the Martok changeling was killed in the episode Apocalypse Rising, the writers then brought in the real Martok as a recurring character starting in season 5, during which he portrayed a one-eyed Klingon. He would play Martok for three seasons including the finale, by which time he had replaced Gowron as the leader of the Klingon Empire.[31] Hertzler describes the part as an actor's dream because of its physicality and range. The character has been involved in many aspects of Deep Space Nine including frequently interacting with Worf.[3][9]
Hertzler played other characters in DS9, including a changeling named Laas, in the episode "Chimera", who interacts with main character Odo. In an interview with Little Review, Hertzler said that he was concerned he would be recognized as Martok despite the makeup and character change, but it worked out okay. Credited as Garman Hertzler for the episode, he said that he got a chance to interact with some of the lead characters that Martok would not encounter, especially the ones played by Nana Visitor and René Auberjonois.[3] In portraying Laas, Hertzler said he tried to act like William Shatner, but with a higher pitch. Another guest character he did was Roy Ritterhouse, a painter/sketcher in the season 6 episode "Far Beyond the Stars".[31]
Following the end of DS9, Hertzler played a Hirogen in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Tsunkatse", which was noted for featuring pro wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. In the episode, he and The Rock are conscripted alien fighters. Hertzler said that he also got to wrestle actress Jeri Ryan who played Seven of Nine.[3] In Star Trek: Enterprise, he played a Klingon lawyer in the episode "Judgment" and a Klingon Captain in the episode "Borderland". He made appearances at Star Trek and science fiction conventions and events.[31] In 2015, Hertzler joined the cast on the fan-funded short film Star Trek: Axanar as Captain Samuel Travis of the Federation.[7][32][33][34]
In 1995–96, he was involved in a national tour for the stage theatre production of Dial M for Murder, in which he portrayed Max Halliday,[36] an American writer who gets involved in a love triangle.[37][38][39]
Hertzler has been involved in voice-over for video games and audio productions. Outside some Star Trek titles, he was the voice of Dr. Grossman in BioShock.[26][31] Hertzler narrated the audio book entitled Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard, written by Star Trek linguist Lawrence Schoen.[40]
In 2007, Hertzler moved to Ulysses, New York, and became a Resident Professional Teaching Associate (RPTA) in the Cornell University Department of Theatre, Film & Dance, where he has directed or performed in a number of productions through the 2010 season.[6][12][43][44] In 2009, Hertzler directed an outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Ithaca Shakespeare Company at the F.R. Newman Arboretum.[45][46] He also portrayed Lord Capulet in Cornell's production of Romeo and Juliet, which involved students as well as professional actors.[47]
After Cornell, Hertzler has continued to do acting and teaching in the New York area, including hosting a workshop about Shakespeare acting.[48]
Writing
Hertzler co-authored with novelist Jeffrey Lang two Star Trek novels, Left Hand of Destiny, Book 1, and Left Hand of Destiny, Book 2.[31] which were published by Simon & Schuster.[3] The novels follow Martok's and Worf's adventures following Deep Space Nine as they return to Q'onoS, with much of the focus on Martok's life.[3][49][50]
Hertzler has also written an original screenplay, Dancing with Sancho Panza, inspired by his time in Spain when he worked on Zorro. In June 2016, the announcement was made that the screenplay will be directed by Luis Mandoki with an anticipated release date of November 2017.[51]
Activism
Hertzler and actor James Cromwell show their arrest citations at the Crestwood station protest (June 2016)
In 2013, Hertzler ran for a position on the Ulysses town council.[52] His involvement in politics was partly because of the issue of hydraulic fracturing and concerns that the method of drilling for natural gas would destroy the Finger Lakes region.[6][12] He also wanted the region's schools to get more state aid.[6] He was elected and served on the board for a two-year term.[6][53] In 2016, he was elected to the town council board for a four-year term extending to 2020.[54]
Hertzler and fellow Star Trek actor James Cromwell were among nineteen people arrested for disorderly conduct during a protest outside a Crestwood Midstream compressor station in Watkins Glen, New York, on June 6, 2016. They were involved in the "We Are Seneca Lake" civil disobedience campaign against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission green-lighting underground gas storage in Seneca Lake's salt caverns, despite public opposition.[56][57]
On June 8, 2017, Hertzler announced his candidacy as a U.S. House Representative for New York's 23rd congressional district in the 2018 midterm elections. As part of his campaign appearances, he planned to act "in the persona of Mark Twain", to present his ideas "through the brilliant humorist for all ages". He stated that this was a tribute both to Twain, who resided once in Elmira, and to actor Hal Holbrook, who had portrayed Twain on stage for more than six decades.[58][59] On September 25, 2017, Hertzler announced his decision to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent.[60] He advanced in the primary in June 2018, but later withdrew his candidacy prior to November.[61]
Worf, son of Mogh is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, portrayed by actor Michael Dorn. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), seasons four through seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), and the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, as well as the feature films Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).
Martok, son of Urthog is a recurring character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, played by actor J. G. Hertzler. Martok is a high-ranking Klingon leader at the Federation-Bajoran space station in the late 2300s. Martok figures prominently in many of the show's long running story arcs, and also is an important relationship for Worf.
Gowron, son of M'Rel, is a fictional character who appeared in the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Portrayed by Robert O'Reilly, he is the leader of the Klingon Empire, known as the Chancellor. O'Reilly had appeared earlier in The Next Generation as Scarface in the second season episode "Manhunt", and was cast as Gowron due to his comedic ability and his piercing and extremely unsettling gaze, or what O'Reilly himself humorously referred to as "that crazy loon eyeball thing".
"Borderland" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Enterprise. It originally aired on October 29, 2004, on UPN. The script was written by Ken LaZebnik, and was directed by David Livingston. The episode featured the first appearance of Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Brent Spiner in Enterprise. It also featured guest appearances by Bobbi Sue Luther and WWE wrestler Big Show.
General Chang is the central antagonist in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, a feature film released in 1991.
Robert O'Reilly is an American film, stage, and television actor who has appeared in a variety of roles. He appeared in the Star Trek franchise for over ten years, primarily in his recurring role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Chancellor Gowron, the leader of the Klingon Empire. He has also appeared in over 100 films and television episodes, and has acted on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall. His links with the Colony Theatre Company resulted in his receiving a Drama-Logue Award in 1981 for directing the play Getting Out.
"Judgment" is the nineteenth episode of the second season of Star Trek: Enterprise, the forty-fifth episode overall. It first aired April 9, 2003, on UPN.
"Call to Arms" is the 26th and final episode of the fifth season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 124th episode overall. This episode marks the start of the show's celebrated Dominion war story arc.
"Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" is the 156th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the sixth episode of the seventh season. It was first aired the week of November 2, 1998. The teleplay was written by David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, based on a story by Philip Kim, and directed by Steve Posey. When it was aired on television in November 1998, the episode received Nielsen ratings of 4.8 points corresponding to over 4.7 million viewers.
"Once More unto the Breach" is the 157th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the seventh episode of the seventh season. This episode received a Nielsen rating of 4.5 when it was broadcast on television in 1998.
"Chimera" is the 14th episode of the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 164th episode overall.
Star Trek fan productions are productions made by fans using elements of the Star Trek franchise. Paramount Pictures, CBS, and their licensees are the only organizations legally allowed to create commercial products with the Star Trek name and trademark. The fan film community has received some coverage from the mainstream media.
"Tacking Into the Wind" is the 172nd episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The episode was written by Ronald D. Moore and directed by Mike Vejar.
"By Inferno's Light" is the 113th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 15th episode of the fifth season.
"Apocalypse Rising" is the 99th episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the first episode of the fifth season. The episode was directed by James L. Conway, and written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe.
"The Way of the Warrior" is the first episode from the fourth season of the American syndicated science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, counting as the 73rd and the 74th episodes overall as it is a double-length episode. Michael Dorn joins the cast of Deep Space Nine as Worf, a character originating on the preceding series, Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Prelude to Axanar is a 2014 fan-made short film, directed by Christian Gossett and written by Gossett and Alec Peters. Funded through Kickstarter, production sought $10,000 in funding, but raised $101,000. It had its public debut July 26, 2014, at San Diego Comic-Con.
The Star Trek franchise, begun in 1966, has frequently included stories inspired by and alluding to the works of William Shakespeare. The science fiction franchise includes television series, films, comic books, novels and games, and has material both Star Trek canon and non-canon. Many of the actors involved have been part of Shakespearean productions, including William Shatner, Patrick Stewart and Christopher Plummer.
References
1 2 3 4 Hertzler, John (September 23, 2013). "Town Board– John Hertzler". Democrats 4 Ulysses (Ulysses Democratic Committee). Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2016– via Wordpress.
↑ "Artist Detail – Chuck Abernathy". Inland Arts. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016. He's studied acting, improvisation, and stage combat in special workshops with American Conservatory Theatre instructors Sydney Walker, Janice Hutchins, J. G. Hertzler, and J. Steven White.
↑ Ridley, Clifford A. (February 22, 1996). "Seems The Thrill Of This Thriller Is Sadly Gone". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2016. John James, whom many people appeared to recognize from the daytime serials, is quite good, too, as the dastardly Tony, and J.G. Hertzler and Michael Halsey do nicely as the writer and the hit person.
↑ "Town Board– John Hertzler". Elect the Democratic Team for Ulysses!. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2013– via Wordpress.com.
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