René Auberjonois

René Auberjonois was a renowned American actor, voice actor, and singer, best known for his iconic roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Odo and in Benson as Clayton. Auberjonois's career spanned over five decades, with notable appearances in M*A*S*H, The Little Mermaid, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. He worked with esteemed directors such as Robert Altman and Steven Soderbergh, and shared the screen with talented actors like Alan Alda and Tim Curry.

● Early Life

Auberjonois was born in New York City, New York, to Fernand Auberjonois, a Swiss-American journalist, and Laure Murat, a French-American princess. He spent his early years in Paris, France, and later moved to the United States, where he attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Auberjonois's family was closely tied to the arts, with his father being a Pulitzer Prize nominee and his mother being a writer and artist. He was also related to Sydney Auerjonois, a French-American painter, and Charles Auberjonois, a Swiss painter.

● Career

Auberjonois's acting career began in the 1960s, with appearances in off-Broadway productions and regional theater. He made his Broadway debut in Coco, a musical starring Katharine Hepburn, and later appeared in The Apple Cart, a play by George Bernard Shaw. Auberjonois's breakthrough role came in 1970, when he played Sebastian Baye in the Broadway production of Coco, for which he received a Tony Award nomination. He went on to work with notable directors like Mike Nichols and Hal Prince, and appeared in films such as The Good Doctor and King Kong.

● Filmography

Auberjonois's extensive filmography includes roles in The Little Mermaid, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and Batman Forever. He also appeared in TV shows like The Outer Limits, Stargate SG-1, and Fringe. Auberjonois lent his voice to characters in animated films and TV series, including The Simpsons, Futurama, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. He worked with acclaimed voice directors like Andrea Romano and Crispin Freeman, and shared the screen with talented voice actors like Frank Welker and Rob Paulsen.

● Personal Life

Auberjonois was married to Judith Auberjonois, and they had two children, Tessa Auberjonois and Remy Auberjonois. He was a longtime resident of Los Angeles, California, and was involved in various charity work, including supporting the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer's Association. Auberjonois was also an avid gardener and cook, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was close friends with fellow actors like Avery Brooks and Nana Visitor, and often attended conventions and fan events.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout his career, Auberjonois received numerous award nominations, including multiple Emmy Award nominations for his work on Benson and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance in The Smurfs, and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his work on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Auberjonois was also nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Coco, and received a Drama Desk Award nomination for his work in The Good Doctor.

● Death and Legacy

Auberjonois passed away on December 8, 2019, at the age of 79, due to complications from metastatic lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Auberjonois's legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Benson, and his contributions to the world of acting are still widely recognized. He will be remembered for his iconic roles and his dedication to his craft, and his impact on the entertainment industry will be felt for generations to come. Category:American actors