Sci-Fi Legend Rene Auberjonois Passes Away at 79

As the year closes out, we lost another classic actor.  Actor Rene Auberjonois passed away at the age of 79.  Rene struggled with metastic lung cancer.  His unique look and voice made him a standout in any role he chose.  Rene was married to wife Judith for 56 years, and they had 2 kids.

Rene Auberjonois: A Thousand Faces With One Voice

When certain actors take roles, no matter what they do you know it is them.  The greatest example of these has to be James Earl Jones.  Whether it be Darth Vader or Mufasa, when Jones takes on a voice role, you know its him instantly.  Rene was very similar.  People recognized his voice immediately and remembered him from one of many classic roles.

If one looks up his resume, they will find a whopping 228 acting credits to his name.  Sci-fi/fantasy fans will remember Rene best as Odo from Star Trek: Deep Space 9.  The constable possessed a near featureless face, since he was indeed a shape shifter, but even then, the look was unmistakably Rene.  People will also remember him from classics like the chef from Little Mermaid or the skeleton from The Last Unicorn. 

Even in live action, he had major credits to his name such as the original movie MASH, The Patriot and a great many television episodes such as Boston Legal.

Rene Auberjonois Laid Down Space Law

To sci/fi fans though, Rene will always be Constable Odo from Star Trek. He remained three steps ahead of Quark and whatever Ferengi plan he tried to hatch. Granted, being able to shape shift helps a lot in the end.

Rene gave Odo a quirky, sharp personality, but it wasn’t until the latter seasons where Rene and Odo found their stride. Odo ends up having to choose between his lost people or his friends and colleagues in the war against the Dominion. Rene showed his acting chops during many of these episodes as well as made Odo an enduring character.