René Auberjonois

Born:June 1, 1940

Place of Birth:New York City, New York, USA

Died:December 8, 2019

Known For:Acting

Biography

René Auberjonois, born on June 1, 1940, left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry with his versatile talents. While many recognize him as the shape-shifting Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the sophisticated Clayton Endicott III on Benson, his career encompassed much more than these iconic roles.

Before captivating audiences on screen, Auberjonois made a name for himself on stage, showcasing his acting prowess in various productions. His Tony Award win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1970 for his role in Coco alongside Katharine Hepburn marked the beginning of a distinguished stage career.

With over 200 screen credits to his name, Auberjonois left an indelible mark on television and film. His portrayal of Paul Lewiston on Boston Legal and Clayton Endicott III on Benson earned him critical acclaim and solidified his status as a talented character actor.

Notable for his collaborations with acclaimed director Robert Altman, Auberjonois brought memorable characters to life in films like M*A*S*H, King Kong, The Little Mermaid, and The Patriot. His diverse range as an actor allowed him to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles with ease.

Beyond his on-screen work, Auberjonois lent his distinctive voice to various animated projects, video games, and other productions. His vocal talents added depth and personality to animated characters, showcasing his versatility as a performer.

René Auberjonois's contributions to the entertainment world extended far beyond his on-screen appearances. His dedication to his craft, coupled with his ability to bring depth and nuance to every role he inhabited, solidified his legacy as a beloved and respected actor.

On December 8, 2019, the world mourned the loss of a talented artist whose impact on stage, screen, and beyond will continue to resonate for years to come. René Auberjonois's remarkable career serves as a testament to his passion for storytelling and his commitment to bringing characters to life in a truly unforgettable way.

Images

Filmography

Acting

The Little Mermaid

Louis (voice)

1989

This colorful adventure tells the story of an impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel who falls in love with the very human Prince Eric and puts everything on the line for the chance to be with him. Memorable songs and characters -- including the villainous sea witch Ursula.

The Princess Diaries

Philippe Renaldi (uncredited)

2001

A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom discovers that she is the princess of a small European country because of the recent death of her long-absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She must make a choice between continuing the life of a San Francisco teen or stepping up to the throne.

The Patriot

Reverend Oliver

2000

After proving himself on the field of battle in the French and Indian War, Benjamin Martin wants nothing more to do with such things, preferring the simple life of a farmer. But when his son Gabriel enlists in the army to defend their new nation, America, against the British, Benjamin reluctantly returns to his old life to protect his son.

Batman Forever

Dr. Burton

1995

In the looming shadows of Gotham City, two villainous souls devise twin schemes of revenge against the city's dark guardian. Two-Face, disfigured by chance and fueled by vengeance, is obsessed with destroying Batman, while the Riddler, a disillusioned genius, pursues the destruction of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Together they've hatched a plot to absorb and control the minds of all of Gotham City's residents, and only Batman and his new partner, Robin, can stop them! But the Dark Knight is hindered by a mystery from his own childhood. He must hope that a new found love can help him overcome the incident that made him what he is. In the end, he must decide: will he be Batman—forever?

Joseph: King of Dreams

Butler (voice)

2002

In this animated retelling of the story from the Bible's Book of Genesis, Joseph's gift of dream interpretation and his brilliantly colored coat inspires jealousy in his brothers.

Inspector Gadget

Artemus Bradford

1999

John Brown is a bumbling but well-intentioned security guard who is badly injured in an explosion planned by an evil mastermind. He is taken to a laboratory, where Brenda, a leading robotics surgeon, replaces his damaged limbs with state-of-the-art gadgets and tools. Named "Inspector Gadget" by the press, John -- along with his niece, Penny, and her trusty dog, Brain -- uses his new powers to discover who was behind the explosion.

Planes: Fire & Rescue

Concierge (voice)

2014

When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

MAS*H

Father John Mulcahy

1970

The staff of a Korean War field hospital use humor and hijinks to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of war.

The Last Unicorn

The Skull (voice)

1982

From a riddle-speaking butterfly, a unicorn learns that she is supposedly the last of her kind, all the others having been herded away by the Red Bull. The unicorn sets out to discover the truth behind the butterfly's words. She is eventually joined on her quest by Schmendrick, a second-rate magician, and Molly Grue, a now middle-aged woman who dreamed all her life of seeing a unicorn. Their journey leads them far from home, all the way to the castle of King Haggard.

The Player

René Auberjonois

1992

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?

King Kong

Roy Bagley

1976

An oil company expedition disturbs the peace of a giant ape and brings him back to New York to exploit him.

Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach

Tony

1988

The Police Academy misfits travel to Miami Beach for Commandant Lassard to be honored with a prestigious lifetime award pending his retirement. Things take a turn when Lassard unknowingly ends up in possession of stolen diamonds from a jewel heist.

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

Professor Genius (voice)

1989

A little boy whose dreams transcend reality is sucked into his own fantasy, which is everything he has dreamed of, until he unleashes an old secret that may not only destroy this perfect dream world but reality itself.

Certain Women

Albert

2016

Three strong-willed women strive to forge their own paths amidst the wide-open plains of the American Northwest: a lawyer forced to subdue a troubled client; a wife and mother whose plans to construct her dream home reveal fissures in her marriage; and a lonely ranch hand who forms an ambiguous bond with a young law student.

An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island

Dithering (voice)

1998

Fievel and his friend Tony Toponi find a map that they believe points to a treasure buried somewhere beneath Old New York, and the plucky rodent is determined to find it. However, what he discovers under the city is a tribe of Native American mice who were driven underground by prejudiced European immigrants.

What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Self

2018

A documentary exploring the legacy of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the reasons it went from the black sheep of Star Trek to a beloved mainstay of the franchise, and a brainstorm with the original writers on what a theoretical eighth season of the show could look like.

First Cow

Man with Raven

2020

In the 1820s, a taciturn loner and skilled cook travels west to Oregon Territory, where he meets a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune. Soon the two team up on a dangerous scheme to steal milk from the wealthy landowner’s prized Jersey cow – the first, and only, in the territory.

McCabe & Mrs. Miller

Sheehan

1971

A gambler and a prostitute become thriving business partners in a remote Old West mining town until a large corporation arrives on the scene.

Eyes of Laura Mars

Donald Phelps

1978

A famous fashion photographer develops a disturbing ability to see through the eyes of a serial killer.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Chef Louis (voice)

2000

Set several years after the first film, Ariel and Prince Eric are happily married with a daughter, Melody. In order to protect Melody from the Sea Witch, Morgana, they have not told her about her mermaid heritage. Melody is curious and ventures into the sea, where she meets new friends. But will she become a pawn in Morgana's quest to take control of the ocean from King Triton?

The Hindenburg

Major Napier

1975

Colonel Franz Ritter, a former hero pilot now working for military intelligence, is assigned to the great Hindenburg airship as its chief of security. As he races against the clock to uncover a possible saboteur aboard the doomed zeppelin he finds that any of the passengers and crew could be the culprit.