DECEMBER 9, 2020 - Yesterday afternoon, December 8th, the Star Trek community was shocked to hear the news that Rene Auberjonois had died. The Washington Post reported that Auberjonois, who portrayed gruff security chief Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died of metastatic lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was 79.

In Star Trek, Auberjonois spent seven years playing the shapeshifter Odo on Deep Space Nine. But his career as an actor and voice artist spanned many years before and after that role. One of his earliest roles was Father John Mulcahy in the film M.A.S.H. In the 1980s, you couldn’t miss him as Clayton Runnymede Endicott III in the sitcom Benson, and Disney fans will recognize him as the voice of Chef Louis from The Little Mermaid, singing the memorable “Les Poissons”. In the 1970s and 80s, he also worked in the theatre, earning Tony nominations for “The Good Doctor” (1973), “Big River” (1984) and “City of Angels” (1989).

In 2004 Auberjonois joined the cast of Boston Legal, alongside another Star Trek alum, William Shatner. Shatner tweeted about his death, “I have just heard about the death of my friend and fellow actor @reneauberjonois. To sum up his life in a tweet is nearly impossible. To Judith, Tessa & Remy I send you my love & strength. I will keep you in my thoughts and remember a wonderful friendship with René.”

Nana Visitor, who played Odo’s love interest Kira on Deep Space Nine, tweeted in tribute to him as well. She said, “I love and respect Rene more than I can say right now. This beautiful soul. My heart.”

Prior to his death Auberjonois tweeted several quotes speaking about the nature of mortality. Implying, perhaps, that he knew his journey would be ending soon. His last message before his “minions” tweeted confirmation of The Washington Post article read, “‘Life is too short to be lived badly’ - Marjane Satrapi”.

According to The Washington Post, Auberjonois is survived by his wife, two children, two sisters and three grandchildren. It’s unclear whether they asked for any particular donations in memoriam, but Auberjonois was known to raise money for Doctors Without Borders, signing drawings of “Odo’s bucket” in exchange for donations. If you would like to pay tribute to the late actor, you may wish to make a donation yourself.