1. Overview
Richard Poe is an American actor widely recognized for his extensive contributions across theatre, film, and television. Born on January 25, 1946, he has built a notable career spanning several decades, creating memorable roles on Broadway and off-Broadway, appearing in numerous films and television series, and lending his distinctive voice to acclaimed audiobook narrations. He is particularly known for his recurring role as Gul Evek in the Star Trek franchise, appearing in three different series. His work has earned him significant recognition, including nominations for the Tony Award and multiple Audie Awards for his narration.
2. Early Life and Education
Richard Poe was born in Portola, California. He completed his secondary education at Pittsburg Senior High School, graduating in 1964. Following his high school graduation, he pursued higher education at the University of San Francisco, from which he graduated in 1967.
3. Military Service
After his university studies, Richard Poe served in the United States Army. His military service took place during the Vietnam War era.
4. Acting Career
Richard Poe's acting career is characterized by its remarkable breadth, encompassing significant work in theatre, film, television, and voice acting. He has established himself as a versatile performer, capable of portraying a wide range of characters across various media.
4.1. Theatre
Poe has a distinguished career in theatre, with numerous appearances on both Broadway and Off-Broadway stages. He has been involved in fourteen Broadway productions, including several acclaimed plays for which he received Tony Award nominations. These include his roles in the original Broadway production of M. Butterfly, Our Country's Good, The Pajama Game, Journey's End, and All The Way. Beyond Broadway, he originated roles in notable Off-Broadway productions such as Paul Rudnick's Jeffrey and Christopher Durang's Why Torture Is Wrong... and the People Who Love Them. In 2006, he took on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre.
4.2. Film and Television
Richard Poe has an extensive filmography, appearing in a variety of films and television series throughout his career. He is particularly recognized for his unique distinction within the Star Trek universe, being one of only a few actors, alongside Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Mark Lenard, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Armin Shimerman, and John de Lancie, to portray the same character across three different Star Trek series. He played the Cardassian character Gul Evek in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), and Star Trek: Voyager (1995).
His other notable film and television appearances include:
- Mystery Mansion (1984) .... Adam Drake
- Born on the Fourth of July (1989) .... Frankie - VA Hospital
- Babes
- Episode: "Pilot" (1990) .... Tyrone
- A Promise to Keep (1990, TV Movie)
- Law & Order
- Episode: "Happily Ever After" (1990) .... Forensic Scientist
- Episode: "Working Mom" (1997) .... Mac Bernum
- Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (1992, TV Movie) .... Bishop
- The Night We Never Met (1993) .... Bartender
- Frasier
- Episode: "Oops" (1993) .... Chopper Dave
- Episode: "Miracle on Third or Fourth Street" (1993) .... Chopper Dave
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Episode: "Journey's End" (1994) ... Gul Evek
- Episode: "Preemptive Strike" (1994) .... Gul Evek
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Episode: "Playing God" (1994) .... Gul Evek
- Episode: "The Maquis: Part 1" (1994) .... Gul Evek
- Episode: "Tribunal" (1994) .... Gul Evek
- Speechless (1994) .... Tom
- Star Trek: Voyager
- Episode: "Caretaker: Part 1" (1995) .... Gul Evek
- The 5 Mrs. Buchanans .... Ed Buchanan
- Episode: "Clyde and Vivian and Ed and Malice" (1994)
- Episode: "Becoming a Buchanan" (1995)
- Episode: "Viv'acious" (1995)
- Pride & Joy
- Episode: "Terror at 30,000 Feet" (1995) .... Herb
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
- Episode: "Ezekiel Rage" (1996) .... Dr. Smallwood (voice)
- The Prosecutors (1996, TV Movie) .... Roy Mariello
- The Peacemaker (1997) .... DOE Haz-mat Tech #2
- Now and Again
- Episode: "There Are No Words" (2000) .... Admiral
- Ed
- Episode: "Home Is Where the Ducks Are" (2000) .... Jim Ludwig
- Episode: "Hidden Agendas" (2004) .... Dalton Locke
- Transamerica (2005) .... John
- The Warrior Class (2005) .... Magistrate
- Burn After Reading (2008) .... Stretching Gym Patron
- Theresa Is a Mother (2012) .... Roy McDermott
- Kiss the Water (2013)
- Delivery Man (2013) .... Loan Officer #3
- Theresa Is a Mother (release 2015) .... Roy McDermett
- Hot Air (2018) .... (voice)
4.3. Voice Acting and Narration
Beyond his on-screen roles, Poe is highly regarded for his work as a voice actor and narrator, particularly for audiobooks. He has provided narration for several acclaimed literary works, including Cormac McCarthy's novels Blood Meridian, The Crossing, and Suttree. He also narrated Dan Brown's bestselling novel Angels & Demons. His narration work has frequently been recognized with awards.
5. Awards and Nominations
Richard Poe has received significant accolades throughout his career, highlighting his excellence in both theatre and narration. He has been nominated for the prestigious Tony Award for his performances in Broadway productions such as M. Butterfly, The Pajama Game, Journey's End, and All The Way. In the realm of audiobooks, he won the 2004 Audie Award for his narration of East of Eden. He has received three other Audie Award nominations and is a frequent recipient of AudioFile Magazine's Earphone Award, which recognizes excellence in spoken-word performances.
6. Personal Life
Richard Poe was born on January 25, 1946. Further details regarding his personal life, family, and interests are not widely publicized.
7. Legacy and Recognition
Richard Poe's legacy in the performing arts is marked by his versatility and the depth he brings to his characters across various mediums. His ability to inhabit diverse roles, from the complex Gul Evek in the Star Trek universe to the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge on stage, demonstrates his wide range as an actor. His consistent recognition through awards like the Audie Award for his narration and Tony Award nominations for his theatre work underscores his significant contributions and the critical acclaim he has garnered throughout his extensive career.