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File:Zek.jpg
Actor: Wallace Shawn
Series: DS9
Episodes: Recurring Character
Character: Zek
Born: 12 November 1943
Place of Birth: New York, New York, USA

Predominately bald, pouty-lipped actor Wallace Shawn was born on 12 November 1943 in New York City. He played Zek, the Grand Nagus of the Ferengi Alliance, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. However, he is probably best known for his portrayal of Vizzini in The Princess Bride alongside Chris Sarandon.

He made his feature film debut in 1979's Manhattan, directed by Woody Allen. Shawn has since gone on to appear in several other Woody Allen films, including Radio Days (1987, with Kenneth Mars and Mike Starr), Shadows and Fog (1992, with David Ogden Stiers, Camille Saviola, Kurtwood Smith, Kenneth Mars, and Richard Riehle), and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001, with David Ogden Stiers and John Schuck).

Shawn is also well-known for "playing" himself in the bold and unique 1981 film My Dinner with Andre, in which Shawn and his long-time friend, theater director Andre Gregory, discuss their life experiences and philosophical views during a meal in a restaurant. Shawn also co-wrote this film with Gregory, and both won a Boston Society of Film Critics award for their work.

Shawn's other film credits throughout the 80s include All That Jazz (1979, with Ben Vereen and Cathie Shirriff), Atlantic City (1980), Strange Invaders (1983, with Louise Fletcher, Kenneth Tobey, Dey Young, and Thomas Kopache), Deal of the Century (1983, with Richard Herd, Graham Jarvis, Richard Libertini, and Tony Plana), Head Office (1985, with Merritt Butrick), The Bedroom Window (1987, with Brad Greenquist, Mark Margolis, and Leon Rippy), She's Out of Control (1989, with Catherine Hicks and Derek McGrath), and Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills (1989, with Robert Beltran and Ed Begley, Jr.)

In 1995, Shawn co-starred as Wendell Hall in the contemporary classic Clueless. He also played the role in the short-lived television spin-off series that followed. The following year, he and TNG guest actors Ray Walston, Christopher McDonald, and Daniel Roebuck appeared in the comedy House Arrest. In 1999, he co-starred with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock actor Christopher Lloyd in My Favorite Martian, based on the classic series which starred Ray Walston (who also has a cameo in the film adaptation). More recent films include Duplex and Disney's The Haunted Mansion in 2003. He is currently set to appear in the film Southland Tales, along with John Larroquette and Holmes Osborne.

His distinct, high-pitched voice has also been used on several animated films, most notably as Rex the Dinosaur in the Toy Story films for Disney and Pixar. He also supplied the voices for the Emmy-winning TV series Teacher's Pet and its 2004 film adaptation (also voicing David Ogden Stiers and Kelsey Grammer), as well as another Disney/Pixar hit, The Incredibles. His voice can also be heard in the "Emission Impossible" and "Sibling Rivalry" episodes of Family Guy, the popular animated series created by Star Trek fan Seth MacFarlane. Majel Barrett also voiced in this episode. Shawn more recently lent his voice to the 2005 Disney film Chicken Little, as did TNG star Patrick Stewart.

Shawn is also a distinguished playwright and stage actor.

Appearances

External Links

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