Star Trekhas a massive world of fascinating secondary characters who deserve attention. Sure, the stars of the show are critical, but the second stringers often add a lot to the experience. Every iteration of the series has a few recurring characters who can become fan favorites.Deep Space Ninewas quite good at establishing minor figures. One of the finest examples was the holographic Rat Pack singer Vic Fontaine. With the recent passing of beloved performer James Darren, the character deserves a look back.
With countless episodes of TV,theStar Trekfranchisehas explored countless settings. It’s a science fiction series that plays with just about every other imaginable genre. The crews of various ships have experienced everything from the Old West to the Roman Empire. One of the ways writers and directors create interesting glimpses of the future is by adding elements of the past. The usual method of reincorporation is through holographic technology. Sometimes the magic of moving lights changes the environment, but it can also build new living beings.
Who is Vic Fontaine?
Vic Fontaine is a holographic representation of a 1960s-era Vegas lounge singer. Vic is inextricable from Frank Sinatra, with most elements of his character taking some inspiration from Ol' Blue Eyes. Vic Fontaine is the brainchild of Ira Steven Behr, a writer and executiveproducer onDeep Space Nine. He imagined the character while he worked on the fourth season, but it took a long time to get him into an episode. Behr liked the idea of a recurring character who would only pop up when he was needed. He could sing songs and dispense romantic advice. Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe wrote a scene to introduce the character, but every opportunity they had to slip it into an episode fizzled out. Eventually, they tossed aside their original casting ideas and wrote an entire episode around the 1960s Vegas theme.
Where did Vic Fontaine first appear?
Vic Fontaine first appeared in the 1998 episode “His Way.” The episode spends a lot of time depicting Vic helping the Changeling Odo express hisfeelings for Kira Nerys. He’s an excellent singer who performs a show-stopping rendition of Russ Morgan’s “You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You.” Unlike a lot of holographic beings, Vic is well aware of his circumstances. He helps Odo get over his nerves by letting him talk to a holographic representation of Kira, but that recreation doesn’t behave correctly. Some time later, Vic takes Kira on a dinner date to understand her mannerisms. Vic sets Odo and Kira up on a date, tricking Odo into believing he’s only talking to a hologram. This mild deception leads to an argument, but that release of emotions allows Odo and Kira to break the tension and kiss for the first time.
What else did Vic Fontaine do?
Vic is a fun supporting character throughout the next few seasons ofDeep Space Nine. He gives advice to Bashir and Quark, cautioning them to move on from their infatuation with Dax.When Worf later loses Dax, he asks Vic to sing him a song to raise his spirits. Vic’s vocals offer a variety of benefits to the crew. His songs raise morale, soothe heartache, and bring people together. Vic shares a lot of time with Nog, a Ferengi who practically moves into the holosuite to recover from PTSD. After Vic offers support,Nog convinces Quark to leavethe holosuite on 24/7 to allow Vic to live his own life. A later episode depicts a story set in the holographic 60s. The crew helps Fontaine get his club back from the mob. TheDeep SpaceNinefinale sees the crew celebrate their victory at Vic’s bar.
Who played Vic Fontaine?
The late, great James Darren portrayed Vic Fontaine. Darren was a gifted actor and singer with a long history of success before his passing in September 2024. His earliest hit was the classic surf filmGidget, in which he played Moondoggie, the leading man. In 1961, Darren played a supporting role inGuns of Navarone,a World War II blockbuster. James Darren portrayed Officer Jim Corrigan in 66 episodes ofT. J. Hookeralongside fellowStar Trekperformer William Shatner. Darren initially passed on the Vic Fontaine role three times. Behr and the rest of the crew attempted to contact a variety of other performers, including Frank Sinatra Jr. His audition was mostly improvised, demonstrating a mastery of the character that quickly became second nature. Darren would appear eight times as Vic Fontaine, livening up severalepisodes ofDeep Space Nine. He appeared in films occasionally. His final role came in John Carroll Lynch’s 2017 dramaLucky.
Vic Fontaine was an excellent side character inDeep Space Nine. He was a greatexample of the utility of a minor player, finding the perfect moments to use a well-studied character. He wouldn’t be half the icon he is today without James Darren behind him. Sometimes,Star Trekfinds the perfect performer and lets that star shine on his own.
