Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 22, 1994 TAG: 9403220048
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ian Spelling
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Need proof?
Tune in "DS9" the week of March 28, when Koloth (William Campbell), Kor (John Colicos) and Kang (Michael Ansara) join forces to fulfill a "Blood Oath."
Most longtime Trekkers will remember Koloth from "Trouble with Tribbles," Kor from "Errand of Mercy" and Kang from "Day of the Dove."
Campbell, who also portrayed the mischievous Trelane in another popular "Trek"-classic episode, "The Squire of Gothos," describes the trio in "Blood Oath" as an over-the-hill Klingon gang.
"Basically, it's three Klingons on a search for a Klingon called the Albino (Bill Bolender), who murdered the firstborn sons of Kor, Kang and Koloth," Campbell says by phone from his Woodland Hills, Calif., home.
"We've been searching for the Albino for [85] years and finally find him. He's got an entourage of about 40 people, but we're going to get him."
The Klingon trio is soon joined by Dax (Terry Farrell), who, in her previous Trill identity as Curzon Dax, was the godfather to Kang's child and entered into the blood oath following the boy's death.
Campbell, who at one time was up for the role of Picard on "Next Generation," says he had a ball returning to the "Trek" universe after a 26-year absence.
He was impressed by the massive sets, thrived on the rousing but exhausting battle sequences and appreciated the work that went into Koloth's elaborate costume and makeup.
Most exciting, however, was teaming with Colicos and Ansara.
"I'd always known John's work as an actor, but I didn't know him personally before this. He's a terrific guy," Campbell says. "I knew Mike and he looked superb.
"We really had a lot of fun working together. We traded a few `Trek' stories, but we all have bodies of work that have nothing to do with `Star Trek.' So we found ourselves talking more about all the other things we'd done."
Campbell's career stretches back to the late 1940s, when he performed on Broadway and in summer-stock theater. The Newark, N.J., native made his film debut in 1950's "The Breaking Point."
Among his many subsequent credits are "Escape from Fort Bravo" (1953), starring William Holden; "Cell 2455, Death Row" (1955), in which he played the notorious sex offender Caryl Chessman; "Dementia 13" (1963), directed by Francis Ford Coppola; and "Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1965), starring Bette Davis.
There were also countless guest-starring spots in television projects, ranging from "Bonanza" to "The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman" (1987).
Campbell's most intriguing credit is probably "Love Me Tender" (1956), in which he played Elvis Presley's brother.
"I worked and sang with Elvis," he says, laughing. "How many actors can say they actually sang with Elvis?"
These days Campbell, who is in his late 60s, is semiretired but can't resist a good project. He recently hosted a two-hour documentary about the Hindenburg that will air on the Discovery Channel.
He also does work for California's Motion Picture Home, a health-care facility for retired actors. (He served as its director for 15 years.)
Campbell attends numerous "Trek" cons and loves to travel with his wife Tereza, a former actress.
As for his "Trek" adventures, the actor believes there is one more in his future.
"I expect that they'll someday reprise the Squire of Gothos [character], preferably in a battle with Q [John de Lancie]," he says. "They're so alike, and I know John quite well."
If Koloth, Kor and Kang could be brought together, why not Trelane and Q?
"I've always thought it was a hell of an idea," Campbell says.
\ CON CALENDAR\ March 31-April 3
Phil & Ed's Excellent Convention at the Burbank Airport Hilton in Los Angeles, featuring Yvonne Craig. (Call 818-843-6000.)
Balticon at the Hyatt Regency at Inner Harbor in Baltimore, featuring Frederick Pohl. (April 1-3 only; 410-563-2737)
TREK ALERT
If you have Trek news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to "Star Trek" - write to Ian Spelling, in care of the features department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.
by CNB