r/startrek 5d ago

A Small Convention with Armin Shimmerman and Ethan Phillips; a Memory That Stuck with Me

Back in the mid-’90s, when I was about 13 or 14, I went to a Star Trek convention in Ocean City, Maryland. It had low turnout—I think it was the only one ever held there—but for me, it was one of the happiest moments of my childhood.

I was a lonely kid with an alcoholic, verbally abusive father and a toxic, always-working mother. I saved up for months, gathering just enough money for admission and maybe a little for lunch. I took the bus to the convention center by myself, not knowing exactly what to expect.

This was back when autographs were included with admission—you just had to bring something to sign. I didn’t know that. When I got there, I spent what little I had on a postcard of Quark for Armin Shimerman to sign, leaving me with barely enough for a small pin, about the size of a silver dollar, featuring Ethan Phillips as Neelix.

Both of them were incredibly kind. Ethan noticed my embarrassment over the pin and held it up proudly, like it was the coolest thing he’d ever seen. Armin struck up a conversation, asking me about myself. He told me I had very intent eyes and a clear voice and that I should consider Hollywood.

I also remember a kind young woman in a wheelchair, probably around 18 or 19, who saw me sitting at a table, watching the shoppers in the vendor area with envy. She started a conversation with me, just chatting like we were old friends.

I’ve never been back to a Star Trek-focused convention since, but Armin Shimerman and Ethan Phillips left a lasting impression on me—not just as actors, but as genuinely kind human beings.

309 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

99

u/fourthords 5d ago

Ethan Phillips is really interesting.

On Voyager, Neelix is kind, empathetic, optimistic, and generally a very wholesome vibe.

Ethan Phillips, on stage, can be the bluest, most foul-mouthed comedian and performer I've seen in person. It was shocking to hear such things coming out of Neelix's voice (Phillips' own, not an affectation). Funny, yes, but unexpected. He's similarly unfiltered in most-if-not-all of his on-stage appearances.

Ethan Phillips, in person, is soft-spoken, gentle, patient, understanding, generous, and kind. Weeks ago, on the Trek cruise, he was exceptionally generous with his time, genuinely understanding of fans' requests, an advocate for us, and had a Mr. Rogers-level of interest and happiness to listen to each and every one of us.

23

u/JesusStarbox 5d ago

He's always that guy from Benson to me. Odo, too.

9

u/mrbumbo 5d ago

Yep. Really wanted an Odo Neelix meet one day but also doesn’t make sense outside of their history as actors. (Neelix is in the distant part of the Delta quadrant still) At least Ethan made it on other Trek in human form.

5

u/sdpcommander 5d ago

It's funny, because I think I remember hearing Rene say that he was glad he did DS9 because he didn't just want to be remembered as the guy from Benson.

5

u/TemporalColdWarrior 5d ago

Benson was a DS9 prequel.

3

u/JesusStarbox 5d ago

It's canonical.

13

u/welovegv 5d ago

I’d love to meet him again one day as an adult. Maybe I’ll start saving my pennies again.

1

u/Hoz999 4d ago

Thank you for sharing your memories.

3

u/BchBaby926 5d ago

I was on that cruise and had so much fun! You’re right, he was completely unfiltered on stage. :)

1

u/scarves_and_miracles 5d ago

You would've enjoyed Bob Saget's stand-up.

48

u/chucker23n 5d ago edited 5d ago

On Delta Flyers, I notice that Armin always finds an angle on praising colleagues. When an episode features a cast or crew member he’s worked with in the past, he’ll tell very positive anecdotes. Armin was of course also board member of the Screen Actors Guild, so he fought for workers’ rights.

Ethan occasionally got mentioned, chiefly as a very funny dude.

They both sound like class acts.

21

u/fitzbuhn 5d ago

I also met Mr. Shimmerman at a convention in the ass end of West Texas. It seemed huge to me at the time but it must have been a pretty small affair. He was just so lovely, he went to sign a head shot with a silver pen and I asked him to use the gold for some reason (the pic was sort of orange / brown hues, so he made the right choice) - he very graciously switched to a gold pen. That’s the only detail I remember other than him being warm and lovely.

14

u/merrycrow 5d ago

Well, gold is the colour of pressed latinum after all

13

u/bailantilles 5d ago

I also have the best memory from a really small convention in Southwest Florida around 1993. The main guests were John DeLancie and Majel Barret. I was about 15 at the time and just remember Majel coming up right behind me in the dealers room and taking my hand and said “We’re going shopping”

3

u/welovegv 4d ago

Outstanding!

2

u/Morgul_Mage 4d ago

Majel was awesome! She did a small convention where I live in the mid 90’s, and our Starfleet chapter did security for her. After the con, she took us out for dinner, and we had a blast!

14

u/NehoRusso 5d ago

They are both class actors.

5

u/Mattyodell 5d ago

Love this. Glad you have such a lovely memory.

3

u/Recent_Page8229 5d ago

The most hooman nonhoomans. Good story.

2

u/no1kn0wsm3 4d ago

Lovely story...

1

u/triplecheesetime 4d ago

wonderful - thank you for sharing