John Colicos
Birth dateDecember 10, 1928
Birth placeToronto, Ontario, Canada
Death dateMarch 6, 2000 (aged 71)
Death placeToronto, Ontario, Canada
OccupationActor
Years active1950–1999
SpouseMona McHenry (m. 1956; div. 1981)

John Colicos (December 10, 1928 – March 6, 2000) was a Canadian actor. He was noted for his Shakespearean roles on stage, particularly with the Stratford Festival,[1] but became well-known to science fiction fans for his roles as Klingon commander Kor on Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and as the villainous Baltar on the original Battlestar Galactica.

Early life

Colicos was born in Toronto, Ontario, to a Greek father and a Canadian mother.[2] He was raised in Montreal. He made his acting debut playing Jesus in a Christmas pageant, later joking "one of the first roles I ever played was the Son of God, and I've been going downhill ever since."[1]

As a teenager, he acted with the Canadian Art Theatre and trained at the Brae Manor Playhouse in Knowlton,[3] before making his professional debut with the Montreal Repertory Theatre.

Career

Theatre

Colicos worked on CBC Radio dramas with Douglas Rain.[4] In 1951, Colicos won the Best Actor Award at the Dominion Drama Festival.[4][5] He moved to England to work at the Old Vic for the 1951-52 season.[4] At the age of 22 he played the title role in King Lear, the youngest actor to play the part at the Old Vic.[6] He also starred in a production of Timon of Athens, then starred in The Ghost Writers on the West End.

In 1956, Colicos made his Broadway debut, playing Edmund in Orson Welles' production of King Lear. In 1957, he starred in Mary Stuart at the Phoenix Theatre. That same year, he joined the American Shakespeare Theatre for two seasons.[7] In 1961, Colicos joined the Stratford Festival, for four seasons. He played King Lear in the Festival's first-ever production of the play in 1964.[8]

His other New York theatre credits included The Devils (1965–66), Serjeant Musgrave's Dance (1966), and Soldiers (1967–68).[9][10] His role in the latter play, where he portrayed Winston Churchill, was described as "uncannily believable.... hypnotically interesting. The actor created, not a replica, but a strong impression of the great man."[1]

In 1982, he played "Sir" in The Dresser at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton.[11]

Film and television

Colicos made his screen acting debut in the Canadian film Forbidden Journey (1950).

He appeared as Monks in a television version of Oliver Twist for the DuPont Show of the Month series in 1959. He also gave memorable performances in 1966 on the CBS soap opera The Secret Storm; as the unscrupulous Thomas Cromwell in the 1969 movie version of Anne of the Thousand Days; and as the governor of Umakran in the episode "The Goddess Calabra" from the 1973 TV show The Starlost.

On American television, he established himself as a science-fiction villain icon, portraying the first Klingon ever seen in the Star Trek franchise, Commander Kor in the Original Series episode "Errand of Mercy" (1967).[12] Colicos worked with Gene Roddenberry designing the look the Klingons have on Star Trek (1966). Budget constraints prevented the extensive makeup the Klingons were supposed to have so Colicos suggested they have a leathery Genghis Khan look, dark skin and hair. He also portrayed Lord Baltar in the original Battlestar Galactica movie and television series. Over a quarter-century after his initial appearance in the Star Trek franchise, Colicos reprised his role as the 140-year-old Kor in three episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, telecast between 1994 and 1998.[13]

Aside from his science-fiction roles, Colicos also appeared numerous times in episodic television from the 1960s onwards, including the portrayal of the villain on three episodes of Mission: Impossible. He appeared in four episodes of the CBC docu-drama The National Dream as the "railway general" William Cornelius Van Horne and appeared in seven episodes of Mannix. The last person shot and killed in the television series Gunsmoke (1955–1975) was Judge Flood, played by Colicos in episode 631, "Hard Labor".

Several years after his Battlestar Galactica tenure, Colicos again ventured into science fiction. In August and September 1981, he portrayed Mikkos Cassadine, a demented, power-mad businessman bent on freezing the world, on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. He was also the voice of the X-Men villain Apocalypse/En Sabah Nur (1993–1995) in the Fox Kids animated X-Men television series in the nineties, and twice played rogue alien Quinn in the first season (1988–1989) of War of the Worlds.

In 1982 he ventured into educational TV with TVOntario's award-winning production of Prophecy with John Colicos. The writer/director, Robert Gardner, recalled his initial meeting with the actor: "I had seen him scores of times in movies and television and I was very nervous. In truth, though, he was a joy to work with. Once he sensed that you were prepared he was thoroughly professional. His presence in the ninety-minute production was the main reason it went on to win the prestigious Gold Medal at the Atlanta International Film Festival."

He appeared in TV commercials during the 1990s for America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. Colicos' final acting appearance was his reprise of Baltar in the concept demonstration trailer Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming, exhibited at many science fiction conventions in 1999.[14]

Personal life

Colicos wed Mona McHenry in 1956 and divorced in 1981. They had two sons, Nicolas (also an actor) and Edmund.[14] The family lived at a Victorian-style mansion in Toronto, where Colicos owned a 4,000-volume theatrical research library.[1]

Colicos received the Order of Ontario in 1997.[15]

Death

Colicos died in Toronto on March 6, 2000, at the age of 71, after a series of heart attacks.[16]

Partial stage credits

YearTitleRoleVenueRef.
1951-52Timon of AthensThe Old Vic, London[17]
King LearLear[17]
1955The Ghost WritersRalph ShermanCambridge Arts Theatre, London[17]
1956King LearEdmundNew York City Center, New York[18]
1957The Merchant of VeniceGratianoAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford[19]
Much Ado About NothingLeonato[19]
OthelloLodovico[19]
Mary StuartSir Edward MortimerPhoenix Theatre, New York City[20]
1958HamletLaertesAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford[19]
The Winter's TaleLeontes[19]
A Midsummer Night's DreamLysander[19]
1961Love's Labour's LostBerowneFestival Theatre, Stratford[21]
CoriolanusTullus Aufidius[21]
1962The TempestCaliban[21]
The Taming of the ShrewPetruchio[21]
1963Troilus and CressidaHector[21]
Timon of AthensTimon[21]
Cyrano de BergeracCyrano de Bergerac[19]
1964Timon of AthensTimon[21]
Love's Labour's LostBerowne[21]
Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester[17]
King LearLearFestival Theatre, Stratford[21]
The Country WifeMr. Horner[19]
1965-66The DevilsBaron de LaubardemontBroadway Theatre, New York City[18]
1966Serjeant Musgrave's DanceSerjeant "Black Jack" MusgraveLucille Lortel Theatre, New York City[20]
1967MacbethMacbethAmerican Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford
1968SoldiersWinston ChurchillBilly Rose Theatre, New York City[18]
New Theatre, London[1]
Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto[22]
1982The DresserSirCitadel Theatre, Edmonton[22]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1950Forbidden JourneyStudent[23]
1953Appointment in LondonPipUncredited[citation needed]
1955Barbados QuestMustachioed HenchmanU.S. title: Murder On Approval[24]
1956Bond of FearDewar[25]
1956Passport to TreasonPietro[25]
1956BreakawayFirst Kidnapper[25][24]
1957War DrumsChino[26]
1964The Naked FlameBlackmailerUncredited[citation needed]
1969Anne of the Thousand DaysThomas Cromwell[27]
1971Doctors' WivesDr. Mort Dellman[27]
1971Raid on RommelSgt. Allan MacKenzie[27]
1971Red Sky at MorningJimbob Buel[26]
1972The Wrath of GodColonel Santilla[26]
1973ScorpioMcLeod[26]
1976Breaking PointVincent Karbone[26]
1976DrumBernard DeMarigny[26]
1978Battlestar GalaticaCount Baltar125-minute Theatrical release[26]
1979King Solomon's TreasureAllan Quatermain[27]
1979Mission Galactica: The Cylon AttackLord BaltarTheatrical release of a merger of 2 TV episodes[27]
1980Conquest of the EarthLord BaltarTheatrical release of a merger of 2 TV episodes[27]
1980The ChangelingCaptain DeWitt[27]
1980PhobiaInspector Larry Barnes[27]
1981The Postman Always Rings TwiceNick Papadakis[26]
1986The Last SeasonWalter BatterinskiAKA L'Ultima Stagione[25]
1987Nowhere to HideGeneral Clay Howard[27]
1988Shadow DancingAnthony Podopolis[27]
1995No ContestSenator Donald Wilson[27]
1999Battlestar Galactica: The Second ComingBaltarShort film (4-minute promotional for potential sequel film)

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1953Captain Brassbound's ConversionSidi el AssifTelevision film
1953Sunday Night TheatreChristopher 'Kit' MarloweEpisode: "Will Shakespeare"
1953Douglas Fairbanks PresentsBrownEpisode: "The Heel"[25]
1953PlaybillEpisode: "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime"
1953–1960General Motors TheatreUturu / Luke Richardson / Kroll4 episodes
1954The Secret StormMatthew Devereaux
1955London PlayhouseCharlieEpisode: "Adeline Girard"
1956The Taming of the ShrewLucentioTelevision film
1956You Are ThereAlexander SmithEpisode: "Mr. Christian Seizes the Bounty (April 28, 1789)"
1956The Adventures of Hiram HollidayThiefEpisode: "Lapidary Wheel"
1957Studio OneGold RootEpisode: "The Rice Sprout Song"
1958DuPont Show of the MonthHindley EarnshawEpisode: "Wuthering Heights"[24]
1958–1960DuPont Show of the MonthFernand Mondego / Monks / Mr. ArrowEpisodes: "The Count of Monte Cristo", "Olifer Twist", "Treasure Island"
1959FolioEpisode: "Ward No. Six"
1959Berkeley SquareTom PettigrewTelevision film[27]
1959The UnforeseenCount CagliostroEpisode: "Checkmate"
1959StartimeAndyEpisode: "A Clearing in the Woods"
1960The Play of the WeekMortimerEpisode: "Mary Stuart"
1960NBC Sunday ShowcaseAaron BurrEpisode: "Our American Heritage: Not Without Honor"
1960Our American HeritageAaron Burr2 episodes
1960OmnibusGen. George McClellanEpisode: "He Shall Have Power"
1960Family Classics: The Three MusketeersPorthosTelevision film
1960–1963The United States Steel HourDr. Steve Bruchesi / Edmund Hobert / Silvio3 episodes
1961Vanity FairRawdon CrawleyEpisode: "Part 1"
1961The Man Born to Be KingJesus ChristTelevision film
1961FestivalLord Arthur SavileEpisode: "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime"[28]
1962John Brown's BodyTelevision film
1962PlaydatePuff / Ernst Herman / Dr. Bruchesi3 episodes
1962Cyrano De BergeracComte de GuicheTelevision film[27]
1963FestivalPoetEpisode: "Ivan"[29]
1963FestivalGregers WerleEpisode: "The Wild Duck"[30]
1963FestivalGalileo GalileiEpisode: "Galileo"[31]
1965The DefendersDistrict Attorney / District Attorney Scott Turner2 episodes
1965Profiles in CourageSen. Davis / Patrick Henry2 episodes
1965Armchair Mystery TheatreRicardoEpisode: "Licence to Murder"
1967T.H.E. CatKing DelphineEpisode: "A Slight Family Trait"
1967Star Trek: The Original SeriesKorEpisode: "Errand of Mercy"[24]
1967A Choice of FuturesPrime Minister Robert GhibertiEpisode: "1999"
1967–1970Mission: ImpossibleChief of Internal Security Manuel Ferrar / Milos Kuro / Commissioner Taal Jankowski3 episodes
1967–1974MannixDr. Myles Considine / Lytell / Duke Benedict / Alton K. Moore / David Barker / Eddie Lee Prentiss7 episodes (Including Pilot)[25][24]
1969DulcimaMr. ParkerTelevision film
1969The Name of the GameRafaelEpisode: "High Card"[25]
1970The High ChaparralMatthew KendallEpisode: "The Journal of Death"[25]
1970Then Came BronsonHarve TraineEpisode: "Still Waters"
1970It Takes a ThiefThe ManEpisode: "Project "X""
1970The Young RebelsBritish ColonelEpisode: "The Blood of an Englishman"
1970, 1975Hawaii Five-OLorenzo Corman / Mr. Thorncrest2 episodes
1971Night GallerySurvivorSegment: "Lone Survivor"[25][24]
1971Goodbye, Raggedy AnnPaul JamisonTelevision film[27]
1972LongstreetArnold ZaduckEpisode: "Sad Songs and Other Conversations"[25]
1972The F.B.I.LoganEpisode: "The Test"
1972–1975Dr. Simon LockeDekker / Police Sergeant2 episodes
1973Portrait: A Man Whose Name Was JohnNuman MenemengiogluTelevision film
1973The StarlostThe GovernorEpisode: "The Goddess Calabra"
1974The MagicianPaul Gunther2 episodes
1974The Lives of Benjamin FranklinWentworthEpisode: "The Ambassador"[27]
1974SaltyDobbsEpisode: "For the Price of Freedom"
1974The National DreamCornelius Van HorneTelevision miniseries
1974–1975PerformanceSmirnov2 episodes
1974–1976Medical CenterTom Evans / Weldman2 episodes
1975GunsmokeJudge FloodEpisode: "Hard Labor"[24]
1975InsightGus MangelEpisode: "The Pendulum"
1975BronkMartinEpisode: "Terror"[25]
1975PetrocelliDimitriEpisode: "Terror on Wheels"
1975Harry OWalter NesbittEpisode: "The Madonna Legacy"[25]
1976The Whiz Kid and the Carnival CaperMoroniTelevision film
1976The Wonderful World of DisneyMoroni2 episodes
1976A Matter of Wife... and DeathJoe RubyTelevision film[27]
1977The New Adventures of Wonder WomanAmbassador OrrickEpisode: "The Queen and the Thief"[25][24]
1978SwitchGilchristEpisode: "Coronado Circle"
1978Quincy, M.E.Harlan StandishEpisode: "Gone But Not Forgotten"
1978The Six Million Dollar ManGeneral NorbukovEpisode: "The Moving Mountain"[25][24]
1978The BastardLord NorthTelevision film[27]
1978W.E.B.Harry Brooks2 episodes[25]
1978The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesCol. L. MorbiusEpisode: "Search for Atlantis"[25][24]
1978Saga of a Star World (Battlestar Galactica)Count BaltarTelevision film (148-minute pilot)[26]
1978–1979Battlestar GalacticaLord Baltar21 episodes
1979Sergeant T.K. YuGangsterTelevision film
1979Charlie's AngelsAnton KaraznaEpisode: "Angel in a Box"[25][24]
1979The Paradise ConnectionMajor Barclay-BattlesTelevision film[27]
1979VegasDr. Victor DurrandEpisode: "Dan Tanna Is Dead"
1981General HospitalMikkos CassadineEpisode: #1.4715
1984The Yellow RoseNick PappasEpisode: "Sport of Kings"
1984Scarecrow and Mrs. KingIlya KreschenkoEpisode: "Playing Possum"
1985The HitchhikerMr. StreggaEpisode: "Petty Thieves"
1987Street LegalFarradayEpisode: "A Little Knowledge"
1987I'll Take Manhattanbanker, Lester MaypoleTelevision miniseries[27]
1987–1988Night HeatKarakonis / Lech Koretski2 episodes
1987–1989Alfred Hitchcock PresentsLestrade / Moriarty / Carter Talbot2 episodes[25]
1989War of the WorldsQuinn2 episodes
1989Love and Hate: The Story of Colin and JoAnn ThatcherSerge KujawaTelevision film[27]
1990In Defense of a Married ManCharles EversTelevision film[27]
1991E.N.G.Lionel HirschEpisode: "Smoke and Mirrors"
1992–1993X-Men: The Animated SeriesApocalypse / En Sabah Nur (voice)4 episodes[32]
1993Beyond RealitySinclairEpisode: "Bloodstone"
1993CounterstrikeVince EganEpisode: "The Contender"
1994–1998Star Trek: Deep Space NineKor3 episodes[24]
1997The Last DonEli MarrionTelevision miniseries[27]
1997Fast TrackDr. Wallace BeckettEpisode: "Fathers & Sons"
1997Windsor ProtocolGerhardt Heinzer / Albert GreenfieldTelevision film[27]
1998Thunder PointHeinzerTelevision film
1998My Father's Shadow: The Sam Sheppard StoryRichard Eberling (in jail)Television film[27]

References

  1. ^ Bergan, Ronald (2000-03-08). "John Colicos". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  2. ^ Moskos, Charles C. (1989). Greek Americans: Struggle and Success. Transaction Publishers. p. 150. ISBN 9781412824835. – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Colicos, John". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Actor noted for Stratford roles". The Globe and Mail. 7 March 2000. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  5. ^ "John Colicos". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Stage and Film Actor, John Colicos, Dead at 71". Playbill. Archived 2024-12-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  7. ^ "John Colicos theatre profile". www.abouttheartists.com. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  8. ^ "King Lear (1964, Stratford Festival of Canada)". Internet Shakespeare Editions. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  9. ^ "Theater: 'Lear,' as Colicos Sees Him; Portrait of Tragic King Given on Ontario Stage". The New York Times. June 19, 1964. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  10. ^ Simonson, Robert (March 8, 2000). "Stage and Film Actor, John Colicos, Dead at 71". Playbill. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  11. ^ "Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia - Colicos, John". www.canadiantheatre.com. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  12. ^ Laurie Ulster (March 11, 2021). "13 Original Series Actors Who Couldn't Get Enough Trek". StarTrek.com
  13. ^ Spelling, Ian (September 8, 1995). "LOOKING BACK WITH A FORMIDABLE KLINGON". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  14. ^ "John Colicos, TV, Film and Stage Actor, 71". The New York Times. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. March 8, 2000. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  15. ^ "The Order of Ontario | ontario.ca". www.ontario.ca. 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  16. ^ "John Colicos". The Guardian. March 7, 2000. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "John Colicos | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  18. ^ "King Lear – Broadway Play – 1956 Revival | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  19. ^ "John Colicos theatre profile". www.abouttheartists.com. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  20. ^ "John Colicos". www.iobdb.com. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  21. ^ "King Lear (1964, Stratford Festival of Canada)". Internet Shakespeare Editions. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  22. ^ "Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia - Colicos, John". www.canadiantheatre.com. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  23. ^ Lentz (III), Harris M. (2000). Obituaries in the Performing Arts. McFarland & Company. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-7864-1024-8. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  24. ^ "John Colicos". Apple TV+. Apple, Inc. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  25. ^ "John Colicos". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media / NBCUniversal. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  26. ^ "John Colicos". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  27. ^ "John Colicos: Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Festival - 1961-01-16 - Lord Arthur Savile's Crime". CBC Archive Sales. CBC / Société Radio Canada. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Festival - 1963-02-11 - Ivan". CBC Archive Sales. CBC / Société Radio Canada. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Festival - 1963-02-25 - The Wild Duck". CBC Archive Sales. CBC / Société Radio Canada. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Festival - 1963-03-25 - Galileo". CBC Archive Sales. CBC / Société Radio Canada. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  32. ^ "John Colicos". Behind The Voice Actors. Inyxception Enterprises. Retrieved 19 August 2025.