De Lancie, John 1948-

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de LANCIE, John 1948-

PERSONAL: Born March 20, 1948, in Philadelphia, PA; son of John (a musician) and Andrea de Lancie; married Marnie Mosiman; children: two sons. Education: Attended Kent State University and Juilliard Drama School.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

CAREER: Actor. Has appeared in television series, including Days of Our Lives, Star Trek: The Next Generation, L.A. Law, Picket Fences, and The Practice. Has also appeared in movies, including The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, The Fisher King, Bad Influence, and The Onion Field; stage roles include performances in Man and Superman and The Common Pursuit. Director of stage productions, including Fallen Angel and The Waldorf Conference. Has also played the oboe professionally for the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.

AWARDS, HONORS: People's Choice Award, for role of Eugene Bedford in Days of Our Lives.

WRITINGS:

(With Tom Cool) Soldier of Light (novel), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Peter David) I, Q (novel), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1999.

SIDELIGHTS: Best known as the sardonic and powerful Q on the Star Trek: The Next Generation series, John de Lancie has also created the character of Eugene Bedford on Days of Our Lives, has guest starred on numerous television programs, appeared in a number of major films, and has earned accolades for his work in the theater. Still, it is as the godlike Q that de Lancie has left the most indelible impression on audiences. Despite appearing in only nine episodes, he remains one of the most familiar characters in the series. Paying tribute to his character, de Lancie even featured Q in his novel I, Q. In this original "Star Trek" story, Q is put in the unusually vulnerable position of having to cooperate with Captain Picard and Data to save his wife and son—and, incidentally, the whole universe—from a mysterious menace more powerful than even the Q Continuum. A Publishers Weekly reviewer felt the book "will take readers on a wild and unique ride, though it leads to a predictable conclusion." But Booklist reviewers Roland Green and Gilbert Taylor found that the "book's portrayal of a superbeing agonized by personal loss is compelling."

De Lancie's first novel, Soldier of Light, was written with Tom Cool. Although the story is not set in the Star Trek universe, the conflict again involves an apocalyptic menace. Known as The One, this ancient evil seeks the destruction of all mankind. Owen and Harley Keegan, brothers gifted with psychic powers, must battle The One, particularly when Owen's wife and daughter are lured underground by its false promises. While noting that "some scenes and characters are underdeveloped," Booklist reviewers Green and Taylor maintained that de Lancie "clearly possesses a powerful literary imagination."