Robert Foxworth has the distinction of portraying an evil Admiral in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and an evil Vulcan in Star Trek: Enterprise. Corrupt or outright diabolical Starfleet Admirals are a well-established trope in Star Trek, but Foxworth's Admiral Leyton is one of the most memorable. Meanwhile, Vulcans are meant to be loyal allies of Starfleet, but Foxworth's devious Administrator V'Las predates the founding of the United Federation of Planets. In both cases, Foxworth was a standout Star Trek guest star, and in each role, he played the heavy in multi-episode arcs.
A veteran actor of stage and screen, Robert Foxworth is perhaps best known for playing Chase Gioberti on Falcon Crest from 1981-1987. Foxworth easily slid into Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4 in 1996 because already had sci-fi experience in worlds created by Gene Roddenberry. In 1974, Foxworth played the title role in Roddenberry and Gene L. Coon's unsold pilot, The Questor Tapes. Foxworth also appeared in SeaQuest DSV, Stargate SG-1, and Babylon 5. Foxworth actually had to exit Babylon 5 in order to guest star on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Foxworth also voiced the Autobot Ratchet in the first three Michael Bay-directed live-action Transformers films.
Robert Foxworth Played Admiral Leyton On Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Robert Foxworth's guest-starring role as Admiral Leyton in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4 two-parter, "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost," were crucial in establishing the Changelings as a mortal threat to the Federation, which led to the Dominion War. In those DS9 classic episodes, Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) returned to Earth to serve at Starfleet Headquarters. Under Leyton, Sisko spearheaded the defense of the Federation's homeworld against the infiltration of shape-shifters, which was already underway. But Sisko soon learned that Leyton intended to stage a Dominion attack in order to implement martial law and give Starfleet (and Leyton) military control of Earth.
As Admiral Leyton, Foxworth excelled as a man who was so fearful of the Dominion that he betrayed Starfleet's principles in the name of safeguarding Earth. Leyton was so committed to his plot that he ordered Starfleet ships to fire on the USS Defiant and lied that Sisko's starship was infiltrated by Changelings. Starfleet's ideals held, however, and Leyton was brought down in disgrace. Foxworth also chillingly portrayed Leyton being impersonated by a Changeling. The plot of DS9's riveting two-parter was partly adapted by Star Trek Into Darkness in 2013, but Sisko's show did the story better, thanks in large part to Robert Foxworth's performance as Leyton.
Robert Foxworth Returned As Administrator V'Las On Star Trek: Enterprise
8 years after DS9, Robert Foxworth returned to portray Vulcan Administrator V'Las in Star Trek: Enterprise's 4th and final season. Foxworth guest-starred as V'Las in the Enterprise three-parter, "The Forge," "Awakening," and "Kir'Shara," which involved the discovery of the ancient texts of Vulcan icon Surak. V'Las was exposed as a corrupt politician who conspired with a Romulan deep cover agent named Talok (Todd Stashwick). V'Las intended to mount a Vulcan invasion of Andoria, and the subsequent conquest of Vulcan by the Romulan Star Empire, before he was stopped by T'Pau (Kara Zediker), T'Pol (Jolene Blalock), and Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) of the NX-01 Enterprise.
Similar to Admiral Leyton on DS9, V'Las nearly had Vulcan ships fire upon Enterprise before his plot was foiled. As V'Las, Robert Foxworth was almost unrecognizable in his Vulcan garb. Foxworth also lacked the beard he wore as Admiral Leyton. But there is no mistaking Foxworth's distinctive voice, and he brought an equal measure of self-righteous villainy to V'Las as he did to Leyton. A handful of Star Trek actors have played multiple roles in different series, but Robert Foxworth's twin roles endure among the finest antagonists in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Enterprise.