At a Glance
- Paul Giamatti lands his dream role as a half-Klingon pirate on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
- The actor, 58, says the part feels like the pinnacle of his career.
- His father, former Yale president and MLB commissioner, was a lifelong Star Trek fan.
- Why it matters: It shows a celebrated actor embracing a beloved sci-fi franchise, bridging generations of fandom.
Paul Giamatti’s new role as Nus Braka, a half-Klingon pirate, marks the culmination of a lifelong passion for Star Trek. The 58-year-old, known for films such as Sideways and 12 Years a Slave, described the opportunity as a top experience that he could not believe he had achieved.
Early Life and Fandom
Giamatti’s fascination with Star Trek began in the 1970s when his father, A. Bartlett Giamatti, shared syndicated reruns with him. The actor recalls being 7 years old when he first watched the show and was instantly drawn to Spock.
- The original series starred William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
- Giamatti’s father was an avid fan during the late ’60s.
- The family’s shared viewing sparked a lifelong love of the franchise.
He says his fandom is “more than casual, but I’m not encyclopedic.” Yet his early obsession shaped his later career choices.
The Dream Role
In interviews, Giamatti revealed that he had always wanted to play a Klingon. He had never imagined that he would actually receive a call for the role, but when the opportunity arose, he was stunned.
> “I didn’t actually think I’d ever actually get a call!” he told News Of Los Angeles exclusively.
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> “I made no secret about the fact that I loved the show, but I never thought it would actually be something that would happen… It’s a top experience for me.”
He added that the role feels equal in prestige to his other award-caliber work.
> “I don’t see it as any sort of differentiation between higher or lower culture or anything like that – it’s all the same.”
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> “I think it’s great, Star Trek: it’s smart, it’s good stuff and it’s good writing and it’s good stories.”
Why Klingons Fit
Giamatti admits that his volcanic performance style made Klingons a natural fit, even though he was initially drawn to the logic of Vulcans.
- He feels his temperament suits the fierce, honor-bound Klingons.
- He notes that the role allows him to play a “complicated, unpleasant person.”
- He enjoys the freedom to portray a “bad guy” with license and grandeur.
> “I play sort of bad guys,” he says. “I play complicated, unpleasant people.”
He also praised Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as his favorite series, citing its acting and complex characters.
> “The level of acting on that show is great… I’m particularly taken by Armin Shimerman, who plays Quark.”
Character Details
Nus Braka is half-Klingon and half-Tellarite, a pig-like alien race that appeared rarely in the franchise. Giamatti found the makeup design exciting.
> “When they were designing the makeup and they came back to me and they’d said, ‘The conclusion is you’re going to be sort of half-Klingon, half-Tellarite.'”
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> “I was like ‘The pig guys?’ … This sounds kind of good. Yeah, I like that! That’s a funny idea!”
He added that the combination of two aggressive races would make him even more intense.
> “Well, now you have two really aggressive races too, so I’m going to be super-aggressive.”
The series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, premieres on Thursdays on Paramount+.
Family Legacy
Giamatti shares his love of Star Trek with his son, Samuel, who is almost 25. While Samuel enjoys the show, he is more inclined toward Star Wars.
> “He definitely enjoys it, but I think ultimately he became more of a Star Wars kid.”
The actor’s father, a former Yale president and MLB commissioner, was a key influence in his early fandom.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Giamatti finally achieved a childhood dream by playing a Klingon.
- He views Star Trek as equal in prestige to his other work.
- The role’s dual heritage (Klingon/Tellari) adds depth and excitement.
- The series airs every Thursday on Paramount+.
The unexpected turn of events for Giamatti demonstrates how a lifelong passion can lead to a career-defining role.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy debuted on January 6, 2026 in New York City, with Giamatti attending the premiere.
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