73: David Benjamin Tomlinson, Linus from "Star Trek: Discovery"

What makes a fan-favorite character in a TV show? No one really knows the magical secret, but in this case, all it took was a runny nose. In this episode, we chat with David Benjamin Tomlinson, the actor behind the Saurian crew member named Linus on "Star Trek: Discovery", as seen in season 2, 3, and presumably 4!

 In addition to being Linus, David has also played a Klingon named Or’Eq and a few others, a Kelpien, and a Betelgeusean on DISCO, although he has yet to show his humanoid face on screen.

Tomlinson walks us through the audition process and how he eventually landed the role of Linus, the intense makeup process to become the Saurian and which alien took the longest, how he discovered the character of Linus, working with the cast, including stories about Doug Jones and Soneqhua Martin-Green, how much of David is in Linus and how much of Linus is in David, and more Trek tales.

Plus, his secret origin story told at last, going to his first trek convention in 2021, lessons learned in improv comedy, the unique improvised play “Blind Date” and his role in it, coming to terms with his sexuality as a person and a professional, his response to #NuTrek haters who vehemently dislike the modern Star Trek shows and his trademark "cauliflower paradigm" that is as wholesome as Linus!

Check out Drive-By Do-Gooders and get a RARE Star Trek autograph! Just donate $35 or more to drivebydogooders.org and get a signed picture of your choosing from Lycia Naff AKA Ensign Sonya Gomez on Star Trek TNG and Captain Gomez from Lower Decks! Make sure to include your mailing info in the notes section on the donation page.

• Visit Pancan.org to support the Trek against Pancreatic Cancer

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