Short answer: Armin Shimerman is the American actor who plays Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is also known as the strict Principal Snyder on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as the voice of many video game and cartoon characters. He has played Quark in four different Star Trek shows.
Quick facts
- Born: November 5, 1949, in Lakewood, New Jersey, USA.
- Job: actor, voice actor and author.
- Best known for: Quark in Deep Space Nine (1993 to 1999) and Principal Snyder in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 to 1999).
How his career started
Shimerman began in theatre. He worked on stage and lived in New York for a time. After he moved back to Los Angeles, he got parts in two TV series, which helped start his television career.
Before Quark: other Ferengi roles
His Star Trek story began with other Ferengi roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, years before Deep Space Nine. When the new show about a space station was being cast, he was asked to play Quark, and the character stayed with him for life. Read about the character in who is Quark and about his people in who are the Ferengi.
Quark across Star Trek
Shimerman played Quark in:
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (all seven seasons)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Star Trek: Voyager
- Star Trek: Lower Decks, where he voices Quark in the animated series (2022)
He also played Quark in the 1998 film Star Trek: Insurrection, but those scenes were cut from the final movie. Few actors have played the same character in this many different Star Trek shows.
Beyond Star Trek
- Principal Snyder: the school principal on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in the first seasons of the show.
- Seinfeld: a small part as a golf caddy named Stan.
- Cartoons: he voiced General Skarr in The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.
- Video games: he voiced Dr. Nefarious in the Ratchet & Clank games and Andrew Ryan in the BioShock games.
Writing
Shimerman also wrote. He co-wrote a Deep Space Nine novel called The 34th Rule with author David R. George III. It is about Quark and the Ferengi, and its title comes from the Rules of Acquisition. Read our guide to the Rules of Acquisition.
How he shaped Quark
Quark began as a greedy schemer, but over seven seasons he became funny, warm and sometimes brave. Shimerman has spoken about how the character grew during the show. If you want to see that change, watch the best Quark episodes.
Quick FAQ
How old is Armin Shimerman?
He was born in 1949, so he is 77 years old as of late 2026.
Does he still play Quark?
He returned to voice Quark in the animated show Lower Decks.
Where did he play Principal Snyder?
On Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Keep watching: Deep Space Nine for beginners and Quark’s Bar explained. Quark Magazine is an independent site and is not affiliated with the owners of Star Trek. Back to the Star Trek section