Tony Amendola And More To Attend Toronto Convention

Online, May 10, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Science-fiction fans will have plenty to get excited about at Toronto's 26th annual Polaris convention.

Actor Tony Amendola, known for his long running role on Stargate: SG-1 as Master Bra'tac, will be in attendance. Amendola spent the first 12 years of his professional life almost exclusively in the theatre; appearing Off-Broadway in an acclaimed production of Filumena and in lead roles on the stages of America's top regional theatres, including the Mark Taper Forum, American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Rep, Williamstown Theatre Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, and the Old Globe. Theatrical credits include such classic characters as 'Cyrano', 'Iago', 'Skylock', 'Uncle Vanya', and 'Jack Henry Abbot' in In the Belly of the Beast.

Hoping to expand his craft and career, Tony moved to Los Angeles to seek work in film and television, where the opportunities have been varied and rewarding. His film work includes appearances opposite Johnny Depp in Ted Demme's Blow, Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins in The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro, and Chris Cooper in John Sayles' Lone Star. His TV Guest appearances include recurring roles on Dexter, CSI: NY, Seinfeld, The Practice, and Charmed. Currently, Tony can be seen as Geppetto in ABC's smash hit Once Upon a Time. He is also busy working on the new Showcase sci-fi series Continuum.

Amendola will be joined by numerous guests, including actress Dichen Lachman, actor, author and geek icon Wil Wheaton, and two noteworthy Klingons from the Star Trek universe. J.G. Hertzler, known for his role as General Martok and Robert O'Reilly - Chancellor Gowron - will appear in full Klingon make-up. Fans will have the rare opportunity to meet and pose for photos with these characters in full makeup and costume created by sfx makeup artist John Paladin! Paladin's expertise goes back over 10 years with work featured on Star Trek: Of Gods and Men and Star Trek: Kitumba. He will also demonstrate the intricate make-up process by transforming one Polaris member into a Klingon in a live demonstration!

Polaris is proud to welcome these distinguished guests.

Dichen Lachman is best known for her role as Sierra in Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. The Australian actress has enamored many by her looks and talents. She was born in Kathmandu, and is of Australian and Tibetan descent. In 2005, Lachman got her big break joining the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours, playing nurse Katya Kinski.

In 2006, she was cast in the family movie Aquamarine starring Emma Roberts. During that same year she joined the cast of the FOX series Dollhouse, alongside Eliza Dushku and Tahmoh Penikett. Lachman's various guest starring roles include Torchwood, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS: Los Angeles and the hugely popular web series The Guild. She is currently playing Suren in the American supernatural drama Being Human, and working on producing the feature film Lust for Love.

Wil Wheaton began a successful acting career in 1986 with Stand By Me and Toy Soldiers, before taking on the role of Wesley Crusher in his teen years in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He currently splits his time between acting and writing, with recurring roles on SyFy's hit series Eureka, TNT's Leverage, and as a "delightfully evil" version of himself on CBS's The Big Bang Theory. Wheaton's award-winning blog at WWdN: In Exile has earned him a following as one of the most influential web celebrities according to Forbes magazine.

He's also a prolific voice actor, appearing in video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Red Dead Redemption, Fallout: New Vegas and DC Universe Online.

J.G. Hertzler is an actor best known for his role as General Martok through four seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also wrote the continuation of his character's story in The Left Hand of Destiny novel with Jeffrey Lang. In addition, Hertzler has provided voice-over roles on several Star Trek computer games, as well as in the 2007 game BioShock.

Hertzler has since guest starred on such shows as Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Seinfeld, Charmed, Roswell, and Quantum Leap. Trained in Shakespearean theatre, Hertzler has said his experience with the bard has served him well on Star Trek sets.

Robert O'Reilly brought Klingon Chanecellor Gowron to life for a decade on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He has appeared in over 100 films, made-for-TV movies, and television episodes including The Mask with Jim Carrey and episodes of Max Headroom, MacGyver, Dallas and Murder She Wrote.

Despite this busy schedule, O'Reilly finds time for the stage, directing and acting in at least one play per year. His stage work has spanned a broad spectrum from Shakespeare (King Lear and Hamlet) to original plays (Fahrenheit 451 and When the Bough Breaks) and the original production of The Grapes of Wrath.

Polaris is a weekend-long celebration of science fiction, fantasy and related genres. The 26th annual gathering will be held at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel July 6-8, 2012.

Amendola, Lachman, Wheaton, Hertzler and O'Reilly will all be available for autographs and photographs with fans. Advance tickets to the event are available on the Polaris website. For more information, visit http://polaris.tcon.ca, or phone 416-410-TCON.