Global InformationVic Fontaine information
| Vic Fontaine | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek character | |
 A season 7 promotional image of James Darren as Vic Fontaine | |
| First appearance | "His Way" (1998) |
| Last appearance | "What You Leave Behind" (1999) |
| Portrayed by | James Darren |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Hologram of human |
| Occupation | Singer, entertainer, bar owner |
Vic Fontaine is a fictional character who appeared in the sixth and seventh seasons of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Portrayed by James Darren, he is a holographic representation of a 1960s-era Las Vegas Rat Pack–style singer and entertainer, as part of a program run in the holosuites at Quark's bar. The character was developed from an idea by executive producer Ira Steven Behr, who had sought to introduce a character of that type during the fourth season to be played by Frank Sinatra, Jr. After Sinatra turned down the role, it was considered during the following season, to be played by Steve Lawrence, but once again was not used. Darren landed the role after Behr met him at a memorabilia show in North Hollywood and had him invited to audition.
The character made his first appearance in the episode "His Way", and returned later in the sixth season in "Tears of the Prophets" and throughout the seventh season. Fontaine represented a source of romantic advice for the crew, helping to get Odo (René Auberjonois) and Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) together as well as aiding Quark (Armin Shimerman) and Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) to move on from their love of Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell). He also helps Nog (Aron Eisenberg) to recover from the loss of his leg in "It's Only a Paper Moon". Returning the favor in "Badda-Bing Badda-Bang", the crew help Fontaine get his bar back after it is taken over by the American Mafia. The crew return to the bar one final time in the series finale, "What You Leave Behind", for the celebration party following the victory over the Dominion.
Episodes such as "His Way" and "It's Only a Paper Moon" were praised, and "Badda-Bing Badda-Bang" was compared to the famed 1960's Ocean's 11. The character itself was praised by critics, who specifically said that the premise should not have worked but did, due to both the writing and Darren's performances.