Editing Alex Zahara

{{Cast Data
| image =Alex Zahara -6- (34708400780) (cropped).jpg 
| character = [[Valance]]
| series = RDM
| born_month = 10
| born_day = 31
| born_year = 1965
| death_month = 
| death_day = 
| death_year = 
| nationality = CA
| site = http://www.alexzahara.com/
| imdb = 0951912
| sortkey = Zahara, Alex
|image2=Bsg valence 001.jpg}}

'''Alex Zahara''' is a Canadian actor best known for his prolific work in science fiction television. He played the character [[Valance]], an assassin, in the [[Re-imagined Series]] episode "[[Colonial Day]]".<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_colonial_day">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0519765/#:~:text=Valance|title="Battlestar Galactica" Colonial Day (TV Episode 2005) — Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref>

Born October 31, 1965, in Grande Prairie, Alberta,<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0951912/#:~:text=Grande%20Prairie|title=Alex Zahara — Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref> Zahara earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre (Acting) from the University of British Columbia following studies at the University of Alberta.<ref group="external" name="vas_faculty_zahara">{{cite web|url=https://vancouveractingschool.com/faculty-member/alex-zahara/#:~:text=Bachelor%20of%20Fine%20Arts%20in%20Theatre|title=Alex Zahara — Faculty|publisher=Vancouver Acting School|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref> A Vancouver-based performer with one of the most extensive genre filmographies of his generation, Zahara is particularly recognized in the science fiction community for portraying nine distinct characters on ''[[w:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]'' — more than any other actor on the series — and for recurring roles in ''[[w:Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers|Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers]]'', ''[[w:Jeremiah (TV series)|Jeremiah]]'', and ''[[w:The Man in the High Castle|The Man in the High Castle]]''.

== Career ==

=== Early Training and Theatre ===

Zahara's interest in performance began in high school, when he directed a student adaptation of ''M*A*S*H'' at Grande Prairie Composite High School — a production that earned him a college scholarship and placement on the school's Wall of Honor.<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_bio"/> He traveled throughout Europe before deciding, while on a beach in Greece, to pursue film acting professionally.<ref group="commentary" name="alexzahara_official_biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.alexzahara.com/#:~:text=beach%20in%20Greece|title=About Alex Zahara|publisher=alexzahara.com|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref>

Zahara established himself in Vancouver's theatre community, winning the 1998 Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Best Ensemble as part of Theatre Conspiracy's production of ''Mojo''.<ref group="external" name="playbill_jessie_richardson_1998">{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/annual-jessie-richardson-awards-honor-vancouver-theatre-com-76075#:~:text=Alex%20Zahara|title=Annual Jessie Richardson Awards Honor Vancouver Theatre|publisher=Playbill|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref> He received additional Jessie Richardson nominations for Best Actor in ''The Promised Land'' and ''Marisol'' — the latter role requiring him to perform as all five male characters in the ensemble.<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_bio"/> He also earned a Leo Award nomination for Best Performance by a Male in a Short Drama for ''Evirati'' (2000).<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_bio"/>

=== ''Battlestar Galactica'' ===

Zahara appeared in the [[Re-imagined Series]] episode "[[Colonial Day]]" (Season 1, Episode 11). He portrayed [[Valance]], a hired assassin contracted to eliminate President [[Laura Roslin faction|Laura Roslin]] on ''[[Cloud 9 security officer|Cloud 9]]'' involving the vice-presidential succession vote.

=== ''Stargate SG-1'' ===

Zahara's most extensive science fiction television work came on ''Stargate SG-1'', where he portrayed nine distinct characters across multiple episodes between 1998 and 2003, holding the record for the most character roles played by a single actor on the series.<ref group="commentary" name="gateworld_zahara_interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.gateworld.net/news/2006/11/man-of-many-faces-2/#:~:text=basically%20helped%20me%20get%20my%20career%20started|title=Man of Many Faces — Interview with Alex Zahara|author=David Read|publisher=GateWorld|date=November 14, 2006|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref>

His roles included:

* '''Xe'ls''' in "Spirits" (Season 2, Episode 13, 1998) — a Salish chief and leader of entities known as spirits
* '''Michael Clark''' in "1969" (Season 2, Episode 21, 1999) — a human hippie, his only non-prosthetic role on the series
* '''Stragoth Leader''' and '''Stragoth 1''' in "Foothold" (Season 3, Episode 14, 2000) — two distinct members of the squid-faced alien species infiltrating Stargate Command
* '''Shy One''' and '''Unas 1''' in "Beast of Burden" (Season 4, Episode 8, 2000) — multiple characters in an episode requiring extensive costume and makeup work
* '''Eggar''' in "Metamorphosis" (Season 6, Episode 11, 2002)
* '''Kor Asek''' (also credited as "Iron Shirt") in "Enemy Mine" (Season 7, Episode 7, 2003)
* '''Warrick Finn''' in "Space Race" (Season 7, Episode 8, 2003) — taking over a recurring role previously played by Dion Johnstone

In a 2006 GateWorld interview, Zahara credited ''Stargate SG-1'' as instrumental to his career development, stating that the show "basically helped me get my career started."<ref group="commentary" name="gateworld_zahara_interview"/> He expressed particular appreciation for directors Peter DeLuise and Martin Wood, noting that their collaborative approach to long production days (often 16–18 hours in prosthetics and makeup) created a supportive environment.<ref group="commentary" name="gateworld_zahara_interview"/>

=== Other Science Fiction and Television ===

==== ''Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers'' ====

Zahara played Dulann, a Minbari telepath and first officer (Shok-nali) of the starship Liandra, in ''Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers'' — J. Michael Straczynski's television pilot "To Live and Die in Starlight" (January 19, 2002, Sci Fi Channel), directed by Michael Vejar.<ref group="external" name="alexzahara_babylon5">{{cite web|url=http://www.alexzahara.com/styled-9/index.html#:~:text=Babylon%205|title=Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers|publisher=alexzahara.com|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref> The pilot was the second-billed role, after lead Dylan Neal, and positioned Zahara opposite Andreas Katsulas (reprising his ''Babylon 5'' role of G'Kar). Although intended as a series launch, the pilot underperformed in ratings and was not picked up for a full series.

==== Jeremiah ====

Zahara appeared as Ezekiel, a mysterious and prophetic protector who delivers cryptic warnings to the protagonist, in six episodes of Showtime's ''Jeremiah'' (2002–2004), another J. Michael Straczynski creation.<ref group="external" name="imdb_jeremiah_zahara">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0290966/fullcredits/#:~:text=Alex%20Zahara|title=Jeremiah — Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref> The role spanned Season 1 in 2002.

==== The Man in the High Castle ====

Zahara played Oberführer Oliver Diels, an SS officer in the German occupation government, in a recurring role across multiple seasons of Amazon's ''[[w:The Man in the High Castle|The Man in the High Castle]]'' (2015–2018).<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_filmography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0951912/#:~:text=Oliver%20Diels|title=Alex Zahara — Filmography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref>

==== Additional Film and Television ====

Zahara's genre and mainstream credits include:

* ''The 13th Warrior'' (1999) — Norseman, opposite Antonio Banderas and Omar Sharif; directed by John McTiernan; his theatrical film debut
* ''The Outer Limits'' — "Tribunal" (1999, S2E19) as SS Officer Karl Rademacher in an episode involving a Holocaust survivor; Zahara has identified this as one of his proudest roles
* ''Dark Angel'' (Fox, 2001) — Johanssen in two episodes ("Red," S2E11, and "Rising," S2E12), portraying a South African Manticore X-series operative
* ''Open Range'' (2003) — Chet, a gunfighter opposite Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, and Annette Bening
* ''Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers''
* ''Andromeda'', ''The Immortal'', ''Welcome to Paradox'', ''First Wave'', ''Smallville'', ''Supernatural'', ''Fringe'', ''Psych'', ''The Dead Zone'', ''Kingdom Hospital'', ''Tru Calling'', ''Cold Squad'', ''Blood Ties''
* ''Masters of Horror'' — Detective Patterson in "Deer Woman" (S1E7, December 9, 2005, Showtime), directed by John Landis
* ''Masters of Science Fiction'' — "Bucky" in "The Discarded" (S1E4, August 25, 2007), directed by Jonathan Frakes and written by Harlan Ellison, opposite Brian Dennehy and John Hurt
* ''Riverworld'' (Syfy miniseries, 2010) — Ludwig Dürr, the Hindenburg engineer
* ''2012'' (2009, Roland Emmerich) — a naval officer on the Ark
* ''Hell on Wheels'' (AMC) — Lt. Weston, recurring across two Season 2 episodes
* ''Once Upon a Time'' (ABC) — King Midas in "The Shepherd" (S1E6, December 4, 2011) and later appearances in Season 4
* ''Arrow'' (The CW) — drug lord Anthony Venza
* ''Horns'' (2013) — Dr. Renald, opposite Daniel Radcliffe
* ''Lonesome Dove Church'' (2014) — antagonist Butch Henley, opposite Tom Berenger
* ''The 9th Life of Louis Drax'' (2016) — Eduardo Navarra, opposite Jamie Dornan
* ''The Assignment'' (2016) — opposite Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver, directed by Walter Hill
* ''Brain on Fire'' (2016) — stepfather to Chloë Grace Moretz's character
* ''Riverdale'' (The CW, 2017–2020) — Uncle Bedford Blossom, recurring across three seasons
* ''Final Destination Bloodlines'' (2025) — Uncle Howard Campbell, head of the Campbell family; Zahara appeared in the franchise's highest-grossing entry to date

=== Voice Acting ===

Zahara is a prolific voice actor in Vancouver-based anime dubbing, animation, and video game production. His voice acting roles include:

* Lockon Stratos (Neil and Lyle Dylandy) in ''Mobile Suit Gundam 00''
* Shinsuke Takasugi in ''Gintama°''
* Karnak in ''Marvel Knights: Inhumans''
* Nick Logan in ''Roswell Conspiracies: Aliens, Myths & Legends'' (40 episodes)
* Dr. Peter Corbeau in ''Iron Man: Armored Adventures''
* Vic Hoskins (reprising Vincent D'Onofrio's character) in ''LEGO Jurassic World: The Secret Exhibit'' and ''LEGO Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar''
* Alpha Sentinel in ''ReBoot: The Guardian Code''
* Jack Pot in ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' ("Grannies Gone Wild")
* Tar Gibbons in ''Aliens Stole My Body'' (2020, with William Shatner)
* Johann Schmidt in ''LEGO Marvel Avengers: Climate Conundrum''

Video game credits include voice acting for ''Dead Rising 2'', ''Dead Rising 4'', ''Thimbleweed Park'', ''Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3'', ''JETT: The Far Shore'', and ''Homeworld 3''.

=== Producing and Directing ===

Beyond acting, Zahara has worked as a director and producer. He directed and co-produced the short film ''Not Indian Enough'', which screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and co-produced, cast, and acted in the independent feature ''Patterson's Wager'' (2015–2016), directed by O. Corbin Saleken.<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_filmography"/> The latter has won several festival awards, including Best Feature at the Spokane International Film Festival. Zahara has also worked as a read-through reader on television productions including ''The Good Doctor'', ''Riverdale'', ''Supergirl'', ''Sabrina'', ''A Million Little Things'', ''Arrow'', ''The Flash'', ''Legends of Tomorrow'', and ''Timeless''.

=== Teaching ===

Zahara has taught acting at multiple institutions. He taught "Acting for Teens" at Vancouver Film School and currently serves on the faculty of Vancouver Acting School, where he teaches performance classes.<ref group="external" name="vas_faculty_zahara"/>

== Personal Life ==

Zahara is married to a woman named Shannon.<ref group="external" name="alexzahara_official_website">{{cite web|url=http://www.alexzahara.com/#:~:text=Shannon|title=Alex Zahara — Official Website|publisher=alexzahara.com|accessdate=May 26, 2026}}</ref> He is based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

He is an active attendee at fan conventions related to his work, including Stargate fan events (Creation's "Final Journey" in Chicago, Chevron 8.1 in London in April 2014, Gatecon 2018 in Richmond, B.C.) and ''Once Upon a Time'' conventions. Zahara has served as a jury member at the Reel Shorts Film Festival in his hometown of Grande Prairie.

== Online Presence ==

Zahara maintains an official website at http://www.alexzahara.com/ and is active on social media as @ActorAlexZahara on X (Twitter), @alex.zahara on Instagram, and on Facebook as facebook.com/actoralexzahara.<ref group="external" name="imdb_zahara_bio"/>

== References ==

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cast]]
[[Category:Cast (RDM)]]
[[Category:Former Stargate Cast and Crew]]
[[Category:Former Babylon 5 Cast and Crew]]
[[Category:Canadian actors]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:RDM]]
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