Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Nana Visitor Talks Dancing, Broadway & Beyond

Nana Visitor had little choice, but to become a great dancer.

Born into a performing family of Hollywood's finest, her destiny seemed assured. Indeed, her aunt was none other than the legendary Cyd Charrise. But this multi-talented performer didn't stop at mastering the most physical performing art. She excelled at dance and confidently took a step beyond.

Best known to audiences as freedom fighter Major Kira on the hit television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, she won early roles on soap operas, TV dramas and comedies. No better proof of her sharp comic timing was co-starring opposite Sandra Bullock in the TV version of the hit film Working Girl. Despite, the sitcom's short run, Nana had arrived on the national entertainment scene.

Living up to her royal theater pedigree, Nana appeared with Angela Lansbury in the touring company of Gypsy, and later won her most prominent stage role - Roxie Hart in the revival of Bob Fosse's classic Broadway musical Chicago. My chat with Nana ranges from a thrilling childhood spent around the Great White Way's legends, to a deep affection for Star Trek, to her starring role on ABC Family's Wildfire.

Your dance background is impressive. How was it growing up the daughter of such dancing luminaries as your parents and your Aunt - Cyd Charrise?

It was like being the child of someone who was a sword master. My eye was trained and my body through osmosis got used to the best of the best. I never had to think too much about how to dance I just did it. I watched dancers like Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune and greats from the modern and ballet world of NY. As a child, I was just mostly bored and couldn't wait for class to end so my mom and I could go next door to the deli and have lunch.

Growing up in a Hollywood family must have been wonderful. Did your parents take you to movie sets they worked on?