A Chat with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Chase Masterson

Chase Masterson really does it all. She dances, sings, performs sketch comedy and stars in TV and movies. Now she's even producing. Her new film noir Yesterday Was A Lie is a complex story about the nature of reality from director James Kerwin and Chase is a producer.

For millions of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine television fans around the world, Chase is known fondly as Leeta, the beautiful girl who went from nightclub server to marrying an alien destined to become leader of the Ferengi Star Empire. It was a one shot appearance initially, but blossomed into an important recurring character. It's credit to Chase's talent and charisma that Leeta became such an integral part of the DS9 family.

I had the pleasure of learning more about Chase, her new movie and even charitable pursuits, which remain close to her heart.

What was it like growing up in Colorado?

I was born in Colorado, but grew up all over. My father was in the Army, so we lived in many different places, including Alaska & Germany. It was great traveling so much, early on - my father loved taking us on sidetrips. He became a travel agent after the Army and was so duly enamored with places we got to go, even on weekend. Morocco, Italy, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Munich and so many little towns in Germany. Being exposed to varied culture, different forms of theatre & art & music was extremely formative. It was wonderful.

The hard part was always having to say goodbye to people and places I loved and knowing, while it was great, it wasn't permanent. It's a very hard way to grow up. Always bittersweet.

The Groundlings. In comedy improv circles it's legendary. What's the most useful thing you learned as a Groundling?

I wasn't actually in the Groundlings. I don't know where whoever said that heard it. I worked for a long time with some Groundlings in a side comedy troupe called "Hilarions: Gladiators of Comedy." It was crazily fun. We did mostly sketch, not lots of improv. I got my first agent & film through them.