"[It was] originally four hours, but after the first four or five months of filming it was two hours, and it stayed at two hours for the rest of the seven years," he told the site. "However in the movie INSURRECTION, there was a part for Quark. My make-up lady, Karen Westerfield, is a perfectionist and because I was going to be on the big screen, two hours turned into five. And then, of course, the scene got cut from the movie. [He laughs.] But that was fine. It should’ve been cut and I was glad it was."

Shimerman says he angled heavily for the DS9 job, owing to his own love for the franchise.

"I campaigned strenuously to become Quark because I’d always been a major Star Trek fan, so nothing was going to stand between me and that role," he recalled. "I am very proud to be one of the icons of Star Trek and by extension of modern television."

The actor also played the inimitable 'Principle Snyder' on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, a role he says continually proves he is not typecast as Quark.

"Quark was a blessing because I was so covered up, but at the same time my persona is so connected with that character that it may be a hindrance," he says, "With BUFFY it is now even more complicated because people now think I’m Principal Snyder, and I’m egotistical enough to believe that Snyder and Quark are two vastly different characters and so I can say ‘no, no, just look at Quark. Or if you think I’m Snyder, just look at Quark.’"

You can read much more from Shimerman, including remarks about his newest novel and his SG-1 guest appearance here. Thanks to Antony for the link!