Remembering Carmen Argenziano - Jacob Carter

One of the most beloved characters and actors on Stargate SG-1 was Carmen Argenziano as Samantha Carter's father, Jacob. In the beginning, Jacob is a General in the Air Force, and he knows better than to buy the cover story that his daughter, Samantha, gives about what she does for the Air Force.  He knows that she doesn't work on, "Deep space radar telemetry." As a military officer, he understands the need to keep things secret, and respects that.   As a father, however, he really wants to know what his daughter is doing.

At first, Jacob is presented as a hard nosed, somewhat gruff Air Force General. The stereotypical high ranking military officer. But it quickly becomes apparent that as he has aged, Jacob does have regrets, and one of them is that he hasn't had a better relationship with his daughter. Ironically, however, as he has come to that realization, he is also diagnosed with terminal cancer. Because he is dying, and doesn't want his daughter to be in as much emotional pain when he passes, he remains somewhat distant and cold, emotionally.

Argenziano played that aspect of Jacob perfectly. There is so much subtext in his performance is is heart wrenching to see the two of them so close to a breakthrough, but his belief that he shouldn't let her in, emotionally, because of the cancer keeps them apart. Argenziano hit all of the right notes for that performance, and he hit them with style and flair.

Later, as Jacob's life is saved through a blending with the Tok-ra Selmak, he plays the softer, loving father even better. Even with Jacob letting his emotional guard down he's still a military officer and an authority figure, but he also listens to his daughter and shows her the love and caring that he wasn't able to when he was younger, or later when he was afraid to show that side because of his cancer. Argenziano's performances as Jacob/Selmak are some of the best in the series. He had the ability to play this multi-faceted character with nuance and depth. And, in point of fact, he was actually playing two characters sharing the same body, and he played both of them equally well. Like Don S. Davis, Carmen Argenziano became a beloved cast member on the show (even if it was a recurring role he played), loved by both the fans and the other cast members.

Argenziano's career was long and prolific. His first role came in 1969 as a guest on the TV show Judd For The Defense, and from there he was off and running. He even had a (very) small role in The Godfather Part II. Ultimately, he ended up with 229 credits in his on screen career. He was both prolific and talented. He was one of those actors in Hollywood who would never get the starring roles, but the roles he did get helped make the shows or movies better.

Sadly, on February 10, 2019, Carmen Argenziano passed away at the age of 75. It was a loss felt by cast members and fans of many shows, but none moreso than the fans and cast of Stargate SG-1. In his 25 appearances on SG-1 Argenziano made an indelible mark on the show. Jacob Carter became a hugely important part of the show, not just from a narrative, storytelling aspect, but also from a personal/personality aspect. Fans loved episodes with Jacob. Fans loved Jacob - and Carmen Argenziano.

He is greatly missed.