AceShowbiz - Cirroc Lofton gives an emotional tribute to his TV father, Avery Brooks, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. As Jake Sisko, Cirroc Lofton starred alongside Avery Brooks' Captain Benjamin Sisko for all seven seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Cirroc Lofton now hosts the popular podcast The 7th Rule, which reviewed every episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Cirroc Lofton is now watching every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation with co-host Ryan T. Husk and special guests.

Since DS9, Cirroc Lofton has been identified with Avery Brooks, who he was as close to in real life as Ben and Jake Sisko were on the show. Appearing as a guest on The Transporter Room podcast, host Chris Garis asked Cirroc Lofton about his relationship with Avery Brooks on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. An emotional Cirroc Lofton spoke beautiful words about his TV dad, who he remains close with today. "I love Avery and I always will. He’s like a father to me, and always will be. And I’ll always love him like a father. He’s been there through my ups and downs in life, through my immaturity and maturity, and through all the in betweens. And he’s been a steady rock for me, a foundational pillar, and somebody who has led by example just by how he lives his life."

Cirroc Lofton expanded on his relationship with Avery Brooks, agreeing with Chris Garis that his TV dad came into his life just when Cirroc Lofton needed him: "I was a vulnerable point at that particular point in my life, going through stuff personally with family, but he stepped in and filled those shoes, steered me right, and was always being a guidance to me. Both in regular life and professionally. In every way that you can be a guidance to somebody. He was for me. I will always love him [and] we’ve maintained our connection."

Cirroc Lofton was 15 when he became a series regular on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Avery Brooks treated Cirroc Lofton like a son off camera, and made him part of his family. That real life relationship and dynamic between Brooks and Cirroc Lofton is visible on-screen in the loving relationship between Ben and Jake Sisko. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was also groundbreaking and important in its positive depiction of a Black father and son. Captain Sisko may have had the fate of the Alpha Quadrant on his shoulders, but Ben always made time for Jake, supported his career as a writer, and gave Jake an example of courageous and compassionate masculinity to emulate.

To honor his TV dad, Cirroc Lofton and The 7th Rule created The Sisko Day in 2023. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fans celebrated this special day, showing their appreciation for the beloved character and the impact he had on the show. Cirroc Lofton's tribute to Avery Brooks is a heartwarming reminder of the lasting bonds formed on set and the importance of positive role models in our lives.