Marina Sirtis is a British-American actress who was born on March 29, 1955. She is best known for her role as Counselor Deanna Troi in the television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” which aired from 1987 to 1994. Sirtis’s portrayal of Deanna Troi, a half-human, half-Betazoid empath and counselor aboard the starship USS Enterprise-D, garnered her widespread recognition and established her as a beloved character within the Star Trek universe.
Sirtis’s involvement in the Star Trek franchise extended beyond “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” She reprised her role as Deanna Troi in four Star Trek feature films: “Star Trek Generations” (1994), “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996), “Star Trek: Insurrection” (1998), and “Star Trek: Nemesis” (2002). In addition to her work in the main Star Trek series and films, Sirtis made numerous guest appearances in other Star Trek shows. She appeared in episodes of “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and “Star Trek: Picard,” among others.
Beyond her Star Trek role, Sirtis has also had a diverse acting career in film, television, and theater. She has appeared in various other television shows, including “NCIS,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Orville,” as well as in films like “Crash” (1996) and “Grendel” (2007).
Marina Sirtis was born to Greek parents
Marina Sirtis was born in Hackney, London, to Greek parents named Despina and John Sirtis. Her mother worked as a tailor’s assistant, while her father’s occupation is not specified. She grew up in Harringay, a neighborhood located in North London.
She has a brother named Steve Sirtis, who is a football player. Marina Sirtis was raised in a blue-collar family that taught her the value of hard work from a young age. She had responsibilities both inside and outside the home to help support her family financially.
Alongside her other jobs, she would complete sewing tasks at home. Additionally, her mother would handle the final touches, such as removing the basting threads, to ensure the clothes were finished properly. This upbringing instilled in Sirtis a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility towards her family.
At the age of 3, she was sexually molested which results in 20 years of trauma
When Marina Sirtis was three years old, she was sexually molested by the teenage sons of her babysitter. This made her feel very bad and she started having problems with eating. She couldn’t eat properly for 20 years because of this.
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In the 1990s, she went to therapy and learned how to deal with what happened to her. Therapy helped her feel better and she was able to eat in a healthy way again. It was a long process, but she worked hard to recover and take control of her life.
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Sirtis secretly auditioned for drama school
Despite her parent’s objections, Marina Sirtis took a bold step while she was still in secondary school. She secretly auditioned for drama school and was accepted into the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1976, at the age of 21, she successfully completed her studies at Guildhall and embarked on her professional journey by joining the Connaught Theatre.
Seeking greater opportunities for her acting career, Sirtis made a significant decision in 1986. She moved to Los Angeles, United States, with the aim of boosting her prospects in the entertainment industry. Over time, she embraced her new home and eventually became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
She started her career in 1976
In 1976, Marina Sirtis started her acting career as a member of the repertory company at the Connaught Theatre in Worthing, West Sussex. She had notable roles during this time, including starring in Joe Orton’s play “What the Butler Saw” under the direction of Nic Young, as well as portraying Ophelia in “Hamlet.”
Before her appearance in Star Trek, Sirtis played supporting roles in several movies. In the 1983 film “The Wicked Lady,” she engaged in a whip fight with Faye Dunaway. In Charles Bronson’s “Death Wish 3,” she portrayed a rape victim. Additionally, she made an appearance as an s*x worker who meets a tragic end at the hands of a psychopath in the movie “Blind Date.”
Sirtis also made guest appearances on various British television series. Some of her notable appearances include shows like “Raffles” (1977), “Who Pays the Ferryman” (1977), “Hazell” (1978), “Minder” (1979), the Jim Davidson sitcom “Up the Elephant and Round the Castle” (1985), and “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” (1986). Furthermore, Sirtis took part in a 1979 Cinzano Bianco television advertisement alongside Joan Collins and Leonard Rossiter, where Collins was hilariously soaked in liquid while Sirtis portrayed a flight attendant.
Marina Sirtis was married to Michael Lamper
Marina Sirtis tied the knot with Michael Lamper, who was not only an actor but also a rock guitarist, in 1992. They shared a life together, supporting each other’s careers and building a strong bond. However, their happiness was tragically interrupted when Lamper unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on December 7, 2019. This devastating loss deeply impacted Sirtis and marked a significant turning point in her life.
Following the heartbreaking loss of her beloved husband, Marina Sirtis found solace in Los Angeles, where she resided for a period of two years. During this time, she surrounded herself with the companionship of her dogs, finding comfort and support in their presence.
However, in March 2020, Sirtis made a significant life-changing decision. She revealed her plans to relocate to the United Kingdom, her home country. The reasons behind her decision were not explicitly mentioned, but it can be inferred that her desire for a fresh start, the need for emotional healing, or a longing for familiar surroundings played a part in this choice.
