Marina Sirtis was born to Greek parents who didn't want her to become an actress. As soon as Marina completed high school, she applied to the Guild Hall School of Music and Drama secretly. After her graduation, she worked in musical theater, repertory, and television. In 1986, she moved to Los Angeles, California. For six months she auditioned for parts but was unsuccessful. Just before she planned to go back home, she got the part of Counselor Deanna Troi in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987). In 1992 she married Michael Lamper, a rock guitarist.

She is a big fan of soccer club Tottenham Hotspur.She is a big soccer fan because her little brother Steve plays this sport in Greece.Originally auditioned for the part of Tasha Yar in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).After her audition for the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), Marina felt her audition was unsuccessful and was just about to jump on a flight home to London. Only minutes before she did so, they called back and told her she had gotten the part of Counselor Deanna Troi.Played the stewardess in the now classic and famous Cinzano Bianco advert staring Leonard Rossiter and Joan Collins. You may remember the end where Rossiter pats the arm of Joan Collin's seat causing it to suddenly recline and she ends up throwing the drink her own face. "Ah, getting your head down. Good idea," he says.Fellow "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) cast members Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn were groomsmen at her wedding.Through the Fire (2002) (TV) was a sitcom pilot episode written by Marina's best friend, Michael Dorn, and featured her as a cast member. It was never sold to a Network.Wore black-colored contact lenses during "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987)'s 7-year run and the subsequent films because her character had black eyes. Marina's eyes are light brown.Has attended "Star Trek" conventions in Alberta, Canada, at least four times as of June 2004. She has visited Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; and Vulcan, Alberta.Last name is pronounced SIR-tiss (October 2007).Has appeared in episodes of four different series with Jonathan Frakes: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), "Gargoyles" (1994), "Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles" (1996), and "Enterprise" (2001).Along with Jonathan Frakes, Armin Shimerman, John de Lancie, Michael Ansara, and Richard Poe, she is one of only six actors to play the same character on three different 'Star Trek' series. She played Counselor Deanna Troi in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995), and "Enterprise" (2001).Along with Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Colm Meaney, and Jeffrey Combs, she is one of only six actors to appear in the finales of two different "Star Trek" series ("Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) and "Enterprise" (2001)).Her father died on 24 October 1981, exactly ten years before "Star Trek" (1966) creator Gene RoddenberrySpeaks Greek fluentlyOccasionally attends Star Trek conventions so that her loving fans can meet her, and she can meet the fans.Has stated that her favorite episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is "Face of the Enemy."Sometimes wore hair-pieces for her role as Deanna Troi in Star Trek The Next Generation. Marina's real hair was slightly shorter, and although curly, was not as bouffant as her character's. However, Marina's real hair was used in the first two seasons, and also in the first six episodes of season six, in which Troi sported a pony-tailed style.Is a vegetarian.Supports animal-rights causes.Has several action figures modeled after her likeness and her character Counselor Deanna Troi from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).After Gene Roddenberry's death, she explained how his death reminded her of her own father's. She mourned along with Majel Barrett-Roddenberry and admitted she felt as close to a real-life daughter to Majel as the on-screen daughter she played.Was one of the "Next Generation" cast to attend "Star Trek" conventions while still filming the last episodes of season seven (to begin pre-production of Star Trek: Generations (1994)). One of which was her 1994 appearance in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Mariott Southern Hills. She signed the popular 1992 Peter David-penned "Imzadi" novel about young Riker and Troi, as well as speaking about the series finale and the movie to fans.When Marina came to America to pursue a career as an actress and got the role on Star Trek, Marina's mother did not believe her and thought that she was making it up as an excuse to stay in the States. It wasn't until season four of Star Trek that her mother really started to believe her. She saw a Deana Troi trading card from Star Trek.Is a huge fan of chick flicks. Her favorite movie of all time is Steel Magnolias.Parents: John and Despina Sirtis.Her character of Deanna Troi, and William Riker, are the only characters to appear in three of the Star Trek series' and the films. Although Riker would have four series appearances if you include Tom Riker's DS9 appearance.Did rep Work at The Connaught Theatre, Worthing, West Sussex.