Entertainment • Actor

Jennifer Lien

Jennifer Lien is an American former actress best known for playing Kes on the television series *Star Trek: Voyager*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jennifer Lien is an American former actress best known for playing Kes on the television series *Star Trek: Voyager*. She was born on August 24, 1974, in Palos Heights, Illinois. Her screen credits include television and film roles in the 1990s and early 2000s, and sources describe her as retired from acting.

Early life

Biographical sources place Lien’s birth in Palos Heights, Illinois, and identify her full name as Jennifer Anne Lien. She was born on August 24, 1974. Some sources also describe early work in acting before her best-known television role.

Career

Lien is most widely associated with the role of Kes, an Ocampa character on *Star Trek: Voyager*. Her credited acting years are listed as 1990–2001 in one source and 1990–2002 in another. Other cited credits include film and television work in the 1990s, with some sources also listing producer or script and continuity credits.

Personal life

Public biographical listings state that Lien is married to Phil Hwang and has one child. Details about her later life are limited in the provided sources, which primarily focus on her acting career.

Public recognition

Her role in *Star Trek: Voyager* remains the main reason she is remembered in entertainment references and fan databases. Secondary sources note that she retired from acting after the early 2000s.

Key facts

She is an American former actress.
She is best known for portraying Kes on *Star Trek: Voyager*.
Her credited acting years are listed as 1990–2001 in one source and 1990–2002 in another.
She was born in Palos Heights, Illinois, on August 24, 1974.
She is married to Phil Hwang and has one child.

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Canadian context

Jennifer Lien is best known to Canadian readers through *Star Trek: Voyager*, which aired widely in Canada and remains part of the franchise’s international fan base.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jennifer Lien?

Jennifer Lien is an American former actress best known for playing Kes on *Star Trek: Voyager*.

What role made Jennifer Lien famous?

She is best known for portraying Kes, a member of the Ocampa, on *Star Trek: Voyager*.

When was Jennifer Lien born?

She was born on August 24, 1974.

Where was Jennifer Lien born?

Sources list Palos Heights, Illinois, U.S., as her birthplace.

Is Jennifer Lien still acting?

Available sources describe her as a former or retired actress, with her credited activity ending in the early 2000s.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Lien
Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, occupation, years active, known for, spouse, children.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000497/
Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, occupation, and biography details.
The Movie Database — https://www.themoviedb.org/person/823-jennifer-lien?language=en-US
Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and identification as an American actress best known for Kes.
Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/lien-jennifer-1974
Supports: Full name, birth date, birthplace, marriage to Phil Hwang, child name, and career as actress/producer.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000497/bio/
Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, and family details.
Legit.ng — https://www.legit.ng/1235930-star-trek-voyager-actress-jennifer-lien-age-net-worth-arrest.html
Supports: Public biographical details including full name, birth date, spouse, and retirement from acting; some claims in this source are not included here if unsupported elsewhere.