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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Actor

Marina Sirtis

Marina Sirtis is a British-American actress best known for portraying Counselor Deanna Troi on *Star Trek: The Next Generation* and related *Star Trek* films and series.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Marina Sirtis is a British-American actress best known for portraying Counselor Deanna Troi on *Star Trek: The Next Generation* and related *Star Trek* films and series. Born in London, she trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later moved to the United States, where she became a naturalized citizen.

Early life and training

Sirtis was born in London to Greek parents and studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After graduating, she worked in theatre and early television roles before relocating to the United States.

Star Trek career

She gained international recognition as Counselor Deanna Troi in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*. She later returned to the role in several films and additional franchise television appearances.

Other work

Beyond *Star Trek*, Sirtis has acted in television, film, and voice roles. Sources note her work on *Gargoyles* and appearances in series such as *NCIS* and other genre productions.

Personal life

Sirtis moved from the United Kingdom to the United States in 1986 and became a naturalized citizen. She married guitarist Michael Lamper in 1992.

Key facts

  • She graduated from Guildhall in 1976 and began her acting career in theatre and television.
  • She moved to Los Angeles in 1986 to advance her career and later became a U.S. citizen.
  • Her best-known role is Counselor Deanna Troi in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*.
  • She reprised Deanna Troi in four *Star Trek* feature films and later franchise appearances.
  • She also voiced Demona in the animated series *Gargoyles*.
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Canadian context

Marina Sirtis is widely known to Canadian audiences through the long-running popularity of *Star Trek* on Canadian television and at fan conventions.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Marina Sirtis best known for playing?
She is best known for playing Counselor Deanna Troi in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*.
Where was Marina Sirtis born?
She was born in London, England.
What is Marina Sirtis’s nationality?
She is British-American and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
What other role is she known for?
She voiced Demona in the animated series *Gargoyles*.
Did she appear in *Star Trek* films?
Yes. She reprised Deanna Troi in four *Star Trek* feature films.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Sirtis
    Supports: Birth date, move to Los Angeles in 1986, Guildhall graduation, naturalized U.S. citizenship.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000642/bio/
    Supports: Birth place, Greek parentage, training, role as Deanna Troi, later film appearances, marriage to Michael Lamper.
  3. Wikipedia (Portuguese) — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Sirtis
    Supports: Best-known role as Deanna Troi and voice role as Demona in Gargoyles.
  4. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Sirtis
    Supports: Birth date and broad career identification as British-American actress best known for Deanna Troi.
  5. StarTrek.com — https://www.startrek.com/news/9-things-you-should-know-about-marina-sirtis
    Supports: Guildhall attendance, early theatre work, and later recurring role on NCIS.
  6. Memory Alpha — https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Marina_Sirtis
    Supports: Star Trek franchise appearances beyond The Next Generation, including films and later series episodes.