'Star Trek's' Enterprising Marina Sirtis

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UPN is developing a "Star Trek" millennium special. Scheduled sometime at the end of November, the show will highlight the past and present stars of a sci-fi series that has transcended into its own subculture.

In honor of the special, we called on one of the most popular characters to have emerged from any of the four "Star Trek" series and films: "Star Trek: Next Generation's" Counselor Deanna Troi, actress Marina Sirtis.

First Contact
I first met Marina Sirtis a couple of years ago at a star-studded fundraiser at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. The actress joined Leeza Gibbons, Bill Maher, Ally Walker, Elizabeth Hurley, Courtney Thorne-Smith and many others to raise money to save abandoned pets.

Beautiful, articulate, and passionate, Sirtis' star power was unquestioned. That night, thousands of dollars were raised for an organization that rescued animals from certain death.

This July, I spent time with her at a small party where we shared laughs and more than one piece of chocolate cake. This Marina Sirtis was engaging, warm, and downright funny.

In a town known to be a bit surreal, and in a business in which one can so easily lose track of oneself, Sirtis has managed to stay down-to-earth, despite her galactic celebrity. She has the amazing ability to be both an international star and the favorite neighbor you wave to on your way to work in the morning.

And it is this dichotomy that makes Sirtis such a wonderful surprise.

Marina, Phone Home
I reach Sirtis at the Hollywood home she shares with husband Michael Lamper. It sounds like she's in the kitchen. Her dog is barking in the background and a sink is running.

"Hang on a minute please, let me turn off the television," she says apologetically. The water goes off, too. She's back on the phone again.

"Sorry, hello?"

One of the first things we discuss is the real Marina Sirtis, not the television persona. She is quick to note that she is just a regular person.

Sirtis says, "I think I am most proud of the fact that I lead a pretty normal life. I don't have a personal assistant, I go to the market and pick up my own dry-cleaning -- normal everyday things."

"I don't take myself too seriously," she adds. "I can laugh at myself and am always the first to make fun of myself."

This statement from an actress who is known around the globe as the somewhat reserved Counselor Troi. She's still mobbed at "Star Trek" conventions and public appearances.

Sirtis continues, "I can't imagine just sitting around watching 'Law & Order' and eating bons bons all day."

I ask Sirtis if she gets recognized while out running errands and if this doesn't hinder her routine.

"Well, yes, I get recognized sometimes, but this town (Los Angeles) is full of celebrities and I think I'm pretty far down on the list to bother." Sirtis says this as if it is a given. I tell her that I knew a lot of her fans would disagree.

Marina of Troi
Deanna Troi has become a cult figure. Troi is the ship's counselor and is known for her empathetic powers. On many occasions, Troi's counsel has proven invaluable to the crew of the Starship Enterprise.

While some "Star Trek" actors lament the "double edged sword" of having success on a hit series but also being typecast, Sirtis maintains that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and three feature films was a very positive experience.

"I loved taping the show. My best friends to this day are actors from ('Star Trek')."

I ask Sirtis if she thought her role on the 1987-1994 syndicated "Star Trek" had opened or closed more career doors for her.

She answers, "I think in this business it's important to be recognized for something. Whether it's for a role you did, or something you did that got you arrested."

"For me 'Star Trek' has been nothing but a positive experience because of this recognition. When I go in for an audition, it doesn't matter if the (casting director) has seen the show or not," she told me. Inevitably, they know who she is.

That said, Sirtis quickly points out that, although she enjoys being associated with "Star Trek," she is very different from the character Deanna Troi.

The British actress of Greek extraction tells me that "British actors tend to play and develop characters very different from themselves, while American actors use a lot more of themselves in a character."

Americans refer to personalities like Rosie O'Donnell who seem to play themselves in their acting roles, she told me.

"Of course," she adds, "Naturally, we (British actors) use what's inside. We bring personal experiences to the character."

Sirtis also acknowledges that despite the strong difference between she and her onscreen character, more Sirtis has crept into Deanna Troi in the "Star Trek" movies.

"For seven years the character was very different from me. Only recently have they written more Marina into the part of Deanna Troi. Some fans love it, some hate it. I think change keeps the character interesting."

Lost In Space
Sirtis' appearance schedule is often hectic. While in Europe (where she is hugely popular) she often races from one country to another. And Sirtis is not immune to travel glitches. Recently, just like Miss Ross, she encountered trouble at London's Heathrow Airport.

Traveling by herself, Sirtis was detained at security while flying from London to Athens. She couldn't find her passport.

Sirtis begins, "I had excess baggage and was going through that whole thing and suddenly I realized that I was missing my passport." Sirtis insisted that she never had it returned from customs but everyone just shook their heads and told her that she must have lost it.

"Did they know who you were?" I ask.

"Well, I'm not sure, but I'm not one to do the 'do you know who I am?' routine. But, I was really panicked. I was going to miss my plane to Athens to see my family."

After a scary few minutes, one of the customs agents ran up and handed her the missing passport. "It had fallen behind the agent's computer terminal."

That would have never happened if she had flown on a Star Fleet vessel.

Star Dates I tell Sirtis that I caught her guest appearance on "Outer Limits" and that I was impressed.

Aside from being featured in the upcoming "Star Trek" millennium special, Sirtis also recently wrapped an episode of "Star Trek Voyager" and a play in Philadelphia. She is also busy reading dozens of scripts that are sent to her.

Will we see her in another feature film soon? Sirtis says she's waiting for the right project. I'll keep you posted.

Final Frontier
"Oh, the dog's barking now, somebody is at the door," Sirtis tells me.

That "somebody" turns out to be Michael Dorn, who played Chief Security Officer Worf on "Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space 9."

Sirtis gives me a brief play-by-play of what Dorn is doing. "Michael is walking all around looking at the new furniture," she says.

Now that she has company, I thank Sirtis for the interview and say goodbye.

"Okay, goodbye" she says kindly. "I hope to see you again soon."

"Me too," I tell her. And I can't wait.

Fan Sites

• International Marina Sirtis fan club
• Sirtis UK

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