When Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted in 1987, there were some big differences between the command crew structure of the 24th Century and what audiences had become accustomed to in Captain Kirk's time. One of the more interesting changes was the addition of ship's counselor, a role which on the Enterprise-D was filled by Deanna Troi, played by Marina Sirtis.

Whereas Kirk made his command decisions based on his own intuition and the input from his science officer and sometimes an old country doctor, Picard had the benefit of Counselor Troi and her empathic abilities to let him know what an adversary might be feeling, or if a first contact being might be hiding something, or even how his own crew was emotionally dealing with the rigors of a mission. In a sense, she personified Gene Roddenberry's unique take on what the captain of a ship with a combined military/scientific/diplomatic mission would require in the future.

Sirtis filled the half-Betazoid, half-human role with an exotic beauty and a sophisticated warmth that provided an emotional anchor to the ensemble cast, contributing greatly to the feeling among us viewers that this is a group of characters that we really like spending time with. Even though in some early episodes of TNG Troi may have done little more than serve as eye candy, as Sirtis has often remarked at conventions (but eye candy we certainly don't mind!), we did have the opportunity to see this character grow a great deal and come into her own as a Starfleet officer — with episodes such as "Face of the Enemy" and "Timescape," along with several Voyager episodes like "Inside Man", all the way through "Star Trek Nemesis" ... and a little retro action in the Star Trek: Enterprise finale "These Are the Voyages..."

Sirtis began her acting career like many other Star Trek alums, on the stage. Born in London to parents of Greek extraction, she attended the Guild Hall School of Music and Drama. Her connection to acting began at an early age, eventually leading her to work onstage throughout the U.K. and Europe and subsequently to Hollywood and Star Trek fame.

Prior to landing the role of Deanna Troi, Sirtis appeared on television in a number of short-lived series, including The Return of Sherlock Holmes and Hazell and Minder, as well as feature films such as "Blind Date," "The Wicked Lady" and "Death Wish 3." Over the years she has also lent her vocal talents to the animated series Gargoyles and Duckman, and has appeared on other science fiction shows such as Stargate SG-1, The Outer Limits and Earth: Final Conflict. On the Sci-Fi Channel recently, she starred as "Queen Wealhtheow" in the movie "Grendel," and also has had a recurring role in Girlfriends on The CW.

She has done quite a number of independent films, such as "Spectres," but one of those indies broke through to the mainstream and won the Academy Award for Best Picture last year — "Crash."

Keep an eye out for new projects called "The Deep Below" (with her pal Michael Dorn), "Trade Routes" and "Otis E."

We can never get enough of Marina, so STARTREK.COM would like to wish her a very Happy Birthday and many thanks for all of the wonderful moments throughout the years.

You too can wish her a Happy Birthday on the Star Trek Message Boards!