Ethan Phillips, born February 8, 1955, in Garden City, New York, is an American actor best known for portraying Neelix, the Talaxian chef and morale officer, in Star Trek: Voyager. He has also had a prolific career in theater, television, and film, appearing in Benson, The Shadow, and Inside Llewyn Davis.

     Phillips grew up on Long Island as the only boy among six siblings. His father owned Frankie & Johnnie’s, a well-known steakhouse in New York City. He studied English literature at Boston University, earning a Bachelor’s degree, and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Cornell University.

     His acting career began in theater, performing in off-Broadway productions such as The Nature and Purpose of the Universe and Modigliani. He later starred in Measure for Measure with Kevin Kline and My Favorite Year with Tim Curry. He has performed in over 50 stage productions, including November with Nathan Lane and The Imaginary Invalid with Peter Dinklage.

     Phillips gained recognition as Pete Downey, the governor’s press aide, in Benson (1980–1985). He later appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation (Ménage à Troi, 1990) before landing the role of Neelix in Voyager (1995–2001). He also played a holographic maître d’ in Star Trek: First Contact (1996).

     Beyond Star Trek, Phillips has appeared in NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope, Law & Order, The Good Wife, and Better Call Saul. His film credits include Green Card, Glory, Wagons East, and The Man Without a Face. He has also voiced characters in The Legend of Korra and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

     Phillips is also an author, having written Penguin Blues, a play published by Samuel French, and co-authored The Star Trek Cookbook with William J. Birnes. He was married to Patricia Cresswell (1990–2022) and has three children.