One of the most prominent character actors from the 1980s onward recently had fans doing a double take, appearing almost unrecognizable in a public sighting.
The cherished actor, now aged 71, initially gained fame on the sitcom “Benson” as Pete Downey. He was recently seen braving the brisk St. Patrick’s Day weather in New York City.
Wrapped in a dark winter coat, scarf, and baseball cap, the actor—who has shared the Broadway stage with talents like John Malkovich, Patti LuPone, and Peter Dinklage—appeared in good spirits as he navigated a bustling street during this infrequent public appearance.
However, he looked vastly different from his iconic portrayal of the Talaxian Neelix on “Star Trek: Voyager,” a role he embodied since the show’s premiere in 1995. Longtime fans might also remember his numerous roles throughout the expansive Star Trek universe.
Additionally, fans might recall his performances in the 1986 cult horror hits “Critters” and its sequel “Critters 3,” which revolved around small, human-devouring alien creatures.
So, can you recognize this familiar face?
One of the most prolific character actors of the 1980s and beyond had fans doing a double take after stepping out looking almost unrecognizable
The beloved star, now 71, first rose to fame on the sitcom Benson, where he played Pete Downey, and was spotted braving the chilly St. Patrick’s Day weather in New York City
Bundled in a dark winter jacket, scarf, and baseball cap, the actor – who has appeared on Broadway alongside the likes of John Malkovich, Patti LuPone, and Peter Dinklage – seemed in high spirits as he navigated a busy street during the rare outing
If you said Ethan Phillips, you’d be absolutely right.
In 2023, Phillips opened up about his role as Neelix in the Star Trek universe, admitting that while the process was demanding, he relished the opportunity.
‘First of all, the makeup was extremely tedious because I was in the chair for five hours a day, sometimes two or three days in a row. I was tired a lot, because I couldn’t sleep in the makeup,’ he told StarTrek.com.
‘So I was always awake for 18 hours. When I had a big show, it was pretty exhausting for me. But I’ve made a living playing the sixth banana. That’s fine with me. I’ll take what I get, you know?’
He added: ‘I’m an actor that gets the job and does it. I didn’t think going to bat for different storylines for Neelix would have any impact, nor do I even think that way [in general, as an actor].
‘This was a TV show and it was my job to come in and do it.’
That workmanlike attitude has defined Phillips’ long and varied career across film, television, and the stage.
Raised on Long Island – where his father owned the well-known Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse – he later pursued acting academically, earning a degree in English literature from Boston University followed by an MFA from Cornell University.
Ethan Phillips was raised on Long Island – where his father owned the well-known Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse – and later pursued acting academically, earning a degree in English literature from Boston University followed by an MFA from Cornell University
Phillips played PR man Pete Downey on Benson, which ran from 1979 to 1986; (Inga Swenson, Didi Conn, Missy Gold, Phillips, Rene Auberjonois, Robert Guillaume, and James Noble)
Fans may also remember him from the 1986 cult horror film Critters and its sequel Critters 3, which followed a group of small, carnivorous aliens with a taste for humans
Phillips played the Talaxian called Neelix on Star Trek: Voyager – a character he played from the show’s debut in 1995 – while longtime fans will also recall he portrayed several other roles across the wider Star Trek universe
‘The makeup was extremely tedious because I was in the chair for five hours a day, sometimes two or three days in a row,’ Phillips once said
Phillips acted alongside Julie Bowen and Katey Sagal in a 2006 episode of Boston Legal
He went on to hone his craft in off-Broadway productions before transitioning into a steady stream of roles on stage and screen.
He appeared at a string of respected downtown venues, including Direct Theater -where he won Best of the Actors’ Festival in 1977 – as well as the Wonderhorse Theater and Playwrights Horizons.
By the late 1970s, his stage career was firmly established, with a standout turn in the premiere of Modigliani, which ran for more than 200 performances.
Over the next decade, he became a familiar face across New York’s theater scene, appearing in works by acclaimed playwrights such as Terrence McNally, while also taking to major stages including Lincoln Center Theater and the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
His later theater credits only cemented his reputation, with roles in productions alongside major stars including Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, and Bryan Cranston. H
Away from the stage, Phillips quietly built an extensive screen career, appearing in more than 50 films, including Ragtime, The Man Without a Face, Bad Santa, and Inside Llewyn Davis.
On television, he became a household name on Benson before going on to rack up dozens of guest roles on hit series including Law & Order, The Good Wife, Better Call Saul, and Veep.
Of course, it was his work within the Star Trek universe that earned him a devoted global fanbase— – from early appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation to his beloved run on Star Trek: Voyager – while he also lent his voice to several entries in the Star Wars video game universe.
Decades on, his resume remains one of the most diverse – and enduring – in the business.
