Robert Duncan McNeill portrays Starfleet Ensign Tom Paris, a man descended from a proud family of Starfleet legends. When the pressures of living up to the family name resulted in tragedy, Paris enlisted with the renegade Maquis, only to be captured and imprisoned by Starfleet. Given a second chance by Captain Janeway, Paris is determined to prove his worth as the starship U.S.S. Voyager crew strives to return home.
As McNeill puts it, "Tom is a man who has made mistakes, but hasn't allowed these mistakes to ruin his life. He's got another chance, and is going to do everything in his power to earn back respect and gain admiration. He is the classic action hero."
McNeill made his directorial debut on Star Trek: Voyager with the episode entitled "Sacred Ground." Since then he has directed the introduction of the Borg on Voyager in the episode "Unity," along with the comedic episode "Someone to Watch Over Me" and various productions for the Nickelodeon Network.
Additionally, he is developing television and film projects including "Monster," a UPN movie of the week he is producing to air in the fall of 1999.
His short film "The Battery" has been very popular at numerous film festivals around the country.
Born in North Carolina and raised in different locations throughout the east coast, McNeill's family finally settled in Atlanta. After attending a local high school, he decided to move to New York City to become an actor. He appeared in a number of successful stage performances and was invited to join Juilliard, where he spent two years studying the craft.
While Los Angeles was to become his home, career considerations would continue to take him back to the Big Apple, where he would return to appear in many television roles and plays. While in New York, he and his wife founded Real Play Productions in order to provide inner-city schoolchildren with creative ways of dealing with the crises and issues they face.
McNeill and his wife Carol currently reside in Los Angeles with their children.
Major Credits
(film)
Masters of the Universe (1987)
(television)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-present, directed three episodes)
Murder, She Wrote (guest role, 1994)
Second Chances (guest role, 1993)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (guest role, 1992)
Going to Extremes (1992)
Homefront (1991)
Quantum Leap (guest role, 1990)
All My Children (1986-8)
L.A. Law (guest role, 1986)
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