A member of the never-before-seen "Talaxian" race of aliens, Neelix is described in Paramount press materials as "a charming, yet straggly scavenger who acts as the ship's morale officer and budding ambassador."
Born and raised on Long Island, Phillips grew up as the only boy in a family of six children. He received a Jesuit education in New York and attended Boston University, graduating with a degree in English literature. He went on to study at Cornell and eventually received a master of fine arts degree.
Phillips began his acting career in the theater, appearing in Broadway and off-Broadway productions with many of the country's major regional theater groups. He is, however, perhaps best known for his extensive television work.
In addition to acting in a wide range of projects, Phillips is also a noted playwright whose original work Penguin Blues has seen more than 150 performances in North America.
Phillips currently lives with wife Patricia and two dogs, Frank, a west highland terrier, and Lucy, an Australian cattle dog. In his spare time he is an amateur ornithologist and botanist and, as a devoted backpacker, he dreams of hiking the Appalachian Trail from end to end.
Major Credits
(film)
For Richer or Poorer (1997)
Trekkies (1997)
Star Trek: First Contact (uncredited, 1996)
Jeffrey (1996)
Wagons East (1994)
The Shadow (1994)
Man Without a Face (1993)
Green Card (1990)
Glory (1989)
Lean on Me (1989)
Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989)
(television)
From the Earth to the Moon (1998)
Chicago Hope (guest role, 1996)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-present)
NYPD Blue (guest role, 1993)
L.A. Law (guest role, 1993)
Law & Order (guest role, 1992)
Murphy Brown (guest role, 1991)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (guest role, 1990)
Werewolf (1987)
Benson (1980-5)