Jeri Ryan

Biography

Jeri Lynn Ryan (born February 22, 1968) is a renowned American actress celebrated for her compelling performances in television series, most notably as the iconic Borg character Seven of Nine in "Star Trek: Voyager" from 1997 to 2001. Her portrayal of a liberated Borg earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following. Ryan also starred as Veronica "Ronnie" Cooke in the acclaimed drama "Boston Public," which aired from 2001 to 2004.

In addition to these standout roles, she was a cast member on the science fiction series "Dark Skies" (1997) and the legal drama "Shark" (2006–2008). From 2011 to 2013, she played Dr. Kate Murphy in the ABC medical drama "Body of Proof," and made a guest appearance as Tara Cole on the series "Leverage" in 2009.

Born as Jeri Lynn Zimmermann in Munich, West Germany, she is the daughter of Gerhard Florian "Jerry" Zimmermann and has an older brother named Mark. As a child in a military family, she moved frequently across various states, eventually settling in Paducah, Kentucky. A National Merit Scholar, she graduated from Lone Oak High School in 1986 and later attended Northwestern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre in 1990, also winning the title of Miss Illinois and placing as a third runner-up in the 1990 Miss America Pageant.