Born to Greek parents who did not want her to become an actress. As soon as she completed high school, she secretly applied to the Guild Hall School of Music and Drama and, after her graduation, worked in musical theatre, repertory and television. In 1986, she moved to Los Angeles and for six months she auditioned for parts but was unsuccessful. Just before she planned to go back home, she got the part of Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). In 1992 she married Michael Lamper, a rock guitarist.