Ethan Phillips
Known for
American actor born in Garden City, Long Island, in 1955, best known worldwide as Neelix in Star Trek: Voyager (1995). Before Voyager he was already familiar to sitcom audiences as Pete Downey in Benson (1979) and worked in serious drama, including Lean on Me (1989) and Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). He has continued to voice and play character roles across genre television, and is also a produced playwright. His resume is a case study in the steady working actor who quietly becomes a fandom fixture.
Ethan Phillips
48 Movies
39 Series
American actor born in Garden City, Long Island, in 1955, best known worldwide as Neelix in Star Trek: Voyager (1995). Before Voyager he was already familiar to sitcom audiences as Pete Downey in Benson (1979) and worked in serious drama, including Lean on Me (1989) and Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). He has continued to voice and play character roles across genre television, and is also a produced playwright. His resume is a case study in the steady working actor who quietly becomes a fandom fixture.
Movies
Plays Jones Three Echo
The Island
2005
Plays Chief Couper
The Purge: Election Year
2016
Plays Hospital Steward
Glory
1989
Plays Jill's Father
Irrational Man
2015
Plays Mitch Gorfein
Inside Llewyn Davis
2013
Plays Roger Merman
Bad Santa
2003
Plays Nelson
The Shadow
1994
Plays Jeff Barnes
Critters
1986
Plays Ethan
The Home
2025
Plays Bartender at Parker's on Fifth
Burglar
1987
Plays Marty
Chestnut: Hero of Central Park
2004
Plays Todd Lansing
The Man Without a Face
1993
Plays Toa (voice)
Rugrats Go Wild
2003
Plays Mark Wessler
The Babysitters
2008
Plays Jerry
For Richer or Poorer
1997
Plays Mr. Gorsky
Green Card
1990
Plays Guard at Family House
Ragtime
1981
Plays Mr. Rosenberg
Lean On Me
1989
Plays Neelix
Star Trek: Voyager - Dark Frontier
1999
Plays Cozmo
Cozmo's
2016
Plays Boss
1
2020
Plays Neelix
Star Trek: Voyager - Basics
1996
Plays Mr. Foxx
Big Game
2008
Plays Billy's Dad
Most Likely to Murder
2018
Plays Neelix
Star Trek: Voyager - Scorpion
2000
Plays Smedly
Wagons East!
1994
Plays Neelix
Star Trek: Voyager - Future's End
2000
Plays Mr. Miles
Keith
2008
Plays Dave
Jeffrey
1995
Plays Murdered Man
Plugged
2007
Plays Basil Valentine
Bloodhounds of Broadway
1989
Plays Roy
Arachnoquake
2012
Plays Businessman
Have Dreams, Will Travel
2007
Plays Mayor Winston
The Price for Silence
2018
Plays Coroner B. Jones
Coffin Baby
2013
Plays Mr. Wilson
Miles
2017
Plays Randy Jenkins / Professor Apocalypse
The Adventures of RoboRex
2014
Plays Wayne Porter
California Dreaming
2007
Plays Preacher
Hallowed Ground
2007
Plays Dr. Elcourt
Future '38
2017
Plays X-13
Dahmer vs. Gacy
2010
Plays Gynecologist
Rain Without Thunder
1993
TV Shows
Plays Neelix
Star Trek: Voyager
1995
Plays Pete Downey
Benson
1979
Plays Spike Martin
Avenue 5
2020
Plays Michael Schiller
Boston Legal
2004
Plays Mr. Stitt
Oliver Beene
2003
Plays Sam Waibel
L.A. Law
1986
Plays Mr. Wallace
Veep
2012
Plays Eddie Armondo
Werewolf
1987
Plays Daniel Hill
Pushing Daisies
2007
Plays Neelix (voice)
Star Trek: very Short Treks
2023
Plays The Doctor
Rock Me Baby
2003
Plays Bob Cooper
The War at Home
2005
Plays Principal Ackerman
Eli Stone
2008
Plays Mark Hauser
Law & Order
1990
Plays Ulis
Star Trek: Enterprise
2001
Plays Leonard Philbrick
Numb3rs
2005
Plays James Farnham
Castle
2009
Plays Chairman
The Middle
2009
Plays Dr. Adelman
Half & Half
2002
Plays Dr. Farek
Star Trek: The Next Generation
1987
Plays Finch
Providence
1999
Plays Jerry Lincoln
Bones
2005
Plays (segment "Devil's Alphabet")
The Twilight Zone
1985
Plays Gabe Labrador
Las Vegas
2003
Plays Doyle
Criminal Minds
2005
Plays Dave
8 Simple Rules
2002
Plays Military Officer
Arrested Development
2003
Plays Woodley
Chuck
2007
Plays Dan Marken
New Amsterdam
2018
Plays Paul
Younger
2015
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Home
Full Filmography
The Home
Ethan
2025
Film
Star Trek: very Short Treks
Neelix (voice) · 1 episode
2023–
TV
1
Boss
2020
Film
Avenue 5
Spike Martin · 17 episodes
2020–
TV
The Price for Silence
Mayor Winston
2018
Film
New Amsterdam
Dan Marken · 1 episode
2018–
TV
Most Likely to Murder
Billy's Dad
2018
Film
Future '38
Dr. Elcourt
2017
Film
Miles
Mr. Wilson
2017
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ethan Phillips and where are they from?
Ethan Phillips is 71 years old, born on February 8, 1955 in Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Ethan Phillips?
Ethan Phillips is best known for roles in The Island, The Purge: Election Year, Inside Llewyn Davis.
How many movies has Ethan Phillips been in?
Over a 45-year career (since 1981), Ethan Phillips has appeared in 48 movies and 39 TV shows.
What was Ethan Phillips's first movie?
The career of Ethan Phillips began with Ragtime (1981).
What is Ethan Phillips's most recent movie or series?
Ethan Phillips's most recent release is The Home, which premiered on July 24, 2025.
What TV shows has Ethan Phillips appeared in?
On television, Ethan Phillips has appeared in Better Call Saul, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Bones.
Ethan Phillips
1955-02-08 · Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA
Ethan Phillips (born February 8, 1955) is an American actor, playwright and author. He is known for television roles such as Star Trek: Voyager's Neelix and Benson's Pete Downey.
Raised in Garden City, New York, Phillips attended Boston University and received a bachelor's degree in English literature and a Master of Fine Arts from Cornell University.