Early Life and Education

Marina Sirtis was born on March 29, 1955, in London, England. Her parents, John and Despina Sirtis, were Greek immigrants. She has one younger brother, Steve. Despite her early interest in acting, her parents disapproved of her pursuing it as a career. Determined, Marina secretly enrolled in acting classes at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a prestigious performing arts institution. After graduating, she began her acting journey with the Royal Shakespeare Company, laying the foundation for her future in both stage and screen acting.

Early Career and British Television Roles

Before moving to the United States, Sirtis had several roles in British television. She appeared in series such as Minder, Hazell, One Last Chance, and Blind Date. She also had supporting roles in action films such as Death Wish 3, in which she appeared alongside Charles Bronson. Her film debut came in 1978 with the television movie The Thief of Baghdad.