411's 10 Hottest Women In TV: #8 - Jeri Ryan
Posted by Dave Schilling on 02.09.2005
'Star Trek' gets represented on our list!
#8 - Jeri Ryan
Major TV Roles & Accomplishments:
- Dark Skies (1997)
- Star Trek Voyager (1997-2001)
- Boston Public (2001-2004)
Career Bio: As is typical of the child of a military officer, Jeri Ryan was born overseas. Ms. Ryan entered the world as Jeri Lynn Zimmerman on February 22, 1968 in Munich, Germany. She moved as her father moved, from Kansas to Maryland, Georgia, and Texas. At the age of 11, her family settled in Kentucky, where she would graduate from high school. After attending Northwestern University and graduating as a National Merit Scholar with a degree in Theater, Ms. Ryan would move to Los Angeles to puruse a career in film and television.
After a number of guest appearances on programs such as Matlock and Melrose Place, she landed a role on the short-lived NBC sci-fi series Dark Skies in 1997. That same year, Jeri Ryan's career would take a turn for the better. Paramount's newest incarnation of Star Trek, Star Trek: Voyager, was struggling on its fledgling United Paramount Network (UPN). Fans were tuning out and cast member Jennifer Lien, who played the role of Kes, was ready to leave the show. The producers decided to create a character sure to appeal to every male Star Trek fan on the planet. They would take the most popular race of villains from their most popular show, Star Trek: The Next Generation and create a character from that race who combined both Star Trek's love for exploring the human condition through outsiders and it's penchanct for putting women in revealing outfits. Thus, the iconic Seven of Nine was born. Ryan was cast in the role of the former Borg drone for 3 of the 7 seasons of Star Trek: Voyager. While ratings never matched that of Star Trek: The Next Generation, they did improve with the addition of Jeri Ryan in a form-fitting catsuit. Seven of Nine quickly became one of, if not, the most popular character from a series that was never particularly popular in the first place. In fact, Ms. Ryan was offered a cameo in the last The Next Generation feature film, Star Trek: Nemesis, but she was forced to turn it down because of commitments to the series she took on after Voyager.
As soon as Voyager wrapped, Ms. Ryan moved on to the David E. Kelley high school drama Boston Public as teacher Ronnie Cooke. She played the role until Fox ended the run of Boston Public at the end of last season. Ms. Ryan's feature film credits aren't extensive, but she's been featured in Wes Craven Presents Dracula 2000 and had a small part in the recent Ewan McGregor/Renee Zellweger romantic comedy Down With Love.
Recently, Ms. Ryan has been in the news not for her acting ability or even for her impressive figure, but for her rather messy divorce proceedings. Ms. Ryan's ex-husband, Jack Ryan, was caught in the middle of a scandal involving him allegedly forcing his wife to perform sex acts in public. The controversy forced Jack Ryan to drop out of the race for the vacant Senate seat in Illinois, which was later won by Democrat Barak Obama. Ms. Ryan has reportedly been dating Star Trek writer Brannon Braga since 2000.
Why She Is Hot: The appeal of Jeri Ryan for most is very simple. If you're not sure, tune in to a rerun of Star Trek: Voyager. When you have an amazing physique and are then told to squeeze into a skintight outfit, chances are you'll turn some heads. It also doesn't hurt that Star Trek fans typically have overactive imaginations and very little opportunity to get out in the fresh air and meet real women. It's the same reason men drool over Xena: Warrior Princess. Her natural beauty combined with the exotic nature of the character she played on Star Trek makes her a natural fantasy for men who have nothing BUT fantasies. Plus, even I can admit that her cold, logical, ice queen character is a bit of a turn-on. What can I say? I'm a Star Trek fan.
