Jennifer Lien
Her brief but memorable role as the gentle alien Kes on Star Trek: Voyager left an indelible mark on a generation of sci-fi fans.
Born 1974 (age 52)·American actress·Birthday: August 24·Generation X
Biography
Jennifer Lien's path to the stars was as unexpected as the character she would come to embody. Born in Chicago, she found early work in television commercials before landing the role that would define her career: Kes, the Ocampa with a nine-year lifespan on 'Star Trek: Voyager.' From 1995 to 1998, she brought a quiet empathy and otherworldly innocence to the USS Voyager's crew, creating a fan-favorite character whose departure was deeply felt. Her performance offered a unique lens on humanity, seen through the eyes of a being for whom every moment was precious. After leaving the series, Lien stepped away from acting, leading a fiercely private life that has only amplified the enduring curiosity about her and the gentle alien she portrayed.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Jennifer was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jennifer Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Jennifer's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the regular role of Kes on the science fiction series 'Star Trek: Voyager' for its first three seasons.
- Appeared in the 1997 film 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' alongside Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer.
- Guest-starred in notable 1990s series such as 'Law & Order' and 'The Pretender.'
Did You Know?
She was originally cast as Ensign Ro Laren on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' but the role ultimately went to Michelle Forbes.
She provided the voice for the character in the 'Star Trek: Voyager' video game 'Elite Force.'
Before acting, she worked as a model for print advertisements.
“I was drawn to the quiet, the stillness, the mystery of the character.”
