Tricia O’Neil Biography: Husband, Age, Star Trek, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies

Tricia O’Neil is an American actress renowned for her roles as Captain Rachel Garrett in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and as a woman passenger in Titanic (1997).

With a career spanning Broadway, film, and television, she began as a singer and model before transitioning to acting, earning a Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut in Two by Two (1970).

Profile

• Full Name: Patricia Lou O’Neil
• Stage Name: Tricia O’Neil
• Born: March 11, 1945
• Age: 80 years old
• Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American Actress, Sculptress, and Commercial Artist
• Height: 5’7
• Parents: James Weldon O’Neil (1912–1977), Mary Jane “Cita” Marter (1918–2010)
• Siblings: Two (names not disclosed)
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Tricia O’Neil was born Patricia Lou O’Neil on March 11, 1945, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to James Weldon O’Neil and Mary Jane “Cita” Marter. One of three siblings, her family moved to El Paso, Texas, from 1952 to 1959 and again in 1963. She attended elementary and intermediate schools in El Paso and graduated from McAllen High School.

In 1968, she earned a degree in art and education from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she studied voice with singer Miklos Bencze. During her time at Baylor, O’Neil performed on two local TV specials on KCEN-TV in 1965, including Talent ’65, where she sang “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” while accompanying herself on guitar. Her early exposure to music and performance laid the groundwork for her career in entertainment.

Career

Tricia O’Neil began her career as a jazz, blues, and folk singer, performing in supper clubs in Texas and California and on local radio and television. She initially used the stage name Patti O’Neil but changed it to Tricia O’Neil upon discovering another actress with that name was registered with Actors Equity.

Her professional acting debut came in 1970 on Broadway in the musical Two by Two alongside Danny Kaye, earning her a Theatre World Award for her role as Rachel. Her film debut followed in 1972 with The Legend of Nigger Charley, a blaxploitation western starring Fred Williamson. She was a regular on the NBC soap opera How to Survive a Marriage (1974–1975).

O’Neil’s television career was prolific, with guest roles showcasing her versatility. Notable appearances include Columbo (1978) as a dog trainer, The A-Team (1983) as Dr. Maggie “Mo” Sullivan in two episodes, Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980), Barney Miller (1975), MacGyver (1985) as a terrorist leader, and Riptide (1984) as a reporter. She made five appearances on Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) as diverse characters, including a software developer and a hotel manager.

In science fiction, she played Captain Rachel Garrett in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987, “Yesterday’s Enterprise”), Kurak in another TNG episode (“Suspicions”), Korinas in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994, “Defiant”), an alien in Babylon 5 (1994, “Believers”), and Earth Alliance President Elizabeth Levy in Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998). She was considered for the role of Opaka on Deep Space Nine, which went to Camille Saviola.

Her film credits include The Gumball Rally (1976), Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977), Are You in the House Alone? (1978), Brave New World (1980), Piranha II: The Spawning (1981), Ted & Venus (1991), and Titanic (1997). O’Neil retired from screen acting in 2001 but has also worked as a sculptress and commercial artist. X posts from @TrekMovie (2022–2025) highlight her Star Trek roles, noting she was diving with James Cameron when cast as Rachel Garrett.

Awards and Nominations

• Theatre World Award (1971): Won for Two by Two (Broadway)

Social Media

• Tricia O’Neil social media account is unknown to the media

Personal Life

Tricia O’Neil, Her marital status, spouse, children, and relationships are not publicly documented, reflecting her preference for privacy. Her American nationality and presumed Caucasian ethnicity are inferred from available data, but her faith is unknown. A Pisces, her artistic career aligns with her creative and empathetic nature.

Beyond acting, she has worked as a sculptress and commercial artist, suggesting a passion for visual arts. Her early career as a model and cover girl indicates a multifaceted talent. No controversies are associated with her, and she maintains a respected, professional image.

Filmography

• The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972, Film) – Supporting Role
• How to Survive a Marriage (1974–1975, Series) – Regular Role
• The Gumball Rally (1976, Film) – Supporting Role
• Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977, TV Movie) – Supporting Role
• Columbo (1978, Series) – Dog Trainer (“How to Dial a Murder”)
• Are You in the House Alone? (1978, TV Movie) – Supporting Role
• Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980, Series) – Guest Role
• Barney Miller (1975, Series) – Crime Scene Photographer
• Brave New World (1980, TV Movie) – Supporting Role
• Piranha II: The Spawning (1981, Film) – Supporting Role
• The A-Team (1983, Series) – Dr. Maggie “Mo” Sullivan (“Black Day at Bad Rock,” “Deadly Maneuvers”)
• Riptide (1984, Series) – Reporter
• Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996, Series) – Various Roles (5 episodes)
• MacGyver (1985, Series) – Terrorist Leader
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1993, Series) – Capt. Rachel Garrett (“Yesterday’s Enterprise”), Kurak (“Suspicions”)
• Ted & Venus (1991, Film) – Supporting Role
• Babylon 5 (1994, Series) – M’ola (“Believers”)
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994, Series) – Korinas (“Defiant”)
• Titanic (1997, Film) – Woman Passenger
• Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998, TV Movie) – Earth Alliance President Elizabeth Levy
• Gia (1998, TV Movie) – Supporting Role

Net Worth

Tricia O’Neil’s estimated net worth is $1 million to $5 million. This range, reflects earnings from her Broadway debut, film roles in Titanic and The Gumball Rally, and extensive television work, including Star Trek and Murder, She Wrote. Her work as a sculptress and commercial artist may contribute modestly.