Jeri Ryan

An intelligent, commanding presence with a bombshell physique, Jeri Ryan was a highly prolific television actress, most often cast as powerful, authoritative women. An Army brat who grew up around the world, she entered beauty pageants to pay for her tuition to Northwestern University and, as Miss Illinois, won fourth place in the 1990 Miss America pageant. Quickly earning TV credits on every imaginable show, Ryan found firm footing with a role on the UFO conspiracy drama "Dark Skies" (NBC, 1996-97). The experience sent her down the sci-fi path, where she broke through as the recovering Borg Seven of Nine on "Star Trek: Voyager" (UPN, 1995-2001). Poured into a skintight catsuit, Ryan won a Saturn Award and the hearts of millions of male fans, becoming one of the era's most distinctive and downloaded beauties. Although sex appeal was vital to Seven's success with fans and critics, Ryan touchingly revealed the character's humanity, and even in campy or niche projects, the actress managed to deliver performances grounded with great heart and humor. Rarely seen on the big screen - "Dracula 2000" (2000) and "Down with Love" (2003) were the exceptions - Ryan focused on building an outstanding TV pedigree with roles on "Boston Public" (FOX, 2000-04), "The O.C." (FOX, 2003-07), "Boston Legal" (ABC, 2004-08), "Leverage" (TNT, 2008-12), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999- ) and "Body of Proof" (ABC, 2011-13). For the most part an under-the-radar celebrity despite her quirky, fascinating résumé, Ryan possessed extreme beauty but chose instead to be defined by her intelligence, which made her all the more a rare and exciting talent.