Robert Picardo plays the role of The Doctor, Holographic Doctor

Robert Picardo plays The Doctor, a holographically projected computer program devised by Starfleet on UPN's popular drama series "Star Trek: Voyager."

"The Doctor is programmed with state-of-the-art 24th century medical information, but his bedside manner needs work," explains Picardo. "He can be arrogant, rude, impatient and slightly paranoid. I see him as a satire of managed health care."

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Picardo graduated from the William Penn Charter School. He entered Yale University as a pre-med student, unaware of his destiny to "play" primetime physicians, first as Dr. Dick Richards on the award-winning Vietnam drama series "China Beach," and now as the virtual reality doctor on "Star Trek: Voyager."

While at Yale, Picardo landed a role in Leonard Bernstein's "Mass," a musical theater piece originally commissioned for the 1972 opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. At the age of 19, Picardo played a leading role in the European premiere of "Mass." In 1974, armed with a B.A. in drama from Yale, he enrolled at the Circle in the Square Professional Theater Workshop (fellow alumni include Kevin Bacon and Ken Olin). Picardo's theatrical work prospered as he appeared in the David Mamet play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" and with Diane Keaton in "The Primary English Class."

Picardo made his Broadway debut as the lead in the comedy hit "Gemini" with Danny Aiello. He co-starred with Jack Lemmon in Bernard Slade's "Tribute" on Broadway and in Los Angeles. His work in theater also includes "Beyond Therapy" and "Geniuses" at the Coronet Theater and "The Waiting Room" (another "doctor" role) at The Mark Taper. Picardo won critical acclaim including a Drama-Logue Award for his powerful performance in "The Normal Heart" at the Berkeley Repertory Theater.

The awards and recognition continued as Picardo became involved in television. He was nominated for an Emmy award for his role as Mr. Cutlip on the ABC series "The Wonder Years" and was awarded the Viewers for Quality Television Founder's Award for his outstanding performances in "The Wonder Years" and "China Beach."

Picardo's extensive television work includes a starring role opposite Helena Bonham-Carter in the movie-of-the-week "Deadly Deception: The Marina Oswald Story," the HBO movies "White Mile" and "The Second Civil War," and the mini-series "Deadly Matrimony." He had recurring roles on "Home Improvement" and "L.A. Law" and recently guest starred on "ER"; "Early Edition"; "Tales from the Crypt"; and Showtime's "The New Outer Limits."

In feature films, Picardo can be seen in the recent DreamWorks comedy, "Small Soldiers," as well as "Star Trek: First Contact"; "Wagons East"; "Gremlins II"; "Innerspace"; "The Burbs"; "Back To School"; "Star 80"; "Loverboy"; and "The Howling."

He resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two children.

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