Shannon Fill: Where is she now?
SF has been reviewing TNG seasons over at his blog. And, the episode Lower Decks came up. I recently watched Lower Decks on Net-flicks and found myself amazed with the performance from the young and lovely Shannon Fill, who played the character Ensign Sito Jaxa. Jaxa showed up in two episodes of TNG, actually they were two important episodes. There was a nice arc to her character too.
Her character was killed off in Lower Decks, but there were plans to bring her back for an episode of DS9. From Memory Alpha, ((One story considered by the writing staff concerned the return of Sito Jaxa from TNG: "Lower Decks". The pitch had Sito being imprisoned under inhumane conditions and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Robert Hewitt Wolfe developed the story for some time. Feeling that there was insufficient explanation of Sito's condition, he had Sito killing her cellmate, whom she'd become close to. ))
Of course, the first thing I thought was “Damn, she is so cute.” But, Fill was so great in that episode as a young idealist character that it was heart-breaking to see her die.
At some point around 1995, Shannon Fill stopped acting. One of her last roles was in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger. Did Chuck Norris have something to do with that?
All jokes aside, it seemed odd for a cute talented actress to simply stop acting. What made her walk away from it?
So, Shannon Fill, if you are out there fill us in. (pun intended)
Note
It looks like she joined Facebook, but nothing else.
Posts
93 comments:
Try the name Shannon Steur. :D
Try the name Shannon Steur. :D
Is this her?
http://steurandfriends.com/staff/shannon-steur/20204/
I believe that is her. Notice the cheeks when she smiles. Plus she has the same nose and eyebrows. I think you found a match.
I would have thought she would have gone into teaching Ice skating.
I'd like to know why she gave up acting because she was a good actress.
I don't think that's her. For starters, the picture doesn't really look like her to me. I suppose it could be her, but that's not really how I pictured her aging. The main reason though, is that if you google Shannon Steur and Utah, you find that she's 54 and has the maiden name Iverson. There's no mention of the Fill name, and Shannon Fill is definitely not 54. The picture there looks like someone much older than Ms. Fill. I'm curious how the Anonymous commenter came up with the Shannon Steur/Shannon Fill connection?
I just watched "Lower Decks" and was amazed at the performance of the girl who played Sito Jaxa, so I thought I would do a little goggle search and find out what else she had been in since 1994. I can't find anything. Its like she fell off the face of the earth in 1995. I have never encountered this before when I have tried to find an actor to see what he has done. Much less someone who has been on a Star Trek" anything. I can't find ANYTHING. I don't know how anyone got the Steur connection. It looks like there is a little similarity, but doesn't look right... and thats a pretty big jump from Actress to Hairstylist. This amazes me. She was only 24 when she left acting, of which she seemed to be doing pretty well for herself at that age. Would really love to know why she stopped acting. What a mystery
I know that they were planning on reusing her character on DS9 as a follow up episode to "lower decks" but they never got around to bringing her back. I believe they rewrote the script for a different episode.
She was a good actress and I hoped the would at least get into voice acting.
I think there are a few actors and actress that fell off the face of the Earth from Season one of TNG though.
Maybe she passed away?
Man, I hope not.
I agree when you look at Shannon Fill's Imdb resume it looks like she fell off the edge of the earth, but acting is a fickle business. As a performer and an actor, I can tell you that you are at the mercy of your agent, Hollywood execs and the demands on your life. Perhaps she got married and started a family? She may have continued to do theater or got into another persuit. Many actors are very private and don't want the vicissitudes of their career listed all over the web.
We are lucky to have her great performance cemented in the annals of sci-fi tv.
Jonathan
Jonathan: I can see your point of view given that you're an actor. I've noticed a lot of the first season TNG guest stars have pretty much disappeared after their appearance of the show. In case of Shannon, she came about at the tail end of TNG, when the writing and guest stars were a higher class.
It just seems odd that she disappeared given that sci-fi would have given her a chance to fill out even more roles, such as Lost, BSG.
and could you imagine the work she could have gotten due to VO work?
Her disappearance does remind me of another actress from VOY that disappeared from acting as well...
Old, but...
http://youtu.be/UpiYSdErOiI?t=52s
Shannon is the top Ondine, the one who says, "You've lost, Ondine!"
Her name is Shannon Ka Fill and she is currently 42 and living in CA. Her name is not Shannon Steur and she does not live in Utah.
Here's her linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shannon-fill/47/104/73b
I too really enjoyed the character Sito Jaxa from STNG and was heartbroken when they killed off her character. I never knew there were plans to bring her character back on DS9. I really hope someone can find Shannon Fill and offer her a role in the new Star Trek movies. Perhaps as one of Sito's ancetors.
I too was wondering what happened to her. The only thing I can think of is that, maybe she had too many small roles and gave up. Wanted a staring role, or something like that. Got married, had children and stopped acting. The other possibility I thought was that, maybe she passed away. Wikipedia doesn't mention it and I certainly hope that's not the case. If she is out there, hopefully we will here from her.
I don't think she passed away because Star Trel.com would have mentioned it because they're pretty good about keeping up with former Trek actors.
I'd love to do an interview with her on this blog.
I have been looking for her as well. I was with her in 1998-1999. She was my boss.
Explain, in what manner was she your boss?
If you search her, I noticed a picture of an autographed card, so I am guessing she has done a convention. I just watched Lower Deck, first time in years. I think you could argue it is the best TNG episode. Shannon was amazing.
agreed, it was a great episode and most of it falls on Fill's great performance.
Hey! Person above!
How was she your boss???
Hmm, I might have to remove the link to the phone number because there are people that might bother her and she might lose her job.
Yeah, I think I will remove the comment above for now because I don't want anyone stalking her.
Yeah, I was also concerned about that as well when I posted the message, but I had hopes that either you or someone else with appropriate respect could research the info without jeopardizing her job.
The curiousity is killing me BUT not at the expense of her career. I appreciate your agreement...I thought you might.
If you do find something out (about her current career choice and why she left, etc) are you going to post it or should I send you my email?
I will Post an update and have it linked in the comments here.
As far as Shannon is concerned, I am willing to do an interview via e-mail with her if she confirms her ID and so on
Is the any further news on Shannon?
As if right now, nope. here's hoping she does some convention appearances.
I'm guessing the info I gathered didn't pan out? (I'm the guy that sent you on the goose chase?)
I didn't contact her. I was hoping she'd do a google search of her name and dicover this post. I didn't want to intrude on her though.
You Guys are so mean I happen to be verry close to her and she has a good life even if all we know is that she played in Star Trek we know that she can put food on a plate and a roof over her head and that is all that matters know stop trying and get a life
Uh, who's being mean? I only see people praising her. The fact that she was able to pull out an impressive and lasting preformance in a franchise that saw six films 70 plus TOS and over 100 TNG eps means something. She brought a lot of character to franchise that was full of characters and actors. That's high praise and plus she WAS on Star Trek which is important to many people.
Did you read my post? I give her nothing but praise and wished she could have shown up on DS9.
Sorry, using the Shanter line "get a life" doesn't work here
I know Shannon personally, and she is a mom and a social worker. She is using her talents in other ways now.
Nothing in the postings is negative toward Shannon whatsoever. In fact the blog owner even refrained from contacting her, for her sake. Not to mention deleted a post with some kind of contact info (whoever posted that was boneheaded).
Now that said, I also came across this page by accident, searching for her. Lower Decks was one of my favorite TNG episodes, and it was mainly due to her and her character. If she someday comes across this...Shannon, you were terrific.
I came across this blog curious about where she is in life now and someone just happened to have posted within hours late at night.
Just watched 'Lower Decks' also. Very moving performance. One of the rare times you really felt something for a character. She brought a different emotion and feeling to the show that was quite moving. I thought for sure she was going to be a regular cast member from then on. And that was her introduction as a regular. Then I figured she must have had a bright future in acting.
Seems strange that she got a BA in drama, did theater, got some good acting jobs to start, and then just left acting. Seems that would be her passion. Something was up. I wonder what. Maybe she realized she wanted something more steady and something different with her life. A better grounded career and life. Hopefully she didn't get blacklisted for something, some of those Hollywood people can be horrible to young ladies I'm sure.
Would be nice to hear from her though.
Think you may want to post the following Shannon pic up top with your others. Taken from a convention. Year unknown but clearly she was quite a bit older.
http://ravepad.com/page/shannon-fill/images/view/4163734/Shannon-Fill
are you smoking? thats the sketchiest pic ive ever seen
She died
In an escape pod.
That is a cropped photo. The full image lists another name on it and says she is playing Sito. Definitely itely not her. The one below that isn't even close
The script for that episode was among the best, the soundtrack for that episode was among the best, and -- the acting in that episode really, really worked. Ms. Fill was first rate -- it all came together. The commenters in this blog are all fans, thank her, and wish her the very best.
:D :D :D Thank you thank you! That is amazing!
I've been re-watching - and in some cases first watching - as the TNG eps - I did what a lot of you did I suppose: was moved by that episode and wondered what else "Ensign (She'll always be an LT in my book) Sito" had done. Lower Decks was an amazing ep. Very moving. Ronald Wilkerson & Jean Louise Matthias, René Echevarria and Gabrielle Beaumont deserve a lot of praise for that ep as well. Bravo all around.
I just watched this episode again. BBC America shows the reruns and I've seen it before and thought I'd watch it again. In any material, movie, play, music, etc., there are three layers that make up the work. The skin (appearance), the meat (plot), and the bone (philosophy). The psychological tests she went through were interesting. This episode was very subtle which made it very dark. Its one of the top best TNG episodes in my opinion. I was moved by the script and acting. It really was a well made episode. Hence, one of the reasons why I went and did some research on it and am now here. Everybody is fascinated with the Where Are They Now. Would be nice to know of an update.
So did anyone find out what happened to her?
I am just coming back to this blog now, in June of 2016, because I just watched Lower Decks again today on BBC America.
I was the one that posted the contact info that you then referred to me as a bonehead. Of course, you didn't know the whole story-The moderator and I had a round robin conversation of sorts about trying to find Shannon. I told him I thought I had success in locating her, and the only way I had to get a hold of HIM, was thru this blog. WE BOTH AGREED that in order to PROTECT Shannon from those who would not be so respectful, that he would remove the info from his post. It wasn't because I was some nutcase or bonehead.
We are all simply appreciative of the absolutely stellar performance Shannon gave. It was memorable and one that stands out from the rest of TNG. Nothing malicious thought of or planned; just wanting to pass on our well wishes and courious as to where she is now so maybe we could tell her or watch more of it!
She lives next door to me. She's a social worker now
If this is true, tell her that I would love to interview her via e-mail. I only need a photo with a current date to confirm that she is real. Show her this post and tell her I have done interviews before and I am trained to do interviews
It seems to me that she was 'set up' to die in that episode. They all knew it. Even the card as ion said, I didn't think she'd be so young.
Excellent episode, one of the best to me along with Inner Light, rhanks to Shannon's role. It's unusual for me to comment in blogs, but I'm very curious about what she'd doing now if not acting. Great work here in this post, James.
We never see the body, she could have been captured and still alive.
Wing, if you see her, please let her know that her work on ST:TNG is very appreciated by all. Has she ever done a Star Trek convention? If she has never done one, I would imagine that Creation would be very interested in having her as a guest. Shannon would be a big hit, guaranteed, and would make a ton of money signing autographs.
An interview would be great.
She was so amazing!
Cannot believe she's 23 years older..
She's in California as a social worker. I have her phone and address, but I'm leaning towards privacy. She's close enough to Hollywood to know about the conventions. As for why she got out of acting????
Don't post that woman's phone and address, for the love of gawd!!!
Geezuz....what's wrong with you???
I won't let that happen. I will delete it. Plus, I get the feeling said poster would not post it anyway.
She does live in Southern California. She is a social worker. SHe is married and has two children. She lives next door to me and is a lovely person.
Well, U hope she is happy.
Feel free to show her this post. I am opening to a short interview with her via E-mail. I would just need to confirm it. While I am a villain, I can be a nice guy and I have done interviews in the past live and e-mail.
Due to the hordes of Spam, I get in my mailbox, so have the email put it in Caps the subject.
It will be a quick interview with a short conversation
Has this gone anywhere? An interview with her would be great.
Just like anyone else on here I just wonder why she stopped acting. I mean, it's not uncommon that people change professions (remember 'Newt' from Aliens? Carrie Henn too stopped acting shortly after and became a teacher instead), but it still makes you wonder if something bad happened.
Nope no interview. I'd love to.
I also belive this post recieved a shoutout from a popular Trek Podcast (Mission Log).
I think she wanted to do something different. I thought she was an amazing actress and would have shown up in a Neflx series or HBO drama given she was a very good. DS9 writers wanted to bring her back too.
Now, if you want to see a bad life story, look up the actor that played Alexander on TNG. or you can look up the actress that played Kes from Voy. These two ended up in bad places. Miss Fill I think just didn't feel acting was for her. I think she missed her calling, but she is actually making a differance as social worker.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to add my appreciation for Shannon's performance here. I have been casually watching through TNG on Netflix all year but this was the first time I reached for my phone to find out more about a guest star. Her performance was so compelling. DS9 would have been vastly improved with a Sito storyline; especially given her relationship to Worf.
Thanks Shannon!
I would love to meet her at a convention or signing event to say thank you for what she did in Lower Decks - she was truly outstanding. I don't think it will happen though. Some actors just don't get the breaks and they don't find it as rewarding as they once did thus the switching of careers so that 'when I come to die, I will not discover that I had not lived.' To misquote Tasha Yar: she wants her life to count for something and she is now making a phenomenal difference to the lives of many, making their world a better place. Still, it is a shame she didn't act more, she was fabulous.
Lower decks is the only tng episode that brings tears to my eyes... Sito had a dignity that just engulfed you... Shannon fill was indeed a great actress...
She's my favourite ST guest star, I love "Lower Decks" and am as we speak watching the s2 episode ("The First Duty") that sets up her arc. I checked her FB page, not much to see. Harvey Weinstein probably blacklisted her...
She became a prostitute
Nope
WTF? I have been getting some strange comments of late...
Move along home!
The new animated Star Trek series "Lower Decks" is being developed presently for CBS All Access along with ST Discovery and a new series featuring Patrick Stewart.
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/81190
Wow..Same thing happened to me, viewing it for The first time this morning. Well I see I'm not the only one then. LOL
You know, i thought the same thing. Even before she left for that mission, they were acting like something was going to happen to her.
Same as another person who posted.. went searching to see what else she had done after being so moved by her performance in Lower Decks, and never before was drawn to be so curious about a Trek actor before. Amateur actor in theatre myself, and also a social worker by day, and am so sad she didn't carry on to more tv and film. She was absolutely excellent. Shannon, we all thank you for your gift, your time, and miss you. I hope that one day you may provide some comment to this blog site.
Excellent actress, Lower Decks episode had a nice tempo and atmosphere compared to earlier TNG episodes. The chemistry with Mr. Woof was very nice!!
My guess for an up and coming actress to end her Hollywood entertainment career so abruptly with little to none celebrity photos.
She probably encountered Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein or Prince Andrew at various auditions and parties, and concluded that she didn't want to work for any of them.
Would be a great time / excuse to contact her to request an interview, with Lower Decks coming out. Also, this thread will never die.....
I hope this lady is okay and well. I guess it's kind of nice in a way that you can fall off the radar if you want to still. Anyway, if we arw all still talking about her 30 years later from 2 episodes I think she did enough.
Yes, This is one of my popular posts of all time. Mal, I think it was a combo of good writing and a great actress that made it work. The writers were so moved by the actress, that they wanted to carry the storyline over to DS9 with her being alive and recused and having the story deal with her trying to get back to normal life. They would have done it in today's TV and added her to the cast as we saw her character try to rebuild.
Though it would be interesting to hear the actress come back as VO actor on Lower Decks, the TV show. Hmm...
Side Note: This post will be 10 years old in a few weeks. Very strange. I was such a different person back then...
Might as well echo the sentiments above! It's 12.11PM in Sydney, Australia, and Channel 10 Bold just broadcast "Lower Decks" on a rerun. Everyone is entitled to their privacy, but goddarnnit, don't we all want more.
We are just admirers
It's 4 AM and The First Duty was just on BBC America which of course made me think of The Lower Decks. I wanted to find out what happened to Shannon, who was truly wonderful as Sito. Came across this blog and read EVERY comment. It is amazing that after 10 plus years people are still commenting on this post. It is a true testament to her acting and the character she helped to create. Of the 100's of minor characters in Star Trek hers is one of the most beloved. Plus she was/is so damn cute.
Damn, it has been that long? In internet years, that is a lifetime. I still give her the option for an e-mail interview. I am certain she's read the comments and this blog. Famous people do read what you write about them, trust me.
All she has to do is leave a comment or e-mail.
I’m watching lower decks right now, Google ensign sito for the same reason many others have here, and find this decades long ongoing discussion about her. It’s so interesting to see something live this long on the net I felt compelled to comment about it. And Shannon, if you ever do that interview - there’s still plenty of us who’d love to read it!
She probably disappeared just like Sarah Holcomb from Animal House never to be heard from again.
Well, just watched Fill's return to acting, as a flashblack in Lower Decks! I do hope you get her to fill us in on her life; sounds like she's been doing more important things than acting, and since this was just voice, it can't have taken too much of her time. I'd love to know what made her leave acting, but if she doesn't want to talk about that, I'd love to hear about her social work too.
I am going to watch the entire Lower Decks season in full later. So, U read that too. Checked her IMDB and she did reprise her role. If they brought back Lycia Naff from Q Who then I am not surprised they convinced her to return. Lycia also walked away from acting and became a writer/reporter.
Was she aware the writers from DS9 wanted to bring her back?
Will Fill start doing VO work for animation and VGs?
So, she did a voice part on the animated series Lower Decks? I just started watching that series and am only on episode 2 of season 1 lol. It would be awesome if she decided to do more work with Star Trek somehow.
Apologies if I spoiled anything, but yes, they got her back to the Star Trek franchise! Her character arc in TNG was perfect, if extremely sad, so I do hope this is a one-off. But it was amazing nonetheless!
Just look, after all of these years, people still remember her. She was an above average actor
That was uncalled for! We are her admirers.
Star Trek has always brought its A-game when it comes to casting. The actors are either new talented ones or a long line of character actors. Not a big fan of Discovery's cast, which is the reason I gave up on that show...
I wonder if she had to re-sign with SAG to do that Lower Decks episode (?) If so, maybe there's a way to contact her thru SAG. It's amazing - I was channel surfing and came across this episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger and was struck by the beauty of the kidnap victim. When I looked her up, I was led to TNG, than to this blog!
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