Casting Star Trek: Voyager Reboot

The character of Neelix, as played by Ethan Phillips, has been a slightly polarizing one with fans. As written, his infectious optimism has often been criticized. He has been called annoying on more than one occasion! However, he is arguably one of the most essential characters on the show.

Neelix is both a guide and the morale officer aboard the USS Voyager. To truly capture that, an actor needs to display both a wisdom, yet a playful energy in the part. Eric Stonestreet is perhaps best known for portraying Cameron Tucker on Modern Family, one half of the same-sex married couple alongside Jesse Tyler-Ferguson.

His upbeat optimism and hilarious line delivery have shown that he can absolutely deliver when it comes to the comedic side of Neelix, yet he has also shown that he can play both sweet and serious as well. He has appeared in several movies, along with other roles in television series.

While he may disappear beneath the Talaxian make-up, there is no question that Stonestreet would bring a wonderful joy to the show!