She is most noted for portraying the character of Dr. Beverly Crusher in the television and film series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Before the series she was most known as a choreographer, often working on Jim Henson productions including the films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. She appeared briefly in the Woody Allen film Stardust Memories, and in The Hunt For Red October as Jack Ryan's wife Cathy, though most of her scenes were cut in post-production.