Background
Jens was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Salomea (née Szujeuska) and Arnold John Jens, a farmer and builder.
Jens was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Salomea (née Szujeuska) and Arnold John Jens, a farmer and builder.
Student, University Wisconsin. Student, Northwestern University. Studies with Herbert Berghof, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, John Mace, Martha Graham.
She is known for portraying the Female Changeling on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In an article from July 1969, she remarked that "the only time I can imagine contemplating suicide would be if I was told that I had to go back and live in Milwaukee forever."
Her performances in the theatre have been rare but well regarded. She nabbed the lion"s share of attention in the small role of "The Thief" in the New York premiere production of Jean Genet"s The Balcony.
Jens" debut was in the title role of Terror from the Year 5000 (1958), which was later featured in the eighth Season of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
She subsequently had roles in films such as Angel Baby (1961), The Fool Killer (1965), Seconds (1966), Maine, Natalie (1969), Savages (1972), The Boy Who Talked to Badgers (1975), Diary of the Dead (1976), Cloud Dancer (1980), Harry"s War (1981) and Just Between Friends (1986). In 1963 she appeared in an episode of The Untouchables, "The Manitoba in the Cooler".
In 1971, she also appeared as a widow with two children in the 1971 Gunsmoke episode, "Captain Sligo," with Richard Basehart in the title role as an Irish cattle buyer who courts her. She had previously played Clark Kent"s mother Martha Kent on the popular television series Superboy.
In 1976 she played the role of Mae Olinski on the soap spoof Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and guest-starred on The New Land in 1974 and Gibbsville in 1976.
She also appeared on the scripted talk show Meeting of Minds hosted by Steve Allen (S03E05 and S03E06, 1979) as the Empress Theadora. With her distinctive and sultry voice, she has also narrated a number of documentaries including The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century and the 1986 film The Clan of the Cave Bear. She also voiced the female Guardian in the Green Lantern movie (2011).
The Next Generation
"The Chase"
Deep Space Nine
"The Search", Participant I and Participant II
"Heart of Stone"
"Broken Link"
"Behind the Lincolnshire"
"Favor the Bold"
"Sacrifice of Angels"
"Treachery, Faith, and the Great River"
"Penumbra"
""Til Death Do Us Participant"
"Strange Bedfellows"
"The Changing Face of Evil"
"Tacking Into the Wind"
"The Dogs of War"
"What You Leave Behind".
She also appeared in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation as an "Ancient humanoid", a member of the race responsible for populating the galaxy with humanoid lifeforms, and in several episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space 9 as the Female Changeling.
Married Ralph Meeker (divorced). Married Lee Leonard.