Posted on 12/19/2008 7:16:46 AM PST by Red Badger
Majel Barrett Roddenberry, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's widow who nurtured the legacy of the seminal science fiction TV series after his death, has died. She was 76. Roddenberry died of leukemia Thursday morning at her home in Bel-Air, said Sean Rossall, a family spokesman.
At Roddenberry's side were family friends and her son, Eugene Roddenberry Jr.
Roddenberry was involved in the "Star Trek" universe for more than four decades. She played the dark-haired Number One in the original pilot but metamorphosed into the blond, miniskirted Nurse Christine Chapel in the original 1966-69 show. She had smaller roles in all five of its television successors and many of the "Star Trek" movie incarnations, although she had little involvement in the productions.
She frequently was the voice of the ship's computer, and about two weeks ago she completed the same role for the upcoming J.J. Abrams movie "Star Trek," Rossall said.
Roddenberry also helped keep the franchise alive by inspiring fans and attended a major "Star Trek" convention each year, Rossall said.
"I think `Star Trek' will always be her legacy," Rossall said.
"Star Trek" and its successors often focused on political and philosophical issues of the day. Roddenberry and her husband, who died in 1991, believed in creating "thoughtful entertainment" and were proud of the show and the passionate devotion of its fans, Rossall said.
"My mother truly acknowledged and appreciated the fact that `Star Trek' fans played a vital role in keeping the Roddenberry dream alive for the past 42 years. It was her love for the fans, and their love in return, that kept her going for so long after my father passed away," her son said in a statement on the official Roddenberry Web site.
Born Majel Lee Hudec on Feb. 23, 1932, in Cleveland, she began taking acting classes as a child. She had some stage roles, then in the late 1950s and 1960s had bit parts in a few movies and small roles in TV series, including "Leave It to Beaver" and "Bonanza."
She met her husband in 1964 during a guest role for a Marine Corps drama he produced called "The Lieutenant." That same year, she was cast in the pilot for the "Star Trek" series as the no-nonsense second-in-command. The pilot did not appeal to NBC executives and a second pilot was made, although parts of the original later showed up in a two-part episode called "The Menagerie."
The couple married in Japan in 1969 after "Star Trek" was canceled. After her husband's death, Roddenberry continued her involvement with the "Star Trek" franchise.
She also was the executive producer for two other TV science fiction series, "Andromeda" and "Earth: Final Conflict."
LOL! I didn’t mean to post it at 50% of the page. I wanted it to post at 50% of the regular size. One of those days.
She was a Space Yenta.
RIP Nurse Chapel
I think Takaei is so nasty because he had/has a crush on Shatner (who was, and remains blatantly heterosexual).
Hell hath no fury like a homo scorned.
you can watch them on fancast.com too
Oh man...Thanks for the memories...God Bless.
If you wish to acquaint yourself with TOS, you can go to this web site and view every episode of the original for FREE!:) Link to fancast
Just a thought and I am NOT associated in any way to the web site, just a place I enjoy going to quite often, they have other old series also, including the original "Lost in Space".
Just a guy has a crush on Captain Kirk doesn’t mean he’s gay...
Think this scene had anything to do with it?
Note: This was from the episode titled "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" - the only episode with a plot that was built around the Christine Chaple character (more or less).
Lol
I second that notion........ He’s a disgrace to all things Trek.
Amen.
George called that prop “Dear Will” and kept it in his dressing room.
Wonder why?
Indeed. Have you ever seen the original Trek blooper reel? The clip of Majel Barrett and DeForest Kelly tumbling around Sickbay might well be the best part. The good doctor was holding onto Nurse Chapel with both hands.
So, Shatner is now doing Priceline AND commercials for E.D.?
Has he no shame?
Nurse Chapel! I had no idea she was Rodenberry’s wife! Rest in Peace.
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