Majel Barrett-Roddenberry -- actress, producer and widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry -- died Dec. 18, 2008, at the age of 76. She played nurse Christine Chapel in the original series and the voice of the computers on subsequent series.
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."
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry -- actress, producer and widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry -- died Dec. 18, 2008, at the age of 76. She played nurse Christine Chapel in the original series and the voice of the computers on subsequent series.
I believe she also plays the voice of the Enterprise computer in the new movie as well. I assume she had already recorded her material.
Beam her up Scotty. RIP
They’ll all be gone soon. Sad. God rest her soul.
Can we speed up the transporter for George Takei?
Yes.............
RIP..
She was obnoxious as Lwaxana Troi in STNG, but her voice as the computer was iconic. She will be missed. RIP.
OH NO!!!!!!!! This is terrible! She was a FABULOUS actress! I really liked her role as Luwaxanna Troi in TNG! I haven’t seen much of TOS, so I haven’t seen much of her as Nurse Chapel (but she made a cameo in TMP as ‘Dr. Chapel’).
This is definitely tragic. My condolences to her family and to all the other Star Trek fans. May she R.I.P. She will be missed!
RIP
I met her on a number of occasions no I am not a treky loved the show one of the nicest sweetest women
Not funny, even for that asian pear.
I'm sure he's all too happy to oblige, but then again he's already appears just a tad too happy....DOH!!!!
Just found out a couple of days ago, that IMDB is hosting free streams (w/commercials of course) of all the original series episodes on their site, with enough bandwidth that the viewing doesn’t go all choppy.
Leave him alone.. he is having a gay old time...
Got link?..............
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