Majel Barrett Roddenberry Dies at 76

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.

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.

Star Trek was released May 8th, 2009 and stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg. The film is directed by J.J. Abrams.


Sources: Associated Press

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Comments (13)

  1. Saquin Turok 'X'

    Can't believe I've somehow missed this until now. A bit of a shock, and a shame that she never got to see the finished film.

    3 years agoby @teesterxFlag

  2. JediMkCrtgn

    I would like know Rudy's full name so I could write in on my Death Note book, I am sure he will not be missed. Next time before you write something like that think about your own insignificant, pity full life, and think about what contribution have you make to America's pop culture. Mrs Roddenberry will be miss by this fan and every time I look upon the stars in the heavens will think of her and her contribution to humanity. God bless you Mrs Roddenberry and God bless your family.

    3 years agoby @jedimkcrtgnFlag

  3. Rudy

    Oh well.

    3 years agoby @rudyFlag

  4. Blade UK

    She will be missed!......

    3 years agoby @kevdaley1Flag

  5. CelluloidDreams

    Majel Barrett Roddenberry reprised Nurse Chapel for brief appearances in 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture and 1986's Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. She played the recurring role of Counselor Deanna Troi's mother on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

    3 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  6. CelluloidDreams

    WOW! RIP!

    3 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  7. GK

    Gone but Never Forgotten.

    R.I.P.

    3 years agoby @indianajonesFlag

  8. Draktyr

    Damn...this was a nice way to end my crummy day. Like Gene before her with Star Trek VI, she will be unable to see how the movie turned out. RIP, Majel.

    3 years agoby @draktyrFlag

  9. Diaigma

    Together again among the stars.

    RIP

    3 years agoby @diaigmaFlag

  10. Tronticon

    Well..... she's boldly going there now!!!

    RIP!!!

    3 years agoby @tronticonFlag

  11. -comrade-

    A shame she couldn't see the new film, but at least she got to work on it. A dynamic couple now at peace.

    3 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag

  12. black-moon

    too many deaths in hollywood

    3 years agoby @black-moonFlag

  13. Love & Napalm

    She will be missed dearly, and quite literally gave the Enterprise it's voice. She'll be missed just as much as DeForset Kelly and James Doohan.

    God Bless....

    3 years agoby @zomb13Flag

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