Friday, December 19, 2008

RIP Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (1932 2008)

Some very sad news...

"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."

Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, Jr.,San Jose Mercury News

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry , the widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry passed away yesterday from Leukemia, she was 76.



Involved in the Trek universe for more than four decades, she played the dark-haired Number One in the original pilot called The Cage but then was recast as Nurse Christine Chapel in the original 1966-69 series and then came the animated series. She played Dr Chapel in Star Trek: The Motion Picture as well as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

In two of the subsequent spin-off series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and ""Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" ", she guest starred on numerous episodes as the amorous telepathic Betazoid ambassador Lwaxana Troi.

She also provided the voice of many of the Federation's computers in the various series--including "Star Trek: Voyager" and recently completed the same role for the upcoming J.J. Abrams Star Trek reboot of the franchise.

As a Trek fan for nearly 30 years--I am truly saddened MJB was a class act and indispensable to the franchise. She will be sorely missed but fondly remembered

Read more about her life and career here...

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