Majel Barrett Roddenberry, actress and widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, passed away today at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 76 after a battle with leukemia.
Barrett Roddenberry had been in the news recently, having just completed work as the voice of the USS Enterprise’s computer in the upcoming release of JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. She had been the voice of the ship’s computer in the all the Trek televisions series and in several of the movies. She also starred in the original 1960s series as Nurse Chapel after first starting out as a different character in the show’s pilot. In later years, the actress also played the reoccurring role of Deanna Troi’s mother Lwaxana Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Barrett Roddenberry also did many non-Star Trek parts including The Lucy Show and Leave it to Beaver, many older movies, and also made appearances on other science fiction shows such as Andromeda and Babylon 5. She even was the voice of the ship’s computer in an episode of Family Guy.
In addition to her acting contributions, Barrett Roddenberry was integral in keeping her husband’s beloved creation alive after his passing in 1991 and made it a point to go to Star Trek conventions to interact with the fans of the ever-growing franchise.
Her son with Gene Roddenberry, Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, Jr., posted a statement today at the official Roddenberry site.
“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.”
Majel Barrett Roddenberry
February 23, 1932 — December 18, 2008
Condolences can be sent via email to share@roddenberry.com or by mail to:
Roddenberry Productions
4400 Coldwater Canyon Avenue, Suite 100
Studio City, CA 91604
The family thanks you very much for your thoughts and sentiments. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that a donation in Majel’s name be made to one of the two following organizations, who share Majel’s love for animals and dedication to animal rescue.
Precious Paws
18034 Ventura Blvd., #430
Encino, CA 91316
www.preciouspaws.org
(818) 304-5595
C.A.R.E.
P.O. Box 56631
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
www.care4pets.org
(818) 685-9980
Funeral details are pending and a public memorial will be scheduled sometime after Christmas or in early 2009.
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I’m sad she had to go. I always enjoyed Majel in everything she did. I especially like her as the First Officer of the Enterprise in the pilot for the Original Series.
She’ll be sorely missed. Like Tracy Falbe, I, too, especially liked Majel as Number One.
Thank goodness she was able to hang on long enough to complete her role in the upcoming Star Trek movie. I’ll bet there won’t be a dry eye in the house when she speaks.