| Charlatan |
12-18-2008 07:55 PM |
Majel Barrett- Roddenberry, dead at 76
I guess she was getting older and this was inevitable but for some reason, this is still sort of shocking to me.
She is the one connection between the whole series.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/20..._star-trek.jpg
LINK
Quote:
The voice of "Star Trek" has died.
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, who for more than 30 years was a staple of "Star Trek" as the voice for the U.S.S. Enterprise, died Thursday at her home in Bel-Air, California. She was 76 years old.
Since the death of Gene Roddenberry, who created "Star Trek," Majel Berrett was recognized as the franchise's "first lady." In the years after he died in 1991, she developed several of his unfinished ideas into new projects, which included two syndicated shows.
According to reports, Barrett had been battling leukemia, and died early Thursday morning with her son, Eugene, by her side.
Barrett first appeared in "Star Trek"'s first pilot which aired in 1964. Her role as the Enterprise's first officer (referred to simply as "Number One") did not go well with NBC execs or viewers, and was later changed. When the series was retooled, Barrett eventually returned in a new role as the blonde Nurse Chapel.
The recurring role was notable for her unrequited love for Spock, the Enterprise's unemotional Vulcan science officer. That theme would carry over into Barrett's other onscreen role in the "Trek" franchise, Lwaxana Troi.
Mother of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D's chief counselor, Deanna Troi, on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Lwaxana suffered from an infatuation with the ship's captain, Jean Luc Picard. She would reprise the role in several episodes of "Deep Space Nine," where she developed similar feelings for Obo, the shape-shifting chief of security played by Rene Auberjonois.
In addition to Lwaxana, Barrett famously provided the voice for the U.S.S. Enterprise's computer in "The Next Generation," as well as following sequel series. J.J. Abrams even had her contribute to the new "Star Trek" film, due in theaters in 2009.
Outside of "Star Trek," Majel Barrett had roles in other Gene Roddenbery creations such as a 1973 pilot, "Genesis II," and the series, "Earth: Final Conflict." She was also executive producer of that show and another, called "Andromeda."
Before "Trek," Barrett had roles on several television shows, including "The Lucy Show," "Leave it to Beaver" and "The Untouchables." She also appeared in 1958's "The Black Orchid," 1963's "The Quick and the Dead," and 1966's "A Guide for the Married Man."
A public memorial is being planned. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the CARE Organization (CARE :: Defending Dignity, Fighting Poverty) or Precious Paws ( PRECIOUS PAWS ).
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