Majel Barrett- Roddenberry, dead at 76 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Charlatan · 12-18-2008, 07:55 PM

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.

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 ).

Willravel · 12-18-2008, 08:17 PM

Lwaxana Troi was one of my favorite characters, especially her interactions with Odo on DS9. She will be missed.

Lucifer · 12-18-2008, 08:37 PM

the Enterprise computer will never be the same!

snowy · 12-18-2008, 09:33 PM

Oh no! How sad. She did a lot for the legacy of Gene Roddenberry.

What a loss for the Trek community.

m0rpheus · 12-18-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucifer

the Enterprise computer will never be the same!

I was just reading that she did finish recording her lines as the voice of the Enterprise in the upcoming JJ Abrams movie so we do get one more Enterprise that sounds "right".

levite · 12-18-2008, 10:39 PM

How sad! I loved her as Lwaxana Troi!

Fremen · 12-19-2008, 01:41 AM

RIP, Nurse Chapel, Lwaxana, sexy computer voice.

Also, RIP Deep Throat guy.

highthief · 12-19-2008, 03:24 AM

Has there ever been a "bit part" actor who was so well known?

Her parts were small, but due to her connecting all the series together (from the very first pilot to the latest movie) she's probably more integral to the show and mythos than actors with much larger roles.

Daniel_ · 12-19-2008, 01:51 PM

I saw this today and emailed my wife, who reminded me that she met Majel at a con several years ago and chatted with her for a while, she was delightful apparently.

I bet the have enough of her on tape that they could voice every computer in the ST universe for any film that anyone cares to write.

stevie667 · 12-19-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel_

I saw this today and emailed my wife, who reminded me that she met Majel at a con several years ago and chatted with her for a while, she was delightful apparently.

I bet the have enough of her on tape that they could voice every computer in the ST universe for any film that anyone cares to write.

They should do a voice of kirk

'Computer, weapons status'
"Torpedoes are...offline, phaser...banks at...minimal power"

Sucks that she's gone, definatly a major link through all series.

dworkin31 · 12-19-2008, 07:04 PM

It is almost an end of an era. Both Bones and Scotty are dead. I was just a young pup in the '60's when Star Trek began showing. I have been a trekkie forever. Going to miss that voice. Her voice was THE voice of Star Trek, the movies, TNG and all the others. That woman must have had an incredible life. RIP.

Speed_Gibson · 12-19-2008, 09:59 PM

quite a loss, I thought she was older than thought before I saw the obit.
the young guys from TOS are all up there, Walter is 72 & George is 71 now.

m0rpheus · 12-24-2008, 12:46 AM

No kidding.

Shatner and Nemoy are both 77, and Nichelle Nichols is 75 sooner or later time is going to start catching up with TOS cast.

12-18-2008, 08:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	the Enterprise computer will never be the same! __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321

12-18-2008, 09:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	Oh no! How sad. She did a lot for the legacy of Gene Roddenberry. What a loss for the Trek community. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

12-18-2008, 10:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
levite Minion of Joss Location: The Windy City	How sad! I loved her as Lwaxana Troi! __________________ Dull sublunary lovers love, Whose soul is sense, cannot admit Absence, because it doth remove That thing which elemented it. (From "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne)

12-19-2008, 01:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	RIP, Nurse Chapel, Lwaxana, sexy computer voice. Also, RIP Deep Throat guy. __________________ Google

12-19-2008, 03:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	Has there ever been a "bit part" actor who was so well known? Her parts were small, but due to her connecting all the series together (from the very first pilot to the latest movie) she's probably more integral to the show and mythos than actors with much larger roles. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

12-18-2008, 08:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Lwaxana Troi was one of my favorite characters, especially her interactions with Odo on DS9. She will be missed.

12-19-2008, 01:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	I saw this today and emailed my wife, who reminded me that she met Majel at a con several years ago and chatted with her for a while, she was delightful apparently. I bet the have enough of her on tape that they could voice every computer in the ST universe for any film that anyone cares to write. __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

12-19-2008, 07:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
dworkin31 Upright	It is almost an end of an era. Both Bones and Scotty are dead. I was just a young pup in the '60's when Star Trek began showing. I have been a trekkie forever. Going to miss that voice. Her voice was THE voice of Star Trek, the movies, TNG and all the others. That woman must have had an incredible life. RIP. __________________ The most dangerous madmen are those created by religion, and people whose aim is to disrupt society always know how to make good use of them on occasion.

12-19-2008, 09:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
Speed_Gibson Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Location: right here of course	quite a loss, I thought she was older than thought before I saw the obit. the young guys from TOS are all up there, Walter is 72 & George is 71 now. __________________ Started talking to yourself I see. Yes, it's the only way I can be certain of an intelligent conversation. Black Adder

12-24-2008, 12:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
m0rpheus bad craziness Location: Guelph, Ontario	No kidding. Shatner and Nemoy are both 77, and Nichelle Nichols is 75 sooner or later time is going to start catching up with TOS cast. __________________ "it never got weird enough for me." - Hunter S. Thompson