Star Trek Actress Majel Barrett-Roddenberry Dies (Photos)

Posted on December 18, 2008

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, the actress and wife of the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry died today at her California home. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry reported died of leukemia. Read more on Majel Barrett-Roddenberry’s life and death below.

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry played Dr. McCoy’s blonde, beehived assistant, Nurse Chapel, on the original 1966-69 Trek series. Majel was provided the voice of the USS Enterprise’s computer, something Roddenberry continued to provide on later Star Treks, including J.J. Abrams’ upcoming movie, Star Trek.

In the original Trek pilot, shot in 1964, Roddenberry was Number One, the Enterprise’s No. 1-ranking officer after its captain, Christopher Pike, played by actor Jeffrey Hunter. Number One was smart and a pretty brunette woman, something network executives didn’t care for at that time.

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Gene Roddenberry agreed to get rid of the character Number One to get his show on the air. But he kept the actress on as Nurse Chapel. He gave Number One’s old job to Mr. Spock, actor Leonard Nimoy.

The love affair between Majel and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry earned her the title “The First Lady of Star Trek.” Over the course of their more then quarter-century love affair, she became not only Gene’s partner, but also his creative muse. Roddenberry helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of its continued legacy after his death.

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.

Gene Roddenberry died in 1991 at the age of 70.

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry lost her short battle with Leukemia at 12:27 AM on December 18 in her Bel-Air home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her son Rod Roddenberry and family friends. She is survived by her only son Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry Jr. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the CARE Organization or Precious Paws both of which share Roddenberry’s love for animals and dedication to animal rescue.

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