RIP Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, aka Star Trek Computer

[Mick]

LOS ANGELES—Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry who nurtured the legacy of the seminal science fiction TV series after his death, has died. She was 76.

Roddenberry died of leukemia Thursday morning at her home in Bel-Air, said Sean Rossall, a family spokesman.

At Roddenberry's side were family friends and her son, Eugene Roddenberry Jr.

Roddenberry was involved in the "Star Trek" universe for more than four decades. She played the dark-haired Number One in the original pilot but metamorphosed into the blond, miniskirted Nurse Christine Chapel in the original 1966-69 show. She had smaller roles in all five of its television successors and many of the "Star Trek" movie incarnations, although she had little actual involvement in the productions.

She frequently was the voice of the ship's computer, and about two weeks ago she completed the same role for the upcoming J.J. Abrams movie "Star Trek," Rossall said.

Roddenberry also helped keep the franchise alive by inspiring fans and attended a major "Star Trek" convention each year, Rossall said.

"I think 'Star Trek' will always be her legacy," Rossall said.

"Star Trek" and its successors often focused on political and philosophical issues of the day. Roddenberry and her husband, who died in 1991, believed in creating "thoughtful entertainment" and were proud of the show and the passionate devotion of its fans, Rossall said.

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," her son said in a statement on the official Roddenberry Web site.

Born Majel Lee Hudec on Feb. 23, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, Roddenberry began taking acting classes as a child. She had some stage roles and then in the late 1950s and 1960s had bit parts in a few movies and small roles in TV series, including "Leave It to Beaver" and "Bonanza."

She met her husband in 1964 during a guest role for a Marine Corps drama he produced called "The Lieutenant." That same year, she was cast in the pilot for the "Star Trek" series as the no-nonsense second-in-command. The pilot did not appeal to NBC executives and a second pilot was made, although portions of the original later showed up in a two-part episode called "The Menagerie."

The couple married in Japan in 1969 after "Star Trek" was canceled. After her husband's death, Roddenberry continued her involvement with the "Star Trek" franchise.

She also was the executive producer for two other TV science fiction series, "Andromeda" and "Earth: Final Conflict.

Source

[Toe]

Her appearances in TNG and even DS9 were always entertaining. Lwaxana Troi was a great character. She will be missed.

Edited December 19, 2008 by Toe

[apsham]

Just a cool note.

Less than 10 days before her death, on December 9, 2008, Roddenberry Productions announced that she would be providing the voice of the ship's computer once again, this time for the 2009 motion picture relaunch of Star Trek.[1][6] Sean Rossall, Roddenberry family spokesman, stated that she had already completed the voiceover work, approximately December 4, 2008.

[Toe]

I hope they can use the voiceovers she has already done to keep her as the voice of the computer in future films.

[stokeriño]

Loved Lwaxana Troi. Not so much in her later random cameos (e.g. those with Odo on DS9), but her 'relationship' with Picard was often hilarious. My favourite moment was from the beginning of some TNG episode or other:

Deanna Troi (voiceover): "Ship Councillor's Log, Stardate.xxxxx.........My mother is onboard."

[Cut to shot of empty ship corridor]

[A side door hisses open]

[...Nothing happens...]

[Then slowly, very slowly, Picard's head peers anxiously out from the doorway.]

[Looking around to make sure it's safe, he sneaks out.]

Lwaxana Troi: "Ah! Jean-Luc!"

[...And you can see Picard's world crumbling around him.]

RIP.