HoodaThunk?

People who know me well know that I’m a big fan of Star Trek. And yes, that includes having gone to a number of conventions in my younger days although I never dressed in the shows’ attire. I feel a fondness and familiarity toward the characters and, by extension, to the cast members who portrayed them. That original series cast has continued to age with the rest of us and, in the last decade, some have begun to depart this Vale of Tears. Today, I read with sadness that Majel Roddenberry, wife of Star Trek create Gene Roddenberry and actress in episodes in 3 of the Star Trek series has passed away. She was 76.

Majel Roddenberry appeared in the original Star Trek pilot as the First Officer under Captain Christopher Pike (played by Jeffrey Hunter). The only other actor to do so was Leonard Nimoy, famous worldwide as the vulcan Spock. While her character in that pilot wasn’t carried into the series, Majel, herself, was and took on the role of Nurse Christine Chapel. She was one of the core group of characters throughout the series. When Star Trek: The Next Generation came on the air, Roddenberry provided the voice of the ship’s computer. Her voice was used for all Federation systems on all of the spinoff series, as well, which included Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. She returned to the front of the camera on Next Generation as the character Lwaxana Troi, mother of one of the series’ regular characters Counselor Deanna Troi (played by Marina Sirtis.)

I’d also note that she appeared in 1 episode of another made-for-TV science fiction series, Babylon 5.

Majel Barrett Roddenberry died yesterday at her home in California at the age of 76 from complications arising from leukemia. She will be missed.

Godspeed, Majel. Give our regards to Gene, De, and Jimmy as well as to He who created the final frontier we explore.

(Update: Link to the story added. Thanks to The Bulletproof Monk for reminding me.)