Unbelievably bad news today as we have reports that Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, died earlier today. I wasn’t even aware that she had been sick, but she was apparently diagnosed with leukemia six months ago and lost her battle with it earlier this morning. Barrett has had a long association with Trek starting with her playing the character of Number One in the original pilot episode from 1964 on up to the recent announcement that she would be providing the computer voices for the new film. All Trek fans will know that she also did the computer voices in all five television series as well as all ten previous films. She and her son Rod have also been instrumental in shepherding other Gene Roddenberry series to television, such as Andromeda and Earth: Final Conflict, the latter of which she had a recurring role on. She is probably best known as Nurse (and later Doctor) Christine Chapel in the original Star Trek series and films and as Lwaxanna Troi, mother to Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Deanna Troi. Many years ago I emailed her concerning Earth: Final Conflict and not only did she reply, but she graciously invited me to email her again anytime. I never did and I wish I had. She was as classy as she was beautiful and Trek fandom, not to mention the world, will be a lesser place without her in it. Comment below with your remembrances of Majel Barrett-Roddenberry.
On December 18, 2008, Nadine said:
I so saddened by this news. She left a wonderful legacy and will be remembered forever.
On December 18, 2008, Sonia said:
That is the saddest thing ever. As if losing Betty Paige wasn’t bad enough and now this. I’ll miss her. She fought the good fight in everything she did. R.I.P. Majel
On December 19, 2008, Tivius said:
Thank you so much for all that you gave us. All that you inspired.
All of us that found so much insight in your creations.
You gave us a future to hope for – one that we could look forward to because it contained the best elements of who we hoped to be. You showed us a world where our sciences could give us a life that didn’t strip away our humanity. And you made it clear that we all must step into this final frontier together… as One People.
Few stories have inspired,taught and endeared as much as Star Trek has – all over the world. There, you made us laugh, cry and wonder – while teaching us to be better than the sum of past.
Thank you.
We will remember.
On December 22, 2008, bill said:
I met majel barret once,at a ST convention,in charlotte,NC,back in the early 90’s/It was during the height of ST:TNG’s popularity.She was soooo gracious,charming and beautiful….what a nice person she was,I am saddened by the loss of such a great lady….she took the time to chat with me,even tho there were many others waiting…..I even got an autograph…