Dec 19 2008Majel Barrettt-Roddenberry Passes Away at 76
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, known as "the first lady of Star Trek", passed away yesterday after a battle with Leukemia. From TrekMovie:
Roddenberry had featured roles in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community. Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that 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 recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film.
To whoever is diligently working on a YouTube tribute in which Picard repeatedly asks for the computer to no reply, then it dissolves to Roddenberry's face with "RIP" under it: I know your heart is in the right place, but give it a few days, OK?
Reader Comments
1. First - December 19, 2008 2:08 PM
FIRST!
2. Mr. Jones - December 19, 2008 2:34 PM
In the pilot for the very first Star Trek, Majel's character was second in command. But wiser heads prevailed, and subsequently she was relegated to serving Kirk coffee in a short skirt, as all wimmen should.
RIP - I'm sure Gene has her in a loving choke-hold up in heaven.
3. Jannah - December 19, 2008 2:50 PM
You've got that right, Mr. Jones, there is a big Star Trek reunion going on in heaven.
But IMO Barret had the best roll of all, being in love with Mr. Spock, like the rest of us Spock-loving teenaged girls back then! Her story was our story. :o)
4. Mr. Jones - December 19, 2008 3:14 PM
Jannah:
Yeh - I remember reading somewhere that Shatner got really pissed off - he was supposed to be the stud, yet girl fans were screaming for Nimoy. He couldn't figure out why.
5. Die Obama Die - December 19, 2008 5:52 PM
Starting a new trend.....5th!!!1!1
6. McGloin - December 19, 2008 6:24 PM
I'm glad she's dead. STAR TREK FUCKIN SUCKS. PHAZERS? COME ON FAKE!!!!!!!!!!!
7. HITLER - December 19, 2008 7:56 PM
As Hitler, I know I'm supposed to be full of hate.
Yet in the spirit of the holiday season, I say, "Majel, rest in peace."
I also declare, "De Kleines Herr Koch MEIN KAMPF!!!" -translation..................................I STILL LOVE KIDS!!!!
8. TommyP - December 20, 2008 4:44 AM
Hey, I had some german in high school and @7 didn't say what he said it did!
It said something about his little hairy member struggles! Gross.
9. Mr. BoJangles - December 20, 2008 10:54 AM
I'm sorry she died, and I'm sorry she had a particularly awful death, and for that matter, I'm sorry she was married to a lout like Gene, but with no disrespect intended, am I the only person who found *every* character she played to be instantly annoying?
#1 - essentially spock in drag.
Chapel - a doctor who signs on as a nurse to look for her long lost love, and falls in love with an alien who's incapable of loving her, moons after him for 30 years.
Troi - is there anything more inherently annoying than Auntie Maime?
I'll give her credit for trying to bridge the gap between fanatical trekies and actual science fiction fans, however: She did take that guest staring part on Babylon 5 entirely because she liked the show, and wanted to teach the Trekies not to fear and hate everything that wasn't Trek.