RIP 1932-2008: Majel Barrett-Roddenberry

Sad news today from the world of Trek, as we have learned that Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, wife of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, has passed away at the age of 76 from leukemia. If Gene was the vision behind Star Trek, then surely Majel was the voice of the franchise. Besides providing the familiar voice of the Federation computer, Majel also appeared as an actress in the original series playing various characters, as well as The Next Generation, where she played Deanna Troi’s meddlesome mother, Lwaxana, who in-between trying to get her daughter married, also kept a close eye on Captain Picard.

Here is the AP’s write-up on her death:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Majel Barrett Roddenberry, “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry’s widow 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.

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 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 and her husband, who died in 1991, were proud of the show and the passionate devotion of its fans, Rossall said.

Born Majel Lee Hudec on Feb. 23, 1932, in Cleveland, she began taking acting classes as a child.

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 couple married in Japan in 1969 after “Star Trek” was canceled.

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

Say Hello to Gene for us, Majel.

Below: Majel and Gene, on the set of the original Enterprise.