Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, wife of 'Star Trek' creator dies of cancer at 76
Friday, December 19, 2008
Actress Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, who was the wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, has died of leukemia at the age of 76. According to a spokesperson, Roddenberry died in her home in Bel-Air, California.
Roddenberry was probably most known for her role as the voice of the computers in nearly every Star Trek television spinoff series from the 1960's to present time. She is also the voice of the computer in the upcoming movie by director J.J. Abrams, Star Trek. Majel also played Nurse Chapel in the original Star Trek series starring William Shatner and later played Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Majel also starred in other TV shows not related to Star Trek such as Earth: Final Conflict, The Lucy Show, Leave it to Beaver and Genesis II.
Majel's husband Gene died in 1991 of heart failure. After his death, Majel took over the Star Trek franchise and put several of Gene's unfinished projects into production which included two television shows.
Sources
- Michael Sheridan. "Voice of 'Star Trek,' Majel Barrett- Roddenberry, dead at 76" — New York Daily News, December 18, 2008
- Associated Press. "Majel Roddenberry, 'First Lady of Star Trek,' dies" — Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 2008