Sad Day: Majel Barrett-Roddenberry Has Passed Away

Number One from the original pilot, Nurse Chapel from TOS, Lwaxana Troi from TNG, DS9, etc. and the voice of the Star Trek computer… as well as being Gene Roddenberry’s widow… has passed away at 76!

Voice of ‘Star Trek,’ Majel Barrett- Roddenberry, dead at 76

“The voice of “Star Trek” has died. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, who for more than 30 years was a staple of ‘Star Trek’ as the voice for the U.S.S. Enterprise, died Thursday at her home in Bel-Air, California. She was 76 years old. Since the death of Gene Roddenberry, who created ‘Star Trek,’ Majel Berrett was recognized as the franchise’s ‘first lady.’ In the years after he died in 1991, she developed several of his unfinished ideas into new projects, which included two syndicated shows. According to reports, Barrett had been battling leukemia, and died early Thursday morning with her son, Eugene, by her side. Barrett first appeared in ‘Star Trek”s first pilot which aired in 1964. Her role as the Enterprise’s first officer (referred to simply as ‘Number One’) did not go well with NBC execs, and was later changed. When the series was retooled, Barrett eventually returned in a new role as the blonde Nurse Chapel. The recurring role was notable for her unrequited love for Spock, the Enterprise’s unemotional Vulcan science officer. That theme would carry over into Barrett’s other onscreen role in the ‘Trek’ franchise, Lwaxana Troi. In addition to Lwaxana, Barrett famously provided the voice for the U.S.S. Enterprise’s computer in ‘The Next Generation,’ as well as following sequel series. J.J. Abrams even had her contribute to the new “Star Trek” film, due in theaters in 2009. Before ‘Trek,’ Barrett had roles on several television shows, including ‘The Lucy Show,’ ‘Leave it to Beaver’ and ‘The Untouchables.’ She also appeared in 1958’s ‘The Black Orchid,’ 1963’s ‘The Quick and the Dead,’ and 1966’s ‘A Guide for the Married Man.'”