I’m sad to read about the death of Majel Barrett Roddenberry on the BBC site this morning. Majel, aged 76, was suffering from leukaemia. She spanned every decade of the iconic science fiction series Star Trek, appearing in the very first pilot The Cage as the dark-haired and logical Number One, but the mid-60s studios were not ready to have a woman in such a senior position and in the second pilot (a remarkably unusual event in itself, being given a second pilot) the first officer became Spock, who inherited her character’s logical demeanour. But Majel was still there, gaining a place in many a fan’s heart for her portrayal of Doctor McCoy’s assistant Nurse Christine Chapel.
(Majel Barret with her future husband-to-be and creator of Star Trek Gene Roddenberry on the bridge of the USS Enterprise in the pilot episode The Cage)
In 1969 she married Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and went on to make contributions to pretty much every version of Star Trek across the last four decades, from the original show to the animated version, to giving voice to the Enterprise’s computer and her highly enjoyable recurring guest roles as Lxwana Troi, mother to the Next Generation’s Deanna Troi (which usually lead to some delightful scenes with her and Patrick Stewart). According to reports Majel recorded the voice of the Enterprise’s computer for the new film which is due next summer and despite what must have been failing health completed recording her lines only a couple of weeks before passing away. Majel was determined to keep her late husband’s dream alive and lent her support to Star Trek events and series alike so it is somewhat comforting to think that even though she has gone we’ll still hear her distinctive voice when the USS Enterprise voyages to strange, new worlds once more.According to Roddenberry.com Majel passed away very peacefully in her sleep with her loved ones around her.
(Majel with her co-star, the late DeForest Kelley in the original Enterprise sickbay)
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