Today is another sad day for Trek fans, TrekMovie was just informed by the Roddenberry family that Majel Barrett Roddenberry passed away this morning at the age of 76. The first lady of Star Trek’ died of leukemia at her home in Bel Air. At her side were her son Eugene ‘Rod’ Roddenberry along with family and friends.
Barrett-Roddenberry: an unforgettable legacy
Majel Barrett began her career in the 1950’s with roles in such popular shows as "Leave it to Beaver," "Bonanza" and "The Lucy Show; but it was her numerous roles in the legendary Star Trek franchise that fans came to know and love her. 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.
Roddenberry succumbed to a short battle with Leukemia at 12:27 AM on December 18 in her Bel-Air home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her son Rod Roddenberry and family friends. She is survived by her only son Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the CARE Organization or Precious Paws both of which share Roddenberry’s love for animals and dedication to animal rescue.
Funeral details are pending and a public memorial will be scheduled sometime after Christmas or in early 2009.
More on Majel and her contributions to Star Trek at Memory Alpha.
More Photos
Courtesy of Paramount & Roddenberry family (click to enlarge)
Majel as Nurse Chapel in TOS and Lwaxana Troi in TNG
Majel and Gene Roddenberry
Majel and Rod Roddenberry
TrekMovie in mourning
On behalf of the entire team here at TrekMovie, I would like to extend my sympathies to Rod and the entire Roddenberry family. The only solace there is at a time like this is knowing that Majel has brought so much happiness to the world through her work, that will never be forgotten. Today, TrekMovie wears black to honor the legacy and memory of Majel Barrett Roddenberry. We will publish no more stories today (except related to Majel) as nothing can be more important right now.
just watched this on the news wow this is sad she was really great actress :(
was it known that she was ill?
Very sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
OMG… no warning
So long, warp speed and thank you… to the first lady of the Federation!
Good night Nurse Chapel…At least now you’re with the Great Bird of the Galaxy.
RIP my lady. I always enjoyed watching you on tv and talking with you at the fan conventions. You will be missed.
My deepest condolences to Rod… and my thanks to everything Majel has meant to Trek over the years.
Wow.
JJ, Please include a dedication in the film!
AP, you said that her work was “recently completed”, but from that article it seemed like the collaboration had just been announced. Any confirmation either way?
she had a long, good life. sad to see her go.
=h=
Oh, man, this makes me really sad. She was a remarkable and sweet woman when I met her many years ago. Thanks to her work throughout Trek’s history, her memory will endure for many, many years to come. Rest in Peace, Mrs. Barrett-Roddenberry.
Very sad, R.I.P
My goodness how upsetting. I was over joyed when I found out she was still doing the new computer voice in the new film.
R.I.P Mrs Barrett-Roddenbury
What a tragic loss. “Short battle” indeed… I had not even heard she was ill. At least we’ll get to hear her once more. Godspeed, Mrs. Rodenberry.
Great actress with an equal great voice… :(
Rest In Peace….really sad news.
R.I.P. and may you be welcomed with open arms.
This is a sad moment for us Trekker and an even more difficult moment for Rod. Majel may you rest may you rest in peace and live long in our memories and the memories of those close to you…
Sad to see her go. I wonder if she finished the computer voice recording for the new movie or if it was too soon to do the recording?
What a drag. I really feel bad about this. She has been there since day # one. Anthony, as Hitch asked, please confirm the status of her work on the film. I hope she was able to finish it off. If not they can surely piece together what’s needed from past recordings. Her voice MUST be the computer in this movie.
RIP!!
A terrible loss; she’s been there for us so often, in so many ways.
A terrible loss. But what a legacy. I regret that I never got to say hi. :(
Wow, this is so sad. Am speechless.
very,very sad new. She was truly one of the unsung heroes of Star trek. Majel will be greatly missed by all fans of trek. Rest in peace.
Farewell, Majel. Thank you for all that you provided for our shared passion.
She was such a bright spot in the trek universe. She will be forever missed. What an amazing lady and great actress. RIP Majel.
very sad and very unexpected….76 isnt that old in these times….
will she still be the voice of the computer in th film?
I saw the news on Twitter and I had to investigate. I met Majel and Gene on a couple of occasions. All good memories. R.I.P. Majel, you will be missed.
Very sad news very shocked
oh wait it says in the article she completed her scenes for the film…my bad
This is so sad and such a shock. Majel was my first Star Trek actor experience when I first started attending conventions at the age of 12. I distinctly remember her demonstrating the new TNG props to me at her Lincoln Enterprises tables long before the series even premiered. Since then, she’s always held a special place in my heart. She truly is the First Lady of Star Trek, and I’ll miss her.
This is indeed a very sad day. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry was an important part of Star Trek and was a great actress. I never met her myself but I’ve always heard that she was a great and wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Roddenberry family. May she rest in peace.
:( She has gone to join the Great Bird of the Galaxy, I hope she enjoys the afterlife as much as she enjoyed this life. Do not go gently into that good night. RIP
25, yes she is the voice of the computer in the film
RIP Majel, you’ll be missed.
And another piece of the legacy is gone. She really was great in TNG, actually had far more depth with that character than as Chapel. I have no doubt that if TOS had gone several more seasons, Majel would have had a chance to shine in that role also.
Indeed a sad moment.. but I think the legacy of her and her husband will live on, no matter what. But I agree.. some kind of dedication of the movie would be something of a great gesture…
Majel and Gene together again. She will be missed. Deeply.
What a sad news announcement. I remember Majel form her work back to the beginning of Star Trek in the 1960s.
She was long an icon to all Trek fans in her various roles as welll as the computer voice!
She will be dearly missed by all of us I am certain.
Most of all I wish to extend sympathies to Rod and the rest of Majel’s family.
May Majel Rest In Eternity now with Gene.
How deeply sad. She was a charming and delightful human being. My very sincere sympathies to her family.
A very sad loss for our extended Star Trek family.
Very sad. Condolences to her family.
Ack! Wow…this caught me by surprise. I am glad she is in the new film, been a fan of hers since I was old enough to remember (late 60’s). We’ll miss ya, Majel.
hmm, this is very sad. just a few days ago i was so happy that she will give the computer of the enterprise her voice one more time and now she is gone. =( i don´t know what to say, except: rest in peace. you will not be forgotten. and thank you for your wonderful contribution to the star trek franchise. i´m sure the whole trek community will miss you.
@9: amen to that, let´s hope they will do something like this.
greetings from germany
My face fell when I read the news on the front page.
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry was the one everpresent voice and face in the STAR TREK mythos, and I feel that her contributions arguably surpass those of most of the others personalities that have helped shape TREK.
The voice of the Big E.
Working….
R.I.P.
very sad indeed….her work will live on as the immortal voice of the enterprise computer, Chapel and Lwaxana Troi
This is a sad day. And for sure there needs to be a dedication to her in the movie. You will be missed.
Truly a sad day in trekdom. She was there from the very beginning, and her imprint has been felt thoughout the TV Series, Movies, and even fanfilms. She will truly be missed.
Goodbye, Majel. Words can’t express the impact you’ve made on us, your fans, and Star Trek. You will be missed.
I love how, even while dying, she still had the strength to voice the computer one last time. I think that’s the most heartbreaking, dedicated and beautiful show of star trek love…ever.
I wish they could have downloaded her soul into the enterprise.
I agree, I think the movie should start with an awesome dedication to her and Gene, very precious people near and dear to our hearts for so many years.
Very sad news the world of Star Trek has lost an incredible part of its history, my thoughts are with her family……..
I hope the film is dedicted to her…..
Same day, exactly 10 years later, that Chris Farley died. And… one week from Christmas.
I feel angry because wasn’t it just a week ago or so that we all were so happy when she made the news here at trekmovies dot com? Disagree about canon and the ship all day long, but there was overwhelming concensus and good feelings the day it was officially announced that she was in the movie.
=h=