The "First Lady of Star Trek," Majel Barrett-Roddenberry died on December 18th, and I'm only just now able to sit down and write about it.
The first time I met her was at a Star Trek convention in Seattle when "The Next Generation" was in full-swing, and she was making guest appearances as the brilliant Lwaxana Troi. Majel was signing autographs next to "Mr. Homm" (Carel Struycken), when my friend had asked him if he would be making another appearance on the show soon. When he answered in the affirmative, Majel started freaking out a bit... "They asked you back?!? Nobody has asked me back!" Carel Struycken then had to explain that he was speaking generally, not specifically, because the fan reaction to Lwaxana was so positive and he felt certain they would be back. Then Majel said (jokingly) "Well they'd better have us back... I know people!"
As if I didn't already have enough reason to fall in love with Majel Barrett, she's funny too...
The second time I met Majel at a press event, I was actually able to speak with her for a bit, and got a real sense of just how dedicated she was to Star Trek fandom. She loved the fans, and was happy to be a part of the continuing Trek phenomena, no matter what capacity that might be. Whether it was being the voice of the computers... appearing as a guest star... attending conventions... or even talking about her husband (and Star Trek creator) Gene Roddenberry in interviews... she was always there. Always doing everything she could to keep Star Trek alive for the fans... for Gene... and for herself.
The last time I saw her was at another convention. The line was so long to get an autograph that I didn't have time to wait and say "hi." I was sad about that, but only for a minute. Majel was surrounded by the adoring fans she loved, more popular than ever, and still doing her best to keep Star Trek alive. Seeing all that, it was impossible for me to be sad for very long.
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Dave, thank you for this. Majel’s passing was a shock to me as I didn’t even know she was sick. She worked up to the end, completing her voice work for the new Star Trek movie 2 weeks before she died. She will be forever missed and remembered.
A very nice tribute. I never had the chance to see her at any of her appearances, but was still a fan. She was an amazing individual.
I loved her character as Deanna Troi’s mother. Her blatant disregard of all the rules of the Enterprise won her my admiration. And when she stood up to Worf and took his son under her wing… the angry, confused, little boy… and helped him? Well, suffice to say, she won my respect there. And I thought it was hilarious when they ended the show with everyone sitting in the mud baths. One of my favorite episodes of all time!
I’m so glad you wrote this entry — thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your reminiscences, Dave. As Lwaxana, she always made me laugh so hard. Such a great foil for Picard and Odo. And it always pleases me to hear her voice as the computer in any episode I may come across on tv.
sad
Lwaxana was one of the funniest recurring characters ever and Nurse Chapel was such a babe. Sad to see her go, but now she is with the Great Bird of the Galaxy.
When I heard Missus Barrett had gone where Mr. Roddenberry has gone before, I was saddened by the fact that when I mentioned her to people, no one remembered that she was the original #1 in Star Trek, or the computer’s voice, most everyone knows she was Luxwanna but only because “Troi was HOT!” and Majel played her Mama…
Thanks for the memories…
I always loved the TNG episodes with her in them. Her free-spirited character was a hilarious contrast to the mostly prim and proper crew members.
Thanks for sharing, Dave. I was touched when I got the news a week and a half ago, STTNG still represents a lot of what’s good about humanity. Once the mice will stop the experiment, I hope they will give us credit because of the series.