R.I.P. Majel (1932-2008)

We're mentioning it on an upcoming podcast, but in case you haven't heard, Majel Barrett died from leukemia Thursday December 18th.

Besides being the wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry until his death in 1991, she also was a feature in several incarnations of Trek.

Probably my favorite character of hers was her first Star Trek contribution, Number One -- second in command to Captain Pike, which was her character in the pilot episode. She then took the role of McCoy's assistant, Nurse Chapel and appeared as that character in several original series episodes and movies. Later, she voiced the character Lt. M'Ress in the animated series. Probably her two most well-known roles were in Next Generation as Counselor Troi's mother, Lwaxana and as the voice of the ship's computer (which she went on to voice in the other incarnations of Star Trek). Apparently she just finished the voice work for her role as the ship's computer in J.J. Abrams' new Trek movie.

Here's to you Majel -- The First Lady of Star Trek!