Feature Article
Strange New Worlds Issue 10 - Oct/Nov 1993
Majel Barrett
A Brief Biography
Actress, lecturer, entrepreneur: Majel Barrett has been Star Trek's
untiring ambassador of goodwill for twenty-seven years.
A Columbus, Ohio native, she was born Majel Lee Hudec. Her first name is of American
Indian origin, but by nationality, she is a Bohemian. Majel grew up in Cleveland where she
graduated from Shaker Heights High School. She attended Flora Stone Mather College for
Women at Western Reserve University. After a year there, she transferred to the University
of Miami where she graduated as a Theater Arts Major. After a year of law school, Majel
moved to New York, determined to become an actress.
Her start came during eleven weeks of stock in Bermuda, followed by a play that closed
in Boston before it could reach Broadway, and a nine month tour with Solid Gold
Cadillac.
Turning to the West Coast, Majel began studying with Anthony Quinn who, impressed by
her talents, took her to Paramount where she appeared in three motion pictures. More study
followed: first drama with Sanford Meisner, then comedy with Lucille Ball. The latter led
to a year's contract at Desilu Studios.
Her film credits include The Buccaneer, As Young As We Are, and The
Quick and the Dead, among others. Her numerous television appearances include guest
roles on The Eleventh Hour, Dr. Kildare, Bonanza, General Hospital,
and The Lieutenant.
Majel was originally cast in the role of the First Officer in the first Star Trek pilot,
"The Cage." In the original series she portrayed Christine Chapel. In 1969 she
wed the show's creator Gene Roddenberry.
She reprised her role of Dr. Christine Chapel in Star Trek: The Motion Picture
and in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
In both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine she
plays Lwuxana Troi, the indomitable Auntie Mame of the Galaxy.
In addition to those on-screen roles, Ms. Barrett has become familiar as the voice of
the computer on all three Star Trek series and the animated Star Trek TV show from the
1970s.
She is also the proud mother of Gene Roddenberry, Jr., nineteen, an astronomy student.
