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Eugene Wesley Roddenberry (August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991) was an American television screenwriter and producer. He is best remembered for creating the original Star Trek television series. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, where his father was a police officer. Roddenberry flew 89 combat missions in the Army Air Forces during World War II, and worked as a commercial pilot after the war. Later, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where he also began to write scripts for television.
As a freelance writer, Roddenberry wrote scripts for Highway Patrol, Have Gun–Will Travel, and other series, before creating and producing his own television series The Lieutenant. In 1964, Roddenberry created Star Trek, which premiered in 1966 and ran for three seasons before being canceled. He then worked on other projects, including a string of failed television pilots. The syndication of Star Trek led to its growing popularity; this, in turn, resulted in the Star Trek feature films, on which Roddenberry continued to produce and consult. In 1987, the sequel series Star Trek: The Next Generation began airing on television in first-run syndication; Roddenberry was heavily involved in the initial development of the series, but took a less active role after the first season due to ill health. He continued to consult on the series until his death in 1991.
In 1985, he became the first TV writer with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he was later inducted by both the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Years after his death, Roddenberry was one of the first humans to have his ashes carried into earth orbit. The popularity of the Star Trek universe and films has inspired films, books, comic books, video games, and fan films set in the Star Trek universe.
As a freelance writer, Roddenberry wrote scripts for Highway Patrol, Have Gun–Will Travel, and other series, before creating and producing his own television series The Lieutenant. In 1964, Roddenberry created Star Trek, which premiered in 1966 and ran for three seasons before being canceled. He then worked on other projects, including a string of failed television pilots. The syndication of Star Trek led to its growing popularity; this, in turn, resulted in the Star Trek feature films, on which Roddenberry continued to produce and consult. In 1987, the sequel series Star Trek: The Next Generation began airing on television in first-run syndication; Roddenberry was heavily involved in the initial development of the series, but took a less active role after the first season due to ill health. He continued to consult on the series until his death in 1991.
In 1985, he became the first TV writer with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he was later inducted by both the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Years after his death, Roddenberry was one of the first humans to have his ashes carried into earth orbit. The popularity of the Star Trek universe and films has inspired films, books, comic books, video games, and fan films set in the Star Trek universe.
Gene Roddenberry - Wikipedia
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Gene Roddenberry Interview (August 14, 1988)
I found this interview in an old tape archive when I was in college. The interviewer was a professor of mine. I'm not sure who the producer was and what it w...
Thank you my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that August 19 is the anniversary of the birth of American television screenwriter and producer Eugene Wesley Roddenberry who is best remembered for creating the original Star Trek television series.
Rest in peace Eugene Wesley Roddenberry
Background from imdb.com/name/nm0734472/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
" Gene Roddenberry Biography
Overview | Mini Bio | Spouse (2) | Trade Mark (11) | Trivia (33) | Personal Quotes (9)
Overview
Born August 19, 1921 in El Paso, Texas, USA
Died October 24, 1991 in Santa Monica, California, USA (cardiac arrest)
Birth Name Eugene Wesley Roddenberry
Nickname The Great Bird of the Galaxy
Height 6' 1" (1.85 m)
Mini Bio
Gene Roddenberry was born on August 19, 1921 in El Paso, Texas, USA as Eugene Wesley Roddenberry. He was a writer and producer, known for Star Trek (1966), Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). He was married to Majel Barrett and Eileen Anita Rexroat. He died on October 24, 1991 in Santa Monica, California, USA.
Spouse (2)
Majel Barrett (29 December 1969 - 24 October 1991) ( his death) ( 1 child)
Eileen Anita Rexroat (20 June 1942 - 27 December 1969) ( divorced) ( 2 children)
Trade Mark (11)
1. His stories often reflect his social views
2. His characters are often very diverse, covering many races and ethnicities
3. Frequently used sci-fi stories as metaphors for social issues
4. Best known as the creator of the television series Star Trek (1966)
5. Often used colors to show authority (captains wore yellow, commanders wore blue, etc.)
6. Many of his antagonists are portrayed as good individuals taken over by fanaticism
7. His stories often have a conflict between emotion and logic
8. Many episodes of "Star Trek" had a minor character (known as a redshirt for their distinctive clothing) die to show the danger faced by the main characters
9. Best known for his utopian vision of the future in which war and poverty have been eradicated
10. His view of people as being inherently decent and willing to help each other
11. Known for having diverse casts with many races and creeds represented in the characters
Trivia (33)
1. During World War II, he had a friend named Kim Noonien Singh; after the war Kim disappeared, and Gene used his name for some characters in the Star Trek series (Khan Noonien Singh from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Noonien Soong from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)) in hopes that Kim might recognize his name and contact him.
2. Some of his ashes sent up in a rocket, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
3. Might have died in a house fire when still a toddler along with Bob, Doris, and their mother, but a milkman came along and woke them in time.
4. In 1943 while a United States Army Air Corps pilot, he flew B-17 bombers during World War II, his plane crashed on takeoff because of a mechanical failure, killing two crew members.
5. On June 19, 1947, he was deadheading (traveling while not on duty) on a Pan Am plane when it crashed in the Syrian desert, killing 7 of 9 crew and 7 of 26 passengers on board. He rescued the Maharani of Phaltan from the wreck. Rescue came in hours, but too late to save most of the luggage, and the victims' possessions, from local tribesmen and villagers.
6. During World War II, he wrote a song lyric "I Wanna Go Home", which became popular.
7. His first television script sale, in 1953, was the episode ''Defense Plant Gambling'' for the series Mr. District Attorney (1954). It was broadcast March 2, 1954. In the science-fiction field, his first was "The Secret Weapon of 117", broadcast March 6, 1956 on the anthology series "Chevron Hall of Stars".
8. He had many lovers and was sometimes overt about it. He and Majel Barrett had been lovers for years when he decided it was time to marry her and asked her to join him -- although he happened to be visiting Japan at the time. Gene did not adhere to any particular religion and since they were in Japan they chose to have a Shinto-Buddhist wedding on August 6, 1969. They regarded this as their real wedding, but his divorce was not yet final and they made it legal with a civil ceremony on December 29, 1969.
9. His old pseudonym, Robert Wesley, was used in the original Star Trek (1966) series episode "The Ultimate Computer" as the name of a character, portrayed by Barry Russo. There was also a reference to the same pseudonym in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) when he named the character of Dr. Beverly Crusher's son, Wesley Crusher, portrayed by Wil Wheaton.
10. Served on the Los Angeles Police Force from 1949 - 1956, badge number 6089. This information from "Star Trek Creator" by David Alexander.
11. Passed away within 48 hours of screening Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), the last Trek that revolved around his original characters.
12. Shared the same birthday as Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) stars Jonathan Frakes and Diana Muldaur.
13. Father of actress Dawn Roddenberry and Darleen Anita Roddenberry who died on October 29, 1995 in an automobile accident.
14. Father, with Majel Barrett, of Rod Roddenberry.
15. While meeting with George Takei about a role on Star Trek (1966), Gene accidentally pronounced George's last name "Ta-kei", which is similar to the word expensive in Japanese "takai". He remembered the pronouncation by rhyming it with "okay".
16. Passed away on October 24, 1991, exactly ten years after Marina Sirtis' father.
17. During his years in the L.A.P.D., he was the spokesman for Police Chief W.H. Parker, the namesake for Parker Center, the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department.
18. Was close friends with Jack Webb and Ray Bradbury. Was friends with William Shatner.
19. Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 521-522. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
20. Grew up in Los Angeles, California.
21. Attended Columbia University, the University of Miami and the University of Southern California but did not graduate.
22. Based the iconic character Mr. Spock on Los Angeles Police Chief W.H. Parker with whom he worked closely.
23. His series Star Trek (1966) was one of the first series to have African-American and Asian actors in leading roles.
24. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6683 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 4, 1985.
25. Posthumously inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (2007) and the Television Academy Hall of Fame (2010).
26. Was an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department from 1949 - 1956. He left the L.A.P.D. as a Sergeant to pursue his interest in the entertainment industry.
27. His grandson, Zale Eugene Roddenberry, was born on August 6, 2013, 10:40 p.m. PT, and weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces.
28. Battled alcoholism and drug addiction most of his adult life. His health deteriorated rapidly during development and production of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) which caused a great deal of friction with the writing staff, and later forced Roddenberry to retire in the series' third season due to failing health and memory problems.
29. An interviewer asked Roddenberry about the casting of Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, saying "Wouldn't they have cured baldness by the 24th Century?". Roddenberry answered "By the 24th Century, they wouldn't care.".
30. The original Star Trek (1966) series episode "Plato's Stepchildren" featured the first interracial kiss on television, between Kirk and Uhura. They were forced under mind-control, but it's still regarded as a milestone.
31. Shortly before his death, he was attended by cast members of both the original Star Trek (1966) series and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) for the unveiling of a building named in his honor on the Paramount Studios lot.
32. An asteroid discovered on March 2, 1981 has been renamed 4659 Roddenberry in his honor. He also has a crater located east of Argyre Planitia in Noachis Terra on Mars named in his honor.
33. For the 25th anniversary of Star Trek (1966), he gave TV Guide the following as his favorite episodes: Star Trek: Amok Time (1967), Star Trek: Balance of Terror (1966), Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever (1967), Star Trek: The Devil in the Dark (1967), Star Trek: The Enemy Within (1966), Star Trek: The Menagerie: Part I (1966) & Star Trek: The Menagerie: Part II (1966), Star Trek: The Naked Time (1966), Star Trek: The Return of the Archons (1967), Star Trek: Where No Man Has Gone Before (1966) and Star Trek: The Trouble with Tribbles (1967).
Personal Quotes (10)
1. A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
2. I have felt many times trapped by Star Trek. It cost me dearly. It won't anymore, because I've come to grips with what it is and where it fits in my life.
3. Normal television limits what you can do. With science fiction, you can exercise your imagination more. I fell in love with it.
4. I wish I had more control, more like Edgar Rice Burroughs had, but I'm a realist, too. I work in television. I don't know that I would want to spend the rest of my life controlling my characters.
5. We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing, all-powerful God, who creates faulty humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes.
6. The strength of a civilization is not measured by its ability to fight wars, but rather by its ability to prevent them.
7. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five year mission... to boldly go where no man has gone before.
8. [on his first meeting with Leonard Nimoy] If I ever do a science-fiction show, I'm going to put pointed ears on him and use him.
9. Star Trek was an attempt to say humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in lifeforms.
10. If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, than we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there."
Gene Roddenberry Interview (August 14, 1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMa1v7ii5P0
FYI Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless CW5 John M. MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Robert Ruck SPC Margaret Higgins Maj Marty Hogan SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Brian Brakke
Rest in peace Eugene Wesley Roddenberry
Background from imdb.com/name/nm0734472/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
" Gene Roddenberry Biography
Overview | Mini Bio | Spouse (2) | Trade Mark (11) | Trivia (33) | Personal Quotes (9)
Overview
Born August 19, 1921 in El Paso, Texas, USA
Died October 24, 1991 in Santa Monica, California, USA (cardiac arrest)
Birth Name Eugene Wesley Roddenberry
Nickname The Great Bird of the Galaxy
Height 6' 1" (1.85 m)
Mini Bio
Gene Roddenberry was born on August 19, 1921 in El Paso, Texas, USA as Eugene Wesley Roddenberry. He was a writer and producer, known for Star Trek (1966), Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). He was married to Majel Barrett and Eileen Anita Rexroat. He died on October 24, 1991 in Santa Monica, California, USA.
Spouse (2)
Majel Barrett (29 December 1969 - 24 October 1991) ( his death) ( 1 child)
Eileen Anita Rexroat (20 June 1942 - 27 December 1969) ( divorced) ( 2 children)
Trade Mark (11)
1. His stories often reflect his social views
2. His characters are often very diverse, covering many races and ethnicities
3. Frequently used sci-fi stories as metaphors for social issues
4. Best known as the creator of the television series Star Trek (1966)
5. Often used colors to show authority (captains wore yellow, commanders wore blue, etc.)
6. Many of his antagonists are portrayed as good individuals taken over by fanaticism
7. His stories often have a conflict between emotion and logic
8. Many episodes of "Star Trek" had a minor character (known as a redshirt for their distinctive clothing) die to show the danger faced by the main characters
9. Best known for his utopian vision of the future in which war and poverty have been eradicated
10. His view of people as being inherently decent and willing to help each other
11. Known for having diverse casts with many races and creeds represented in the characters
Trivia (33)
1. During World War II, he had a friend named Kim Noonien Singh; after the war Kim disappeared, and Gene used his name for some characters in the Star Trek series (Khan Noonien Singh from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Noonien Soong from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)) in hopes that Kim might recognize his name and contact him.
2. Some of his ashes sent up in a rocket, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
3. Might have died in a house fire when still a toddler along with Bob, Doris, and their mother, but a milkman came along and woke them in time.
4. In 1943 while a United States Army Air Corps pilot, he flew B-17 bombers during World War II, his plane crashed on takeoff because of a mechanical failure, killing two crew members.
5. On June 19, 1947, he was deadheading (traveling while not on duty) on a Pan Am plane when it crashed in the Syrian desert, killing 7 of 9 crew and 7 of 26 passengers on board. He rescued the Maharani of Phaltan from the wreck. Rescue came in hours, but too late to save most of the luggage, and the victims' possessions, from local tribesmen and villagers.
6. During World War II, he wrote a song lyric "I Wanna Go Home", which became popular.
7. His first television script sale, in 1953, was the episode ''Defense Plant Gambling'' for the series Mr. District Attorney (1954). It was broadcast March 2, 1954. In the science-fiction field, his first was "The Secret Weapon of 117", broadcast March 6, 1956 on the anthology series "Chevron Hall of Stars".
8. He had many lovers and was sometimes overt about it. He and Majel Barrett had been lovers for years when he decided it was time to marry her and asked her to join him -- although he happened to be visiting Japan at the time. Gene did not adhere to any particular religion and since they were in Japan they chose to have a Shinto-Buddhist wedding on August 6, 1969. They regarded this as their real wedding, but his divorce was not yet final and they made it legal with a civil ceremony on December 29, 1969.
9. His old pseudonym, Robert Wesley, was used in the original Star Trek (1966) series episode "The Ultimate Computer" as the name of a character, portrayed by Barry Russo. There was also a reference to the same pseudonym in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) when he named the character of Dr. Beverly Crusher's son, Wesley Crusher, portrayed by Wil Wheaton.
10. Served on the Los Angeles Police Force from 1949 - 1956, badge number 6089. This information from "Star Trek Creator" by David Alexander.
11. Passed away within 48 hours of screening Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), the last Trek that revolved around his original characters.
12. Shared the same birthday as Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) stars Jonathan Frakes and Diana Muldaur.
13. Father of actress Dawn Roddenberry and Darleen Anita Roddenberry who died on October 29, 1995 in an automobile accident.
14. Father, with Majel Barrett, of Rod Roddenberry.
15. While meeting with George Takei about a role on Star Trek (1966), Gene accidentally pronounced George's last name "Ta-kei", which is similar to the word expensive in Japanese "takai". He remembered the pronouncation by rhyming it with "okay".
16. Passed away on October 24, 1991, exactly ten years after Marina Sirtis' father.
17. During his years in the L.A.P.D., he was the spokesman for Police Chief W.H. Parker, the namesake for Parker Center, the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department.
18. Was close friends with Jack Webb and Ray Bradbury. Was friends with William Shatner.
19. Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 521-522. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
20. Grew up in Los Angeles, California.
21. Attended Columbia University, the University of Miami and the University of Southern California but did not graduate.
22. Based the iconic character Mr. Spock on Los Angeles Police Chief W.H. Parker with whom he worked closely.
23. His series Star Trek (1966) was one of the first series to have African-American and Asian actors in leading roles.
24. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6683 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 4, 1985.
25. Posthumously inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (2007) and the Television Academy Hall of Fame (2010).
26. Was an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department from 1949 - 1956. He left the L.A.P.D. as a Sergeant to pursue his interest in the entertainment industry.
27. His grandson, Zale Eugene Roddenberry, was born on August 6, 2013, 10:40 p.m. PT, and weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces.
28. Battled alcoholism and drug addiction most of his adult life. His health deteriorated rapidly during development and production of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) which caused a great deal of friction with the writing staff, and later forced Roddenberry to retire in the series' third season due to failing health and memory problems.
29. An interviewer asked Roddenberry about the casting of Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, saying "Wouldn't they have cured baldness by the 24th Century?". Roddenberry answered "By the 24th Century, they wouldn't care.".
30. The original Star Trek (1966) series episode "Plato's Stepchildren" featured the first interracial kiss on television, between Kirk and Uhura. They were forced under mind-control, but it's still regarded as a milestone.
31. Shortly before his death, he was attended by cast members of both the original Star Trek (1966) series and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) for the unveiling of a building named in his honor on the Paramount Studios lot.
32. An asteroid discovered on March 2, 1981 has been renamed 4659 Roddenberry in his honor. He also has a crater located east of Argyre Planitia in Noachis Terra on Mars named in his honor.
33. For the 25th anniversary of Star Trek (1966), he gave TV Guide the following as his favorite episodes: Star Trek: Amok Time (1967), Star Trek: Balance of Terror (1966), Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever (1967), Star Trek: The Devil in the Dark (1967), Star Trek: The Enemy Within (1966), Star Trek: The Menagerie: Part I (1966) & Star Trek: The Menagerie: Part II (1966), Star Trek: The Naked Time (1966), Star Trek: The Return of the Archons (1967), Star Trek: Where No Man Has Gone Before (1966) and Star Trek: The Trouble with Tribbles (1967).
Personal Quotes (10)
1. A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.
2. I have felt many times trapped by Star Trek. It cost me dearly. It won't anymore, because I've come to grips with what it is and where it fits in my life.
3. Normal television limits what you can do. With science fiction, you can exercise your imagination more. I fell in love with it.
4. I wish I had more control, more like Edgar Rice Burroughs had, but I'm a realist, too. I work in television. I don't know that I would want to spend the rest of my life controlling my characters.
5. We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing, all-powerful God, who creates faulty humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes.
6. The strength of a civilization is not measured by its ability to fight wars, but rather by its ability to prevent them.
7. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five year mission... to boldly go where no man has gone before.
8. [on his first meeting with Leonard Nimoy] If I ever do a science-fiction show, I'm going to put pointed ears on him and use him.
9. Star Trek was an attempt to say humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in lifeforms.
10. If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, than we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there."
Gene Roddenberry Interview (August 14, 1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMa1v7ii5P0
FYI Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless CW5 John M. MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Robert Ruck SPC Margaret Higgins Maj Marty Hogan SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Brian Brakke
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Maj Marty Hogan wow, I loved to watch Star Trek, what a read!
SGT (Join to see) SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 Jack CardwellCOL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave Hoover SFC Shirley Whitfield LTC Stephen F. SSG William Jones MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy Capt Dwayne Conyers 1SG Carl McAndrews Lt Col Charlie Brown PO1 Tony Holland SGT Jim Arnold
SGT (Join to see) SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 Jack CardwellCOL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave Hoover SFC Shirley Whitfield LTC Stephen F. SSG William Jones MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy Capt Dwayne Conyers 1SG Carl McAndrews Lt Col Charlie Brown PO1 Tony Holland SGT Jim Arnold
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