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Gene Wesley Roddenberry 1921 - 1991

Gene Wesley Roddenberry of Los Angeles County, California United States was born on August 19, 1921 in El Paso, El Paso County, TX, and died at age 70 years old on October 24, 1991 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, CA. Gene Roddenberry was buried at cremated.

Gene Wesley Roddenberry

Los Angeles County, California United States

August 19, 1921

El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, United States

October 24, 1991

Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, United States

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Gene Wesley Roddenberry Gene Roddenberry (1921 - 1991)

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Gene Wesley Roddenberry's History: 1921 - 1991

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Introduction

Gene Wesley Roddenberry, widely known as Gene Roddenberry, was an American television screenwriter, producer, and visionary creator of the iconic science fiction franchise "Star Trek." Born on August 19, 1921, in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry embarked on a multifaceted career that revolutionized the science fiction genre and left an indelible mark on popular culture. He is likely best remembered as the producer and creator of the original Star Trek television series, and its first spin-off 'The Next Generation'.
08/19

1921

Birthday

August 19, 1921

Birthdate

El Paso, El Paso County, Texas United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Gene Roddenberry had a mix of ancestry from various backgrounds. He had English, German, and Scottish ancestry on his father's side. His mother, Caroline Glen Roddenberry, had Native American ancestry (specifically Cherokee) along with Welsh and French lineage. His ethnicity can be described as a blend of European and Native American heritage. While he had predominantly European ancestry, his Cherokee Native American roots were a significant part of his ethnic background. Roddenberry's parents, Eugene Edward Roddenberry and Caroline Glen Roddenberry, were both of mixed ancestry. His father worked as a police officer and later became a construction superintendent. His mother was a housewife and raised Gene and his two siblings.
Nationality & Locations

Throughout his life, Gene Roddenberry lived in various locations, primarily in the United States. Here are some key places: El Paso, Texas: Gene Roddenberry was born in El Paso on August 19, 1921. Los Angeles, California: Roddenberry spent a significant portion of his life in Los Angeles. After his military service, he settled in Los Angeles and began his career in television writing. Pacific Palisades, California: Roddenberry resided in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles for many years. He lived there during the peak of his "Star Trek" years and subsequent projects. Santa Monica Mountains, California: In the late 1970s, Roddenberry purchased a property in the Santa Monica Mountains. The house was nicknamed "The Treehouse" and served as his home and creative sanctuary. Encino, California: Later in his life, Roddenberry and his wife, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, moved to Encino, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. It's worth noting that due to his work in the entertainment industry, Roddenberry traveled frequently and spent time in various locations for production, conventions, and promotional events related to "Star Trek."
Early Life & Education

Gene Roddenberry attended Los Angeles City College before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After his military service, he utilized the G.I. Bill to pursue his studies and enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC). Roddenberry graduated from USC in 1949, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Science. Although his degree was in police science, Roddenberry had a strong interest in writing and storytelling. Following his graduation, he embarked on a career as a writer, initially focusing on television dramas and Westerns. However, it was his groundbreaking creation of the "Star Trek" series that would ultimately define his legacy.
Military Service

He served in the United States Army Air Corps, which was the precursor to the United States Air Force, during World War II. During his military service, Roddenberry piloted a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. He flew numerous combat missions over the Pacific Theater, including the Solomon Islands. Roddenberry's experiences in the military, particularly his observations of the heroism and camaraderie among diverse crew members, influenced his later work and his vision for a future of cooperation and unity in "Star Trek." After the war, Roddenberry left the military and pursued his passion for writing and storytelling, ultimately making significant contributions to the television industry, particularly with the creation of the "Star Trek" franchise.
Professional Career

After completing his education, including a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Science from the University of Southern California, Roddenberry's career journey began with a keen interest in writing and storytelling. He initially ventured into television as a writer, primarily focusing on dramas and Westerns. During this time, he honed his skills and developed a unique voice that would later become his trademark. In 1966, Roddenberry's groundbreaking creation, "Star Trek," burst onto television screens, forever altering the landscape of science fiction. As the series' creator and executive producer, Roddenberry introduced audiences to a visionary future where humanity had overcome social, racial, and political barriers, embracing diversity and cooperation. "Star Trek" challenged conventions and tackled contemporary issues through a science fiction lens, captivating viewers with its thought-provoking narratives and memorable characters. Roddenberry's work on "Star Trek" continued to evolve and expand, resulting in the creation of subsequent television series, such as "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Star Trek: Voyager," and "Star Trek: Enterprise." His involvement extended beyond television, as he co-wrote and produced several "Star Trek" films, including "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," among others. Beyond his work in the "Star Trek" franchise, Roddenberry also delved into other projects. He produced and wrote for various television series, including "The Lieutenant" and "The Questor Tapes." Although these ventures didn't achieve the same level of success as "Star Trek," they showcased Roddenberry's storytelling prowess and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional narratives. Throughout his career, Roddenberry's contributions garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades. He received multiple Emmy Award nominations for his work on "Star Trek" and was honored with the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. In recognition of his groundbreaking impact on the science fiction genre, he was posthumously awarded the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Governor's Award.
Personal Life & Family

Roddenberry was married three times. His first marriage was to Eileen Rexroat in 1942, but they divorced in 1947. He then married Majel Barrett in 1969, who became his longtime partner and collaborator. Majel Barrett is well-known for her portrayal of various characters in the "Star Trek" franchise, including Nurse Christine Chapel and Lwaxana Troi. She also provided the voice of the onboard computer in the Star Trek series. Roddenberry and Barrett remained married until his death in 1991. After Roddenberry's passing, Barrett continued to be involved in the "Star Trek" franchise until her death in 2008. Roddenberry's third marriage was to Majel's former secretary, Doris V. Saphir, in 1991. Gene Roddenberry had two daughters from his first marriage with Eileen Rexroat. Their names were Darleen and Dawn. He also had a son named Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. with Majel Barrett. Rod Roddenberry has become involved in preserving and expanding his father's legacy as the CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment. Roddenberry was known for his visionary and progressive values, which were reflected in his work on "Star Trek." He aimed to create a future where people of diverse backgrounds and cultures could coexist peacefully and work towards a common goal. Roddenberry's vision emphasized equality, social justice, and exploration of the human potential. He identified as a humanist and held secular beliefs. He was a vocal advocate for reason, critical thinking, and the separation of church and state. These ideals often found their way into the themes and narratives of "Star Trek."
10/24

1991

Death

October 24, 1991

Death date

heart failure

Cause of death

Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California United States
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

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Funeral date
cremated
Burial location
Obituary

Gene Roddenberry, 'Star Trek' Creator, Dies at 70 Gene Roddenberry, the Hollywood writer and producer who created the 1960's science-fiction television series "Star Trek," which inspired six feature films, a sequel series in the 1980's and legions of space-age devotees known as Trekkies, died yesterday at Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center in California. He was 70 years old and lived in Los Angeles. Mr. Roddenberry had been ill for about six weeks and died of a blood clot, said John Wentworth, a spokesman for Paramount Pictures. But Wendy Gullies, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said the cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest. A tall, soft-spoken man with a silver mane and a dazzling imagination, Mr. Roddenberry was a much-decorated B-17 pilot in the Pacific in World War II, and later a pilot for Pan American World Airways, a speechwriter for the Los Angeles police chief, a writer for episodes of "Dragnet" and "Naked City," and head writer of the 1950's television series "Have Gun, Will Travel." But with "Star Trek," which made its debut in 1966 and ran until 1969 on NBC, Mr. Roddenberry took a generation of viewers along on a journey into "space, the final frontier," aboard the Starship Enterprise, to "explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." The Galaxies Beyond - The New York Times, October 28th 1991

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Gene Wesley Roddenberry lived 1 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 70.

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4 Memories, Stories & Photos about Gene

Daniel Pinna

10.4k+ favorites

07/02/2023

Gene Roddenberry

A photo of Gene Roddenberry taken in 1976 at the Palmdale manufacturing facilities when the Space Shuttle Enterprise was being rolled out.

Date & Place: September 17, 1976 in Palmdale, Los Angeles County, California United States

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Daniel Pinna

10.4k+ favorites

09/08/2020

Mutual of New York 1961 Advertisement

Gene Roddenberry in a 1961 advertisement for Mutual of New York published in Look magazine.

Date & Place: 1961

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Daniel Pinna

10.4k+ favorites

09/08/2020

Gene Roddenberry - Franklin High School

Franklin High School senior yearbook photo of Gene Roddenberry

Date & Place: 1939 at Franklin High School 820 N Ave 54, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California 90042, United States

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Daniel Pinna

10.4k+ favorites

09/08/2020

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry

Star Trek creator, producer and writer Gene Roddenberry interacting with fans after his lecture at the Student Union of the University of Texas in Austin Texas 1976.

Date & Place: 1976 at University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Travis County, Texas United States

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Gene Roddenberry's Family Tree & Friends

Gene Roddenberry's Family Tree

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Gene Wesley Roddenberry Aug 19, 1921 - Oct 24, 1991

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Other Biographies

Other Roddenberry Family Biographies

Roddenberry, Abbie (Feb 7, 1908 - Apr 1986) Roddenberry, Lois (Aug 13, 1928 - Sep 17, 2007) Roddenberry, John (Sep 18, 1934 - Jan 28, 2007) Roddenberry, Dawn (Aug 25, 1942 - Jan 17, 1994) Roddenberry, Paul (Feb 13, 1927 - Mar 29, 1999) Roddenberry, Naomi (Dec 8, 1911 - Jul 1980) Roddenberry, Martha (Jan 23, 1905 - Nov 1979) Roddenberry, Thomas (Apr 2, 1932 - Jul 2, 2005) Roddenberry, Ollie (Jun 12, 1932 - Dec 24, 1995) Roddenberry, Haynes (Nov 2, 1898 - May 1968)

Roddenberry, John (Jun 27, 1916 - Jun 29, 1988) Roddenberry, Vernon (Jul 13, 1944 - Mar 6, 2006) Roddenberry, Thomas (Jul 17, 1909 - Nov 5, 1994) Roddenberry, Freddie (Aug 7, 1918 - Jun 9, 2011) Roddenberry, Majel (Feb 23, 1932 - Dec 18, 2008) Roddenberry, Lydia (Feb 17, 1896 - Feb 1985) Roddenberry, Josephine (Dec 1, 1921 - Apr 11, 2002) Roddenberry, Henry (Dec 27, 1906 - Sep 1978) Roddenberry, Allie (Apr 7, 1921 - Aug 15, 2011) Roddenberry, Donald (Jun 26, 1920 - Mar 1983)

About the AncientFaces Community

Gene Wesley Roddenberry 1921 - 1991

Gene Wesley Roddenberry's History: 1921 - 1991

Introduction

Birthday

Ethnicity & Family History

Nationality & Locations

Early Life & Education

Military Service

Professional Career

Personal Life & Family

Death

Gravesite & Burial

Obituary

4 Memories, Stories & Photos about Gene

Gene Roddenberry's Family Tree & Friends

Gene Roddenberry's Family Tree

Gene's Friends

Other Roddenberry Family Biographies