Roddenberry, Gene

Biography

"Star Trek" debuted in 1966 and ran to 79 episodes; it started with low ratings, but the support of its audience and science fiction writers prevented its cancellation; the show was launched by Gene Roddenberry with a format similar to that of Wagon train, a weekly television program about pioneers traveling westward; over time Roddenberry and "Star Trek" acquired a following of loyal fans, known as "Trekkies"; "Star Trek" reruns in the late 1970s prompted the continued popularity of the series; Paramount pictures produced several "Star Trek" movies starring the original television series cast; Roddenberry created and became executive producer for another television series called "Star Trek : The Next Generation," which was set seventy-eight years after the final "Star Trek" episode.

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry was born in El Paso, TX, Aug. 19, 1921; AA, Los Angeles City College, 1941; attended Univ. of CA, LA, Univ. of Miami, and Columbia Univ.; second lieutenant, US Army Air Forces, 1941-45; Pan American Airways, pilot, 1945-49; LA Police Dept., LA, CA 1949-53; started his career as television and motion picture creator, producer, and writer in 1953; president of Norway Production, Inc, (1962-); member of various professional organizations including the Writers Guild of America, West and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; in addition to his television credits, he was involved with several "Star Trek" motion pictures; published "Star Trek : The Motion Picture" (1979), The making of "Star Trek : The Motion Picture" (1980), and "Star Trek : The First Twenty-Five Years" (1991); the recipient of numerous awards; died in LA, CA, Oct. 24, 1991.

Star trek debuted in 1966 and ran to 79 episodes; it started with low ratings, but the support of its audience and science fiction writers prevented its cancellation; the show was launched by Gene Roddenberry with a format similar to that of Wagon train, a weekly television program about pioneers traveling westward; over time Roddenberry and Star trek acquired a following of loyal fans, known as "Trekkies"; Star trek reruns in the late 1970s prompted the continued popularity of the series; Paramount pictures produced several Star trek movies starring the original television series cast; Roddenberry created and became executive producer for another television series called Star trek : the next generation, which was set seventy-eight years after the final Star trek episode.

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry was born in El Paso, TX, Aug. 19, 1921; AA, Los Angeles City College, 1941; attended Univ. of CA, LA, Univ. of Miami, and Columbia Univ.; second lieutenant, US Army Air Forces, 1941-45; Pan American Airways, pilot, 1945-49; LA Police Dept., LA, CA 1949-53; started his career as television and motion picture creator, producer, and writer in 1953; president of Norway Production, Inc, (1962- ); member of various professional organizations including the Writers Guild of America, West and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; in addition to his television credits, he was involved with several Star trek motion pictures; published Star trek : the motion picture (1979), The making of Start trek : the motion picture (1980), and Star trek : the first twenty-five years (1991); the recipient of numerous awards; died in LA, CA, Oct. 24, 1991.