Another Star Trek alumni has
gone on to the undiscovered country; Grace Lee Whitney, one of the original cast members of the 1960s television series Star Trek who overcame addictions to become an advocate for others struggling with addictions, has died.
She was 85 and died Friday at her Coarsegold-area home, her son, Jonathan Dweck, confirmed Sunday.
Early in her career, Ms. Whitney was a singer who opened in clubs for performers including Billie Holliday and Buddy Rich. She appeared in a number of movies and early television shows. But she is best known for her Star Trek character Yeoman Janice Rand.
Ms. Whitney’s role as Yeoman Janice Rand originally was as Capt. James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) assistant and eventual love interest, but her time on the show ended halfway through the year. Why she was cut from the show remained one of the big mysteries with fans for years. Reports ranged from addiction and undependable behavior to a network decision that a love interest for Kirk would be too cumbersome.
Rest in peace.
