One Actor Had A Role In Six Star Trek Shows (And Several Of The Movies)

The vast world of "Star Trek" enlisted one actor in more projects than anyone else. Majel Barrett was already a veteran of TV in 1966 when she made her debut in the pilot of "Star Trek: The Original Series" as the first officer, Number One. She went on to portray both Nurse Christine Chapel and the voice of the Enterprise's computer through all three seasons.

Barrett — who was married to "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry from 1969 until his death in 1991 — returned to the franchise in 1973 in "Star Trek: The Animated Series," which ran for two seasons. She voiced Nurse Chapel and other characters, including Amanda Grayson and Lieutenant M'Ress. The first "Star Trek" movie, 1979's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," brought back Barrett as Chapel, now a doctor. Barrett's Chapel rose through the ranks to commander in 1986's "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," marking the actress' second big-screen outing in the franchise. 

Becoming the recurring computer voice aboard the starship Enterprise and other vessels, Barrett was featured in the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Star Trek: Voyager," and "Star Trek: Enterprise" from 1987 to 2005. During that period, she also voiced the computer in the films "Star Trek: Generations," "Star Trek: First Contact," and "Star Trek: Nemesis." Barrett also appeared several times on "The Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine" as Lwaxana Troi. Adding to Barrett's extensive slate, her voice was used as the computer in numerous "Star Trek" video games, as well.

Majel Barrett died at the age of 76 in 2008 — the year before her final major "Star Trek" credit as the Starfleet computer in J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot movie. As the only actor with a part in each of the first six "Star Trek" TV shows, Barrett had firmly established herself as a "Star Trek" legend by the end of her career thanks to her many on-screen appearances and frequent voice work in the franchise.

Throughout her decades-long arc, Christine Chapel served as a capable medical professional, the love interest of Dr. Roger Korby (Michael Strong), and a flirtatious admirer of Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). "Star Trek" viewers also grew accustomed to hearing Barrett's voice whenever a starship's computer was used. In fact, Barrett's long-running performance was so recognizable that Google named its voice assistant project "Majel" in 2011.

A habitual presence on the screen and in the voice booth, Barrett earned the admiration of fans and her "Star Trek" co-stars. "Deep Space Nine" actor Armin Shimerman said on the podcast "The Delta Flyers" (via ScreenRant), "She would invite the actors from the various ['Star Trek'] shows together, so that there was a sense of family amongst the shows, not just one show, but all the shows. I was very grateful for her doing that. Majel was a terrific lady. When we did conventions together, or cruises together, she was always the den mother."