Gene Roddenberry is known for being the author of the Star Trek sci-fi media franchise. He created a special universe in which the Earth is part of the United Federation of Planets. The world that the screenwriter was able to create has been worked out in such detail that each character has his own biography, and each civilization has a history and culture.
In order for the Star Trek storyline to unfold most consistently, there is an optimal procedure for viewing all the current TV shows and films. This is true for those who are going to watch films for the first time or are a fan of the Gene Roddenberry universe.
A brief biography of the author of the idea of ​​"Star Trek"
The future screenwriter was born on 08/19/1921 in El Paso. His parents, Edward and Carolina, moved to Los Angeles when their son was one year old.
When Jean Roddenberry graduated from high school, he decided to become a policeman, like his father. At the same time, he received a pilot's license. During World War II, a young pilot was drafted into the US Air Force. Gene flew a bomber until 1945. During this period, he made eighty-nine sorties. He rose to the rank of lieutenant.
At the end of the war, Jin began working for Pan American as a co-pilot. However, the 1947 plane crash changed his plans, and he began to work in the Los Angeles police. Roddenberry served in the police until 1956.
Personal life
Gene Roddenberry was married twice:
- Eileen Rexroat was his school friend. The marriage lasted from 1942 to 1969. They still had common children: Dawn, who became an actress, and Darlene.
- Mejel Barrett starred in Star Trek, on the set of which future spouses met. She played the role of nurse Christine Chapel. The couple married in 1969 and did not separate until Gene's death. In a marriage with Mejel, Gene had a son Rod (02/05/1974), who became a television producer. He is known for writing the script for the TV series Earth: The Last Conflict, and is also the producer of the series Star Trek: New Adventures and Star Trek: Discovery.
TV career
While working in the police, Gene Roddenberry, whose biography is being considered, began to work as a screenwriter. He signed his first creations as Robert Wesley. This work captured him, and he completely switched to television.
The American screenwriter had extensive experience in the police. It is not surprising that his first work was the 1954 television series "Mr. District Attorney." In addition to writing the script, he was a technical consultant on the set.
Filmography
During his career on television, Gene Roddenberry, whose films will be presented below, took part in the creation of about forty paintings. He acted as a screenwriter, story writer, producer, actor and creator. His most significant creation is Star Trek. The film appeared on the screens in 1964 as a pilot series called "The Cage", and two years later a popular television series was released. What films were the writer and producer related to besides the science fiction series?
The works of Gene Roddenberry:
- “Road Patrol” is a crime series consisting of four seasons in which each series lasts thirty minutes.
- “If there is a weapon, there will be travel” - a television series in the Western genre, which was released from 1957 to 1963 (six seasons).
- "A.R.O. 923 ”is an adventure television movie lasting 55 minutes.
- “Police Story” is a crime drama of 1967.
- "Pretty girls, stand in a row" is a comedy for adults with elements of a thriller, in which the eldest daughter of screenwriter Dawn also starred.
- Genesis 2 is a 1973 science fiction film about the future of people who survived World War III and are trying to create a new society in 2133.
- Planet Earth is a 1974 science fiction film that is a sequel to Genesis 2.
- Spectrum is a 1977 horror film lasting 98 minutes.
The screenwriter and producer devoted the bulk of his television activity to his brainchild, Star Trek, which he worked on from 1964 until his death. And after his death, the world he invented continues to exist in modern cinema.
Work on Star Trek
The idea of ​​creating a science fiction series at first did not find support from the television channels. So CBS Directorate rejected Gene Roddenberry's offer, and NBC was not enthusiastic after the pilot episode of The Cell. Geoffrey Hunter, who played Christopher Pike, also refused to shoot.
The science fiction writer did not abandon his attempts and, after working with several screenwriters, offered the television crew several options for the script. One of the options was approved, and Star Trek appeared on the screens. The film was released in 1966. On the set of this pilot series, the scenery of 1964 was used, which allowed to reduce the budget of the picture.
With the release of the new pilot series, the long life of Star Trek began. During the life of its creator, several series, individual feature films, an animated series were shot. After death, work continued to this day.
Space Flight After Death
Gene Roddenberry died on 10.24.1991. A year later, the urn with his ashes was sent to Houston. The ballot box was transferred to the space shuttle Columbia as private baggage. Particles of Roddenberry rose above Florida and reached outer space.
In 1997, his ashes were once again launched into space. This time he was swept away by the Pegasus rocket along with the remains of another twenty-three space enthusiasts. Among them were particles of the remains of James Duhan.