Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Gene Roddenberry

Role / Field:

Creator of the science fiction universe Star Trek, an influential television producer.

Born:

1921-08-19

Died:

1991-10-24

Century / Era:

1921s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry Sr. (August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991) was an American television screenwriter and producer who created the science fiction series and fictional universe Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, where his father was a police officer. Roddenberry flew 89 combat missions in the Army Air Forces during World War II and worked as a commercial pilot after the war.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Later, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department and began to write for television. As a freelance writer, Roddenberry wrote scripts for Highway Patrol, Have Gun – Will Travel, and other series, before creating and producing his own television series, The Lieutenant. In 1964, Roddenberry created the original Star Trek series, which premiered in 1966 and ran for three seasons. He then worked on projects including a string of failed television pilots. The syndication of Star Trek led to its growing popularity, resulting in the Star Trek feature films, which Roddenberry continued to produce and consult on.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1987, the sequel series Star Trek: The Next Generation began airing on television in first-run syndication; Roddenberry was involved in the initial development but took...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Andrea Palladio — Shared historical date (08-19 · Died) (1580): Master Renaissance architect whose villas defined the Palladian style.
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• Alfred Radcliffe-Brown — Shared historical date (10-24 · Died) (1955): Pioneering social anthropologist who developed structural functionalism.
• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek — Shared historical date (10-24 · Born) (1632): Pioneering Dutch microscopist, known as the Father of Microbiology.
• 1921 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1921
• August 19 (08-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 19
• 1991 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1991
• October 24 (10-24) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 24

Frequently Asked Questions about Gene Roddenberry