‘Star Trek’ Star Grace Lee Whitney Has Died at Age 85

Grace Lee Whitney, the actress who played Captain Kirk’s assistant, Janice Rand, on the original Star Trek series, has died. She was 85-years-old.

The star passed away on Friday, May 1 from natural causes in her California home, her son Jonathan Dweck announced on Sunday, May 3.

Grace as Janice Rand on ‘Star Trek’ in 1967.

Grace played Janice in eight of the hit show’s first 13 episodes in 1966. Years after she was written out of the TV series, she reprised her role in 1979’s ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture.’ She also appeared in ‘Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,’ ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ and ‘Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.’

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“Over time, she became appreciative of her short time on ‘Star Trek’ because she developed meaningful relationships with the fans, Leonard Nimoy and other cast members,” Dweck told the ‘Associated Press‘ of his late mother.

Grace with her ‘Stat Trek’ costar Robert Walker Jr. in 1966.

Throughout her 60-year Hollywood career, the actress also appeared in films ‘House of Wax,’ ‘Some Like It Hot’ and ‘Pocketful of Miracles.’

Grace is survived by her two sons, Jonathan and Scott Dweck.