American television screenwriter, producer and creator of the original Star Trek.
Eugene “Gene” Wesley Roddenberry was born August 19, 1921 and was a combat pilot in the Army Air Forces during World War Two, and a commercial pilot afterwards. However, he eventually followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Los Angeles Police Department. It was there where he began writing scripts for television shows such as Highway Patrol, and Have Gun – Will Travel, before creating his own show – The Lieutenant. In 1964, Roddenberry created Star Trek, which ran for three seasons between 1966 and 1969.
After a string of failed television pilots, including the Genesis II, The Questor Tapes, and Planet Earth, Roddenberry found Star Trek increasing popularity through syndication, and this led to the Star Trek feature films, and spin-off series. Roddenberry had become more of a consultant though he was fully involved in the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Ill health meant that he had to take a step back but he continued to work right up to his death on October 24, 1991 from a heart attack. Roddenberry had been suffering from problems with blood flow to the brain caused by longstanding use of drugs to help him work through the night on scripts. A couple of strokes led to him needing to use a wheelchair, and effected his sight and speech.
In 1996, his widow, Majel-Barret-Roddenberry – who had starred in several of her husbands shows, including Star Trek, as Nurse Chapel – discovered scripts for a series called Battleground Earth. She was able to see it developed into a series now called Earth: Final Conflict that ran between 1997 and 2002. Two further series were developed from Roddenberry’s notes: Genesis and Andromeda. the latter ran between 2000 and 2005.
All sourced from Wikipedia: Gene Roddenberry except:
Science Fiction TV Shows and Films
Star Trek
(1965, 1966-68)
Possibly the most famous American science fiction series, featuring the exploits of Captain Kirk and his crew of the starship Enterprise.
Star Trek: The Animated Series
(1973-74)
The popularity of Star Trek grew through syndication so Roddenberry developed an animated version.
Genesis II
(1973)
A television movie that was supposed to be a pilot for a series featuring Dylan Hunt left in suspended animation while war destroyed his world and he is woken up by members of a new civilisation.
Planet Earth
(1973)
Roddenberry revived the character of Dylan Hunt but this time he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic matriarchal society.
The Questor Tapes
(1973)
Another failed pilot, this time concerning an android with incomplete memory tapes seeking his creator to determine his purpose.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
(1979)
Roddenberry produced the first big screen adventure for the original Star Trek crew. He was involved in the development of the story, and wrote the film’s novelisation.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
(1987-94)
Before his death in 1991, Roddenberry was involved in the first live action television spin-off from the original Star Trek series where the Enterprise is now commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
Earth: Final Conflict
(1997-2002)
Developed from scripts discovered after Roddenberry’s death, a race of aliens settle on Earth and bring with them advanced technologies but some fear they have an ulterior motive.
Andromeda
(2000-05)
Developed from notes discovered after Roddenberry’s death, the Dylan Hunt character returns as he finds his ship sent through a black hole, and into a galaxy over 300 years later.
Sci-Fi TV UK 