Star Trek's biggest tragedies – 'death sentence' diagnosis, lung condition and AIDS

To this day, Star Trek has a huge fanbase of “Trekkies” – die hard fans who live and breath the sci-fi franchise.

Since the first episode was launched, there have been multiple series and spin-off films, the most recent reboot movie having been released in 2016.

The original shows featured the likes of acting royalty such as William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, who went on to become legends in their own rights.

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However, some of the iconic cast have sadly passed away, although their legacies will live on for years to come.

Keep reading to find out more about what happened to some of the series’ top actors.

William Shatner

Shatner played James Kirk in the original series, the animated series and the seventh Star Trek movie.

His successful career has spanned over seven decades and even a music career which has led him to make eight albums, but at 90-years-old Shatner’s health is sadly declining.

Back in 2016, he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and opened up about his experience in an article for NBC.

He touched upon his extensive career and how grateful he was to have lived such a full life.

William said: “I was told by a doctor I had a terminal disease. That I was going to die. I didn’t know how to react to this news. This truly was my funeral we were talking about. ‘You have cancer,’ the doctor told me. ‘There must be some mistake,’ I thought. This is what happens to other people.”

Shatner heartbreakingly recalled that the medical professionals informed him that the cancer was “aggressive” and that he thought “his body had betrayed him”.

In shock, Williams immediate thoughts turned to the idea of death and he struggled to come to terms with the prospect.

He said: “ […] on an emotional level, I was certain I was never going to die. I denied it. To me, it was to make out my will, then have a nice piece of strudel. Death didn’t apply to me.”

Leonard Nimoy

Spock is arguably one of the most recognisable characters in all of science fiction – his distinctive haircut, pointed ears and Vulcan salute could be recognised by even a rookie.

Away from his recurring role throughout the extensive Star Trek franchise, Nimoy was a film director, keen photographer, avid author, singer and songwriter.

He was hugely popular and earned three Emmy awards throughout his acting career before he announced his retirement from Spock in 2010.

The character was later played by Zachary Quinto and Nimoy’s final portrayal of the Vulcan was in 2013.

Just two years later, Leonard sadly died after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a progressive and incurable disease which affects the lungs.

Hollywood was shocked, news of his death shook sci-fi fans across the globe and his legacy still lives on.

An asteroid was named after the actor in his honour and a documentary film, Remembering Leonard Nimoy, was later made by his daughter to highlight her father’s impressive life and to raise awareness of the illness.

Nichelle Nichols

Nichols was an actress, singer and dancer but was best known for her role as Nyota Uhura in the sci-fi franchise.

She was another iconic and recognisable character but her presence was particularly important for the portrayal of African American actresses on American television.

Nichols was one of the first Black women to act in a major television series and was once tempted to leave the show, but a certain Martin Luther King Jr managed to persuade her otherwise.

The actress said he told her: “For the first time on television, we will be seen as we should be seen every day, as intelligent, quality, beautiful people […].”

Between 1977 and 2015, Nichelle also volunteered for NASA and helped recruit astronauts from diverse backgrounds.

Unfortunately, in 2015 she suffered a stroke and soon after she was diagnosed with dementia.

She died of heart failure in July 2022 aged 89-years-old.

Merritt Butrick

Butrick was cast to play Captain Kirk’s son David Marcus but was later killed in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock in 1984.

He went on to feature in other minor roles throughout the franchise and had other roles in major films, having also received praise from Time magazine for a stage role.

Merritt played a prostitute in Kingfish, which was his last acting role before he died of toxoplasmosis, which was complicated by AIDS.

He was just 29-years-old when he passed in 1989.

A tribute to the actor was included in a scene in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country – which was filmed after his death – where Kirk keeps a picture of his son on his desk.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk