Tarzan and Star Trek actress Ena Hartman has died at the age of 93, her family has announced. She dies last month on April 16 of natural causes at her Van Nuys home.
Her goddaughter Lorraine Foxworth confirmed the sad news with The Hollywood Reporter.
The actress is best known for her regular role in the police show Dan August, between 1970 and 1971. It was on that series which she starred alongside Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds.
She also starred opposite the likes of Tom Selleck, Phyllis Davis and Don Marshall in the prison movie Terminal Island, which was released in 1973.
At one point, she was said to be in the running for Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek but missed out on the role to Nichelle Nichols. Ena did make an appearance in Star Trek episode The Corbomite Maneuver, but in a much smaller role as Crew Woman No2.
(Image: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
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She had also been among the names touted to play one of the nuns in Elvis Presley movie Change of Habit in 1967 but missed out on that role too. Instead, it went to Barbara McNair.
Despite missing out on those two roles, her appearance in Dan August was major, as she was among the first black actresses to be given a regular television role. She played no-nonsense police dispatcher Katy Grant in 26 episodes.
Friends and family have been paying tribute to Ena. Her funeral service took place on April 24.
One man shared a photo of them together. He wrote: “My last visit. Till the next time.”
Someone else said: “She was a wonderful, loving and kind hearted woman. We loved her deeply and will always keep you all in our hearts and prayers. God bless you.”
Another wrote: “So glad we got to spend time together in NYC. She inspired and introduced me to good people that helped me along in my career.
“Auntie Ena you will be missed, you were a beautiful person inside and out. May you rest in the arms of Our Lord and Saviour.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
