Greg Jein, model maker for Star Trek and many other science fiction properties, passes away at 76
Model maker Greg Jein has passed away; Images: The Visual Effects Archive
JUNE 29, 2022 - His career goes back to the mid-1970s, and his first Star Trek credit was for miniatures on Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Designer and model maker Greg Jein has died at the age of 76.
Over the last fifty years, Jein has designed and/or built models for films ranging from 1941 to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, both of which brought him Academy Award nominations. His studio models, props, and other artwork, such as landscape miniatures, appeared in many films and television episodes, including multiple Star Trek entries in both categories. Jein worked with Douglas Trumbull on The Motion Picture, and his efforts included the V’ger interiors.
Among his award nominations was his only Star Trek Emmy nod, for visual effects work on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season five episode, “Trials and Tribble-ations.”
Mike Okuda said on Twitter, “Deeply saddened by passing of legendary modelmaker Gregory Jein, whose work ranged from Dark Star to Firefox, Buckaroo Banzai, Hunt for Red October, Close Encounters and Star Trek. The world of fantastic filmmaking has gotten a little smaller with the passing of Greg Jein.”
Star Trek: Picard production designer Dave Blass also shared on Twitter, “Like many of us, he started out as a fan, and became one of the creators of the magic,” and Blass included a YouTube interview with Jein.
Memory Alpha quotes Jein citing the model maker’s mantra: "Ah, if I had more time…" If, indeed.
Please join us in offering our condolences to the friends and family of Greg Jein.
David is a contributing writer for Daily Star Trek News on the Roddenberry Podcast Network. He is a librarian, baseball fan, and book and movie buff. He has also written for American Libraries and Skeptical Inquirer. David also enjoys diverse music, but leans toward classical and jazz. He plays a mean radio.
