Joanne Linville, Star Trek’s Romulan Commander from “The Enterprise Incident” has passed away at age 93

Joanne Linville in Star Trek “The Enterprise Incident”

JUNE 22, 2021 - Joanne Linville, whose performance as a Romulan Commander in Star Trek: The Original Series helped to make the episode “The Enterprise Incident” a fan-favorite, passed away Sunday at the age of 93, her agent has confirmed to Variety.

Linville began her career on the small screen in the 1950s, appearing in a number of anthology programs such as Kraft Television Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Studio One. Over the years she worked a number of times with William Shatner, with the pair even playing husband and wife a couple of times before appearing on Star Trek together. After Star Trek, she appeared on a number of popular shows including ChiPs, Dynasty, and L.A. Law, as well as appearing in films like the 1976 remake of A Star is Born.

Linville’s commander was the first depiction of a female Romulan, and the role made her a popular guest at conventions even as she approached her 90s. Linville’s daughter Amy Rydell reprised the role in 2017 for the fan-produced series Star Trek Continues, and offered up a spitting-image continuation for the popular character. Following the episode’s premiere, the Star Trek Continues Facebook page posted a touching photo of the pair, with Rydell in full costume and Linville sporting a pair of Romulan ears.

Linville is survived by two children with ex-husband Mark Rydell, three grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Her legacy in Hollywood also lives on in the Stella Adler Academy of Acting & Theatre, which she co-founded in 1985.

Please join us here at Daily Star Trek News in offering condolences to those touched by Joanne Linville’s passing.