Laurel Goodwin, Star Trek's Yeoman Colt, passed away in February at 79

Laurel Goodwin as Yeoman Colt in Star Trek “The Cage”

MARCH 8, 2022 - Laurel Goodwin, who began her film career opposite Elvis Presley in the 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls!, passed away February 25th. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Goodwin’s death was announced by her sister Maureen Scott. She was 79.

Goodwin is best known to Star Trek fans as Yeoman Colt from the original Star Trek pilot episode “The Cage”, starring opposite Jeffery Hunter as Captain Pike. Unfortunately, Goodwin’s role was pulled from the show when the network ordered the series recasted. She was the last living cast member to appear in “The Cage”. Her work on the series would later be revisited in the two-part episode “The Menagerie”. While in Hollywood, she often studied acting under the tutelage of Leonard Nimoy.

Outside of Star Trek, Goodwin had a successful career in both film and television. She appeared in the Jackie Gleason film Papa’s Delicate Condition (1963), The Glory Guys (1965), and Call To Danger (1968). Goodwin also appeared in episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies, Get Smart, and The Virginian. Goodwin left acting in the 1970s to pursue a career in nursing, but made a brief return to the film industry to produce the 1983 Burt Reynolds film Stroker Ace, directed by Hal Needham.

Laurel Goodwin is survived by many friends and family. Please join us in offering our condolences.