in full Eugene Wesley Roddenberry
born Aug. 19, 1921, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
died Oct. 24, 1991, Santa Monica, Calif.
U.S. television and film producer.
He worked as a pilot (194549) and police officer (194953) before becoming a writer for television series such as Dragnet and Dr. Kildare. He created the idea for the Star Trek series and produced the show from 1966 until it ended in 1969; later rerun in syndication, it developed a durable cult following among fans known as "Trekkies." He produced six Star Trek movies, and from 1987 to 1991 he produced the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation .