The following is a Q&A with questions from fans submitted by e-mail. We visited Ms. Barrett at the Roddenberry house in Bel Air (which, we found out, was once the home of Cary Grant), and sat down with her and her son, Eugene W. Roddenberry Jr., to hold an "off-line" chat.

STARTREK.COM: Thank you for letting us visit, Majel, and Happy Birthday! We got a lot of great questions, and we were especially struck by the level of praise and admiration people have for you. For example:

"I truly appreciate what a wonderful actress you are. Your strong stage presence, strong convictions and witty personality are all charming aspects to your character and yourself as well. Thanks so much for being an inspiration and a person who can make me laugh, cry and enjoy life. Sincerely, Harry R."

Majel Barrett: Harry is a very smart man. (Laughs)

"Your portrayal of Lwaxana is wonderful; a tenacious lady full of zest and not afraid to speak her mind! Much love and admiration to you and all involved with the Star Trek world! Brian H."

MB: I am not on an ego trip! Are we gonna get to some questions?

STCOM: Yes of course...

Q: Of all your characters, I liked Number One the most. Did she have a name, and if not, what would you have chosen for her?
—Sharon, 16

MB: "Number One"! That was her name!

STCOM: There was never a suggestion of her birth name?

MB: No, Gene just wanted to avoid that. It was a different time, a different era, a different age. And "Number One" was quite sufficient. I was first in line should something happen to the captain as "Number One." I'm sure we had a "Number Two" somewhere, but I don't know who it would be.

Q: Do you have any fond memories of working with the late Jeffrey Hunter on the first Star Trek pilot "The Cage"?
—Jon P.-S., England

MB: Yes, I have only fond memories! He was an absolutely wonderful, fun, delightful human being, and a fine actor. Those are my memories.

STCOM: How long did you actually work with Hunter?

MB: I think we tooled around on that one for about three weeks, and then post-production and all that sort of stuff. So altogether it was probably only a month.

Q: Hi, I am a big fan of yours and the shows. Did you ever wish that you had remained your original character in the pilot episode as "Number One" throughout the whole original series, instead of becoming a nurse?
—Michael S.

MB: Oh, well, I would have loved to, but seeing as the shows were at totally different times, it wouldn't have been wise. We've got different captains, and they didn't want any association with the previous pilot. I mean, we were washing the slate clean at that point.

STCOM: Have you ever wanted to explore the character of Number One and how she got to be the person she was, in a novel for instance?

MB: Oh, I knew where she came from. It's a long story. It's not that exciting. She came up through the ranks, and she got to where she is by hard work and no deception.

Q: I was wondering why Nurse Chapel and Spock never got together.
—JJPM

MB: It wasn't wanted. We did it for that one show, you know, and it was just a hint anyway. It was never going to be any more than that. Any more than that and it would've ruined it.

Q: As a fan, I have always felt a bit cheated that your character was not allowed to grow beyond "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." Where would you have liked to taken Christine Chapel after "The Motion Picture?"

MB: Oh, I would've loved to have had bigger roles, but that was not in the cards. I was fairly lucky to get away with what I did. She's just not one of the major characters. She was very incidental as she was written, on purpose.

STCOM: Personally, would you like to have seen more character development with Chapel?

MB: Oh, I would've LOVED that, of course! I would've loved it while I was doing it. But you know, talking to Gene, he'd just look at me and he'd say, "Are you crazy?" And that was the end! (Laughs.) Studios, networks, him!

Q: What was your initial response when you were asked to play Lwaxana Troi?
—James S. B., Huntsville, TX

MB: Well, I wasn't asked to do it, I pretty much begged. We really created that part for me. And it was because I wanted to be in it somehow or other. Gene figured it was probably the only way to get me to shut up!

Eugene W. Roddenberry Jr.: Let me chime in here. She was definitely not cast for the part. The part was Majel. The part is my mother. Every time I see Lwaxana on TV, I see my mother. There is no acting going on there! I am exaggerating a bit, but that is the true essence of my mother, Majel. (Majel laughs loudly.)

STCOM: That leads into our next question...

Q: How much of Lwaxana Troi's personality was derived from your own? In other words, how much are the two of you actually alike, how close to the character are you in real life?
—Gil W.

EWR: Ninety-eight-point-five percent! But you go ahead.

MB: (Laughs.) No, he really is right. I just said, 'Hey, this is me.' And it was a matter of, how do I go ahead and just 'play' me? And it was, 'open your mouth,' and that did it!

Q: Did you and Marina Sirtis [Deanna Troi] have a close relationship?
—Emilie

MB: Yes we did, yeah. I liked her every bit as much as the show itself indicates. And I really pushed for her to stay in it. At one time they were going to get rid of her — it wasn't anything she did, it was just that they had too many people — and I just didn't find that advisable. So I did a lot of talking and maneuvering around, about making the character [of Deanna] probably a little more palatable. And so somehow or other it stayed, though I don't know how much it really had to do with anything I did.

EWR: You guys are still close — she comes over for Thanksgiving dinner, and she calls you Mom. Every time she talks to me she says, "Hey bro, how's Mom?" Because we've got a strange, I guess, sister-brother relationship. We're still very close.

MB: Well, she's a great gal. I've always adored her, I love her.

Q: "Dark Page" is in my top 5 favorite Trek episodes, and I thought that you and Ms. Sirtis acted it out wonderfully. Did you draw from any personal experience for that?
—Anthony T.

MB: No, I wouldn't have been able to draw from a personal experience because I didn't have that situation at any time in my life. But I loved her like a daughter, so maybe that just came through. And still do! She's a fun gal.

Q: Have you ever considered writing your own novels about what Lwaxana Troi is like, e.g. on Betazed?
—Robsi

MB: She's just not important enough. She's just a character that was sort of by the wayside.

EWR: I disagree.

MB: No, she's only in there because I insisted.

EWR: I know! (Laughter) But you insisted, and the fans love it!

STCOM: Who came up with that first name?

MB: Gene! It was always that.

STCOM: Did he make it up or was it some name that he had heard before?

MB: I don't know. Good question. Maybe some of the writing staff would know more than I. He [Gene] made up a lot of stuff, so it's entirely possible that it might be one that he made up. I don't know.

Q: How did you get the part as the Federation computer voice, and what was it like recording the computer responses? (Did you have to sit in a recording studio and read a bunch of responses like "Unable to comply"?)
—Mike

MB: I had to go in to record, yeah. Sometimes I did it to the picture, and a lot of times it was just basically a voice-over and it didn't make any difference if I was syncing anybody — you know, I could just do it wild, and run around the room while I was doing it. (Laughter)

STCOM: So how did it come about that you became the standard computer voice?

MB: I begged. (Laughs)

Q: When you did the computer voice for the various shows, you must have been aware that many people would use this on their own computers. Have you ever considered working with Microsoft to create an 'Official' Star Trek soundtrack for personal computers?
—Andy T.

MB: I remember there was talk about it, but I don't think it ever went beyond the talk. I never said no.

EWR: They did contact her a few years ago, a couple of companies did, and they wanted to do a deal where her voice would be on the next operating system. And I tell ya what, I'm sorry to interrupt here, but my nightmare would be to turn on my computer, and have your voice — and I know they would send me a special copy — saying "Rod, turn off your computer...!" (Laughter)

Q: Of all your roles on Star Trek, which was or is your favourite?
—Jeremy R.

MB: Well, I suppose it would have to be Lwaxana. Because she appeared more often, and I got to play her enough that I could think about it, and what her background was and all those things, and I had a whole life for her.

Q: Have you ever wanted to write an episode of Star Trek?
—Dan T., Plantsville, CT

MB: No, I can't write. I really don't know how to write. I sit down with a piece of paper in front of me and I draw a blank every time. And then I say, "Oh, to hell with it — there are people who get paid to do what I'm trying to do, so let them do it."

Q: Hi Majel. If you hadn't become such an undeniable force in the Star Trek universe, where do you think your life/career would have taken you and why?
—Shay

MB: Well, I hope probably about the same place... I don't know! There were a lot of other characters, but I mean, they were just one-shots.

EWR: You could've become a regular on Leave It to Beaver!

MB: Yeah! It was my first show, the first show I ever did out here.

EWR: Was it? I never knew that.

Q: What was your favourite Star Trek moment of all time?
—Cindy K., Toronto, Canada

MB: Oh-ho! Oh! Help, help! I guess from the first time we got picked up! (Laughs) Because we were always in question, there was always a question about whether we were going to get picked up.

STCOM: In 1966?

MB: '66, '67, '68, '69 — just all the way through, nobody ever ever knew.

Q: What was the best Star Trek episode you ever starred in?
—Katherine S.

MB: Oh, my favorite would have to be "City on the Edge of Forever." But I wasn't in that. Let's say "The Cage" [of the episodes I appeared in].

Q: How did you meet Gene; is there a story about it?
—Raphael S.

MB: I believe it was just on a regular interview. I was trying to see a whole bunch of producers in town, because I figured, you know, I'm not getting a job just sitting here. So I would make appointments with as many as would see me — I was trying to work my way through Hollywood that way. And one day it was Gene. And then he said something about, "Well, let's have lunch and talk about our project." It really was just an interview at that time, and I was the same to him. So we went out and we found that we just had a lot to talk about and so on, and one thing kind of led to another, and here we are! Or were!

STCOM: Did you two get married during the Original Series run?

MB: We actually didn't have the wedding until after that was over. That ran '66, '67, '68, '69. And then in '69 is when we got married.

EWR: In Japan. Shinto wedding, right?

MB: Yeah, in Japan. Shinto shrine, Shinto ceremony.

[See wedding picture on this page.]

STCOM: What inspired you guys to have a traditional Japanese ceremony?

MB: Well, that's where he was, he was over there locationing, trying to find locations for a picture he was going to make, and he called — we had already discussed getting married, and it was never going to be any hurry — anyway, he said, "Do you want to get married over here?" And I said, "Sure!" Anything to, y'know, tie him down somewhere!

STCOM: When you came back to America, did you have another ceremony for friends and family?

MB: Oh, we got married again, yeah. We got married twice or three times, I can't remember — I figured one of them will take.

Q: Ms. Barrett, how do you view Star Trek in relation to the world we live in? Do you feel that Mr. Roddenberry's vision has a place in today's society?
—James Y., Glen Burnie, MD

MB: Well, since it was all based on the future anyway, yes it has a place. Whether or not we ever find it is kind of up in the air. But we will always be searching for it. The nice thing about science fiction is, it doesn't happen, but the possibility is still out there. The possibilities will always be there, no matter how good we get.

Q: How do you feel about the impact of Star Trek on increasing tolerance and acceptance of differences in people?
—Alice

MB: It's a fantastic thing, if indeed it does do that. I don't know that it does, but I know that a lot of people point to it when they talk about such things. And just to be singled out in that way, I think, is quite a tribute to Gene. When you have a message, that's how you get it out — put it in a play and disguise it, and say it. People will listen.

Q: I know that Gene had some issues with organized religion, but was he spiritual himself in any sense? What were his beliefs, if any?
—John Arthur J., Greenwood, IN

MB: Well, he would give so much as to say, "Yes, I'm sure that there is a God," but he wouldn't put it in the shape of a man — you couldn't button Him down. God was a feeling, and it was a feeling of doing good. That's the only thing that he really emphasized. You could see in the Vulcans, it was just to do good, no matter what it was in. I'm not sure how else to answer the question.

EWR: Later in life he was a "humanist" if you wanted to title it anything. I think he really believed not that God would solve our problems — or whether there is or whether there isn't — but humanity must take responsibility and solve its problems. And do good for itself.

MB: But he never blamed anybody or anything. And he knew that it couldn't be fixed, like, overnight or anything, but if everybody does their little bit in their own lives, then we would end up being a much better world.

Q: I wanted to know if there was a relationship between Gene and Rod Serling (Twilight Zone)? Star Trek and Twilight Zone seemed to have similar social commentary and similar actors. I was wondering if this was purely coincidence or a relationship of some sort between Gene and Rod Serling?
—Cliff G.

MB: No, they knew each other for a handshake, at social events and like that. That was all. Their stories really didn't take on the same shape at all, I don't feel. I mean, outside of their both being science fiction.

Q: What is your favorite memory of Gene?

MB: Well, he was such a complex man. Everything is a favorite memory. I can't think of one particular thing. I don't know, I think just getting married! I'd probably stop right there!

STCOM: First time, second time...?

MB: First time!

Q: What do you think of Enterprise?
—Greg L.

MB: I don't watch it. Not for any particular reason. Even if Gene had written it, I wouldn't be watching it! It's just, I don't stay home to watch television shows. I had gotten the scripts — you don't need much more than that to tell what it is — and it read fine. Go ahead and put it on the air! I thought it was excellent. Over the years, Trek has just gotten better, frankly.

STCOM: Is there too much Star Trek on the air, do you feel, or can there never be enough Star Trek?

MB: Oh, I think we've been there and I think pulling back right now a little bit would just give everybody, and the head, a rest. It would be nice to put on the television set every day for a week and not hear the words Star Trek, because I've grown up with it — I mean, how long has it been? Thirty years? 1965-66... Oh my God, it's almost 40 years! (Laughs)

STCOM: Who knew at the time?

MB: Who knew? No, we were just grateful to have it on the next day!

Q: Why aren't you in Enterprise? (Or are you going to be soon?) See, because if you were, then you would be in all the series and that would just be the coolest thing ever.
—Amanda K.

MB: Wouldn't that be lovely? I would love to do it but I have not yet been asked.

EWR: I've wanted to pitch an idea: The ship right now doesn't have a computer voice, so they need the episode where they introduce the ship computer voice, but they also introduce the woman who invented it — Nurse Chapel's great-great-whatever.

MB: I would go along with it. But as I said, I wouldn't hold my breath until you see it.

Q: What did you think about Star Trek Nemesis?
—Daniel, Pomona, CA

MB: I liked it! I think they're all good. I can't think of one that I really thought was badly done. Well, I can think of some back episodes that were badly done, but I was probably more particular back then than I am now. Now it's just kind of pleasurable to see it, and be kind of removed from it.

Q: How do you think Mr. Roddenberry would feel about the Star Trek franchise if he were alive today?

MB: He wouldn't have had anything to do with it. He was getting tired of it back then. But he would've guided it into a different channel, I know that. Or he might just have — I've seen this part of him too — turned his back on it and walked away from it and just said, "Go ahead, have fun," as he was wont to do with some things.

Q: If Paramount offered you the opportunity to develop your version of a Star Trek series, would you accept the job, and what would you like that show to be like?
—Art L.

MB: No, I would not accept that job. I know what's involved in it, and I don't feel that I have the capability, number one. I don't know where it would've gone, probably closer to what it was. But it seems as though eventually the powers that be that are doing this stuff eventually get back to doing things pretty much the way Gene would've seen it going anyway.

Q: I've missed seeing you at conventions for the last few years. Do you have any plans to attend any conventions in the near future?
—Marsha W.

MB: I did so many conventions for so many years, that I just really got tired. And I finally found an opportunity and a way that I could say no for a period of time, and then after that I just never accepted anything. I don't have any burning desire to get back into it and do it either. There's too much travelling, and it's too hard on me. I used to kind of hate that, the travelling part. God, you go out on Friday evening and you get on a plane on Sunday evening and come back, and go right on to the next one, and then the next one and the next one, and I'm too old for that. (Laughs)

Q: It looks like the Original Series is going to be re-released season by season on DVD. Do you know if you will be part of any of the special features?
—Virogen

EWR: I do. I just spoke to them today, and she did an interview awhile back, and they're going to use bits of that. So I know she's going to be in it. As far as a new interview, I don't know.

MB: I don't know any more than that either.

Q: Is there going to be any future in movies for Andromeda?

MB: Not that I've heard of.

EWR: That's a question for Tribune Entertainment. They're running the show. They make those decisions.

MB: But I don't think they're even interested in the motion picture aspect of any of this stuff.

Q: Majel, you've brought us "Earth: Final Conflict" and "Andromeda". What's next on your agenda?
—Jason D.

EWR: Questor.

MB: Ah, I love it. Gene said that there's probably more material that could be used for Questor than there was in Star Trek. So, wow, how was that possible? But no one has really gone in there and developed it, until now.

EWR: Herb Wright [former TNG producer] has optioned the rights and there's a team putting it together right now and they are moving forward toward production.

MB: That's the nice thing about science fiction, you can always come back to it. It's never outdated.

Q: Are there any plans to bring back "Genesis II" or "Planet Earth" as a TV series?
—Brent F.

MB: No, none. "Genesis" would have been wonderful. You know, both of them would be absolutely great, because again, they are timeless. They were good ideas to start with, but you need somebody to sit down with that kind of stuff, and go over it and say, 'Okay, I can fix this, and I know what to do with it.' And you need somebody to buy it, too! But they have to come to me. Nobody has done that.

Q: How would you describe your experience on the set of Babylon 5?
—Jeff S.

MB: Oh, fun. I love making movies and television shows and so forth. It's fun! I love being on the set.

STCOM: Now, speaking of fun ... under the category of "silly questions"...

Q: Hi Majel, Matt and Dave here. Matt's a real big fan of yours and loves to hear your voice as the "computer". Can you please tell us, what is your favourite cereal?
—Matt & Dave

MB: (Laughs) Breakfast cereal? [to Eugene] What's my favorite cereal?

EWR: Paramount Flakes, I don't know. (Laughter)

MB: I do a lot of stuff, like, right out of the boxes ...

EWR: Grape Nuts!

MB: Yeah, I like Grape Nuts! I do. Thank you! He's right.

Q: Hullo, this is a stupid question. Hair, was it better in the TOS or the later incarnations?
—L.M.

MB: My hair? I would probably go for the later, because I can't even remember the original, except it was blonde and I hated that. (Laughs)

Q: Hi Majel! I've been a fan of yours since day 1!!! What are your measurements?
—Don L.

MB: (Big laugh) I don't think the answer to that would fit on the page!

STCOM: Well, you look great to us!

MB: Thank you!

[Seriously, she's still quite trim. -Ed.]