Actor and Star Trek alum William Marshall passed away last week. He was 78.

Marshall is known to Trek fans as the brilliant but troubled Dr. Richard Daystrom from the Original Series episode "The Ultimate Computer." He died in a Los Angeles rest home on Wednesday. According to the Los Angeles Times, Marshall suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Marshall was born in Gary, Indiana, and spent several years at New York University studying art. He went on to study acting at the Actors Studio and the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. Over the years, Marshall appeared in a number of memorable roles, often re-visiting them. He was also well-known for championing African-American heritage on stage and screen.

Marshall played the title part in "Othello" multiple times, and spent fifteen years researching abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who he played on stage and television. His one-man show, "Enter Frederick Douglass," toured Los Angeles and several other cities in the early '90s. Marshall also starred in the cult classic "Blacula" and its sequel "Scream, Blacula, Scream!" in the early '70s. Marshall won two local Emmys in 1974 for "As Adam Early in the Morning," based on works by Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Richard Wright and Billy Strayhorn. The multi-talented actor also taught acting workshops at such institutions as the Mufandi Institute in Watts. He served as director of the institute in the '60s.

Marshall is survived by three sons, a daughter and life partner of 42 years Sylvia Jarrico. A memorial service will be held this summer.

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