"Matt Jefferies' quiet modesty belied the genius of his work, which set the path for all of us who are lucky enough to follow in his very large footsteps. Today, nearly four decades later, Matt's original Enterprise still stands as a design classic. We will miss him greatly."
–Michael Okuda
Scenic Art Supervisor/Technical Consultant, Enterprise

Walter Matthews "Matt" Jefferies, the art director who designed the original U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 for Gene Roddenberry in the 1960's, passed away early Monday morning, July 21, of congestive heart failure. He had been at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles since the previous Friday. He was 81. Jefferies, who had overcome a battle with cancer, had recently been given the all-clear by doctors.

His mark on the world is indelible; if ever a single image of a vessel can claim instant recognition throughout the world, it is the Starship Enterprise. The design resonated with audiences and played no small part in the success of the enduring aspect of Star Trek.

Born August 12, 1921, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Matt was obsessed with flight from an early age. Matt loved nothing more than the freedom that flight afforded oneself and would spend much of his spare time in and around planes. To be in the air was his raison d'ętre and it fed his imagination which informed his later design work. He fought in World War II as a B-17 co-pilot, serving in England, Africa and Italy, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal. After the war he took up his career as an artist, becoming an illustrator for the Library of Congress in 1949, then a free-lance aviation illustrator in 1953. Four years later he segued into a job as set designer for Warner Bros. and went on to beome an art director. Besides Star Trek, his credits include Love, American Style, Little House on the Prairie and Dallas.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Click on the "Matt Jefferies Video Interview" link on the left for an exclusive interview Matt gave in 2001, talking about his career and how he conceived the design of the Enterprise.

It was just a month ago that Jefferies' friends and family held a special surprise tribute for Jefferies on the Paramount lot (related story).

Three years ago almost to the day, Jefferies received special recognition at the FantastiCon science fiction awards dinner (related story). Good friend Penny Juday, art department coordinator for several Star Trek movies, presented his award by saying, "Perhaps not since the Wright Brothers has a flight so captured the imagination of the people." Jefferies, always humbled and rather embarrassed by any attention he gets, accepted by saying, "I find it very difficult to comprehend, honestly, how design work that I did oh-so-many years ago has been accepted and continues to be accepted ... and I'm kinda choked up."

Senior Illustrator Doug Drexler was another staff member hugely influenced by Matt's work:

"Matt was my initial inspiration to become be an artist in Hollywood.

"He inspired me to work hard and not be afraid to dream the big dream. Could I ever have imagined that I would know Matt? Certainly. That part is not so amazing. What is truly amazing is to find that your hero is so much more than you ever expected. It's one of those delightful rarities of life cynics would have you believe never happens, but guess what? It does happen and it happened in the form of this wonderful, warm and generous human being.

"We miss you, Matt ... it hurts ... big time. But you know something? In reality you're right here ... in the art department ... every day ... in every pen, pencil, pixel and heartbeat. So from here on we live a little more ambitiously, a little more passionately and a little more lovingly in your name. Chocks away, flyboy!"

Matt is survived by his wife Mary Ann Jefferies and two brothers, John and Richard. Another brother, Philip, died in 1987. John and Philip were also production designers, following in their eldest brother's footsteps.

Services for Walter M. Jefferies will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m., at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 10828 Moorpark St. (corner of Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

Donations can be made in Matt's name to:

The Motion Picture and Television Fund
22212 Ventura Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

(Correction: Earlier we reported that Jefferies was 82 years old. Actually, he was just short of his 82nd birthday. We apologize for the error.)