McQuarrie, Takei, Shatner & Quinto In The News

StarTrek.com wishes to take a moment to remember Ralph McQuarrie, who passed away on March 3 at the age of 82. McQuarrie was internationally beloved as the conceptual designer and illustrator of the original Star Wars trilogy, won an Oscar for his efforts on Cocoon and worked on E.T. as well. He also spent time in the Star Trek universe, almost collaborating with director Philip Kaufman on the aborted film Star Trek: Planet of the Titans and eventually lending his talents to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Our condolences to his family, friends and many admirers.

On a very different note, we've got updates on the comings and goings of George Takei, William Shatner and Zachary Quinto. Takei, appearing on The Celebrity Apprentice, served his team as project manager on a task involving dressing a window, but his team lost on last night's episode. Takei brought Lou Ferrigno and Arsenio Hall back to the board room with him, but Donald Trump ultimately fired Takei, who accepted his dismissal with typical class and dignity.

Meanwhile, Shatner yesterday concluded the Broadway run of his one-man show, Shatner's World. But the show is far, far from over. A U.S. tour will begin in Los Angeles on March 10.

Finally, Quinto is currently in L.A. shooting the Star Trek sequel, reprising his role as Spock, but he's already got his next job lined up. The actor, who last year guest starred in four episodes of the series American Horror Story, will appear as a regular during the show's upcoming second season.