Jeri Taylor was a television writer and producer best known for her work with “Star Trek,” including writing for “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and co-creating “Star Trek: Voyager.”
- Died: October 24, 2024 (Who else died on October 24?)
- Details of death: Died in Davis, California of natural causes at the age of 86.
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Jeri Taylor’s legacy
Taylor, an Indiana University and Cal State Northridge graduate, had a strong career as a television writer before connecting with the franchise for which she’d be best known, penning scripts and producing for “Little House on the Prairie,” “Quincy M.E.,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and other shows.
However, it was her 1990 move to “Star Trek: The Next Generation” that cemented her place in TV – and fandom – history. She joined the series in its fourth season, by its sixth was co-executive producer, and for the show’s final season the following year was showrunner. Among her writings are the pivotal episode that introduced the Cardassians, “The Wounded,” and the courtroom drama episode, “The Drumhead.”
Taylor was then drafted to help develop a new series, “Star Trek: Voyager.” It was she who pushed for the captain of the show’s featured starship to be female, leading to the creation of Capt. Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew. Taylor was showrunner for the show’s first four seasons before stepping away to be a creative consultant.
She also wrote three “Star Trek” novels and several episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
Tributes to Jeri Taylor
Full obituary: Variety
