Laurel Goodwin was an actress known for co-starring with Elvis Presley (1935–1977) in “Girls! Girls! Girls!” and playing Yeoman Colt in the rejected “Star Trek” pilot, “The Cage.”
- Died: February 25, 2022 (Who else died on February 25?)
- Details of death: Died in Cathedral City, California at the age of 79.
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Acting career
Goodwin’s movie debut came with 1962’s “Girls! Girls! Girls!” She played Laurel Dodge, one of two women who caught the eye of Presley’s sailor character. In 1966, Goodwin became a part of “Star Trek” history when she appeared in the show’s original pilot, which was scrapped when the show was retooled with mostly new stars. Her character, Yeoman J.M. Colt, was memorable in part for a moment of sexual tension with Captain Pike, precursor to Captain Kirk. Many scenes from the episode, including Goodwin’s, were repurposed for a two-part episode later in season one, “The Menagerie.” She was the last living cast member of “The Cage.” Goodwin’s other movies include “Papa’s Delicate Condition” and “Stage to Thunder Rock.” She also made TV appearances including “The Virginian,” “Get Smart,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and “Mannix.” Goodwin retired from acting in the early 1970s, later working as a home health nurse.
Goodwin on filming “The Cage”
“I thought it was wonderful fun. Everybody worked very hard. First of all, we got to do a rehearsal thing, which was rather unusual. We gathered at a table. I was very involved with the makeup people and all that, while we were creating the roles and Leonard [Nimoy]’s look and all of that. So that was great fun and intriguing. It was sort of like being back at the studio again, because that’s how I originated, under contract at Paramount. So that was great fun on that level, because I got to do a little of the behind stuff in the creation of this. Everyone was really very positive.” —from a 2016 interview for StarTrek.com
Tributes to Laurel Goodwin
Full obituary: People
