Arlene Martel dies at age 78 and fans of “Star Trek” are now paying homage to the TV legend. Martel who was born in New York, died in Los Angeles on August 12 from complications related to a recent heart attack.
Arlene Martel who was often credited as Arline Sax, Arlene Sax or Tasha Martel died on Tuesday. Her son Jod Kaftan confirmed the news to THR.
Martel, whose parents were Austrian Jewish immigrants, was born into poverty but her mother’s boss opted to send her to a boarding school in Connecticut. She later decided to audition at a prestigious art school in New York. This was the beginning of an acting career that would last close to 50 years. It all debuted on Broadway when she was just a teen.
Martel who was married to Jerry Douglas and Robert Palmer is also famous for the men she dated when she was just beginning. James Dean and Cary Grant are among those she was romantically involved with in her life.
Martel is survived by daughter Avra Douglas, sons Adam Palmer and Jon, and two grandchildren.
Despite her age Martel never really stopped working, traveling the world until very recently to attend conventions where she was a big draw with fans. Martel became popular with “Star Trek” followers when she appeared in the first episode of the show’s second season titled “Amok Time.” The actress played Spock’s bride-to-be T’Pring.
Although she also worked on shows like “Twilight Zone,” “Bewitched,” and “Hogan’s Heroes” her role on “Star Trek” brought an active following that lasted for years. In Tom Lisanti’s 2003 book Drive-in Dream Girls: A Galaxy of B-Movie Starlets of the Sixties, she addressed the matter saying:
“I had no idea it would continue to this day. Fans purchase my Star Trek photos at conventions, where I sign autographs. I had no idea that T’Pring would be so memorable to people.”
Leonard Nimoy who portrayed Spock in the famous episode had kind words for the actress on Twitter after the news broke. He wrote:
“Saying goodbye to T’Pring, Arlene Martel. A lovely talent.”
A lot of people share the same sentiment.
