A sad day in Star Trek......Origianl ENT designer dies

Capt.Rene D'Hondt

Matt jefferies dies at the age of 82 yesterday.he was the origianl designer of ENT bck in the 60's

07.21.03 Matt Jefferies, Enterprise Designer, Dies at 82

"Matt was a gentle soul. He has put his stamp on everything we have done since his brilliant, classic Enterprise."
�Herman Zimmerman
Production Designer, Enterprise

"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 "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 this morning. He was 82. Exact cause of death is not known at this time, but Jefferies had been battling cancer, and 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.

Obsessed with flight, Matt was a pilot who loved nothing more than the freedom that flight afforded oneself. To be in the air was his raison d'�tre and it fed his imagination which informed his later design work. In recent years, ill health and poor vision meant he was no longer able to partake in his favorite activity.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Click one of the following links for an exclusive interview Matt gave in 2001, talking about his career and how he conceived the design of the Enterprise: High speed - Low speed

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!"

Jefferies is survived by his wife Mary Ann. We will continue to update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Story from www.startrek.com

Theresa · **Tue Jul 22, 2003 2:56 pm**

Yeah, I saw that. Sucks,

The Delta Flyer · **Tue Jul 22, 2003 4:14 pm**

Weren't the "Jeffries Tubes" in starships named (by the Directors/Producers) after him because of his design of the original Enterprise?

Capt.Rene D'Hondt · **Tue Jul 22, 2003 4:19 pm**

I dont know.................i always wondered whr they came up with Jeffery from but it would make sense from the designers to do that.

Captain Jack Sparrow · **Tue Jul 22, 2003 5:00 pm**

That is really sad

. God rest thine soul.

Lt.BirdGod · **Wed Jul 23, 2003 3:25 pm**

That sux.

Capt.Rene D'Hondt · **Wed Jul 23, 2003 9:43 pm**

I know alot of actors.....and such are dying recently strange hey?

Melodramatic · Rear Admiral Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 4577

Yeah, it is lol.
I feel very sad

Capt.Rene D'Hondt · **Thu Jul 24, 2003 4:29 pm**

Me too...about a month ago or so......the actor who played Doc.Daystrom..........and a Ens that appeared in one ep also died............but it was awhile ago.

shrek man · Whiz Kid Joined: 14 Jan 2002 Posts: 5519

That's sad

imzadi76 · **Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:45 pm**

Monkey · **Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:51 pm**

man that stinks