Script Writer and Story Editor DC Fontana of StarTrek Fame Dies at 80

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In summary, Dorothy Catherine “D.C.” Fontana, one of the key writers for Star Trek: The Original Series, has passed away at the age of 80 after a brief illness. She wrote or co-wrote 10 episodes for the series, as well as episodes for Star Trek: The Animated Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Fontana was also one of the few female writers in Hollywood during the 1960s, and her work on Star Trek helped bring Gene Roddenberry's vision to life. She will be remembered for her contributions to the beloved sci-fi franchise.
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Founding Star Trek writer Dorothy Catherine “D.C.” Fontana has died. She was 80 years old and died after a brief illness. Fontana was one of the key writers who worked on Star Trek: The Original Series in the 1960s, helping to bring Gene Roddenberry’s vision to life. She wrote or co-wrote 10 episodes of The Original Series, including “Charlie X,” "Tomorrow is Yesterday," “The Side of Paradise," "Friday's Child," “Journey to Babel," "By Any Other Name," "The Ultimate Computer," “The Enterprise Incident," "That Which Survives," and "The Way to Eden." She also wrote the episode “Yesteryear" of Star Trek: The Animated Series, worked on five episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation including its pilot, "Encounter at Farpoint," as well as "The Naked Now," "Lonely Among Us," "Too Short a Season," and "Heart of Glory," and co-wrote the teleplay for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Dax."

https://comicbook.com/startrek/2019/12/03/star-treks-d-c-fontana-dies-at-80/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._C._Fontana
 
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...although you'd think they'd proof read an obituary. It's "This Side of Paradise".

Always credited as D.C. Fontana in case viewers figured out that she was - gasp - a woman writing SF.
 
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I found an obituary in the NY Times on her.

It had a few interesting quotes:

from her husband:
“She was a very, very tough lady,” he said. “She carried a phaser with her right up to the end.”

and:
Speaking to StarTrek.com in 2013, Ms. Fontana reflected on what it was like to be a female writer in Hollywood in the 1960s. While working on “Star Trek,” she said, she did not realize that she had gone where no woman had gone before.
 
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1. Who is DC Fontana and why is she important in the Star Trek franchise?

DC Fontana, whose real name was Dorothy Catherine Fontana, was a prolific script writer and story editor for the original Star Trek series. She wrote or co-wrote a total of 11 episodes and was instrumental in shaping the character development and overall narrative of the show. Her contributions helped make Star Trek the iconic and beloved franchise it is today.

2. How did DC Fontana get involved with Star Trek?

DC Fontana was initially hired as a secretary for Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek. However, her talent for writing was quickly recognized and she was given the opportunity to write scripts for the show. She eventually became the story editor for the series and played a major role in shaping the show's creative direction.

3. What other works did DC Fontana contribute to besides Star Trek?

Aside from her work on Star Trek, DC Fontana also wrote for other popular science fiction shows such as The Six Million Dollar Man, Babylon 5, and Earth: Final Conflict. She also wrote for several animated series, including The Transformers and The Pirates of Dark Water.

4. What impact did DC Fontana's contributions have on the science fiction genre?

DC Fontana's work on Star Trek and other science fiction shows helped pave the way for more diverse and complex storytelling in the genre. She was also a pioneer for women in the male-dominated field of science fiction writing, inspiring other female writers and breaking stereotypes in the industry.

5. What is DC Fontana's legacy in the entertainment industry?

DC Fontana's legacy in the entertainment industry is that of a trailblazer and a highly respected writer. Her contributions to Star Trek and other shows have left a lasting impact on the science fiction genre and continue to inspire new generations of writers. She will always be remembered as a visionary and a true pioneer in the world of television writing.

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