ON THIS DAY, August 11th, back in 1942, Laurel Goodwin was born. Goodwin is the only currently-living credited cast member of the original Star Trek pilot episode, “The Cage,” in which she played Yeoman J.M. Colt.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Goodwin began her career as a child model, making her screen debut as Elvis Presley’s love interest in 1962’s Girls! Girls! Girls! She went on to appear in three additional films, including the Jackie Gleason comedy Papa’s Delicate Condition. She was also a guest on several television series, including Mannix, Get Smart and, of course, Star Trek.

In the “The Cage”, Ensign Colt, along with Number One, was taken prisoner by the inhabitants of Talos IV to be offered as a potential mate to Captain Pike. When a new pilot was filmed, almost the entire cast was replaced, with the exception of a certain pointy-eared Vulcan, and Yeoman Colt was no exception, being replaced by one Yeoman Smith, played by Andrea Dromm. Once the series was picked up, Smith was replaced by Yeoman Rand (played by Grace Lee Whitney) and several episodes into season one Rand was written out altogether.

Goodwin retired from acting in 1971, becoming a home nurse, a career she continued to practice for over 35 years. When her husband became ill, she took care of him full-time until his death.

Please join us in wishing Laurel Goodwin a very happy 79th birthday and wishing her many more to come.