A shame about Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney)

[Gary7]

I had often wondered why Yeoman Rand had not continued on in the series. Her last appearance was in "The Conscience of the King." Just prior to that was "Miri", where she had a significant role.

On Memory Alpha, I read up on her... and the information there states that she had some personal troubles that were interfering with her performance. In fact, in the episode "Dagger of the Mind", she was supposed to be the one who beamed down with Captain Kirk to investigate the Tantalus Colony. But Gene had decided to have her replaced with the role of Dr. Helen Noel, portrayed by Marianna Hill.

On the one end of it, I thought this was all rather sad for Whitney. But then, we wouldn't have had Marianna Hill grace Star Trek with her presence.

 

[Piper]

I find it very difficult to watch her some of the time knowing what was going on behind the scenes to her. It was nice some years later to hear that Nimoy had been a support to her in what was by all accounts a horrible time.

 

[Therin of Andor]

On Memory Alpha, I read up on her... and the information there states that she had some personal troubles that were interfering with her performance. In fact, in the episode "Dagger of the Mind", she was supposed to be the one who beamed down with Captain Kirk to investigate the Tantalus Colony. But Gene had decided to have her replaced with the role of Dr. Helen Noel, portrayed by Marianna Hill.

Grace Lee Whitney attended a Brisbane, Australia, Star Trek convention (about 200 people) just after ST II opened, and it was a low point in her professional life because she felt like she'd again been "dropped" from the ST cast all over again. However, she was a sparkling highlight at the con, hung around the main rooms the whole weekend, and later told "Starlog" that her amazing time in Australia made up her mind to kick her drinking habit. (She even happily went off to see ST II with the con committee, even though it distressed her not to have been in the movie.)

She told us that her two least favourite episodes of TOS were "Dagger of the Mind" (because a great Rand part went to Marianna Hill), and "The Galileo Seven" (because Yeoman Mears got all of Rand's lines).

It's a great feeling to know that I was part of that group of convention attendees who, unwittingly, were giving her the support she needed to make some big decisions. Reading the "Starlog" article, I recalled that Grace had even bought wine for our group at her table at the banquet, and yet she stayed with a glass of mineral water.

After ST III wrapped, I happened to be in LA and was able to catch up with Grace for an afternoon. I accidentally found out she'd just filmed her ST III cameo, and had attended the wrap party, and she was very grateful to Nimoy for his ongoing support in her battles.

 

[plynch]

On Memory Alpha, I read up on her... and the information there states that she had some personal troubles that were interfering with her performance. In fact, in the episode "Dagger of the Mind", she was supposed to be the one who beamed down with Captain Kirk to investigate the Tantalus Colony. But Gene had decided to have her replaced with the role of Dr. Helen Noel, portrayed by Marianna Hill.

Grace Lee Whitney attended a Brisbane, Australia, Star Trek convention (about 200 people) just after ST II opened, and it was a low point in her professional life because she felt like she'd again been "dropped" from the ST cast all over again. However, she was a sparkling highlight at the con, hung around the main rooms the whole weekend, and later told "Starlog" that her amazing time in Australia made up her mind to kick her drinking habit. (She even happily went off to see ST II with the con committee, even though it distressed her not to have been in the movie.)

She told us that her two least favourite episodes of TOS were "Dagger of the Mind" (because a great Rand part went to Marianna Hill), and "The Galileo Seven" (because Yeoman Mears got all of Rand's lines).

It's a great feeling to know that I was part of that group of convention attendees who, unwittingly, were giving her the support she needed to make some big decisions. Reading the "Starlog" article, I recalled that Grace had even bought wine for our group at her table at the banquet, and yet she stayed with a glass of mineral water.

After ST III wrapped, I happened to be in LA and was able to catch up with Grace for an afternoon. I accidentally found out she'd just filmed her ST III cameo, and had attended the wrap party, and she was very grateful to Nimoy for his ongoing support in her battles.

What a nice post. Thanks.

 

[Jeri]

I'd like to know the truth of the rumor that her problems were caused by sexual harassment on the show; i.e., that if she didn't put out, things would go badly for her.

 

[plynch]

I'd like to know the truth of the rumor that her problems were caused by sexual harassment on the show; i.e., that if she didn't put out, things would go badly for her.

I've read several places she was sexually assaulted by an executive with the studio she refuses to name.

 

[Albertese]

I've read there may have been an attempted rape involved, or even an actual rape, I'm foggy on the details. It's a shame for anyone to have to be subjected to such difficulties. I met Grace Lee Whitney very briefly at a convention here in Portland OR and she was a very gracious and kindly person. She's definitely one of the highlights of the original cast to me.

 

[AJBryant]

I'd like to know the truth of the rumor that her problems were caused by sexual harassment on the show; i.e., that if she didn't put out, things would go badly for her.

I've read several places she was sexually assaulted by an executive with the studio she refuses to name.

But, ya know, given what all we've come to know about Trek and bedtime relationships, most people have already pretty much figured out who it must have been. (At least, the logic in their -- our -- minds is supported by the known personality traits of the dude involved.)

 

[Rush Limborg]

^The true story of what happened to her can be found in her book, The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy.

Excellent book.

As to Rand...yes, a big shame. What might have been if they had kept her....

Apparently, they were REALLY going to have her character grow ("Miri", and the early drafts of "Dagger of the Mind", indicate this). Did you know that the "Big Three" (K/S/M) was originally going to be the "Big Four"? Rand was going to be Kirk's confidant, the one who helps build him back up when he's down--something like Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke. Also, she was supposed to be the only one (Besides McCoy) who could joke with Spock.

Apparently, the role of "Yeoman Mears" in "Gallileo Seven" was a last-minute change. It was going to be Rand....

*sigh*

 

[doctorwho 03]

I often wondered why Rand didn't continue in ST, but I had no idea any of this was going on.

Let's hope Meghan King Johnson, who plays Lt. Rand on New Voyages/Phase II, is doing better than Grace did.

 

[plynch]

I'd like to know the truth of the rumor that her problems were caused by sexual harassment on the show; i.e., that if she didn't put out, things would go badly for her.

I've read several places she was sexually assaulted by an executive with the studio she refuses to name.

But, ya know, given what all we've come to know about Trek and bedtime relationships, most people have already pretty much figured out who it must have been. (At least, the logic in their -- our -- minds is supported by the known personality traits of the dude involved.)

I've always sort of half wanted to know out of nosiness, half didn't, out of decency's sake. I assume if it was GR (whom you're leaning us to), that wouldn't have remained "unsaid" over all the years. It's always sounded more like a Desilu exec. I watched a few eps of MadMen - very depressing - and if its depiction is near accurate, executives' treating women like crap was pretty epidemic. I hope Ms. Whitney is doing well

 

[Therin of Andor]

It's always sounded more like a Desilu exec

Tales of "the casting couch" aren't just rumours. Showbiz was traditionally a place where many young actors (and behind the scenes crew) were expected to sleep their way to the top. It probably still is, but these days people are perhaps a little more... subtle, and the victims hopefully more... aware.

No one wants to be told, "You'll never work in this town again", but people in power know that it's an effective threat when so much is at stake, and the victim has already made many sacrifices to be where they are, even if that's still a level such as volunteer studio tour guide, janitor, runner, stand-in, extra, or assistant to the production assistant.

 

[Basil]

There's no doubt about the casting couch and sexual harassment, but at the risk of great anger from everyone here, given that actors lie to us for a living, is it possible that Grace Lee Whitney might not also be fibbing or exaggerating in this regard?

I say this not to demean her -- I like her -- but I sometimes wonder if she's bi-polar. I've known bi-polar women in my own life who often fabricate wild stories that they sometimes believe, all while self-medicating with alcohol and drugs and spiraling out of control in their lives. If she were bi-polar, then her 20s would be about the time the disease manifested itself, and sexual promiscuity when in the manic state is common. I think I've read her version of things corroborated elsewhere, perhaps by Shatner and Justman, but is that a corroboration of fact or rumor? Again, I'm not wanting to malign her, but I simply wonder how much is known versus how much is speculation.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I think I've read her version of things corroborated elsewhere, perhaps by Shatner and Justman, but is that a corroboration of fact or rumor? Again, I'm not wanting to malign her, but I simply wonder how much is known versus how much is speculation.

The only way her story could be corroborated is if there were witnesses, or if the perpetrator came forward. And had there been witnesses, there probably wouldn't have been an incident.

It's really none of business, and Grace has moved on. So should we.

 

[Basil]

Probably true, but the story keeps resurfacing again and again and is generally taken by fans as truth; like Nichelle Nichols' embellishments about MLK, perhaps it needs better vetting before so many of us accept it as so. Or, as you suggest, maybe we should all just move on already.

If she needs help in this regard, though, I certainly hope she gets it.

 

[Rush Limborg]

I've read her version of things corroborated elsewhere, perhaps by Shatner and Justman, but is that a corroboration of fact or rumor? Again, I'm not wanting to malign her, but I simply wonder how much is known versus how much is speculation.

Both Shatner and Whitney make it clear that she told him what had happened. Bill noted in Star Trek Memories that she was very disturbed about what had happened, and had asked him not to reveal the names.

Also, Nimoy is a witness to The Executive's lame-and-insincere attempt at an apology (the "shiny stone" thing). After the scumbag left, Nimoy shook his head and remarked to Grace, "He should've given you a diamond."

 

[Captain Robert April]

I don't think it was Roddenberry, mainly because that really wasn't his style; he was more of a charm-the-pants-off-of-'em type. I also don't think Grace would've wanted to come back to Star Trek if it was GR who'd attacked her.

I think it was some studio exec most of us have probably never heard of.

 

[Gary7]

Therin of Andor, thanks for sharing your experiences with Grace. Really touching to hear how you contributed towards her support. And great to learn about how she was able to turn her life around.

 

[Jeri]

Normally, I don't care about celebrities' personal lives. As I always say, I only know the characters they play. It's hard to avoid hearing gossip just living and breathing; but I don't try to dig it up normally.

However, as I said above, I'm interested in this particular rumor, because of the sexual-harassment aspect. I am indeed interested if conditions on the show would be illegal; but it doesn't sound like it, from what's been said.

I had heard a rumor that it was well known around the studio that women on the show had to put out if they wanted to stay employed.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

But, ya know, given what all we've come to know about Trek and bedtime relationships, most people have already pretty much figured out who it must have been. (At least, the logic in their -- our -- minds is supported by the known personality traits of the dude involved.)

It is, however, contradicted by the specifics of her actual description of the individual's association with the studio and the production. "Most people" are just not terribly interested in information that upsets their preferred "logic," though.