Rod Roddenberry

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Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, Jr.
Rod with his wife Heidi
Born	Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, Jr. (1974-02-05) February 5, 1974 (age 38) Los Angeles, California
Nationality	American
Other names	"Rod"
Occupation	television producer
Known for	science fiction, philanthropy and ocean exploration

Eugene Wesley "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. (born February 5, 1974 in Los Angeles, California) is an American television producer, and the chief executive officer of Roddenberry Entertainment. He champions the Roddenberry legacy to a new generation through original science fiction productions, merchandise, publishing, underwater adventures and philanthropy.

Roddenberry is the son of actress Majel Barrett and legendary writer and producer, Gene Roddenberry, who is best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek.

Roddenberry became chief executive officer of Roddenberry Entertainment in 2001. Roddenberry Entertainment builds on Gene Roddenberry’s work and continues to pioneer the development of a multimedia science fiction portfolio that incorporates graphic novels, comics, television and film projects, including the critically acclaimed Trek Nation, which debuted in 2011.

Filmography

• Executive producer, White Room: 02B3, a 360-degree narrative film that features major film and television stars Breckin Meyer, Tamlyn Tomita, David Blue and Rachel True and Internet icons Tony Janning and Milynn Sarley (2012)
• Producer and star, Trek Nation, a documentary that chronicles Roddenberry’s journey to explore his father’s work. The film includes interviews with devoted fans, Star Trek alums and notable celebrities such as George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and Seth McFarlane (2011)
• Consulting producer, Star Trek fan series Star Trek: New Voyages (2004 - 2011)
• Writer, Earth: Final Conflict, which was produced through his production company, Roddenberry Entertainment (1997)
• Production assistant, Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990)

Education

• Attended the John Thomas Dye School in Bel-Air^[1] and Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood, CA.^[2]
• Attended Hampshire College in the early 1990s.^[3]

Philanthropy

Trek Nation is a documentary film that captures Roddenberry’s 10-year journey to explore his father’s life. The undertaking inspired him to fully embrace the vision Gene Roddenberry had for the future, which he expressed through the founding of The Roddenberry Foundation in 2010. The Roddenberry Foundation funds innovative solutions to critical global issues in science and technology, the environment, education and humanitarian advances.

In 2011, The Roddenberry Foundation made its largest gift of $5 million to the J. David Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco to establish the Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine. The Roddenberry Foundation believes that the center’s innovative technology that converts adult skin cells into life-changing stem cells will radically advance the fight against Alzheimer's and heart disease.

Oceanography

The Roddenberry legacy further lives on through the Roddenberry Dive Team. Founded in 2010, Roddenberry leads the dive team in its exploration of underwater worlds and strives to inspire stewardship of the world’s oceans. A scuba diver since 1993, Roddenberry holds a Divemaster certification and has led or participated in more than 1,000 dives from exotic locations around the world.

Personal

Roddenberry resides in Los Angeles and San Diego with his wife, Heidi.

References

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External links

• Rod Roddenberry at the Internet Movie Database
• http://www.roddenberry.com/
• http://www.roddenberrydiveteam.com/ Official site of the Roddenberry Dive Team
• http://roddenberryfoundation.org/ Official site of The Roddenberry Foundation