Grace Lee Whitney had a net worth of approximately $2 million
Grace Lee Whitney: A Brief Biography
Grace Lee Whitney, born on April 1, 1930, was an accomplished actress and singer. She is best remembered for her portrayal of Janice Rand in the popular TV series, “Star Trek”. Her career spanned over five decades.
Whitney’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million. She accumulated most of her wealth from appearances in over 15 films and numerous TV shows.
Net Worth: $2 million
Before adopting the name Grace Lee Whitney, she was known as Mary Ann Chase. Whitney started her entertainment career as a singer on Detroit’s “WJR radio” at the age of 14. She continued to pursue her singing career in Chicago, performing in nightclubs and touring with renowned artists such as Buddy Rich and Billie Holiday.
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Despite her involvement in several movies and TV shows, her breakthrough came when she was cast as Yeoman Janice Rand in the 1966 TV series “Star Trek”. However, she faced challenges during her time on the show, and eventually parted ways. Her significant role in the “Star Trek” film franchise brought her back into the spotlight.
Whitney’s autobiography, “The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy,” released in 1998, provided insights into her career and personal struggles.
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Alongside her professional endeavors, Whitney was dedicated to supporting individuals in overcoming substance and alcohol abuse. She passed away on May 1, 2015, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy in the entertainment industry.
| Full Name | Grace Lee Whitney |
| Net Worth | $2 Million |
| Date Of Birth | April 1, 1930, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
| Died | May 1, 2015, Coarsegold, California, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Profession | Actress |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Jack Dale (m. 1965–1991), Sydney Stevan Dweck (m. 1954–1966) |
| Children | Scott Whitney |
| Nicknames | Mary Ann Chase , Lee Whitney , Ruth Whitney , Gracie , Grace Whitney , Grace Elaine Whitney , Amazing Grace |
| IMDB | |
| Movies | Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Irma la Douce, The Texan Meets Calamity Jane |
| TV Shows | You Bet Your Life, The Red Skelton Show, The Jimmy Durante Show |
| # | Trademark |
|---|---|
| 1 | Seductive deep voice |
| 2 | Voluptuous figure |
| 3 | Sparkling blue eyes |
| 4 | Platinum blonde hair |
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | [2013] When I told the fans I was an alcoholic, they all applauded. When I told them I had given myself to a higher power, they cheered again. I’m in a great place because I’ve gone full circle. |
| 2 | [on her termination from the original Star Trek (1966) series] They wanted William Shatner to have romances in each episode with a different person, because for him to be stuck with one woman was not good for him and it wasn’t good for the audience. That’s what they told me, so I was written out. There were two blonde girls and one black girl. Nichelle Nichols was a more important character and couldn’t be written out. Everything’s political in America. One of the blondes have to go. The other one was engaged to the boss, so guess who went? I just about killed myself. I drank, that’s what we do, we drink to get rid of pain. I was really mad. My God, was I bitter. |
| 3 | [interview in iFMagazine, September 2006, asked for her opinion on Star Trek (2009) being a prequel film] I don’t know how that’s going to go. I just don’t know about that. I don’t know how fans will react to that. How can you go back beyond the classic Trek? They tried that on Star Trek: Enterprise (2001), but did it go, did it work? I think Scott Bakula was terrific on that show. But it didn’t last as long as some of the others, and I wonder what happened and why that is. |
| 4 | [interview in iFMagazine, September 2006, on Star Trek: Of Gods and Men (2007)] It’s cute because I have a nice interchange with Pavel Chekov, and I have a nice interchange with Uhura. It’s like old times. It’s all very déjà vu. It’s like no time has gone by at all. We did Voyager [Star Trek: Voyager (1995)] in 1996. It’s like ten years, and in Star Trek ten years is not very long at all. Look at how much time was between the original series and the Motion Picture. |
| 5 | [interview in iFMagazine, October 2006, asked if she is surprised at how popular the original Star Trek (1966) series has become] Oh, yeah. It was an acting gig and we thought that Spock was weird and we thought the only reason we were being hired was to sell color television sets, and wasn’t Kirk cute? I mean, gosh, he was cute! I was in the middle of the both of them [Kirk and Spock]. Then after the series, I went on to do Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), and that was supposed to be a series originally. They wrote it as a series, and when Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) came out, Paramount jumped off the roof and they went into the motion picture, and George Takei and I did Star Trek: Voyager (1995). That was going to be a series. We were supposed to have our own show, and they did Star Trek: Enterprise (2001) instead. It was supposed to be George and Gracie [i.e., The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950)] on the Excelsior. |
| 6 | [on the famous ‘Yeoman Rand’ basket weave hairstyle from the original Star Trek (1966) series] It was so heavy it kept listing to the left, I swear they had to nail that thing to my head! It was gorgeous Max Factor hair. It cost a lot of money and somebody stole it. I still have visions of that damn wig turning up. I go down to Skid Row for my recovery program – I’m clean and sober now – and I keep expecting to find some bag lady or drag queen wearing it! |
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | William Shatner is now the oldest living cast member of the original Star Trek (1966) series, following Whitney’s passing. |
| 2 | After moving to Coarsegold, California in 1993, she dedicated her life to helping herself and others find sobriety and a path out of addiction. |
| 3 | The character of Yeoman Janice Rand in the first season of Star Trek (1966) was intended to be the lead female character, and Whitney was asked back for most of the Star Trek movies to reprise her role. |
| 4 | According to her autobiography, she struggled with and overcame alcoholism and drug addiction. |
| 5 | In 1998, she appeared in an episode of Diagnosis Murder (1993) with her Star Trek (1966) castmates George Takei, Walter Koenig, and Majel Barrett. |
| 6 | Whitney was best known for her role as Yeoman Janice Rand on the original Star Trek (1966) series. |
| 7 | She began her career as a professional singer before entering acting and even toured with Red Ingle and his band at one point. |
| 8 | She appeared in episodes of three different series with George Takei: Star Trek (1966), Star Trek: Voyager (1995), and Diagnosis Murder (1993). |
| 9 | Two Star Trek action figures were made in the likeness of her Star Trek character, Yeoman Janice Rand. |
| 10 | She had a singing group called “Star” and regularly entertained at nightclubs and Star Trek conventions. |
| 11 | Whitney was the mother of Jonathan Dweck and Scott Whitney. |
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Actress
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bat Masterson | 1961 | TV Series | Louise Talbot |
