Daughter of ‘Star Trek’ Creator Disinherited

A five-year court battle over the “Star Trek” financial empire ended this week when a California appeals court disinherited the daughter of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry for having challenged his will.

Dawn Roddenberry chose to contest her father’s will--which granted her a $500,000 bequest, plus a quarter of the proceeds from Star Trek merchandise, television shows and movies--even though the document contained a clause noting that any heir who challenged it would not receive any portion of the estate.

Dawn Roddenberry pursued her case for two years, claiming that her father had been incompetent when he drew up the will. But she dropped her claim shortly before trial--and then argued that she should not be disinherited, since she had not formally contested the will in court, said attorney Andrew S. Garb, who represented Roddenberry’s estate.

The appeals court ruled against her Tuesday, cutting her entirely out of the vast profits that the Star Trek series has generated.