Grace Lee Whitney Biography

Fast Facts

• Began her career in the entertaiment industry at the age of 13 singing on WJR radio in her home state of Michigan
• Made her theatrical debut on Broadway in 1954 in Phil Silvers' play "Top Banana," alongside Phil Silvers, Jack Albertson and Rose Marie
• Quote: "[on becoming an actress] "From the time I was 3 years old and opened the refrigerator and the light went on․ That's when I began to perform․ Right in front of the refrigerator, I sang right into the ice cubes․ The ice cubes were very impressed․""
• Quote: "[on her fans] "You have saved my life, because you support me in my sobriety and I love you with all my heart․ You have loved me through everything․ I will always appreciate that․""
• Best known for her protrayal of Yeoman Janice Rand on "Star Trek: The Original Series․"
• In 1998, she wrote a book detailing her experiences called "The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy․"
• As a talented singer, she opened in clubs for artists like Billie Holiday and Buddy Rich
• Was the inspiration for the Chicken of the Sea mermaid in ads in the early 1950s