Grace Lee Whitney

Birth Name:

Mary Ann Chase

Birth Place:

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Profession

Actress

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․"
As a talented singer, she opened in clubs for artists like Billie Holiday and Buddy Rich
In 1998, she wrote a book detailing her experiences called "The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy․"
Was the inspiration for the Chicken of the Sea mermaid in ads in the early 1950s

Fast Facts