Bios

Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, Jr., known as Rod, was born into a family empire that is adored by fans worldwide. He is the son of legendary science fiction producer Gene Roddenberry, whose television series, Star Trek, changed the face of television. Balancing his personal creativity with the responsibility of his family legacy, it is Rod's ambition to be the guardian of his father's ideals as well as a champion of their introduction to a new generation. Although Rod resisted going into the family business throughout his teenage years, hints of him starting to follow in his father's footsteps were evident even at a young age. He quenched his thirst for space and astronomy working as a Telescope Operator at the Mt. Wilson Observatory during the summers.  Rod spent time teaching children to scuba dive at a camp in Big Pine Key, Florida, encouraging them to explore the unknown worlds below the ocean's surface.  And during his years at Harvard-Westlake School, Rod first dipped his foot into the entertainment industry as a Production Assistant on several of the Star Trek series.

Rod’s life changed dramatically during his senior year of high school with the passing of his father. It was at this point that he began to comprehend the enormity of the universe his father had created. Rod realized that Star Trek was more than just a TV show, and wanted to understand why it touched the lives of so many.

As Rod started to understand the legacy he would be inheriting, college beckoned.  Leaving Los Angeles to attend Hampshire College in Massachusetts, Rod balanced his educational path with his familial exploration. Studying Astronomy, Physics, and Photography, he delved into areas that intrigued and inspired him. 

Nearing the end of his college career, Rod got the opportunity to join the Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict television series as a Technical Advisor. For the next four years, Rod gained production experience, working with a brilliant cast and crew. He also came to realize the difficulties and disappointments that come with producing a series. On top of a strong production foundation, Rod gained a new respect for his father's accomplishments.

Rod has spoken at science fiction conventions around the world and hosted worldwide forums on topics from literature to the future of space travel.  He has a position as a board member on the X Prize (a private-sector, international space exploration competition), and tirelessly works to bridge the gap between science and science fiction by participating in efforts with NASA, JPL, The Planetary Society and The Kennedy Space Center.

In 2001, upon returning to Los Angeles, Rod took his position as the C.E.O. of Roddenberry Productions, a company whose aim is to bring the Roddenberry philosophy to new multimedia projects. From Rod’s first film project, "Trek Nation,” which documents his personal exploration of his farther, Star Trek and its influence to the re-imagination of one of Gene’s most beloved pilot’s Questor, Rod is in the process of introducing a new generation of Roddenberry to the entertainment world. In addition, Rod has charged his company with the creation of completely original properties, to be developed in a variety of media. One such property is the highly acclaimed science fiction graphic novel series, “Days Missing.”

In 2010 Rod brought the his legacy full circle with his formation of the Roddenberry Dive Team as well as the Roddenberry Foundation, both of which promote the objective of living the philosophies that the Roddenberry legacy represents. In addition to environmental conservation, The Roddenberry Dive Team provides members the opportunity to explore the “strange new worlds” that live below our oceans’ surface. While the Roddenberry Dive Team focuses on what we can do today, The Roddenberry Foundation ensures us a better tomorrow. Through its philanthropic work, the Foundation focuses on aiding efforts in four distinct categories: children, education, technological advancement and environment, helping Gene’s inspired vision of the future to become a reality.