Estelle Harris had a quick pop by on Star Trek: Voyager
Estelle Harris has passed away. Harris was a legend in television and film, not having gotten her first role in either until the 1970s when she had her first role at the age of 49. She was an actress beforehand, namely in commercials, but it wasn’t until she was nearly 50 did she start to pop up in shows and movies. And pop up she did as she went on to become one of the more notable women in comedy for a long time.
Many will know her as Estelle Costanza on Seinfeld, or as Mrs. Potato Head from the Disney-Pixar franchise, Toy Story. She was also a recurring character in The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, as well as a voice in Tarzan II.
Yet, Star Trek fans will remember her as one of the three wise elders from the Star Trek: Voyager episode, “Sacred Grounds.”
Estelle Harris was in Star Trek: Voyager
Sure, most people will remember her in Toy Story before Voyager. That’s fair. Mostly due to the fact, that her role was really one-third of a role. She was part of a trio that included Parley Baer and Keene Curtis, two long-time stars in television, and together they made up the three elders of a mysterious civilization.
The three Elders were key to the episode, as they served as a source of information for Kathryne Janeway. See, Kes messed up and committed sacrilege in a holy place on the island, and ended up basically comatose. In order to help her, Janeway had to go through three trials to save Kes, or else she’d end up dying.
It was supposed to be an episode of faith vs. science, but it didn’t really have the emotional impact it should’ve had. While it isn’t the most memorable of Voyager episodes, it’s still not a bad one.
Harris may have had just a quick cup of coffee on Star Trek, but she is one of many stars who had big roles elsewhere but came to Star Trek just for a quick spell. It’s fair to say she could’ve been given more, as she was a skilled actress, but just that she was involved in Star Trek at all is a wonderful thing for fans.