Star Trek's oldest living director died earlier today.
Veteran Hollywood director Ralph Senensky has passed away at the age of 102. Senensky’s niece, costume designer Lisa Lupo-Silvas, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that her uncle died earlier today (Nov. 1, 2025). Lupo-Silvas said to the publication: “He was 100 precent sharp until the end. He may have been 102, but he had a mind like he was 30.” Senensky was born in Mason City, Iowa, on May 1, 1923, and he died at a hospital located in the small beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
Senensky was a prolific television director who helmed at least one episode during each of Star Trek: The Original Series’ three seasons which ran from 1966 until 1969.
He is credited with sitting in the director’s chair for some of the best installments from the late Gene Roddenberry’s science fiction universe, including “This Side of Paradise,” “Metamorphosis,” “Obsession,” “Return to Tomorrow,” “Bread and Circuses,” and “Is There in Truth No Beauty?” Senesky also contributed to the TOS season 3 episode “The Tholian Web” from behind the camera, despite plenty of on-set drama.
Senensky fell behind schedule and was fired, so he didn't receive an on-screen credit for all of his hard work on "The Tholian Web." The late director discussed the situation in a 2012 interview by saying (per StarTrek.com):
"I was called up to Fred Freiberger’s office and was told that I was being replaced because I’d not caught up my half day. The following day, The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety had news articles telling about my being fired. It was issued by Doug Cramer’s office. He was saying that these schedules had to be met and he was making a point that he was going to see that they were met, and I was the point."
Star Trek's creator, Roddenberry, did apologize for what happened. Senensky said in the same sit-down:
"I was aware that Gene was not involved in the decision. I also knew that Gene, by this point, was not that thrilled with the way things were running. And I think before the end of the year, he too sort of abdicated. Because of the two articles that ran I did not work for months. It wasn’t a matter of going from that to some other job. It was like I was all of a sudden on a blacklist. "
Senensky continued:
"I did not work until the end of the year when Jimmy Komack over at The Courtship of Eddie’s Father called me in to talk to me about doing that show. The head of the studio was Herb Solow, who’d moved from Desilu over to MGM when Paramount took over. Herb did make a point to come down to the set to see me and to tell me that when Jimmy asked about using me Herb said, 'I did not say no.'"
For those Trekkies or newer fans unfamiliar with Senensky's incredible resume, he directed episodes for some of the biggest shows in TV history. The likes of which include The Twilight Zone, Route 66, Mission: Impossible, I Spy, Mannix, The Waltons, The Partridge Family, and the list goes on and on.
Senensky's biggest contribution to television came while working on The F.B.I. (1966-1974), in which he directed 16 episodes. He also helmed 15 episodes of Insight and 12 of the aforementioned Waltons.
The Redshirts Always Die and FanSided teams are saddened to hear of Mr. Senensky's passing, and we would like to pass on our condolences to those closest to him, including his family and friends.
For more Star Trek content, and to remember Ralph Senensky, please visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Rest in peace, Mr. Senensky.