Most Famous Sci-Fi Actresses Who Sadly Passed Away

Science fiction has been shaped by many remarkable women whose characters opened doors, expanded imaginations, and brought future worlds to life. From space operas to time travel adventures, their work helped define entire franchises and inspired generations of fans and creators. Here are beloved actresses who left a lasting mark on the genre and are no longer with us, along with the roles that made them unforgettable.

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher became an icon as Princess Leia Organa in ‘Star Wars’. She returned to the role across multiple films and helped anchor the sequel era through archival footage in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. Beyond acting she wrote bestselling books and worked as a script doctor on many Hollywood projects. She died in 2016 but her portrayal of Leia remains central to the saga’s legacy.

Nichelle Nichols

Nichelle Nichols broke barriers as Lieutenant Uhura in ‘Star Trek’. Her work with NASA helped recruit women and people of color into the astronaut corps following her visibility on television. She reprised Uhura in multiple feature films and appeared in numerous genre series. She passed away in 2022 and her contributions continue to influence representation in science fiction.

Majel Barrett

Majel Barrett was a constant presence in ‘Star Trek’ as Nurse Christine Chapel, Lwaxana Troi, and the voice of many onboard computers. She appeared across television series and films within the franchise. She also helped steward Gene Roddenberry’s projects and recorded computer voice lines used after her death. She died in 2008 and remains known as the First Lady of ‘Star Trek’.

Anne Francis

Anne Francis starred as Altaira Morbius in ‘Forbidden Planet’, a landmark science fiction film that influenced future space adventures. She appeared in classic anthology series such as ‘The Twilight Zone’. Her career spanned film and television with frequent returns to genre material. She died in 2011 after decades of screen work.

Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch brought high adventure to ‘Fantastic Voyage’ and became a pop culture figure through bold genre roles. She worked across film and television and appeared in several science and fantasy themed projects that drew wide audiences. Her career extended into stage and entrepreneurial ventures later in life. She died in 2023 after a long run in entertainment.

Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder defined Lois Lane for a generation in ‘Superman’ and its sequels. She balanced journalism grit with on screen chemistry that helped ground the films. Her work included television and independent productions along with activism. She died in 2018 and her take on Lois remains a touchstone for the character.

Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Sladen enchanted viewers as Sarah Jane Smith in ‘Doctor Who’. She returned to lead the spin off ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’, introducing the character to younger audiences. She appeared in audio dramas and special episodes that expanded the Whoniverse. She died in 2011 and is remembered as one of the show’s most enduring companions.

Jacqueline Pearce

Jacqueline Pearce made a commanding impression as Servalan in ‘Blake’s 7’. She brought the character back for audio stories and maintained a strong connection to the series’ fandom. Her genre credits also included an appearance in ‘Doctor Who’. She died in 2018 and her performance remains a cornerstone of British science fiction television.

Mary Tamm

Mary Tamm portrayed the first incarnation of Romana in ‘Doctor Who’, partnering with the Fourth Doctor through a season of adventures. She later revisited the role in licensed audio dramas that explored new stories for the character. Her broader career covered stage and screen work in the UK. She died in 2012 and is warmly remembered by fans of the series.

Deborah Watling

Deborah Watling played Victoria Waterfield in ‘Doctor Who’, traveling with the Second Doctor through many classic stories. She returned for anniversary projects and documentaries that chronicled the show’s early years. Her family had deep ties to British acting and she worked in film and television beyond the TARDIS. She died in 2017 after a career closely tied to the program’s history.

Caroline John

Caroline John joined ‘Doctor Who’ as scientist Liz Shaw during the early color era of the show. She portrayed a capable researcher who collaborated with UNIT on extraterrestrial threats. She later appeared in specials and audio adventures that revisited the character. She died in 2012 and remains a favorite among classic series followers.

Zienia Merton

Zienia Merton starred as Sandra Benes in ‘Space: 1999’, serving in Mission Control on Moonbase Alpha. She returned for later projects and fan productions that celebrated the series. Her television work extended across many British dramas and adventure shows. She died in 2018 and is closely associated with the program’s loyal community.

Mira Furlan

Mira Furlan played the Minbari ambassador Delenn in ‘Babylon 5’. Her performance helped shape the show’s mythology and long form storytelling. She also appeared in ‘Lost’ and continued her work in theater and music. She died in 2021 and remains central to the legacy of ‘Babylon 5’.

Sally Kellerman

Sally Kellerman guest starred in ‘Star Trek’ as Dr. Elizabeth Dehner in the series pilot that introduced key elements of the franchise. She appeared in multiple science and speculative shows including ‘The Outer Limits’. Her career covered film, television, and recording projects. She died in 2022 after decades in the public eye.

Yvonne Craig

Yvonne Craig appeared in ‘Star Trek’ as the Orion character Marta and became widely known to genre fans for that memorable role. She also played Barbara Gordon in ‘Batman’, which kept her connected to comic and science themed audiences. Her work included film features and frequent television guest spots. She died in 2015 and continues to be celebrated at fan events and retrospectives.

Grace Lee Whitney

Grace Lee Whitney became a familiar face to fans as Yeoman Janice Rand in ‘Star Trek’. She later returned to the franchise in several feature films and appeared in a memorable ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ episode. Her character offered a human perspective on life aboard the Enterprise during the show’s early adventures. She died in 2015 after years of connecting with audiences at conventions and retrospectives.

Persis Khambatta

Persis Khambatta portrayed the Deltan navigator Ilia in ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’. Her performance introduced a new species and a pivotal relationship that shaped the film’s story. She worked internationally in both modeling and acting across a range of genres. She died in 1998 after a career that left a distinctive mark on the franchise.

Patricia Neal

Patricia Neal starred as Helen Benson in ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’. Her role placed a grounded human at the center of a first contact story that influenced later depictions of extraterrestrial encounters. She continued to work in film and television with acclaimed performances outside the genre. She died in 2010 and remains closely associated with that landmark sci-fi film.

Kim Hunter

Kim Hunter brought empathy and intelligence to Zira in ‘Planet of the Apes’. She returned for multiple sequels that expanded the series’ timeline and social themes. Her career ranged from stage to screen with notable accolades. She died in 2002, and her portrayal is still central to the franchise’s legacy.

Natalie Trundy

Natalie Trundy appeared in several ‘Planet of the Apes’ installments, playing different characters across the series. Her roles connected key chapters in the saga as the story moved through changing eras. She also worked in other film projects and supported production efforts. She died in 2019 and is remembered fondly by the franchise’s community.

Dorothy Stratten

Dorothy Stratten headlined the sci-fi parody ‘Galaxina’. The film became a cult curiosity that kept her performance in the conversation among genre fans. She worked as a model and actress during a brief but high profile period in entertainment. She died in 1980, and the movie remains a primary reference point for her screen work.

Yvette Mimieux

Yvette Mimieux played Weena in ‘The Time Machine’. Her performance helped introduce mainstream audiences to a vision of distant futures and divergent societies. She continued acting in both television and theatrical features with a mix of dramatic and adventurous roles. She died in 2022 and remains linked to classic time travel storytelling.

Fay Wray

Fay Wray became internationally known as Ann Darrow in ‘King Kong’. The film’s groundbreaking effects and towering title character turned her performance into a reference point for monster cinema. She worked extensively in Hollywood productions before and after that role. She died in 2004 and is still celebrated as a foundational figure in genre history.

Julie Adams

Julie Adams starred as Kay Lawrence in ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’. The underwater sequences and creature design made the film a staple of science fiction and horror double bills. She continued to appear in television through guest roles and recurring parts. She died in 2019 and often discussed the enduring popularity of the Gill-man.

Virginia Leith

Virginia Leith led the cult favorite ‘The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’. The movie’s mad science premise and startling imagery kept it circulating on late night broadcasts and home video. She also worked in other film and television projects during the same era. She died in 2019 and is frequently cited in conversations about vintage sci-fi.

Ingrid Pitt

Ingrid Pitt appeared in ‘Doctor Who’ across different eras, including a role tied to ancient Atlantis and another involving deep sea creatures. She balanced these appearances with a wide body of work in Gothic and adventure films. Her convention panels and interviews often revisited those science fiction sets. She died in 2010 after decades in the public eye.

Diana Rigg

Diana Rigg guest starred in ‘Doctor Who’ as Mrs. Gillyflower in a story set around sinister experiments in a Victorian mill town. The episode paired her with her daughter, adding a behind the scenes connection that fans enjoyed. She maintained a long career on stage and television with many acclaimed roles. She died in 2020 and her appearance remains a standout in the modern run.

Jane Wyatt

Jane Wyatt portrayed Amanda Grayson, Spock’s human mother, in ‘Star Trek’. She first appeared on television and later returned in a feature film that reunited the original cast. Her performance added family dynamics to the Vulcan storylines and broadened the franchise’s emotional range. She died in 2006 and is warmly remembered by longtime viewers.

Sylvia Anderson

Sylvia Anderson voiced Lady Penelope in ‘Thunderbirds’. She was also a key creative behind the series, shaping characters and the look of its futuristic vehicles and rescue missions. Her work in television pioneered techniques that defined the show’s distinctive style. She died in 2016 and her contributions continue to influence science fiction on the small screen.

Rosalind Cash

Rosalind Cash co starred in ‘The Omega Man’ opposite Charlton Heston, playing a resistance leader in a post outbreak Los Angeles. The film helped bring her to a wider audience through its mix of survival drama and speculative science. She continued to appear in television series that leaned into near future or high concept ideas. She died in 1995 and is often cited for bringing depth to a pivotal role in the story.

Kate Reid

Kate Reid portrayed Dr. Ruth Leavitt in ‘The Andromeda Strain’, joining the core team that investigates a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism. Her character’s analytical approach drives several key lab sequences and discoveries. She worked extensively on stage and screen in both North America and the UK. She died in 1993 after a long career that included multiple science themed projects.

Barbara Shelley

Barbara Shelley appeared in ‘Quatermass and the Pit’, where archaeological finds trigger a revelation about humanity’s distant past. She balanced genre work across film and television with roles that tapped into scientific mysteries and extraterrestrial ideas. Her British cinema legacy includes collaborations that shaped mid century speculative storytelling. She died in 2021 and remains closely associated with this influential production.

Honor Blackman

Honor Blackman became widely known through ‘The Avengers’, a series that often blended espionage with futuristic gadgets and unusual science. She later made guest appearances in other genre shows that kept her connected to speculative television. Her screen presence helped popularize a confident, tech savvy heroine for international audiences. She died in 2020 after decades of work across film and TV.

Susan Oliver

Susan Oliver played Vina in ‘Star Trek’, appearing in the original unaired pilot that later formed a key two part story. Her performance is central to the episode’s themes of illusion, captivity, and choice. Beyond this role she worked across anthology series that explored strange phenomena and advanced technology. She died in 1990 and her green skinned transformation remains one of the franchise’s most recognizable images.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Zsa Zsa Gabor headlined ‘Queen of Outer Space’, a colorful tale involving astronauts and a distant planet ruled by women. The movie became a reference point for mid century space adventure with its costumes and ray guns. She balanced film roles with a high profile public life that kept the title in circulation. She died in 2016 and the film is still discussed as a cult era curiosity.

Patricia Laffan

Patricia Laffan starred as Nyah in ‘Devil Girl from Mars’, bringing a commanding presence to a story of alien ultimatum and invasion. The film’s setting in a remote inn frames a standoff between humans and advanced Martian technology. She appeared in both British cinema and television during a busy postwar period. She died in 2014 and her portrayal remains a touchstone for classic space villainy.

Margaret Sheridan

Margaret Sheridan featured in ‘The Thing from Another World’, set at an Arctic outpost facing a hostile visitor from space. The film’s mix of procedural teamwork and escalating danger set a template for later science horror. She continued acting for several years with roles across different genres. She died in 1982 and is remembered for anchoring one of the era’s defining extraterrestrial encounters.

Sylvia Sidney

Sylvia Sidney appeared in ‘Mars Attacks!’, playing a woman who becomes pivotal when chaos erupts during a Martian assault. The role connected her long career to a contemporary send up of alien invasion stories. She also worked in projects that blended fantasy elements with modern effects. She died in 1999 and her late career turn added a memorable note to the film’s ensemble.

Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley introduced the Vulcan officer Saavik in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’. The character played a key part on the bridge and in the training scenarios that frame the story’s early moments. Alley returned to science themed material at different points in her career. She died in 2022 and her portrayal set the tone for later interpretations of Saavik.

Annie Wersching

Annie Wersching took on the Borg Queen in ‘Star Trek: Picard’, bringing a new phase to the Collective’s presence in the series. She also appeared in other genre television that explored biotech, metahumans, and alternate timelines. Her work included motion capture and physically demanding scenes that expanded the character’s reach. She died in 2023 and her performance was widely noted by fans of the franchise.

Kathryn Hays

Kathryn Hays guest starred in ‘Star Trek’ as the empathic figure at the heart of a moral test for the Enterprise crew. The episode focused on sacrifice, communication without words, and the limits of scientific experimentation. Her broader television career included appearances in dramas and adventure series. She died in 2022 and the role remains a standout example of the show’s quieter storytelling.

Arlene Martel

Arlene Martel portrayed T’Pring in ‘Star Trek’, appearing in a cultural rite that revealed Vulcan traditions and logic under pressure. The episode expanded the franchise’s worldbuilding and family dynamics. She later worked across genre television with recurring and guest roles. She died in 2014 and her character continues to influence later stories about Vulcan society.

Paula Kelly

Paula Kelly appeared in ‘Soylent Green’, set in an overpopulated city grappling with scarcity and corporate control. Her role added a human angle to the film’s investigation and its unsettling revelations. She balanced film work with a successful stage and television career. She died in 2020 and is frequently mentioned in discussions about the movie’s lasting impact.

Diana Hyland

Diana Hyland co starred in ‘The Boy in the Plastic Bubble’, a television film about a teenager living with a severe immune condition. The story explored medical technology, isolation, and the boundaries of protection and autonomy. She worked steadily in series and TV movies during that era. She died in 1977 and the film remains a touchpoint for early biomedical dramas.

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