D.C. Fontana Dies: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Wikipedia/Larry Nemecek D.C. Fontana pictured in 2016.

D.C. Fontana aka Dorothy Catherine Fontana, the famed “Star Trek” writer, has died at the age of 80.

Fontana passed away on December 2. A press release said that Fontana died after a brief illness. Fontana is survived by her husband, Oscar-winning visual effects cinematographer, Dennis Skotak.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Gene Roddenberry Encouraged Her to Use Her Initials Rather Than Her First Name Due to Sexism From Executives

Star Trek The original series Writer's notebook, D.C. Fontana2014-06-14T18:08:18.000Z

A statement from the American Film Institute said that Fontana has most-recently been employed as a lecturer at the AFI. Fontana, a native of Sussex, New Jersey, is best known for her work on “Star Trek: The Original Series,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” including the show’s pilot episode, and “Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II.”

In addition to her “Star Trek” work, Fontana also wrote on the TV shows, “Logan’s Run,” “The Streets of San Francisco” and “The Six Million Dollar Man,” according to her IMDb page.

Since 1997, Fontana has operated the production company Cardwell Productions. Fontana’s IMDb page notes that during the 1960s, she had been told by Gene Roddenberry to use her initials rather than her given name as executives were biased against female writers.

2. Fontana Co-Wrote the ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Pilot

The Writer Speaks: D.C. FontanaOne of the greatest minds behind STAR TREK chats about her career as a writer.2014-01-02T23:14:22.000Z

The press release announcing Fontana’s sad passing says that “For decades, Ms. Fontana was an ardent and active member of the Writers Guild of America,” in addition to spending two terms as a board member. In 1997 and 2002, Fontana won the guild’s Morgan Cox Award. In 1988, Fontan’s work, alongside Gene Roddenberry, on the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” pilot, “Encounter at Fairpoint,” was nominated for a Hugo Award in the Best Dramatic Presentation category.

3. Fontana’s Husband, Dennis Skotak, Worked in Visual Effects on ‘Aliens’ & ‘Batman Returns’

Star Trek Writer D.C. Fontana on Breaking the Sci-Fi Mold | Origin Stories Podcast | SYFY 25Writer D.C. Fontana explains how Star Trek spectacularly broke the early science fiction mold, changing the genre forever. ►►Subscribe To SYFY Wire: http://po.st/SubscribeSYFYWire To hear D.C.'s full chat with Adam Savage listen to the "Origin Stories" Podcast series at SYFY25.com Watch Videos from SYFY WIRE ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_videos SYFY WIRE is a fan-first genre news and editorial destination dedicated to covering science fiction and nerd culture across TV, Film, Books, Comics, space and technology with up-to-the-minute news, in-depth analysis and content that drives conversation and debate. Watch "Everything You Didn't Know" Videos ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_EYDK Uncover all the easter eggs, references, and fun facts from classic movies, shows, and comic books. Watch "Lightning Round" videos ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_LightningRound Learn everything there is to know about classic movies, shows, and comic books in just two minutes. Watch "In 2 Minutes" Videos ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_In2Min Learn everything there is to know about classic movies, shows, and comic books in just two minutes. Watch Lists and Rankings Videos ►►http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_ListsAndRankings We love lists. Check out our favorite movies, shows, comic books. Watch Videos about Movies ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_Movies Learn even about your favorite movies with SYFY WIRE. Watch Movie Sneak Peeks ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_MovieSneakPeeks Catch these exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming movies. Watch "Drawing Famous Characters" Videos ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_CharacterDrawings Watch comic book legends bring iconic characters to life. Watch Celebrity Interviews ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_CelebrityInterviews Catch SYFY WIRE's exclusive interviews with your favorite celebrities. Watch Writer & Creator Interviews ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_CreatorInterviews Get the inside scoop from the writers and creators of your favorite shows, movies, and comic books. Watch Videos from San Diego Comic-Con 2017 ►► http://po.st/SYFYWIRE_SDCC2017 Catch all of the exciting news from San Diego Comic-Con 2017 with SYFY WIRE. About SYFY WIRE: SYFY WIRE is a fan-first genre news and editorial destination dedicated to covering science fiction and nerd culture across TV, Film, Books, Comics, space and technology with up-to-the-minute news, in-depth analysis and content that drives conversation and debate. Check out exclusive SYFY WIRE content: Visit SYFYWIRE.com: po.st/SYFYWIRE Find SYFYWIRE on Facebook: po.st/LikeSYFYWIRE Follow SYFYWIRE on Twitter: po.st/FollowSYFYWIRE About SYFY: It doesn’t matter if you’re into space outlaws, exiled dragon queens, or survivors of the zombie apocalypse. If you love it, you’re one of us. Check out exclusive SYFY content: Watch SYFY on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SYFY Subscribe to SYFY on YouTube: http://po.st/SubscribeToSYFY Visit SYFY.com: http://bit.ly/VisitSYFY Find SYFY on Facebook: http://bit.ly/LikeSYFY Follow SYFY on Twitter: http://bit.ly/FollowSYFY Follow SYFY on Google+: http://bit.ly/PlusSYFY Follow SYFY on Instagram: http://bit.ly/InstaSYFY Follow SYFY on Tumblr: http://bit.ly/TumblrSYFY Star Trek Writer D.C. Fontana on Breaking the Sci-Fi Mold | Origin Stories Podcast | SYFY 25 https://www.youtube.com/c/SYFYWIRE2017-10-02T16:11:34.000Z

Fontana’s family asks that donations be made in her name to with the Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Society or the American Film Institute.

Fontana’s husband, Dennis Skotak, and his brother, Robert, are known for their work in visual effects on movies such as “The Abyss,” “Batman Returns” and “Aliens.”

4. Fontana Says That She Began Writing in Earnest in the 5th Grade

D.C. Fontana Interviewed on Star Trek Animated SeriesThe official site interviewed D.C. Fontana about Star Trek: The Animated Series2010-11-28T21:48:05.000Z

Fontana told The Spectrum in October 2017 that she began writing in earnest while in the 5th grade. Fontana said, “I’d write stories out on yellow notepads and pass them around to my friends. So I always wanted to write and hoped to become a novelist.”

During the same interview, Fontana said that she graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University and went to work as a secretary for the head of Screen Gems in Manhattan. During that time, reading scripts, Fontana was inspired to begin writing herself. Fontana said that she sold her first story, a Western-themed TV episode, “The Tall Man,” at the age of 21 in June 1960.

5. In 2011, Fontana Appeared Alongside Brent Spiner in an Episode of ‘The Big Bang Theory’

The Big Bang Theory: Brent Spiner at Wil Wheaton's PartyBrent Spiner shows up at Wil Wheaton's party in Big Bang Theory2011-10-14T01:43:08.000Z

In October 2011, Fontana appeared in the background of an episode of “The Big Bang Theory.” The episode, “The Russian Rocket Reaction,” also starred “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star Brent Spiner.

Fontana told The Spectrum about the experience saying, “I love the show and the comedy writing is brilliant – it’s clever, sharp, funny, and scientifically accurate – and my husband and I have frequently gone to watch the tapings. I know (creators) Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and they took us backstage to meet everyone. Just out of the blue, they asked if I would like to be in the background on an episode and I said ‘Yeah!’ David Gerrold, another Star Trek writer, was also in it. And what was also funny was that a couple of days after being on the show, I received a check for $65 for being an extra!”