Star Trek veteran Barbara March passes away at the age of 65

Barbara March, who portrayed the Kilngon Lursa in a number of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes, passed away August 11.

Redshirts Always Die is saddened to report that Barbara March passed away on August 11 after a battle with cancer. The news was first announced Monday by her husband Alan Scarfe on his Facebook page.

March was born on October 9, 1953 in Toronto, Canada and was a classically trained actor who appeared in Canada’s Stratford Shakespeare Festival. After making a name for herself with stage roles from coast to coast, it was only a matter of time before she started making an impression in Hollywood. Her film and television credits include Night Heat, L.A. Law, Total Security and The Gambler Returns: the Luck of the Draw.

However, the role she is probably best known for is Lursa, one half of the infamous Duras Sisters. Along with Gwynyth Walsh, who played B’Etor, the two proved to be a formidable threat to Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise.

March portrayed Lursa in a trio of Star Trek: Next Generation episodes, “Redemption,” Redemption, Part II” and “Firstborn” as well as the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Past Prologue.” After that Lursa and B’Etor made the jump to the big screen in Star Trek: Generations, the first feature film to star the Next Generation cast.

Unfortunately for the fans it would also prove to be their last.

While Generations has its fair share of detractors, and with good reason, the film was made much better by the appearance of the Duras Sisters. It was a great way to send these characters off and they were a key part of some of the best moments of the film.

Additionally, March also provided the voice of the character for the video game Star Trek: The Next Generation – Klingon Honor Guard.

March embraced her role within Star Trek fandom with a tremendous amount of pride. She appeared alongside Walsh at numerous Star Trek conventions over the years and was always very happy with the fact that Trek Nation adored Lursa and B’Etor the way they did.

Our hearts and our deepest condolences go out to March’s family and friends.

Source: redshirtsalwaysdie.com