Actress Laurel Goodwin has died at the age of 79 her sister Maureen Scott has confirmed.
Her sister said the star died on February 25 but no cause of death was announced.
In a sweet tribute, sister Maureen explained that "if she knew you, you quickly became family".
Laurel is best known for her movie debut at the age of 19 when she starred opposite music icon Elvis Presley in the 1962 feature Girls! Girls! Girls!
She played rich girl Laurel Dodge who was eager to win Elvis' affection. The most famous scene from the flick was a heartwarming dance scene between the pair.
Four years later she starred alongside Jeffery Hunter in the original failed Star Trek pilot titled Star Trek: The Cage. She was cast as Yeoman J.M. Colt.
Despite the failure, producers held onto her as they hoped to try again. She opened up about receiving offers to star in pilots for two other network comedies, but was holding out for Star Trek.
Speaking to StarTrek.com in 2016, she explained: "I said, ‘Oh, no. Star Trek is it. I’ve got to do Star Trek. It’s great, it’s gonna be wonderful."
Elsewhere, she'd starred in TV series such as The Virginian, Mannix and The Dain Curse and The Beverly Hillbillies.
She retired from acting in 1971 and took up a career in nursing before she co-produced the film Stroke Ace with husband Walter Wood.
Fans of the star took to social media to share their condolences following the news of her death.
One Twitter user wrote: "Sad to hear that Laurel Goodwin, yet another member of our #StarTrek family, has passed away.
"Laurel appeared along with Captain Pike, Number One, and Spock in the original pilot, "The Cage." Sending my condolences to her family and loved ones."
Another penned: "Rest easy Laurel Goodwin. Colt was one of my favorite characters in The Cage, I had my hair cut like hers for ages."
A third said: "Incredibly sad news about Laurel Goodwin’s passing. It’s been a total shock to our team working on the Roddenberry Archive. She will be missed enormously."
And a fourth added: "SAD FAREWELL. Laurel Goodwin was in the #StarTrek episode THE CAGE and appeared opposite #ElvisPresley in GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS. I am just receiving word that Laurel died on February 25 at the age of 79. RIP."
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