Grace Lee Whitney dies: Star Trek actor passes away

The actor who played Yeoman Janice Rand died at the age of 85

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Grace Lee Whitney has passed away at the age of 85.

Whitney passed away at her home in Coarsefield, California, but no cause of death had been confirmed at time of reporting.

The actor was a recovering alcoholic and spent the last few decades of her life helping others with their addiction.

The actor played Yeoman Janice Rand on the original series of Stark Trek. She played Captain Kirk's assistant, but was dropped after performing in just eight episodes.

Recently deceased Leonard Nimoy has been credited with helping her back into the franchise's films, and she acted in four of the Star Trek motion pictures.

Her family have described her as a "survivor of addiction".