Jeri Taylor, ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ Co-Creator and Showrunner, Dies at 86

Jeri Taylor, the Emmy-nominated producer, showrunner, director and writer known for her work on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” which she co-created, has died. She was 86.

Taylor died Thursday, Oct. 24, the official “Star Trek” website announced.

Taylor joined the “Next Generation” team during its fourth season in 1990. By its sixth season, she was promoted to co-executive producer alongside Rick Berman and Michael Pillar. She then served as the series’ executive producer and showrunner for its seventh and final season, for which she earned an Emmy nomination for best outstanding series.

Taylor went on to create “Voyager” with Berman and Piller and served as the showrunner for the first four seasons of the series from 1995 to 1998. She later worked as a creative consultant for the show’s final three seasons.

Taylor penned more than 30 episodes across the “Star Trek” franchise; she was most proud of the “Next Generation” episode “The Drumhead,” according to the official “Star Trek” website. She also wrote the 1987 film “A Place to Call Home,” starring Linda Lavin; worked as a producer on the series “Quincy” and “M.E.;” and directed episodes of “Magnum, P.I.,” “In the Heat of the Night” and “Jake and the Fatman.”

She received “story by” credit on three episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and wrote three “Star Trek” novels for Pocket Books.

Taylor was born Jeri Cecile Suer on June 30, 1938, in Evansville, Ind., to father Robert and mother Ruah. She graduated from Indiana University and received her master’s degree from California State University, Northridge.

Brannon Braga, who took over for Taylor as the showrunner of “Voyager,” paid tribute to her on Instagram, writing, “Jeri Taylor died. She was a great writer and showrunner and, to me, a cherished mentor. Jeri was generous with her wisdom and her time, she nurtured an entire staff of young writers which is a testament to her patience. I would not have a career without Jeri’s intricate guidance. She taught us all so much. Her memory will live on in many ways, but perhaps most of all in the character of Captain Janeway, who reflected the best dimensions of Jeri herself. Jeri Taylor, we were lucky to know you.”

Robert Picado, who played The Doctor on “Star Trek: Voyager,” posted on X, “What a wonderful person to work with! Jeri Taylor was the beating heart of @StarTrek #Voyager’s groundbreaking #CaptainJaneway character. I will miss her. My condolences to her family.”

Graphic designer Michael Okuda, who designed the computer interfaces on the Starfleet named “okudagrams,” wrote in a tribute to Taylor: “Working for Jeri Taylor was always a delight. She always welcomed ideas and suggestions, even from designers in the art department. She was thoughtful and warm, and she always made us feel like we were an important part of her team.”