From the final frontier to the open skies: Susan Oliver, the actress who played Vina in the original Star Trek pilot, didn't just boldly go where no one had gone before on screen – she also became a pioneer in the world of aviation. But her journey wasn't without its turbulence. Let's dive into the incredible story of how a near-death experience in the sky transformed a Hollywood actress into a fearless pilot.
The original pilot episode of Star Trek, titled "The Cage," was initially rejected by NBC executives in 1965. However, they saw potential, leading creator Gene Roddenberry to revamp the series. He replaced all the characters except Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy. The original pilot eventually resurfaced as a two-part episode called "The Menagerie," which aired in November 1966. The uncut version of "The Cage" wasn't released to the public until the mid-1980s.
"The Cage" introduced Captain Christopher Pike, portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter, and his encounter with the Talosians, a species of psychic aliens. The Talosians, fascinated by humans, imprisoned Pike in a subterranean cell, subjecting him to mind-bending scenarios. Among the prisoners was Vina, a beautiful human woman who captured Pike's sympathy. Vina was forced to participate in Pike's fantasies, appearing as a damsel in distress and, most famously, as a green-skinned Orion slave.
Vina was brought to life by Susan Oliver, an actress with a fascinating career. She began appearing on television in 1955, with roles in TV movies and anthology shows. She made numerous guest appearances on popular shows like "Father Knows Best," "Wagon Train," and "Bonanza," accumulating many credits before her role in Star Trek.
But here's where it gets controversial... In 1959, Oliver's career took an unexpected turn when she survived a harrowing plane incident. To cope with the trauma, she began taking flying lessons in Santa Monica, California, and eventually became a professional pilot with an impressive flying record.
As recounted in an Aviation History article, Susan Oliver was a passenger on Pan Am Flight 115, a flight that experienced a significant mishap. This incident occurred on February 3, 1959, the same day as the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Richie Valens. The pilot reportedly left the cockpit while the autopilot was engaged, which failed to keep the plane level. The Boeing 707-121 plummeted from its cruising altitude of 35,000 feet to a frightening 6,000 feet. The plane, en route from Paris to New York City, had to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland.
The experience left Oliver terrified. She described the event as "a bump in the night" followed by a sharp drop. Upon landing at LaGuardia Airport, she witnessed the aftermath of another plane crash, compounding her fear. This, coupled with news of the "Day the Music Died," kept her away from planes for a long time.
In her autobiography, Odyssey: A Daring Transatlantic Journey, Oliver revealed that she underwent hypnosis therapy to overcome her fears. In 1964, a local L.A. newscaster, Hal Fishman, took her on a short flight in his light Cessna from the Santa Monica airport. Oliver loved the experience and began taking lessons the next day. She became obsessed with flying, even dreaming of piloting overseas flights.
Oliver was already flying solo and preparing for a transatlantic flight by the time she auditioned for Star Trek. She would fly herself to auditions and film sets. After her Star Trek gig, she was involved in another plane crash. She was a passenger in a small plane when the pilot got the plane tangled in telephone wires. Both Oliver and the pilot were unharmed, and the actress remained undeterred. She was determined to complete a solo transatlantic flight.
And this is the part most people miss... In 1967, Oliver took to the skies in an Aero Commander 200, specially equipped with an extra fuel tank, and made the trip. She packed an oxygen tank, an emergency life raft, and even learned some Russian. She took off from New York City and, after several stops, landed in Copenhagen, Denmark. She became only the fourth woman to complete a transatlantic flight. She was denied entry into the Soviet Union, though she never received a clear explanation.
Following her aviation triumph, Oliver continued acting, with guest roles on television. In 1970, she directed episodes of "MASH" and "Trapper John, M.D." Her final acting role was in a *1988** episode of "Freddy's Nightmares." Throughout her career, Oliver continued to fly, earning ratings in gliders and traveling across the country for acting jobs. She died in 1990 at the age of 58 from colon cancer.
Susan Oliver's life was nothing short of extraordinary. What do you think about her incredible journey? Do you think her story is inspiring? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
