RIP Barbara Baldavin

Barbara Baldavin, Actress on ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Medical Center,’ Dies at 85

She later was involved in casting on such series as ‘Dynasty,’ ‘Matt Houston’ and ‘Trapper John, M.D.’

 

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

April 1, 2024

 

Barbara Baldavin, who appeared on three episodes of the original Star Trek and recurred on Medical Center before working in the casting department on shows including Dynasty and Trapper John, M.D., has died. She was 85.

Baldavin died Sunday of congestive heart failure at her home in Manhattan Beach, her son Marc D’Agosta told The Hollywood Reporter.

Baldavin portrayed phaser control officer Angela Martine on two first-season episodes of NBC’s Star Trek in 1966. On the first one, her wedding to Starfleet officer Robert Tomlinson (Stephen Mines) — with William Shatner‘s Capt. Kirk presiding — was interrupted by a Romulan attack.

She then returned as Lt. Lisa, a communications officer and court reporter, on the series finale, “Turnabout Intruder,” which aired in June 1969.

Baldavin played Nurse Holmby on 51 episodes during the last six seasons (1970-76) of CBS’ Medical Center, starring Chad Everett and James Daly. She had appeared as another character on the first season.

In the 1980s, she worked in the casting departments of shows including Hagen — Everett’s series follow-up to Medical Center — Square Pegs, Matt Houston, Dynasty, Finder of Lost Loves and Trapper John, M.D.

A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Baldavin started acting while attending El Camino College in Torrance, California, and she studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

She also showed up on episodes of Rawhide, The Fugitive, Insight, Columbo, Mannix, Adam-12, Toma, The F.B.I., McMillan & Wife, Bronk, Baretta, Barnaby Jones, Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island, Vega$ and more.

Baldavin worked as an instructor at Dawn Wells‘ Film Actor’s Boot Camp. She and the late Gilligan’s Island star were great friends and shared a birthdate: Oct. 18, 1938.

Survivors include another son, Joseph, and her grandchildren, Casandra and Justine. Her former husband was Joseph D’Agosta, who served as casting director on Star Trek and other Desilu series.

BALDAVIN, Brabara (Barbara Joanne Baldavin)

Born: 10/18/1938, Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Died: 3/?31/2024, Manhattan Beach, California, U.S.A.

 

Barbara Baldavin’s westerns – actress:

Rawhide (TV) – 1964 (daughter)

Wild Rovers - 1971