RIP Ralph Senensky

 

Star Trek director dies at the age of 102 

The Hollywood veteran's resume includes some of the biggest TV shows of all time.

Redshirts Always Die

By Steven Thrash

November 1, 2025

 

Star Trek's oldest living director died earlier today.

Veteran Hollywood director Ralph Senensky has passed away at the age of 102. Senesky’s niece, costume designer Lisa Lupo-Silvas, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that her uncle died today (Nov. 1, 2025). Lupo-Silvas said to the publication: “He was 100 precent sharp until the end. He may have been 102, but he had a mind like he was 30.” Senensky was born in Mason City, Iowa, on May 1, 1923, and he died at a hospital located in the small beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

Senesky was a prolific television director who helmed at least one episode during each of Star Trek: The Original Series’ three seasons. He is credited with sitting in the director’s chair for some of the best installments from the late Gene Roddenberry’s science fiction universe, including “This Side of Paradise,” “Metamorphosis,” “Obsession,” “Return to Tomorrow,” “Bread and Circuses,” and “Is There in Truth No Beauty?” Senesky also contributed to the TOS season 3 episode “The Tholian Web” from behind the camera.

For those Trekkies unfamiliar with Senensky incredible resume, he directed episodes for some of the biggest show in TV history. The likes of which include The Twilight Zone, Route 66, Mission: Impossible, I Spy, Mannix, The Waltons, The Partridge Family, and the list goes on and on. Senensky biggest contribution to television came from working on The F.B.I. (1966-1972), in which he directed 16 episodes.

The Redshirts Always Die family is saddened to hear of Mr. Senensky's passing, and we would like to pass on our condolences to those closest to him.

SENENSKY, Ralph

Born: 5/1/1923, Mason City, Iowa, U.S.A.

Died: 11/1/2025, Carmel by the Sea, California, U.S.A.

 

Ralph Senensky’s westerns – director:

The Big Valley (TV) – 1966

The Wild Wild West (TV) - 1966

The Chaparral (TV) – 1967

How the Wast Was Won (TV) – 1979

Young Maverick (TV) – 1980

Big Bend Country (TV) – 1981