Joseph Pevney, a film and television director known for directing some of the most popular episodes of the original "Star Trek" TV series in the late 1960s, passed away in 2008 at the age of 96. A former Broadway actor, Pevney played supporting roles in several notable film noir titles in the late 1940s before transitioning to directing. His film credits include "Man of a Thousand Faces" and "Tammy and the Bachelor." He died on May 18 due to age-related causes at his home in Palm Desert, California, as reported by his wife, Margo.
Pevney focused primarily on television from the early 1960s until his retirement in the mid-1980s, during which he directed episodes of numerous series, including "Wagon Train," "The Munsters," "The Fugitive," "Bonanza," "12 O'Clock High," "The Virginian," "Adam-12," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Emergency," "The Incredible Hulk," "Fantasy Island," "Medical Center," and "Trapper John, M.D."
However, "Star Trek," the classic science fiction series that aired on NBC from 1966 to 1969, remains Pevney's most enduring credit as a director and made him well-known among fans, or "Trekkers." As noted on various "Star Trek" fan sites since his passing, Pevney directed 14 episodes of the original series, tying him with the late Marc Daniels for the most episodes directed.
Pevney was responsible for some of the series' top fan-favorite episodes, including "The City on the Edge of Forever," "Amok Time," "The Trouble with Tribbles," and "Journey to Babel."
