Elaan of Troyius

France Nuyen is beautiful!
She is of mixed race being French and Vietnamese.
When I watched this episode growing up and frankly up until just a few years ago, I assumed Ms. Nuyen appeared in real life as she did in that episode.
It's always intrigued me and I'm hoping to gain insight, should anyone here know why the Producers of TOS elected to make her appear as she did?
I can find nothing on the web to explain this.
(This question has been modified to respect the sensitivities of others.
It's not my intent to imply or offend anyone. If it does please just don't respond).

 

I think you are overthinking this.

 

Not at all.
I was simply suprised that she was in so many other projects and I didn't recognize her.

 

I really dont know how to reply to that?
I grew up watching her in other Movies and TV shows never knowing it was the same person!

There's no malice here, just genuine curiosity and I came to the only place on the Internet where I thought maybe, someone would know.
It's one of my Absolute favorite Episodes (Though my list has 53 tied for First place and 26 in Second place!)

 

My apologizes if this causes the thread to escalate, @1001001 and @T'Bonz but...

That was not the implication of your OP in the thread you started in General Trek. You seemed fixated on wondering if the producers intended to have the actress appear black.

Honestly, I don't think it occurred to them. It was just a wig and the woman could have gotten a tan easily especially in LA. I looked at the screenshots via trekcore.com when you first started the tread. She looked more Mediterranean. But who really cares???

 

"Fixated "?!
It was a question..

And the only Implication apparently was on your part.
I'm not here to argue nor start Controversy!

That's Not a tan but whatever

Besides, I explained that "I PERCEIVED her to be...."

Again, it was a question, if people are offended (and it's astonishing to me that anyone would be!) My sincere apologies.
Delete the question or just ignore it!

I found out that I've seen her elsewhere and didn't recognize her....

THAT'S IT!
Nothing more to see here!

 

OK..Thank you

 

They made her up in typical "Hollywood generic exotic". If anything her look belongs in the Egypt scenes in The Ten Commandments next to Chuck Heston.

 

I agree!
She always appeared as Egyptian to me.
It's the hair and those Eyes!
ABSOLUTELY beautiful!

Thanks

 

I agree. If there was any intent, I imagine that it was to make her (and her entourage) alien, akin to David Soul, et al., in "The Apple", only not so over the top.

 

Good point!
Frankly I just learned that he was in Trek!

Apparently I'm fooled by the makeup!

Thanks

 

David Soul has a smaller part and is easier to miss.

 

@Fred1701 You should google "famous people in Star Trek" sometime; I sure someone out there has a list....

 

Yes, for 55 years Lol!

 

I don't see the relevance but it is an interesting article.

Thanks