
A follower of the Enterprise and it’s adventures from a young age, Roberto Orci was introduced to Star Trek by his uncle and would grow up to introduce a short lived, but highly memorable, Captain Robau in thanks and tribute to the uncle that started the journey into sci fi and fantasy.
A graduate of Crossroads School for Arts and the University of Texas, Orci would gain his first experience as a television writer in the Xena and Hercules worlds and would begin creative partnerships with Alex Kurtzman and JJ Abrahms through collaborations on Alias, in co creating the popular sci fi show Fringe and many more.
Entering the Star Trek world in the 2000’s, Orci brought his long time fandom to JJ Abrahms production group following their success with two of Paramounts other franchises, Mission Impossible and Transformers. Tasked with reviving the concept for a new era, Orci’s part in the team was a fan of the original series mixing with both casual fans and writers new to the franchise to help find a balance in transitioning between the long standing audience and to newcomers.
Together with current Star Trek lead producer Alex Kurtzman, Orci would be credited with ensuring the original universe would not be re-written, proposing the concept of an alternative universe linked by the loved Star Trek icon Leonard Nimoy.
The duo would work together for the final time on the sequel, Into Darkness, before Orci would move on to other creative endeavours including CBS drama Limitless, Scorpion and the colourful revival of Hawaii Five-0.
Despite the mixed reception of a new era of Star Trek, Orci was never one to shy away from being a fan first and producer second and made a point of reading opinions – good and bad – while holding open discourse with fans on message boards and websites including being a regular commentor on TrekMovie.
Orci passed away at his Los Angeles home on February 25th having suffered with kidney disease. He is survived by his father Roberto Orci Sr, mother Macuqui Robau-Garcia, stepmom Jeanine Orci, siblings J.R Orci, Taylor Orci, and Courtney Ford, and his dog Bogey.
