When I saw everybody's mouth dropping open I thought, "Oh, God! What will it look like!" I then said, "Tear the paper off, I want to see it!" The moment I saw it I jumped out of the chair and I said, "Wow, this looks fabulous!" Having a shower in the morning with it was great. My first shower was the most sensual feeling with having the water fall on my head. It felt so beautiful on my naked head.

What kind of preparation did you do for the role? t's funny that you ask that, because Bob Wise asked me how I would play this role. In acting, I'd been used to really using my eyes. For this role though, I said I would give it this dead sort of look. I remember Johnny Carson saying, "Persis, I'm sure you're going to be nominated for your role." People think that playing a robot is an easy role. It isn't. It wasn't easy to have that concentration.

Were you disappointed that Star Trek, and with it your role, jumped to the big screen instead of landing onTV? I was thrilled, because I like the big screen and I could then move on to the next thing. It was the biggest break for me. In a way, though, I wish it had been a TV series because then you are working for five years.

The cast of Star Trek had already worked together for years. How did it feel to be the new kid in the quadrant? Nichelle, Majel (Barrett) and everybody were all very nice to work with. I loved them. James Doohan and George Takei, they were all nice. I was very friendly with them all. They sort of adopted me.