Actress Grace Lee Whitney, who played Janice Rand on the original "Star Trek" series in the 60s, died last Friday at her home in Coarsegold, California, her son Jonathan Dweck confirmed, according to The Fresno Bee. She was 85.

Whitney played the loyal assistant of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). She starred in the first season but was cut from the show halfway through -- no one really knowing why.

Speculations were abound. Whitney was known to have addictions, which she would later overcome, eventually becoming an advocate for those who struggled with similar problems. The speculations were that she was released from her contract due to her addictions, or possibly for erratic behavior.

In an interview with Star Trek online, Whitney opened up about her leaving the show so abruptly, citing mostly the sexual tension between her character and Kirk onscreen.

"There was a scene that Shatner and I did -- and I remember when it happened -- that scared the producers, because they said, 'Uh-oh, they're getting too close. This is getting too hot. We have to remove her because he's going to look like he's cheating when he falls in love with other women on other planets,'" Whitney told Star Trek online.

"So if she's waiting for him on the ship and he's out there cheating, Yeoman Rand would be the sympathetic part on the ship and he'd look like a cad. So they said, 'Why don't we just remove the yeoman.' Of course, this went on behind the scenes."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Whitney went on to star in four of the "Star Trek" films, including the first one where she was welcomed back as Chief Petty Officer Rand. She also appeared in an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" in 1996.

She also served as the inspiration for the mermaid in ads for tuna manufacturer Chicken of the Sea.