Valora Noland was a former American actress who appeared in several movies and television shows in the 1960s, most notably as Daras in the Star Trek episode “Patterns of Force”. She died on March 27, 2022, at the age of 80 in Sebastopol, California. But what was the cause of her death and how did she live her life after leaving Hollywood?
Early Life and Career
Valora Noland was born as Valor Baum on December 8, 1941, in Seattle, Washington, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Her mother named her “Valor” after being inspired by a speech by Winston Churchill. Her father, Franz Baum, was a German painter who fled Nazi Germany with his wife, Abby Beveridge, a descendant of American historian and senator Albert J. Beveridge.
Noland decided to pursue acting in 1959 and enrolled in the Pasadena Playhouse. She adopted the stage name “Valora Noland” and moved to Hollywood. Her first acting job was an improvised scene for the film Five Finger Exercise, which was later cut. She then appeared in small roles in TV shows such as The Rifleman, Dr. Kildare, and The Donna Reed Show.
Her first movie role was in Beach Party (1963), followed by Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Sex and the College Girl (1964). She also starred in The Passionate Strangers (1965), a Philippine production, and The War Wagon (1967), a western film with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas.
She also guest-starred in popular TV shows such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Virginian, Star Trek, and Mannix. Her most memorable role was as Daras, an Ekosian resistance fighter posing as a Nazi secretary, in the Star Trek episode “Patterns of Force”, which aired in 1968.
Retirement and Later Years
Noland left acting after her Star Trek appearance, reportedly because she felt uncomfortable wearing a swastika armband for her role. She moved to Northern California and became a photographer and an author. She wrote two books under the name Valora Tree: Horse Stories, a collection of short stories about horses, and Water Lily Ponds, a volume of poetry.
She also changed her name legally to Valora Tree Baum in 1980. She lived a quiet and private life in Sebastopol, California, where she died on March 27, 2022. The cause of her death was not disclosed publicly, but according to Heavy.com, she had been suffering from health issues for some time.
She is survived by her brother Franz Baum Jr., her sister-in-law Susan Baum, her niece Abby Baum, and her nephew Franz Baum III. She never married or had children of her own.
Legacy and Tributes
Valora Noland was one of the many guest stars who contributed to the success and popularity of Star Trek: The Original Series. Her role as Daras was praised by fans and critics alike for its complexity and courage. She also left a mark on the beach party genre with her roles as Rhonda (aka Animal) and Dee Dee.
She was remembered by her fans and colleagues as a talented and beautiful actress who left Hollywood too soon. Several tributes were posted online after her death was announced, including by Star Trek fan sites and fellow actors.
She will be missed by many who admired her work and her spirit.