The term originates from the original Star Trek (NBC, 1966–69) television series in which the red-shirted security personnel frequently die during episodes. Redshirt deaths are often used to dramatize the potential peril that the main characters face.

Do redshirts die more often?

While it's true more Redshirts die on Star Trek, they're actually less likely to perish. On the original series, 25 redshirts are killed, followed by 10 crewmembers wearing gold and eight wearing blue. ... Only six percent of crewmembers wearing blue, often scientists, die on the show.

Do Red Shirts die the most?

Based on u/LodlopSeputhChakk's chart, red-shirt-wearing officers do indeed make up the largest percentage of deaths on the "Star Trek" series. Red shirt deaths, however, only lead by a small margin: red-shirted officers may claim 32.3% of "Star Trek" deaths, but officers wearing yellow shirts also take up 29.1%.