• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Home
  • Books
All Geek Things and All She Wrote

All Geek Things

Random thoughts of a crowded mind

  • Reviews
  • Xena
  • Blog

General

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • About

Categories

  • Home
  • Features
  • Reviews
    • Loved you in this
  • TV & films
  • Xena
  • Pop culture
  • Business & marketing
  • Writing
  • Bookish
  • Random thoughts
  • Home
  • Features
  • Reviews
    • Loved you in this
  • TV & films
  • Xena
  • Pop culture
  • Business & marketing
  • Writing
  • Bookish
  • Random thoughts

Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura in the original Star Trek, dies aged 89

1 August, 2022 by PashaO
Nchelle Nichols Star Trek
122
SHARES
ShareTweetPinterestBufferWhatsappDiggRedditTumblr

American actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role in the TV series Star Trek, has died aged 89.

Ms Nichol’s role as the communications chief Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek franchise in the 1960s was groundbreaking by showing a Black woman in a position of authority. In one episode, she also shared one of the first interracial kisses on American prime-time television alongside co-star William Shatner. 

Her son Kyle Johnson said she died of natural causes on Saturday night.




In a statement posted on Facebook, Mr Johnson wrote: “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.

“Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.”

Despite her success, however, Ms Nicholls had initially considered leaving the show. But Dr Martin Luther King Jr persuaded her to stay. He described her character as the “first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history”.




She featured in the first six Star Trek movies following the series’s cancellation in 1969.

Alongside her acting career, Ms Nicholls also became an ambassador for the US space agency Nasa, helping to recruit women and minorities to its Space programme.

Tributes poured in from a long list of stars and devoted fans. 

Nichelle Nichols and George Takei
Nichelle Nichols and George Takei

Co-star George Takei, who shared the bridge with Lieutenant Uhura as helmsman Sulu on the USS Enterprise, tweeted: “My heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”

William Shatner also paid tribute by writing on Twitter: 

“She was a beautiful woman and played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US and throughout the world.”

TV director Adam Nimoy – the son of Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy said, “The importance of Nichelle’s legacy cannot be over-emphasised. She was much loved and will be missed.”

Marina Sirtis, who played Counsellor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation, wrote that Nichols “opened the door for the rest of us who followed in your wake”. 

Rest in peace Ms Nichols. You were an inspiration to so many.

Pop culture Star Trek

You May Also Like…

Avatar The Last-Airbender Cast-Miya Cech as Toph

Toph, but make Her “slightly more feminine”: Why fans are worried about Netflix’s Avatar reboot

Apple TV series Severence

Severance Season 1 review: Corporate hell, but make it existential

Doctor Who Rogue episode promo

Doctor Who’s future uncertain as Ncuti Gatwa reportedly plans exit

The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Trailer reveals Moiraine's prophetic torment

The Wheel Of Time Season 3 Trailer reveals Moiraine’s prophetic torment

Reader Interactions

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Sidebar

George RR Martin

George RR Martin disillusioned with toxic social media discourse 

Hinton Battle who played Sweet in Buffy's Once More with Feeling, dies aged 67

Tony Award winner star Hinton Battle dies at 67

Idris Elba

Idris Elba talks about James Bond and racist backlash

Trending

  • Xena: Warrior Princess - Callisto Episodes
    Xena: Warrior Princess - Callisto Episodes
  • The evolution of musical episodes in television
    The evolution of musical episodes in television
  • Hercules and Xena Crossover Episodes
    Hercules and Xena Crossover Episodes
  • 6 useful features for your Facebook page
    6 useful features for your Facebook page
  • Xena: Warrior Princess - A Necessary Evil review
    Xena: Warrior Princess - A Necessary Evil review
  • The Warrior Princess Rides
    The Warrior Princess Rides
  • Toph, but make Her "slightly more feminine": Why fans are worried about Netflix's Avatar reboot
    Toph, but make Her "slightly more feminine": Why fans are worried about Netflix's Avatar reboot
  • Game of Thrones adult entertainment star casting makes sense
    Game of Thrones adult entertainment star casting makes sense

Socials

  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 · All Geek Things · All Rights Reserved

 

Loading Comments...