‘Star Trek’ actor Nichelle Nichols dies at 89; William Shatner and others pay tribute

Nichelle Nichols, best known for portraying the role of communications officer Uhura in the 1960s sci-fi TV series ‘Star Trek’, died on Saturday night. She was 89 years old. Her son Kyle Johnson shared the news in a statement on Nichols’ Facebook account and wrote that his mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes. He further mentioned that her light will remain for us and the future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.

Nichelle Nichols’ role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura made her one of the first black actors in the US to play a figure in authority. She also shared one of television’s first interracial kisses on ‘Star Trek’.

Following the series end in 1969, Nichelle Nichols went on feature in first six ‘Star Trek’ movies

Her ‘Star Trek’ co-stars, including William Shatner, George Takei, and other celebrities paid tributes to her on social media.

Remembering the actor, William wrote that she was a ‘beautiful woman’ & ‘played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world.’

Lynda Carter said that Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media.

Filmmaker J. J. Abrams called Nichelle a ‘remarkable woman.’

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