Actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhara in the “Star Trek” tv show, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89, according to a message made by her son on her Facebook page.
“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away,” Kyle Johnson, her son, wrote on Nichols’ official Facebook page.
“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,” Johnson wrote.
More about Nichelle Nichols
The most well-known role she is most recognized for playing is Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series and its film sequels. Nichelle Nichols is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Nichols’ portrayal of Uhura on American television broke new boundaries for African American actresses. Nichols dedicated her time from 1977 through 2015 to promoting NASA’s initiatives and finding a diverse group of astronauts, including women and people of color.
Grace Dell Nichols was born on December 28, 1932, as the third of six children in Robbins, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She was the daughter of Lishia (Parks) Nichols, a homemaker, and Samuel Earl Nichols, a factory worker who served as both the mayor and chief magistrate of Robbins in 1929. The family later relocated to an apartment in Chicago’s Woodlawn district. Nichols attended Englewood High School and received her high school diploma there in 1951. Nichols also attended school in Los Angeles and New York City.
