Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series, has died. She was 89 years old.
Her son, Kyle Johnson confirmed her death on Sunday via her website, revealing she died of natural causes. “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. “Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.”
Rod Roddenberry, son of the original show’s creator Gene Roddenberry, grieved Nichols’ death, tweeting, “It is with great sorrow that we report the passing on the legendary icon Nichelle Nichols. No words.”
Nichols was born Grace Nichols and was initially discovered by Duke Ellington in her teen years in Chicago. She started out as a dancer and choreographer, and before her Star Trek role, had only picked up minor acting gigs.
Star Trek debuted in 1966. Her role as Uhura was a groundbreaking moment, as she became one of TV’s first Black female leads.
“When I was on those wonderful sets with all of the cast members, the universe of Star Trek began to feel not so much a fantasy but an opportunity to lay the groundwork for what we might actually achieve by the 23rd Century … a bold aspiration and an affirmation of Uhura as we eagerly await her arrival,” Nichols wrote on her website.
She later became a spokesperson for NASA, for which she led PSAs and recruited astronauts for the space program. Many people of note mourned her death and honored her life, including George Takei and J.J. Abrams.
