Iconic Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, passed away this weekend at the age of 89 from natural causes, according to her son Kyle. Before the news, castmates and NASA itself honored the actress for her acting work and her legacy for Afro-descendants on television.
The remembered interpreter of the Teniente Uhura in Star Trek, Nichelle Nicholspassed away this weekend at 89 years due to natural causes, reported his son Kyle Johnson.
Upon the news of his death, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) honored her for her acting work and her legacy in the Approaching astronomy to Afro-descendant women.
Through a statement posted on Facebook, Kyle reported the death of his mother Nichelle: “I am sorry to inform you that a great light in the sky stopped shining for us as it did for so many years. […]Its light, however, like ancient galaxies being seen for the first time, will continue with us and future generations to enjoy and learn from and be inspired by.“, were the words of the man.
From her work on the television series, the woman associated with NASA to be part of a campaign to recruit the first women and minority astronauts – Afro-descendants – who “inspired to reach the stars”wrote the administration on his Instagram account.
We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible. She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars. pic.twitter.com/pmQaKDb5zw
— NASA (@NASA) July 31, 2022
Nichelle Nichols first portrayed Lieutenant Uhura in 1966at the same time that it marked a milestone embody one of the first black characters with a high-profile position in a fictional series.
Nichols’s legacy is that his role in the iconic sci-fi series was not governed by common stereotypes that were delegated to Afro-descendant actors.
On Star Trek, the actress made history with her cast mate, William Shatner, who played Captain Kirkby sharing the first interracial kiss in television history.
Another who echoed the news of the death of Nichelle Nichols, was George Takei, who personified Hikaru Sulu in the series.
“My heart is heavy, my eyes shine like the stars among which you now rest, my dear friend”were the words of the helmsman of the ship “USS Enterprise” for Lieutenant Uhura.
I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.
—George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 31, 2022