Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 89

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorWhen a major entertainment industry figure dies, I make a point of searching Variety’s archives to find the person’s first appearance in our pages. The timing and context of an individual’s Variety debut is often extremely telling about the arc of their career. I did my usual search after the sad news broke July 31 that actor-singer Nichelle Nichols, the legendary Lt.

Scott Mantz Throughout “Star Trek’s” long 56-year history, the Starship Enterprise has been designed, redesigned, reimagined, blown to smithereens and then reimagined again for the various TV incarnations and feature films based on the classic series created by Gene Roddenberry.But for the prequel series “Strange New Worlds,” which recently concluded its highly-praised first season, the responsibility to get the Enterprise just right was not lost on production designer Jonathan Lee. This was, after all, the Enterprise that was commanded by Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount), which was the immediate predecessor of the Enterprise that Captain James T. Kirk first made famous back in 1966 with “The Original Series.” “We were all of the mind that the Enterprise is a star of the show,” Lee explains.

George Takei shared a story reflecting on his close friendship with fellow "Star Trek" actor Nichelle Nichols, who died at 89 over the weekend. The 85-year-old actor wrote a tribute via Facebook to honor the late actress, noting how she supported Takei and his husband during their 2008 wedding.  "When my husband Brad and I got married, we asked Walter Koenig, who played ensign Chekov on the show, to be our best man at the wedding," he wrote on Monday.

Zoe Saldaña is mourning the sad passing of legendary Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols. Saldaña took to social media to share sweet words about Nichols, who died at the age of 89 on Jul 30, 2022.Considered a groundbreaker, Nichelle Nichols was the first actor to play the role of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the classic ‘60s sci-fi TV series. Decades later, Saldaña followed Nichols’ steps, and in 2009, she portrayed Uhura in the Star Trek reboot and all the two follow-up installments.“I’m saddened to learn of Nichelle Nichols‘ passing,” the 44-year-old Dominican star wrote. “We have lost a true star- a unique artist who was ahead of her time always.

George Takei says Nichelle Nichols wanted to be “best lady” at his wedding. The ‘Star Trek’ actor reminisced about the time he asked his co-star - who died aged 89 on Sunday (31. 07.

Zoe Saldana is mourning the loss of Nichelle Nichols following her death on Saturday at the age of 89.

Zoe Saldana is paying tribute to Nichelle Nichols.

Wilson Chapman editorA day after the death of “Star Trek” star Nichelle Nichols, fellow Lieutenant Uhura performer Zoe Saldaña penned a tribute to the pioneering actor.From 1966 to 1969, Nichols portrayed the character of Nyota Uhura — the communications officer of the USS Enterprise — in the pioneering science fiction series “Star Trek,” later reprising the role in six films released between 1979 and 1991. Nichols’ performance as Uhura was hugely significant as one of the first Black women on American television to be portrayed in a position of power, and the actor was famously convinced by Dr.

Whoopi Goldberg paid tribute on The View to the late Star Trek pioneer and fellow Trekkie, Nichelle Nichols, who died on July 31. Nichols was a groundbreaking actor in the science fiction genre who inspired the ABC talk show host in her own journey to space.

US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. "  George Takei, who as helmsman Sulu shared the bridge with Lieutenant Uhura, called her "trailblazing and incomparable.

US’s first small-screen kiss between a black woman and a white man, Uhura and Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner), in 1968. When Nichols considered leaving Star Trek at the end of the first run, a chance meeting with the civil rights leader Martin Luther King at a fundraising event changed her mind. “He said I had the first non-stereotypical role, I had a role with honour, dignity and intelligence,” she recalled in a 2011 television programme.

following her death aged 89. The pair made history in the sci-fi drama when their characters, Captain Kirk and Lt Uhura shared one of the first interracial kisses on television in the season three episode Plato’s Stepchildren, which aired in 1968. Nichols’ son Kyle Johnson confirmed the news of her death on her official Facebook page on Sunday, announcing that she had died the day previous in Silver City, New Mexico.

The actress broke new ground for Black women in film and TV, and brought minorities and women into NASA. Nichelle Nichols, the trailblazing actress and singer best known as the USS Enterprise’s communications officer Lieutenant Uhura in the original TV show "Star Tek", has died at the age of 89. “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” wrote her son, Kyle Johnson, on the website Uhura.

Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols, who starred in the original series as Lieutenant Uhura, has died at the age of 89, her son Kyle Johnson has announced.Taking to her official Instagram account, he told her 33,400 followers that his mum passed away on Sunday 31 July as he wrote: "Friends, Fans, Colleagues, World "I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years. Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. "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." He continued: "Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.

Video: Star Trek icon Nichelle Nichols passes away from natural causes (NBC News)After extreme Kentucky flooding, ‘we’re going to be finding bodies for weeks’ after Kent: Full BeshearBeyond approval numbers: Midterm outlook isn’t a sure thing for RepublicansManchin: Negotiations over a reconciliation deal were kept quiet to avoid 'drama'Full Manchin Interview: ‘Whatever the voters choose … I respect’ even if Democrats lose in NovemberManchin refuses to say Democrats should hold onto Congress in midterms15-year-old Minnesotan teenager raises $77,000 to build veteran’s memorialElectric bills skyrocket nationwide$1. 34 billion Mega Millions ticket sold in Chicago suburbPolice camera footage of events leading to Brianna Grier’s death releasedAt least 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war killed in strike on prison detention centerUnknown amount of Chinese space debris entered Earth’s atmosphere from free-falling rocketPresident Biden tests positive again for Covid-19Scenes of destruction in Kentucky as flood waters recedeIraqi protesters storm parliament for second time in a weekHouse passes bill banning assault weaponsHow landmines in Ukrainian farm fields contribute to the food supply crisisStar Trek: Voyager alum Kate Mulgrew tweeted: "Nichelle Nichols was The First.

George Takei has led the tributes to “trailblazing” Star Trek actor Nichelle Nichols following her death on Saturday (30 July). She was 89. Nichols was best known for her role as communications officer Lt Uhura in the original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966-69.

Star Trek series, following the actress' death. Nichols died aged 89 on Saturday July 30 in New Mexico, USA, of natural causes. Her son Kyle Johnson made the announcement on Nichols' Facebook page on Sunday July 31.

Facebook. Nichols had a stroke in 2015 and her son said she died on Saturday, July 30, as she “succumbed to natural causes”. “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” he wrote on Instagram.

Star Trek series, as well as movies and voicing an animated version of her character, has died at 89. Her son, Kyle Johnson, announced on Nichols Facebook page that she had died July 30 (no cause of death was given). Nichols was groundbreaking both as a Black woman co-starring on a TV series in the 1960s, and for one of the early interracial kisses -- with William Shatner's Captain Kirk.

George Takei is among the Star Trek actors who have paid tribute to “trailblazing” Nichelle Nichols following her death at the age of 89. The actress was best known for her role as communications officer Lt Uhura in the original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966-69. Her son Kyle Johnson shared the news on her official Facebook page on Sunday that she had died the day previous in Silver City, New Mexico.

President Biden released a statement late Sunday night on the passing of actress Nichelle Nichols. Nichols died Sunday at the age of 89.

Nichelle Nichols is dead at age 89. The Star Trek actress died on Saturday, July 30, in Silver City, New Mexico.

Star Trek actor Nichelle Nichols has died, aged 89.News of her death was shared today (July 31) by by Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and an executive producer of several franchise series.“It is with great sorrow that we report the passing on the legendary icon Nichelle Nichols,” Roddenberry tweeted. “No words.”Nichols’ cause of death was not shared.

death of “Star Trek” legend Nichelle Nichols Sunday opened the flood gates of mourners who remembered her not only for her cosmic contribution to the entertainment industry as one of the first Black women featured in a major TV series, but also for the warmth and generosity of her soul. George Takei, who worked alongside her on the Enterprise bridge during the 1966-1969 run of the original “Star Trek,” was grief-stricken by the news, writing, “my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”Fellow “Star Trek” actress, Kate Mulgrew — who appeared on “Star Trek: Voyager” — called Nichols a “trailblazer” whose “grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again.”Others in the “Star Trek” universe also expressed their sympathies, like Jeri Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager,” “Star Trek: Picard”) and Marina Sirtis (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), who said Nichols “led the way and opened the door for the rest of us who followed in your wake.”Here are more reactions:We lived long and prospered together. pic.twitter.com/MgLjOeZ98XNichelle Nichols was The First.

Star Wars fans are mourning the loss of Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Nyota Uhuru in the original series and its film sequels, following her death on July 30 of natural causes. Among mourners are franchise stars past and present as well as other celebrities who were inspired by Nichols, a trailblazing actress who also played an integral role in recruiting diverse astronauts for NASA.

Actor Nichelle Nichols, who found worldwide fame and led the way for black women in TV by starring in the original Star Trek TV series, has died. Her son, Kyle Johnson, said she died on Saturday in Silver City, New Mexico. She was 89.

Star Trek has left this world. Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role as Nyota Uhura on the original Trek series, has died at the age of 89. News of Nichols passing came via social media, and fans across the web are mourning the loss of the actress who broke barriers with her portrayal.

Pioneering ‘Star Trek’ actress Nichelle Nichols has died aged 89. Her role as lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the bridge of the show’s starship was a seen as a groundbreaking representation of black Americans in Hollywood. She passed away Saturday (30.

The “Star Trek” community is in mourning.

Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols has died at the age of 89. The acclaimed actress was one of the first Black women on network TV in the 1960s when she took on the role of Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek original series, alongside William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

Legendary Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols has died. The star's son, Kyle Johnson, issued a statement on Sunday announcing that Nichelle had passed away of natural causes on Saturday. She was 89.

Facebook on Sunday (July 31). He said it was with regret that he told fans: "Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. 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.

J. Kim Murphy George Takei and J.J. Abrams were among the major figures of the “Star Trek” franchise to pay tribute to Nichelle Nichols.

Nichelle Nichols, the actress known for her groundbreaking role as Lt. Nyota Uhura on has died at the age of 89. Nichols’ son, Kyle Johnson, announced the news in a statement.“Friends, Fans, Colleagues, World I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.