Nichelle Nichols became world famous as communications officer Nyota Uhura on the Enterprise. She has now passed away at the age of 89. With her role in Star Trek, Nichols broke with stereotypes of black performers.
Her son Kyle Johnson announced Sunday that the actress had passed away in the state of New Mexico. “Last night my mother, Nichelle Nichols, died of natural causes,” he wrote on Instagram. “However, their light will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from and be inspired by”
Nichols made television history
Nichols reprized her role as Lieutenant Uhura on “Star Trek” between 1966 and 1969. Her character was an exception on television. African Americans preferred to be cast as criminals and servants. A black woman working with an international crew was only conceivable in a science fiction setting at the time.
In 1968, Nichols was responsible for another TV milestone. In the tenth episode of the third season, she kissed William Shatner in his role as Captain Kirk. The scene is considered the first kiss between a black woman and a white man in US television history.
“That’s why you have to stay”
After her career as an actress, she retained her fascination with the “infinite expanse”. Nichols volunteered for NASA and traveled as a recruiter. The goal was to bring more minorities and women into the organization.
By the way: she actually wanted to leave “Star Trek” after just one year. At a civil rights event, however, she met Martin Luther King Jr., who identified himself as a “Star Trek” fan. He was appalled by her plan. “You changed the face of television forever, and with it, people’s opinions.” That’s why she had to stay, Martin Luther King Jr. demanded, and that’s what Nichelle Nichols finally did.
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