Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Lt Nyota Uhura, communications officer to the USS Enterprise, in the Star Trek science fiction TV series in the late 1960s and later movie series has died at the age of 89. Nichols who at one time wanted to give up the role was persuaded to carry on by freedom rights campaigner Dr Martin Luther King. He explained that she was doing good for interracial relations and racial acceptance in her role – one of the first Black roles on US television. Nichols went on to promote employment opportunities at NASA to the Afro-Carribbean community.
Nichelle Nichols as Lt Uhura in the original Star Trek TV series. Courtesy: Desilu/Paramount
NASA posted this tribute to her for her subsequent voluntary work in promoting diversity within the agency: 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.
