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Star Trek’s beloved Nichelle Nichols passes away at 89

Nichelle Nichols, the groundbreaking actress who played the iconic role of communications officer, Nyota Uhura in the 1960s series, Star Trek has died at 89.

Best known for her iconic turn as Nyota Uhura, the communications manager on the Starship Enterprise, Nichelle Nichols was an integral and vital member of the Star Trek team, and gave the show a much-needed balance to the antics of Admiral James T Kirk, and Spock.

Nichols rewrote the rules, becoming the first Black woman to take on the lead role in a mainstream television series, and the shared television first interracial kiss (albeit nonromantic) with none other than Admiral James T Kirk.  star trek original crew

And who could forget the unforgettable vocal stylings of the super cool Uhura when she jams with Spock? Or the way the actor took so cooly the helm of the communications desk on the Enterprise? 

Nichols’s son, Kyle Johnson, announced the beloved actor’s death on the official uhura.com website, saying, “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.”

A family spokesman said Ms. Nichols died in Silver City, New Mexico, where she had been living with her son. The Tributes have poured in far and wide,  including from a long list of devoted “Trekkies” that are sending out messages of love to one of the most iconic Star Trek characters of all time, up there with the best from the original 1960’s series, in a stint that ran for three incredible years.

Nichols went on to reprise the much-loved role in a further six movies from the sci-fi franchise in later years. Nichols was later employed by NASA in an effort to encourage more women and African Americans to become astronauts.

Following the news of her death, Star Trek co-star, George Takei wrote in a Tweet: “My heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”