Nichelle Nichols, who famously played communications officer Nyota Uhura on the original “Star Trek” series and in many subsequent films, died Saturday night at the age of 89.
The news was confirmed by her longtime manager Gilbert Bell.Nichols was born in Robbins, Illinois in 1932 and began her entertainment career as a singer with Duke Ellington’s band.
She eventually began pursuing musical theatre work in New York and Los Angeles before being cast in her most iconic role.
Gene Roddenberry’s “Star Trek” debuted in 1966, featuring Nichols in one of the first major roles for a Black woman in the history of network television.Near the end of the first season, Nichols contemplated leaving the show after receiving an offer to star in a Broadway musical.
Fortunately, she was convinced to remain on the U.S.S.
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