Nichelle Nichols, Barrier-Breaking Star Trek Actress, Dead at 89
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Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
Star Trek started me on my computer nerd path to geekdom.
people.com
Nichelle Nichols, who broke a major race barrier as the star of the 1960s sci-fi series Star Trek, has died. She was 89.
Nichols' death was confirmed by her talent manager and business partner of 15 years, Gilbert Bell, to Variety on Sunday. She died in Silver City, New Mexico.
Nichelle Nichols, Barrier-Breaking Star Trek Actress, Dead at 89
Nichelle Nichols was one of the first Black women to play a major role on primetime television
people.com
Nichelle Nichols, who broke a major race barrier as the star of the 1960s sci-fi series Star Trek, has died. She was 89.
Nichols' death was confirmed by her talent manager and business partner of 15 years, Gilbert Bell, to Variety on Sunday. She died in Silver City, New Mexico.
Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 89
Actress' performance as the Enterprise communications officer was a groundbreaking role for Black women on television
Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 89
Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Nyota Uhura on the original “Star Trek,” has died at the age of 89, her son Kyle Johnson announced on her official Facebook page.
“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away,” Johnson’s statement read. “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. Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.”
As Uhura, Nichols was one of the first Black women ever to play a main cast role on a television series, as “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry wanted the crew of the USS Enterprise to come from many diverse backgrounds. Uhura, whose surname came from the Swahili word for “freedom,” was the ship’s communications officer with expertise in linguistics.
After the show’s first season wrapped in 1966, Nichols planned to leave “Star Trek” to pursue roles on Broadway despite Roddenberry’s pleas to stay. But she changed her mind after an unexpected meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at an NAACP event, where the civil rights leader told her that his entire family watched “Trek” together. When Nichols told her she was going to leave the show, he urged her to reconsider.
Attack Dog
Well-Known Member
RIP
Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
George Takei, J.J. Abrams and More ‘Star Trek’ Figures Pay Tribute to Nichelle Nichols
George Takei and J.J. Abrams were among the major figures of the “Star Trek” franchise to pay tribute to Nichelle Nichols. The actress, who portrayed the capable and commanding Enterprise crew member Nyota Uhura, died Saturday night at the age of 89. Nichols portrayed Uhura across the original...
Tributes!
Herbert77060
Texas Southern University
Never got to ban* uhhhh meet her.
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pvdogteam
Who ya rootin' for? PVU
This will give you another side of Nichelle, she wasn't Lt. Uhura in the movie Truck Turner, it was before my time, but I watched this a few months ago, it was wild. Nichelle was a cold pimp tho, RIP to her and Yaphet he was a cool pimp until he ran into Truck Turner
STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING, this is from the Black Exploitation days and before political correctness so just warning before you click it
STRONG LANGUAGE WARNING, this is from the Black Exploitation days and before political correctness so just warning before you click it
BulldogM.Ed.23
Bulldog Fan/Supporter
I wasn't much of a Trekie, but much respect. I remember watching Truck Turner with Isaac Hayes and seeing a different side of her (acting wise), with the character that she played. I was impressed. RIP...
BulldogM.Ed.23
Bulldog Fan/Supporter
Oh wow, I didn't see this when I made my post about this. She also appeared in promotions in the late 70s as NASA prepared for it's series of Space Shuttle Runs...
pvdogteam
Who ya rootin' for? PVU
Yep she did that role, made you really believe she was gangster
Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
Herbert77060
Texas Southern University
That was strong
It really was.
LAW DAWG
TSU LOVE
It is a reminder of something we've lost along the way. Images and portrayals are an important piece of how we, as a people, are perceived in this nation. Racists understood this very well, hence their wide-spread use of sambo and mammy caricatures not to mention movies like "Birth of a Nation". Dr. King and others, before and shortly after his time, understood very well also hence his plea to Queen Nichols.
Unfortunately, we live in day and time now where anything goes. Many of the shows on TV now, while entertaining, portray us as some of the most dysfunctional people breathing, walking and talking.
I know the two of you not only know what I'm talking about, but have lived it. Sometimes, when I'm preaching a sermon it is really meant for me.
pvdogteam
Who ya rootin' for? PVU
without surgery or any of the funny business they do these days, she was outstanding and made me reach puberty early watching her