Nichelle Nichols Dies at Age of 89
Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed as communications officer Lt Nyota Uhura on the original Star Trek series in the 1960s, has died of natural causes in New Mexico at the age of 89. Ms Nichols suffered stroke in the past 7 years.
“I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.” Nichols' son, Kyle Johnson announced on Nichelle Nichols' facebook.
Kyle added “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 for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.”
Star Trek also express their condolence through twitter, “We’re deeply saddened to report the passing of Nichelle Nichols – a trailblazer, an inspiration, and so much more. She will be deeply missed.”
Ms Nichols will always be remembered chiefly for her role in the sci-fi adventure series. US president Joe Biden stated that she shattered stereotypes as one of the first black actresses in the US to play a figure in authority.
Ms Nichols is also an ambassador for NASA, the US space agency where she helps to recruit women and minorities to its Space programme.