Nichelle Nichols: 1932-2022

[Tim]

We lost another cast member of Classic Trek.  Nichelle Nicols, who played Lt. Uhura, has died at the age of 89.

This woman inspired so many young African-Americans.  One was Whoopi Goldberg, who played Guinan on TNG.  Another was Dr. Mae Jemison, who was the first female African-American astronaut (and who cameoed as a Transporter operator on the TNG episode, Second Chances).   Another was Barack Obama, that's right, a former U.S. President was a Star Trek fan.    The list goes on and on.

Of the TOS cast, now only William Shatner, George Takai, and Walter Koenig are left.

[Squad 51]

That's just sad. Another one lost. May she rest in peace now!!

[Sunday]

SO sad. R.I.P.

She was a lovely woman in real life from what I heard.

[jennifer]

This is so sad. R.I.P. Not too many OGs left.


She really is an icon for being the first female African-American astronaut. She did so much for the community not just for Star Trek, like with Whoopi Goldberg but for African American woman in general on television.

[Tim]

Indeed she did.

Dr. Mae Jemison was inspired by her.

[Melinda Halliwell]

What Nichelle did for black women and African Americans generally is the same as what Rosa Parks did on the bus not getting up for a white person obviously.

She certainly was a woman of her time then.

[Tim]

That's true.

Some may not think it's big deal now, but it was.  A black woman getting such a prominent role, in 1966, was trailblazing (although one had to wait for the animated Trek show, in the mid-70's, before Uhura was allowed to command the Enterprise).

[Sunday]

Aug 1, 2022 11:03:47 GMT -5 Tim said:

That's true.

Some may not think it's big deal now, but it was.  A black woman getting such a prominent role, in 1966, was trailblazing (although one had to wait for the animated Trek show, in the mid-70's, before Uhura was allowed to command the Enterprise).

I agree. Most probably don't even remember. They assume diversity with black actors getting prominent roles only happened in the last decade. But it was Nichelle who really set the stage back then way back then. 

[Tim]

True that.

[Katie]

Whoopi Goldberg Shares Emotional Tribute To Nichelle Nichols: She “Was The First Black Person I’d Ever Seen Who Made It To The Future”

Whoopi Goldberg paid tribute to the late Star Trek pioneer and fellow Trekkie, Nichelle Nichols, who died on July 31. Nichols was a groundbreaking actor in the science fiction genre who inspired the ABC talk show host in her own journey to space.

“A trailblazer, a heroine, and an extraordinary woman—someone who inspired millions and millions of people but inspired me,” Goldberg said of Nichols on Monday. “Nichelle was the first Black person I’d ever seen who made it to the future.”

Goldberg went on to say that Nichols was “the one beacon that said, ‘Yes, we’ll be there.’”

She continued, “It just made me feel like that was an amazing thing and she helped propel other women to go into space. She was extraordinary and I was lucky enough to spend time with her over the years. She was my friend and she will be missed.”

Nichols broke down barriers on the small screen with her portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek television series where she was a communications officer. The star shared with William Shatner one of the first interracial kisses on TV. Nichols went on to voice Lt. Uhura on Star Trek: The Animated Series and also appeared in the first 6 Star Trek films.

Goldberg played the role of Guinan in Star Trek: The Next Generation and recently reprised the character in the revival series Star Trek: Picard. The daytime TV host has always credited Nichols as her inspiration for getting into acting.

Here's one of the last convention appearance Nichelle Nichols made on stage at the Star Trek 50th Anniversary where Whoppi surprised her on stage.

[Tim]

What a lovely tribute.

Whoopi has said, on many occasions, that Nichelle helped inspire her into acting. 

[Melinda Halliwell]

Yes, it's nice reading and hearing tributes from fellow Trek actors and other people who've played Uhura and what they thought of Nichelle themselves.

I know like with Patrick Swayze and Robin Williams when Whoopi spoke about their passings on the View she did so about Nichelle too with a heavy heart also.

[Katie]

The tributes were very nice. From all I heard, she was a very down-to-earth lovely woman. And a regular guest on the conventions. Fans adored her.

It's nice she was alive to be part of the 50th anniversary back in 2016.

[Squad 51]

Will watch it later. Promise. If need be, remind me.

[Tim]

Aug 18, 2022 7:58:35 GMT -5 Katie said:

The tributes were very nice. From all I heard, she was a very down-to-earth lovely woman. And a regular guest on the conventions. Fans adored her.

It's nice she was alive to be part of the 50th anniversary back in 2016.

Indeed it was. 

Sadly, we are running out of actors from Classic Trek