Nichelle Nichols Of 'Star Trek' Fame Dies At 89

SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO — Actress Nichelle Nichols, who was born in Chicago’s south suburbs and is most famous for playing Lt. Uhura in the original "Star Trek" television series, died Saturday. She was 89.

Her family announced her passing Sunday.

"Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away," her son, Kyle Johnson, said in a Facebook post.

"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.”

Nichols was born Dec. 28, 1932, in Robbins. Her father served as mayor of the village and her grandfather was among its founders. She died Saturday night in Silver City, New Mexico, Variety reported.

Nichols started her career as a dancer and singer for Duke Ellington. She broke ground in 1966 when she appeared on screens as Uhura in the first “Star Trek” series, a rare case at the time of a Black woman being shown in a position of authority on television.

“Nichelle Nichols was The First,” tweeted actress Kate Mulgrew, who played Capt. Kathryn Janeway in “Star Trek: Voyager” nearly 30 years after the original “Star Trek” aired. “She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again.”

Nichols intended to quit the show after its first season but changed her mind when she met Martin Luther King Jr. at an event. King told her “Star Trek” was the only program his children were allowed to watch and that it was important for audiences to see a person of color in a role like hers, according to the “Star Trek” website.

“The importance of Nichelle's legacy cannot be over-emphasized,” tweeted Adam Nimoy, the son of original “Star Trek” cast member Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock alongside Nichols.

Nichols continued to appear in the role of Uhura for the remainder of the series and then for more than five decades in future television shows, movies, video games and podcasts, according to the Internet Movie Database.

“I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89,” tweeted George Takei, who played Lt. Hikaru Sulu on the original “Star Trek,” “For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”

In addition to her work as an actress, Nichols partnered with NASA to recruit women and minority astronauts. She received the administration’s Public Service Award in 1984 and even flew to space herself in 2015 for NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy telescope mission.

“Nichelle Nichols left behind such a beautiful legacy of what it really means to use the platform you have to make the world a better place,” tweeted actress and writer Ashley Nicole Black. “I think of her example often and I hope others will too. Rest well, Lt.”