Lt. Uhura, gone. Sad day. 😒
Reportedly, she once resigned from Star Trek to return to the stage, but after meeting personally with Martin Luther King and being told that she was viewed as a role model for women, blacks, and black women nationwide due to the show's popularity --- she decided to stay on the show. Good!
Nichols mulled leaving “Star Trek” after the first season to pursue a career on Broadway, but the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a fan of the series and understood the importance of her character in opening doors for other African Americans on television, personally persuaded her to stay on the show, she told astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in an interview for the Archive of American Television.
Whoopi Goldberg, who later played Guinan on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” has described Uhura as a role model, recalling that she was astounded and excited to see a black woman character on television who was not a maid.
Hailing frequencies closed. RIP.
While probably her most famous single moment in Star Trek is this kiss:
... what she SHOULD be most remembered and celebrated for is blazing the trail for other black actresses. In her role as Lieutenant Uhura, she was the first black female to hold a major lead role in a TV series and the first to ever portray a black female of authority/officer on TV.
RIP to a talented woman who deservedly lived long and prospered while opening some long-blocked doors. She'll long be remembered for the inspiration she provided for so very many, including numerous female scientists and astronauts.
she showed enormous acting chops by not barfing during this scene
August 1st, 2022 at 12:19 AM ^
i literally just watched that episode yesterday. dr loveless from wild wild west was in that episode too.
Not just an inspiration, she also recruited minorities & women for NASA.
Lived long, and made my childhood richer.
She’s been beamed up!
Great role model for a loooong time. RIP Nichelle.
Rest in Power, Nichelle Nichols. She was one of my heroes for her role as Lt. Uhura and, even more, for everything she stood for.
A great actress who broke a number of barriers at the time.
Like Bill Russell, another trailblazer. She lived long and, I assume, prospered.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t know who she was, but she does seem like she broke down some barriers. Wasn’t bad on the eyes in her prime either. RIP.
For those that want to click on the link
https://apnews.com/article/nichelle-nichols-obit-79e23f4dfbc08afb02380ce442fc3302
She was a pretty lady. RIP.
My favorite episode of her was "Mirror Mirror". Her outfit was pretty hot for back then.
August 1st, 2022 at 12:21 AM ^
if i recall, she bitch slapped sulu in that episode.
She played Mirror Sulu like a Vulcan harp.
She had it going on in her time, from singing with Duke Ellington’s band to looking fine with a bunch of goofy looking white dudes on Star Trek. The wheels didn’t come off until she ‘distracted’ some goons with a fan dance in Star Trek VI. At least she won’t have to kiss Shatner in heaven.
RIP Nichelle, another legendary civil rights & sci-fi icon gone today. Having sailed a bit, I've learned that it's pretty mandatory to have women on the crew. Impressive how well Uhuru fit in the original crew for years as the solo female on the bridge - let alone the only African-American. God speed on your final journey Lieutenant
All of our elders who had direct links to the civil rights era are gradually passing on. That was, of course, inevitable, but it's sad nonetheless. RIP.
August 1st, 2022 at 10:10 AM ^
I have been and still am a huge Trek fan, and I may watch some Star Trek throughout the week in memoriam.
RIP.
August 1st, 2022 at 10:46 AM ^
That's too bad.
Crazy coincidence, I just saw her on the Heaven's Gate documentary on Cinemax where her brother was one of the 39 to commit suicide.
August 1st, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
One of my first crushes.