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Nichelle Nichols, the black actress who played communications officer Nyota Uhura with cool authority on the popular 1960s “Star Trek” series, has died at the age of 89. President Joe Biden paid tribute to her, praising “the work she did to open up the field of possibility for African Americans and women.”
With our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki
She was one of the first black women to have a leading role in a television series. In 1960s America, when Star Trek first aired, Nichelle Nichols quickly became an icon for her role as communications officer on the USS Enterprise. An intelligent black woman in a position of responsibility was a rare sight at the time.
And when, during the last episode of the season finale, his character and Captain Kirk’s kiss, it is the first kiss between a black and white person on American television.
Actress, dancer and singer, Nichelle Nichols is also and above all an icon of the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King himself said that he had great admiration for her.
Today, the tributes follow one another. Actor William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk, praised her as a formidable actress who “helped reshape social issues in America and beyond”.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. She was a beautiful woman & she played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family of her. Bill
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 31, 2022
George Takei, who as Helmsman Sulu shared the bridge with Lieutenant Uhura on the USS Enterprise, called her “a trailblazer and unparalleled.”
Kyle Johnson, son of the actress, announced the death on the official website uhura.com, saying: “Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, passed away of natural causes. However, her light, like the ancient galaxies now seen for the first time, it will remain.”
A family spokesman said Nichols died in Silver City, New Mexico, where he lived with his son.
Tributes poured in quickly, including from a long list of devoted “Trekkies.”
William Shatner, who played USS Enterprise Captain James T. Kirk, presented his condolences to the family.
“equal role”
Nichols, trained in ballet and musical theater, at one point told “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry that she wanted to leave the show to return to the stage.
When he mentioned that to King in a chance encounter, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s account, “the smile disappeared from his face and he said, ‘You can’t do that. Don’t you understand that for the first time we are being seen as we should be seen? “You don’t have a black role. You have an equal role.'”
And she stayed.
Nichols later worked as a recruiter for NASA, which approached her after she criticized its lack of diversity, and successfully encouraged a number of talented African-Americans and women of all races to consider careers with the space agency.
NASA paid tribute to her in a tweet Sunday afternoon, calling her a “pioneer and role model” who “symbolized for so many what was possible” to achieve.
We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible. She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars. pic.twitter.com/pmQaKDb5zw
— NASA (@NASA) July 31, 2022
The National Air and Space Museum also praised his work beyond the screen.
“She was an inspiration to so many, not only for her pioneering work on Star Trek, but also for her work at NASA recruiting women and people of color to try out to be astronauts,” the museum tweeted.
Despite becoming known for the role of Uhura, Nichols had a varied career, dancing with Sammy Davis Jr. on “Porgy and Bess,” appearing on the NBC series “Heroes,” and recording an album.
She also played Uhura – which means freedom in Swahili – in the first six “Star Trek” films.
The Smithsonian, America’s national network of museums, shared a photo on Twitter of Uhura’s red space jacket, emblazoned with the iconic “Star Trek” pin, now on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. of Washington.
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