US actress Nichelle Nichols (1932-2022), best known as Lieutenant Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series (1966-1969), died Saturday night (July 30) in Silver City, New Mexico. She was 89 years old.
Her son Kyle Johnson shared the sad news on her Instagram account on Sunday: "Friends, fans, colleagues, world. I regret to report that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as so many have was the case for years," begins his post. "Last night my mother, Nichelle Nichols, died of natural causes. However, her light, like the ancient galaxies that are now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and... inspire us," the message continues. She lived her life well and is a role model for all of us.
On behalf of the family, he now asks for "patience and forbearance as we mourn her loss until we have recovered sufficiently to speak further." The funeral will take place with her family and closest friends.
He also posted her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a bouquet of roses on it. In the stories he shared video clips and photos in memory of his mother as well as funeral posts.
The news saddened many stars. Above all, their former "Star Trek" colleagues let their feelings run free.
US actor George Takei (85), who became known through the role of Hikaru Sulu in the "Star Trek" television series "Spaceship Enterprise" and the subsequent films, tweeted that he actually knew more about his spaceship mate from the U.S.S. Enterprise would have to say, but: "For today my heart is heavy, my eyes shine like the stars under which you now rest, my dearest friend." He then shared a touching picture of the two from today with the caption: "We lived a long and prosperous life together."
JJ Abrams (56), director of the "Star Trek" reboot from 2009, called Nichols a "remarkable woman in a remarkable role" in his mourning tweet.
Among many other posts, the official "Star Trek" account also states that she will be "deeply missed".
Director Adam Nimoy (65), whose father Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015) was Nichols' "Star Trek" colleague Mr. Spock, posted his favorite photo of Leonard and Nichols together on the set via Twitter. He commented: "The importance of Nichelle's legacy cannot be overstated. She was loved dearly and will be missed."
Actress Kim Cattrall (65, "Sex and the City") wrote about a photo of the original crew: "RIP Nichelle Nichols! You were a wonderful pioneer on earth as well as in space. xo."
Both posts allude to Nichelle Nichols setting two milestones on US television. For one, she was the first black woman on a television series to portray something other than the then-typical black roles of housemaid. She was also the first black woman to kiss a white man in a TV series: Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner (91), in the episode "Plato's Stepchildren" (1968).
William Shatner has not yet publicly commented on the death of the actress.
