We've lost a legend.
Star Trek‘s Uhura, Nichelle Nichols, has died.
Nichols’ son, Kyle Johnson, shared the sad news on Instagram, writing, “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years. Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.”
Nichols was 89 and passed away of natural causes.
Nichelle starred as communications officer Uhura in Star Trek The Original Series and its six feature films. She used her star status working with NASA in order to inspire young, diverse scientists, and even flew aboard the space agency’s SOFIA telescope back in 2015 as it observed Saturn and Mars.
Friends and colleagues have taken to social media, voicing their grief.
“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,” wrote co-star George Takei. “For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”
“Nichelle Nichols was The First. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again. May she Rest In Peace,” added Star Trek Voyager lead Kate Mulgrew.
“Before we understood how much [representation matters] [Nichelle Nichols] modeled it for us,” added Star Trek Discovery star Wilson Cruz. “With her very presence & her grace she shone a light on who we as people of color are & inspired us to reach for our potential. Rest well glittering diamond in the sky.”
Our sincere condolences go out to Nichols’ family.
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