‘Star Trek’ “icon” Nichelle Nichols has died, aged 89

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorWhen a major entertainment industry figure dies, I make a point of searching Variety’s archives to find the person’s first appearance in our pages. The timing and context of an individual’s Variety debut is often extremely telling about the arc of their career. I did my usual search after the sad news broke July 31 that actor-singer Nichelle Nichols, the legendary Lt.

Scott Mantz Throughout “Star Trek’s” long 56-year history, the Starship Enterprise has been designed, redesigned, reimagined, blown to smithereens and then reimagined again for the various TV incarnations and feature films based on the classic series created by Gene Roddenberry.But for the prequel series “Strange New Worlds,” which recently concluded its highly-praised first season, the responsibility to get the Enterprise just right was not lost on production designer Jonathan Lee. This was, after all, the Enterprise that was commanded by Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount), which was the immediate predecessor of the Enterprise that Captain James T. Kirk first made famous back in 1966 with “The Original Series.” “We were all of the mind that the Enterprise is a star of the show,” Lee explains.

Star Trek fans have been mourning the death of trailblazing actress Nichelle Nichols, who died at the weekend. The 89-year-old broke down barriers in her role as Lieutenant Uhura, becoming one of the first black actresses in the US to play a figure in authority. READ MORE: Star Trek actor Jenifer Lien's sad demise after axe - naked arrest to shocking mugshot The news of her death broke earlier this week after the star died of natural causes on Saturday night, her son Kyle Johnson confirmed.He said: "I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years."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."In 1968, she and Star Trek's William Shatner broke new ground when they shared one of TV's very first interracial kisses.Following the death of the famous Nichelle, it means only three of the main actors from Star Trek are still alive.Here Nadine Linge boldly goes and discovers what happened to the Star Trek cast… As Kirk, Shatner led the USS Enterprise for three series between 1966 and 1969, as well as in seven films based on the series.

George Takei shared a story reflecting on his close friendship with fellow "Star Trek" actor Nichelle Nichols, who died at 89 over the weekend. The 85-year-old actor wrote a tribute via Facebook to honor the late actress, noting how she supported Takei and his husband during their 2008 wedding.  "When my husband Brad and I got married, we asked Walter Koenig, who played ensign Chekov on the show, to be our best man at the wedding," he wrote on Monday.

Zoe Saldaña is mourning the sad passing of legendary Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols. Saldaña took to social media to share sweet words about Nichols, who died at the age of 89 on Jul 30, 2022.Considered a groundbreaker, Nichelle Nichols was the first actor to play the role of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the classic ‘60s sci-fi TV series. Decades later, Saldaña followed Nichols’ steps, and in 2009, she portrayed Uhura in the Star Trek reboot and all the two follow-up installments.“I’m saddened to learn of Nichelle Nichols‘ passing,” the 44-year-old Dominican star wrote. “We have lost a true star- a unique artist who was ahead of her time always.

Zoe Saldana is paying tribute to Nichelle Nichols.

Wilson Chapman editorA day after the death of “Star Trek” star Nichelle Nichols, fellow Lieutenant Uhura performer Zoe Saldaña penned a tribute to the pioneering actor.From 1966 to 1969, Nichols portrayed the character of Nyota Uhura — the communications officer of the USS Enterprise — in the pioneering science fiction series “Star Trek,” later reprising the role in six films released between 1979 and 1991. Nichols’ performance as Uhura was hugely significant as one of the first Black women on American television to be portrayed in a position of power, and the actor was famously convinced by Dr.

Whoopi Goldberg paid tribute on The View to the late Star Trek pioneer and fellow Trekkie, Nichelle Nichols, who died on July 31. Nichols was a groundbreaking actor in the science fiction genre who inspired the ABC talk show host in her own journey to space.

US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. "  George Takei, who as helmsman Sulu shared the bridge with Lieutenant Uhura, called her "trailblazing and incomparable.

US’s first small-screen kiss between a black woman and a white man, Uhura and Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner), in 1968. When Nichols considered leaving Star Trek at the end of the first run, a chance meeting with the civil rights leader Martin Luther King at a fundraising event changed her mind. “He said I had the first non-stereotypical role, I had a role with honour, dignity and intelligence,” she recalled in a 2011 television programme.

following her death aged 89. The pair made history in the sci-fi drama when their characters, Captain Kirk and Lt Uhura shared one of the first interracial kisses on television in the season three episode Plato’s Stepchildren, which aired in 1968. Nichols’ son Kyle Johnson confirmed the news of her death on her official Facebook page on Sunday, announcing that she had died the day previous in Silver City, New Mexico.

The actress broke new ground for Black women in film and TV, and brought minorities and women into NASA. Nichelle Nichols, the trailblazing actress and singer best known as the USS Enterprise’s communications officer Lieutenant Uhura in the original TV show "Star Tek", has died at the age of 89. “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” wrote her son, Kyle Johnson, on the website Uhura.

Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols, who starred in the original series as Lieutenant Uhura, has died at the age of 89, her son Kyle Johnson has announced.Taking to her official Instagram account, he told her 33,400 followers that his mum passed away on Sunday 31 July as he wrote: "Friends, Fans, Colleagues, World "I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years. Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. "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." He continued: "Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.

Video: Star Trek icon Nichelle Nichols passes away from natural causes (NBC News)After extreme Kentucky flooding, ‘we’re going to be finding bodies for weeks’ after Kent: Full BeshearBeyond approval numbers: Midterm outlook isn’t a sure thing for RepublicansManchin: Negotiations over a reconciliation deal were kept quiet to avoid 'drama'Full Manchin Interview: ‘Whatever the voters choose … I respect’ even if Democrats lose in NovemberManchin refuses to say Democrats should hold onto Congress in midterms15-year-old Minnesotan teenager raises $77,000 to build veteran’s memorialElectric bills skyrocket nationwide$1. 34 billion Mega Millions ticket sold in Chicago suburbPolice camera footage of events leading to Brianna Grier’s death releasedAt least 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war killed in strike on prison detention centerUnknown amount of Chinese space debris entered Earth’s atmosphere from free-falling rocketPresident Biden tests positive again for Covid-19Scenes of destruction in Kentucky as flood waters recedeIraqi protesters storm parliament for second time in a weekHouse passes bill banning assault weaponsHow landmines in Ukrainian farm fields contribute to the food supply crisisStar Trek: Voyager alum Kate Mulgrew tweeted: "Nichelle Nichols was The First.

George Takei has led the tributes to “trailblazing” Star Trek actor Nichelle Nichols following her death on Saturday (30 July). She was 89. Nichols was best known for her role as communications officer Lt Uhura in the original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966-69.

Star Trek series, following the actress' death. Nichols died aged 89 on Saturday July 30 in New Mexico, USA, of natural causes. Her son Kyle Johnson made the announcement on Nichols' Facebook page on Sunday July 31.

Facebook. Nichols had a stroke in 2015 and her son said she died on Saturday, July 30, as she “succumbed to natural causes”. “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” he wrote on Instagram.

Star Trek series, as well as movies and voicing an animated version of her character, has died at 89. Her son, Kyle Johnson, announced on Nichols Facebook page that she had died July 30 (no cause of death was given). Nichols was groundbreaking both as a Black woman co-starring on a TV series in the 1960s, and for one of the early interracial kisses -- with William Shatner's Captain Kirk.

George Takei is among the Star Trek actors who have paid tribute to “trailblazing” Nichelle Nichols following her death at the age of 89. The actress was best known for her role as communications officer Lt Uhura in the original Star Trek television series, which aired from 1966-69. Her son Kyle Johnson shared the news on her official Facebook page on Sunday that she had died the day previous in Silver City, New Mexico.

President Biden released a statement late Sunday night on the passing of actress Nichelle Nichols. Nichols died Sunday at the age of 89.

Nichelle Nichols has died at the age of 89, it has been confirmed.The actress, who was best known for her groundbreaking role in Star Trek, died on Saturday. She famously played communications officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura.