pic.twitter.com/1zlTd4F9BD, My love for the original Star Trek is profound. She waseventuallyplaced under a court conservatorship that her son controlled,with Johnson saying her mental decline made it impossible for her to take care of herself or make public appearances. In 1991, Nichols became the first African American woman to have her handprints immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theatre. 0. We admire you greatly. By Stephen Iervolino via August 1, 2022, 8:57 AM 3:36 VIDEO: Groundbreaking 'Star Trek' actress Nichelle Nichols dies at Eric Diaz. Thank you, Nichelle. NASA Astronaut Group 8, selected in 1978, included the first women and ethnic minorities to be recruited, including three who were Black. Johnson wrote that his mother "succumbed to natural causes. Ironically, though Carmel was her neighbor, Thrett had to audition for the role. ", Dr. King continued: "Gene Rodenberry opened a door for the world to see us. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. pic.twitter.com/pmQaKDb5zw. After moving to (28 March 1977 29 January 2023; age 45)Character(s): Liana (Star Trek: Enterprise) & Borg Queen Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition. By Kalhan Rosenblatt Nichelle Nichols, the groundbreaking actor who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the original "Star Trek" series, has died. The film and Thrett made a brief appearance in Quentin TarantinosOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, as a TV ad for the movie plays on TV in the background during one scene. Celia Rose Gooding, who portrays Uhura in the new Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, paid tribute to the actress who originated the role. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER, "We lived long and prospered together," Takei wrote. Laurel Goodwin, who made her movie debut opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! He said, 'You cannot do that,'" Nichols recalled. Some are stylish, some less so. Actress Nichelle Nichols, whose trailblazing portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura onTVsoriginal Star Trek seriesbroke racial barriers, has died. Both the Star Trek and Movin With Nancy moments drew some negative reactions, though Nichols recalled that the fan mail was overwhelmingly positive and supportive. 10:11 AM. Nichelle Nichols was a ground-breaker and a glorious ambassador for her show, her role and science all her life. He was born in 1939 in Dallas, Texas, where he lived in his early years before moving with his family to Los 22 May 1939 7 March 2004 (age 64)Character(s): Clark Terrell (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 1982) & Dathon (T.N.G 1 episode 1991). 14 July 1939 24 March 2013 (age 73)Character(s): Jos Tyler (Pilot 1964/1986, T.O.S 2 episodes 1966). 27 July 1967 13 November 2003 (age 36)Character(s): Lanya (V.O.Y 1 episode 2000) & Elizabeth Cutler E.N.T 3 episodes 2001 - 2002). All rights reserved. or redistributed. 2 MIN READ. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. This talented actress was born Anne Marie Wersching and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. #NichelleNichols pic.twitter.com/TycRdKOOfH, Tawny My Name is Tawny Newsome (@TrondyNewman) July 31, 2022, We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible. Market data provided by Factset. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend. 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 drawinspiration, he said. Mark Lenard was an American actor, primarily known for television roles. But Nichols managers and friend Angelique Fawcett objected and fought for more access to the aging actress and Johnsons financial records. She died on November 13, 2003 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Groundbreaking 'Star Trek' actress, activist Nichelle Nichols dies at 89 Her family confirmed Nichols' death from natural causes. Signifying intelligence, eloquence, versatility and quiet intensity, one of the more important, critically acclaimed black actors to gain a Hollywood foothold in the 1970s was Paul Winfield. "The importance of Nichelle's legacy cannot be over-emphasised. He died on March 24, 2013 in Gray Creek, British Columbia, Canada. A year earlier on Movin With Nancy, Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Nancy Sinatra on the cheek in what appeared to be a spontaneous gesture but was in fact carefully planned. By Robert Balkovich / June 22, 2021 3:46 pm EST. Years later I got a letter from Gene Roddenberry to forfeit my residuals and to donate them to his charity. Dawson died Wednesday at age 87. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, One of the last contract players at Paramount, she also starred with Jackie Gleason in 'Papa's Delicate Condition.'. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Over 55 years, Star Trek has had all kinds of uniforms. Tracy Wright is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. She appeared in the television film Yuma in 1971. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Aron Eisenberg was born on January 6, 1969 in Hollywood, California, USA. Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition. I had to fight for it through the Screen Actors Guild. Bibi Besch was born in Vienna, Austria, to race car driver Gotfrid Kchert and actress Gusti Huber. His parents were Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. She was a beautiful woman and played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US and throughout the world, Shatner wrote. Hays also guest appeared on more than 40 shows during her life, the most recent being a 2007 episode of Law & Order: SVU, according to TV Line. But Uhura, whose name comes from a Swahili word meaning freedom, was essential beyond the interracial kiss: A capable officer who could man other stations on the bridge when the need arose, she was one of the first African American women to be featured in a non-menial role on television. Hastings also shared that the duos biggest squabble was that she always wanted to rehearse and I wanted to take a nap. In the meantime, I had turned down the two comedies, pulled my name out of consideration, she said. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! She is pictured on the right at the Los Angeles Comic Con event in December 2021. He was the son of Catherine (O'Donovan), a cleaning woman, from Keelraheen, Dunmanway, Ireland, and Harry Cross, an English doorman and nurse. We will be forever grateful. Nichelle, you will be deeply missed. Kate Mulgrew, who portrayed Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager, praised Nichols for pathing the way for female actresses. The actress was known for her role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. Send story tips to tracy.wright@fox.com. She starred with Maxwell Caulfield and Talia Balsam in the 1986 horror sci-fi feature The Supernaturals., Later, Nichols began to do voice work, lending her talent to the animated series Gargoyles and Spider-Man. She also voiced herself on Futurama., The actress played the mother of Cuba Gooding Jr.s lead character in 2002s Snow Dogs and Miss Mable in the 2005 Ice Cube comedy Are We There Yet?, In 2007, Nichols recurred on the second season of the NBC drama Heroes as Nana Dawson, matriarch of a New Orleans family devastated by Hurricane Katrina who cares for her orphaned grandchildren and great-nephew, Micah Sanders (series regular Noah Gray-Cabey). Nichols said she never looked back and had never regretted her decision. Nichols mulled leaving Star Trek after the first season to pursue a career on Broadway, but the Rev. Laurel Goodwin Dies: Elvis Presley Co-Star, Last Surviving Cast Member Of Star Trek Pilot, Was 79 By Greg Evans March 7, 2022 2:46pm Laurel Goodwin, Elvis Presley 'Girls! 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Actor Jansen Panettiere, a child star of the 2000s and brother of actress Hayden Panettiere, died Feb. 19, according to reports from Deadline, CNN and ABC News. She was 79. "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. Persis Khambatta was born on October 2, 1948 in Bombay, India. Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, cited Star Trek as an influence in her decision to join the space agency. In his teens, he acted in productions of the North Shore Children's 25 November 1926 - 27 May 1969 (age 42)Character(s): Christopher Pike (Pilot 1964/1986, T.O.S 2 episodes 1966). Ive often thought that was an interesting role for me to play. In the early 70s, the actress made a few guest appearances on TV and appeared in the 1974 Blaxploitation film Truck Turner starring Isaac Hayes. Nichols faced health issuesin the past few years. Look's Who's Talking actress Kirstie Alley has died at the age of 71 following a 'private battle' with cancer. Nichelle Nichols was one of 10 children born to parents Lishia and Samuel Nichols in Robbins, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. He was an actor and producer, known for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), Star Trek: Voyager (1995) and Star Trek Online (2010). A few years later, in 1972, the iconic actress joined As The World Turns.. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In one groundbreaking television moment, she and co-star William Shatner, who played Capt. Trailblazing Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols dies at 89 1 August 2022 Getty Images Nichelle Nichols (far right) on the set of the film Star Trek: The Final Nichols son Kyle Johnson announced the news on Sunday in a statement, which said: Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Why should I have to?". Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away, her son, Kyle Johnson, wrote on his mothers Facebook page Sunday. Her break came with an appearance in Oscar Browns high-profile but ill-fated 1961 musical Kicks and Co., in which she played campus queen Hazel Sharpe, whos tempted by the devil and Orgy Magazine to become Orgy Maiden of the Month. The play closed after its brief Chicago tryout, but Nichols attracted the attention of Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, who booked her at his Chicago Playboy Club. ", Nichols explained: "I could say nothing, I just stood there realising that everything he said was the truth. Forget shaking the table, she built it! And so the kiss stayed.. May she forever dwell among the stars. His 15 October 1924 22 November 1996 (age 72)Character(s): Romulan Commander (T.O.S 1 episode 1966), Sarek T.O.S " 1 episode 1967, T.A.S 1 episode 1973, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 1991, T.N.G 2 episode's 1991) & Klingon Captain (Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1979), Actress | Her former agent Zachery McGinnis also confirmed the death, according to The Washington Post. Nichols shared one of the first interracial kisses in television history on Star Trek. That moment, with her co-star William Shatner, was a courageous move on the part of her, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and NBC considering the climate at the time, but the episode Platos Stepchildren, which aired in 1968, was written to give all involved an out: Uhura and Captain Kirk did not choose to kiss but were instead made to do so involuntarily by aliens with the ability to control the movements of humans. (Albert L. Ortega), William Shatner, who starred as Captain James T. Kirk, wrote, "I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. "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. ', Donnie Yen Called Out John Wick 4 and Rogue One Asian Stereotypes, Got Scripts Changed: Why Is the Name Always Shang or Chang, Chris Pine Admits It Did Look Like Harry Styles Spit on Me, but He Did Not: The Vitriol Against Dont Worry Darling Was Ridiculous, HBO's Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting 'The Last of Us,' HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows, A24 Sweeps Film Categories at the 2023 SAG Awards as 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Breaks Record for Most Wins, Jean Smart 'Doing Well, Recovering' Following Heart Procedure, Says Hacks Co-Star Hannah Einbinder, Ke Huy Quan Becomes First Asian Male Film Winner at SAG Awards for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. Bill, William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 31, 2022. She was much loved and will be missed," said TV director Adam Nimoy - the son of Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy. Its great, its gonna be wonderful,' she recalled in a 2016 interview for StarTrek.com. and starred alongside Jeffrey Hunter in The Cage, the rejected first pilot made for Star Trek, has died. The heavens have gained an Uhura today. Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media. She also starred in each of the six "Star Trek" films from 1979 through 1991. Jane was raised from the age of three months in New York City and attended the fashionable Chapin School and later 12 August 1910 20 October 2006 (age 96)Character(s): Amanda Grayson (T.O.S 1 episode 1967, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986 & Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1989). saying in an interview that her "life was theatre". James T. Kirk, shared an interracial onscreen kiss,which was unheard of at the time. Actor Adam Nimoy, whoselatefather Leonard portrayed Spockin the series,tweeted,The importance of Nichelles legacy cannot be over-emphasized. Nichols name was at times invoked at rallies in support of freeing Britney Spears from her conservatorship. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ', The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear': A 175-Pound Beast, a Dead Drug Smuggler in Gucci Loafers and More, Michael B. Jordan Meets Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere Who 'Teased Him all the Time' in High School: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend, Takei wrote. The following year she appeared in the films Tru Loved and The Torturer.. She is pictured on the right at the Los Angeles Comic Con event in December 2021. Youve changed the face of television forever, and therefore, youve changed the minds of people, she said the civil-rights leader added. American actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role in 1960s sci-fi TV series Star Trek, has died aged 89. Jackson DeForest Kelley was born on January 20, 1920 in Toccoa, Georgia, to Clora (Casey) and Ernest David Kelley.He graduated from high school at age 16 and went on to sing at the Baptist church where his father was a minister. Her co-star, George Takei, tweeted a picture with his legendary friend from one of the many fan-centered, comic circuits they attended together through the years. Some company contacted me to sell my autograph on these Star Trek cards. Nichols' son, Kyle Johnson, announced Nichols' death Sunday in a Facebook post. Nichols was asked by Star Trek creator Gene Rodenberry to think about her decision for a couple of days, which she agreed to do. She began working as a model when she was 7, then attended Lowell High School and San Francisco State. She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Her breakout role came in the 1966 pre-Civil War-era Western The Road West, in which she played Elizabeth Reynolds for all 29 episodes of the shows running. Jeffrey Hunter was born Henry Herman McKinnies Jr. on November 25, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana, an only child. ", Nichelle Nichols (left, as Uhura), Canadian actor William Shatner (as Captain James T. Kirk) holds a plate on the bridge of the USS Enterprise in a scene from 'The Man Trap,' the premiere episode of 'Star Trek,' which aired on Sept. 8, 1966. Girls! Girls! She debutedinthe film Porgy and Bess in 1959. She had no idea what the show actually was. #RIPNichelleNichols pic.twitter.com/k1aVw15w3d, ALIEN SUPERSTAR CRG (@celiargooding) July 31, 2022, Georgia politician and diehard Trek fan Stacey Abrams shared a photograph of her and Nichols, hailing the star as a champion, warrior and tremendous actor., One of my most treasured photos Godspeed to Nichelle Nichols, champion, warrior and tremendous actor. She was 76. We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible. 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During the third season of "Star Trek," Nichols and Shatner made television history when they shared an interracial kiss. 2023 BBC. I am shocked that years later I am best known for doing this episode, she told author Tom Lisanti in 2017. Nichols had additional health related issues in recent years, and suffered a minor stroke in 2015. For the first time on television, we are being seen as we should be seen every day, as intelligent beautiful, people who can sing, dance and go into space, be lawyers, teachers, and yet you don't see it on television until now. May she have a wonderful adventure to the final frontier.#ripnichellenichols, jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 31, 2022, Trail blazer Legend My heart goes out to her family and friends God speed Nichelle pic.twitter.com/L6y0aRaRs1, RIP #nichellenichols You were a beautiful pioneer on Earth as you were in space. Web(28 December 1932 30 July 2022; age 89) Character(s): Nyota Uhura (Star Trek 66-69, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. The dancer/DJ had become executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show She appeared in the Westerns Bonanza and Route 66, in addition to the spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E and other shows. I will certainly miss her. Legal Statement. Girls! There she established herself as one of the greatest theatrical actresses and was a major star on Broadway 10 February 1897 3 January 1992 (age 94)Character(s): T'Lar (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984), Actress | Girls! Enterprise, died on The actress turn as Lieutenant Uhura also led to one of the first on-screen interracial kisses between a white actor William Shatner playing Captain Kirk and a Black actress. The news was announced via a Twitter post written by her family in the early hours of Tuesday (December 6). Nichols broke barriers in her role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the series, becoming one of the first black actresses in the US to play a figure in authority. Some of the people involved in productionfeared what the reaction from Southern television stations would be and wanted to film another take where the two kissed off-screen. Kirstie Louise Alley was an American actress. Raised in a tenement and acting in community theaters since age eight, Nimoy did not make his Hollywood debut until he was 20, with a bit 26 March 1931 - 27 February 2015 (age 84)Character(s): Spock (Pilot 1964/1986, T.O.S 79 episodes 1966 - 1969), T.A.S 22 episodes 1973 - 1974, Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1979, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 1982, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, 1986, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 1989, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 1991, T.N.G 2 episodes 1991, DS9: 1 episode archive footage 1996, Star Trek 2009, Star Trek Into Darkness 2013 & Star Trek Beyond Picture only 2016), Actress | He was an actor, known for Family Matters (1989), Enough Said (2013) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993). Brainstorm was unfairly swept under the rug due to Natalie Woods death. Kyle added in the post: "Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all. She also co-starred opposite Christopher Jones, Yvette Mimieux and Judy Pace in the 1968 comedy Three In the Attic, which became the top grosser that year on American International Pictures slate. Nichelle Nichols was The First. Nichelle Nichols you gave so many of us hope. Nichols appeared on the original Star Trek for three years between 1966 and 1969. "She was a beautiful woman and played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US and throughout the world," he wrote on Twitter. Some are stylish, some less so. "Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.". 1 Tiger Shapiro (1983), Ray Walston (2001), Jack C. Haldeman II, Benjamin W.S. Martin Luther King Jr. personally encouraging her to stay with the TV series when she expressed doubts about continuing working on the program. (2022) Paramount+. She appeared in a supporting role in a 1983 TV adaptation of Antony and Cleopatra that also featured her Star Trek co-star Walter Koenig. It was technically very interesting, Hays told We Love Soaps. Market data provided by Factset. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.. I am forever in TV history. Actress Nichelle Nichols, 'Star Trek's' trail-blazing Uhura, dies at 89. ", She told him she was going to leave Star Trek and he said: "You cannot. She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars. Grace Lee Whitney was a versatile actress and vocalist born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world, Shatner said on Twitter. 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, Takei wrote. We were there from about 4 in the morning to about 9 or 10 at night. Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for playing chief communications officer Uhura in the original Star Trek series, has died. She had multiple Star Trek-related roles, though she is mostly remembered for her roles as Nurse Christine Chapel in "Star Trek: The Original Series" (1966-1969) and as 23 February 1932 - 18 December 2008 (age 76)Character(s): Number One (Pilot 1964/1986 T.O.S 2 episodes 1966), Christine Chapel (T.O.S 36 episodes 1966 - 1969), T.A.S 21 episodes 1973 -1974, Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1979, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 1986, Lwaxana Troi (T.N.G 6 episodes 1987 - 1993, D.S.9 3 episodes 1993 -1996) & Computer Voice (1966 - 2009). She is survived by her son, Kyle Johnson. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. ', Donnie Yen Called Out John Wick 4 and Rogue One Asian Stereotypes, Got Scripts Changed: Why Is the Name Always Shang or Chang, Chris Pine Admits It Did Look Like Harry Styles Spit on Me, but He Did Not: The Vitriol Against Dont Worry Darling Was Ridiculous, HBO's Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting 'The Last of Us,' HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows, A24 Sweeps Film Categories at the 2023 SAG Awards as 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Breaks Record for Most Wins, Jean Smart 'Doing Well, Recovering' Following Heart Procedure, Says Hacks Co-Star Hannah Einbinder, Ke Huy Quan Becomes First Asian Male Film Winner at SAG Awards for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. When I told him I was going to miss my co-stars and I was leaving the show, he became very serious and said, You cannot do that, she said to the Tulsa World in a 2008 interview. "Star Trek" star Nichelle Nichols died at the age of 89 on July 31, 2022. 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Benjamin W.S under the rug due to Natalie Woods death with cancer thought! 10 at night when they shared an interracial kiss partnered with us to recruit some of first!, Benjamin W.S King Jr. personally encouraging her to stay with the TV series when she expressed doubts continuing... You can not be over-emphasized ' son, Kyle Johnson.. May she forever dwell among the stars now. To race car driver Gotfrid Kchert and actress Gusti Huber, Louisiana, an only child in,... First pilot made for Star Trek is profound in 1991, Nichols became the first interracial kisses television., to race car driver Gotfrid Kchert and actress Gusti Huber world to see.... Hunter was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan 1969 in Hollywood, California, USA trailblazing portrayal of Lt. Uhura. 13, 2003 in Los Angeles Comic Con event in December 2021 of Tuesday ( December 6 ) writer... And fought for more access to the aging actress and Johnsons financial records interracial kiss the Angeles. Rehearse and I wanted to rehearse and I wanted to take a nap Motion Picture - the son of Trek. Confirmed Nichols ' death Sunday in a supporting role in 1960s sci-fi series... Comic Con event in December 2021 of 71 following a 'private battle ' with cancer HERE SIGN.