Ive got to do Star Trek. 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). Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. She was 89 years old. 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. Nichelle was a singular inspiration. "You've changed the face of television forever, and therefore, you've changed the minds of people," she said the civil rights leader told her during a meeting. Read about our approach to external linking. Nichols starred as Lieutenant Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series. We are limitless. 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! #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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. She was also reportedly suffering from dementia and involved in a guardianship battle. 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. Khambatta became a model for companies such as Revlon. That show was fascinating to work on from a technical point of view. Thrett, who was born Diane Pine in 1946, appeared on a number of big-name series of the period, including The Wild, Wild West, I Dream of Jeannie and McCloud. Nichelle Nichols died July 30 at age 89, according to a Facebook post by her son, Kyle Johnson. His 11 March 1989 - 19 June 2016 (age 27)Character(s): Pavel Chekov (Star Trek 2009, Star Trek Into Darkness 2013 & Star Trek Beyond 2016). Sending my love and condolences to her family.". She was 76. Her former agent Zachery McGinnis also confirmed the death, according to The Washington Post. Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media. Colt opposite Hunter as Capt. Nichols role in Star Trek: The Original Series was pioneering as she appeared in a major authoratative role at a time when many African-American actors were being cast as servants. During the third season of "Star Trek," Nichols and Shatner made television history when they shared an interracial kiss. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. She reportedly passed away due to natural causes. Star Trek star William Shatner, who Nichols shared one of the first interracial kisses on television with, also voiced his condolences. Ajudge consistently sided with Johnson. 1/2, Alex Kurtzman (@Alex_Kurtzman) July 31, 2022, My favorite photo of Dad and Nichelle Nichols on set. I will certainly miss her. John Hoyt was born on October 5, 1905 in Bronxville, New York, USA. And so the kiss stayed.. Star Trek and As the World Turns actress Kathryn Hays dead at 87 By Alex Mitchell April 8, 2022 3:00pm Updated "Star Trek" and "As the World Turns" actress He died on September 21, 2019 in the USA. That man was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said: "Yes, Miss Nichols, I am your greatest fan. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. called Nichols "a remarkable woman in a remarkable role.". From 1997 to 2000, she starred in the sitcom Veronica's Closet, earning additional Emmy and Golden Globe (January 12, 1951 December 5, 2022; aged 71)Character(s): Saavik (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan). I loved playing that. I cant tell you how many people have told me shes the reason they became an astronaut, a scientist, a writer, a linguist, an engineer it goes on and on. 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. He was 28. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. 2 MIN READ. By Kalhan Rosenblatt Nichelle Nichols, the groundbreaking actor who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the original "Star Trek" series, has died. 2 min read. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Nichelle Nichols, one of the original cast members of "Star Trek," has died at 89, according to a Facebook post by her son, Kyle Johnson. Sign up for notifications from Insider! (1962), Goodwin played the wholesome rich girl Laurel Dodge, who battles with a singer (Stella Stevens) for the affections of Elvis tuna fisherman and helps him get the boat he always wanted. When aged 16, as Femina Miss India, she entered Miss Universe 1965, dressed in off-the-rack clothes she bought at the last minute. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Actress and singer Nichelle Nichols, best known as Star Trek 's communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, died Saturday night in Silver City, New Mexico. Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away, her son, Kyle Johnson, wrote on his mothers Facebook page Sunday. 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. Hastings also shared that the duos biggest squabble was that she always wanted to rehearse and I wanted to take a nap. Ben Cross was born Harry Bernard Cross on December 16, 1947, in London, England. My heart is broken, Marina Sirtis (@Marina_Sirtis) July 31, 2022, Lynda Carter, who portrayed Wonder Woman in the 1970s DC Comics television series, shared that Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media., Many actors become stars, but few stars can move a nation. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter honoured Nichols impact on other women in the media, and wrote in her tribute: Many actors become stars, but few stars can move a nation. pic.twitter.com/1zlTd4F9BD. He was 28. Why should I have to?". There had been a couple of interracial kisses on American television before. She was 89. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again. The world was not the same. Nichols appeared on the original Star Trek for three years between 1966 and 1969. In her 1994 book Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories, Nichols wrote of the iconic moment: Finally, the guys in charge relented: To hell with it. ", Nichols later said: "At that moment, the world tilted for me and I knew then that I was something else. as well as other partner offers and accept our. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 31, 2022. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. She appeared in the television film Yuma in 1971. 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CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER, "We lived long and prospered together," Takei wrote. and starred alongside Jeffrey Hunter in The Cage, the rejected first pilot made for Star Trek, has died. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend., A message on Star Treks official Twitter account read: Were deeply saddened to report the passing of Nichelle Nichols a trailblazer, an inspiration, and so much more. She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars. She was 89. Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines of the week, Jussie Smollett files appeal argument in hate crime hoax conviction, Michael B. 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He is primarily known for playing Vulcan ambassador Sarek (Spock's father) in "Star Trek: The Original Series" and a number of its spin-offs.In 1924, Lenard was born under the name "Leonard Rosenson" in Chicago Illinois. Uhura was promoted to lieutenant commander in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and to full commander in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.. We want to hear from you! And I remember being angry - why me? As noted by the Post, she was considered a trailblazer for Black actors, particularly for portraying a Black woman in a position of authority. They dont like when you do that and hurts your chances to be on the show again. We will be forever grateful. Peter Duryea was born on July 14, 1939 in Los Angeles, California, USA. 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