The terrible news has just come in that Nichelle Nichols has died. Famous for her role as Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, a role she would reprise in the feature films, Nichols has long been recognized as barrier breaker for Black woman on television, at one point drawing praise from Dr. Martin Luther King. She is also one of the most beloved members of the Star Trek community and has been very popular with Trekkies for several decades.
On July 31, it was announced by Nichols' son, Kyle Johnson, on her official Instagram page that the Star Trek legend has died at the age of 89. The post contains an image of Nichols' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame adorned with flowers and includes a statement announcing her passing. Johnson also shared some words about his late mother and how she will continue to serve as an inspiration for others, even in death. You can read the statement below.
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. Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all. I, and the rest of our family, would appreciate your patience and forbearance as we grieve her loss until we can recover sufficiently to speak further. Her services will be for family members and the closest of her friends and we request that her and our privacy be respected. Live Long and Prosper, Kyle Johnson .
Nichelle Nichols Made Her Final Comic-Con Appearance in December
In December 2021, Nichelle Nichols would give her fans the opportunity to meet with her one last time. For many years, she had enjoyed attending fan conventions, but with her declining health, the time had come for the actress to take a step back, and she attended her final Comic-Con. At the time, son Kyle Johnson praised all that his mother had done on and off the screen as a beloved member of the Star Trek community.
"A life well-lived is reward enough, every day, and my mother's certainly had a life well lived in many respects. This is an exceptional recognition, and I'm of course very proud of her for all that she's done, and the value and the meaning of her work. Not just as an actress, but very real and important work that she inspired and enabled people to understand."
Sonequa Martin-Green, who serves as one of the lead stars of the modern series Star Trek: Discovery, also spoke very kindly of Nichols at the event. Martin-Green touched on the legacy of the television icon, feeling that she owes her success to the groundwork Nichols had already laid many years before.
"Nichelle's legacy can be described as that of sacrificial, heroic contribution. She decided to stay, and ultimately devoted her entire self to the progression of Black people, people of color and women. And she gave everything. She gave her time, her energy. She gave her intelligence, her wisdom, her leadership, and her heart for the betterment of the world and the future. I am only here because of her. I also owe it to Nichelle to continue her legacy of heroism through sacrifice. And that is what she has taught me. That is how her words have been reverberating in my heart here lately, is making that choice to step away from self-interest, and instead devote yourself to the interests of others."
Rest in peace, Nichelle Nichols.