The original 'Star Trek' premiered on NBC on September 8, 1966. More recently, she had a recurring role on television's 'Heroes,' playing the great-aunt of a young boy with mystical powers. She also served for many years as a NASA recruiter, helping bring minorities and women into the astronaut corps.

Like other original cast members, Nichols also appeared in six big-screen spinoffs starting in 1979 with 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' and frequented 'Star Trek' fan conventions. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again.' 'Star Trek: Voyager' alum Kate Mulgrew tweeted, 'Nichelle Nichols was The First. She was the reminder that not only can we reach the stars, but our influence is essential to their survival. Nichols' impact was felt far beyond her immediate co-stars, and many others in the 'Star Trek' world also tweeted their condolences.Ĭelia Rose Gooding, who currently plays Uhura in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,' tweeted that Nichols 'made room for so many of us. 'For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend,' he tweeted. George Takei, who shared the bridge of the USS Enterprise with her as Sulu in the original 'Star Trek' series, called her trailblazing and incomparable.

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 tweeted Sunday: 'I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. Ntoya Uhura on the original 'Star Trek' television series, died Saturday, July 30, 2022, at age 89. FILE - Members of the 'Star Trek' crew, from left, James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, George Takei, Leonard Nimoy and Nichelle Nichols, toast the newest 'Star Trek' film during a news conference at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Dec.

Nichelle nichols beyond uhura