Actress Nichelle Nichols, known as Lt. Uhura on original Star Trek, dies at 89

CHICAGO (AP/CBS) -- Nichelle Nichols, who gained fame as communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original "Star Trek" television series, has died at the age of 89.

Her son Kyle Johnson said Nichols died Saturday in Silver City, New Mexico.

"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," Johnson wrote on her official Facebook page Sunday. "Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all."

Her role in the 1966-69 series as Lt. Uhura earned Nichols a lifelong position of honor with the series' rabid fans, known as Trekkers and Trekkies. It also earned her accolades for breaking stereotypes that had limited Black women to acting roles as servants and included an interracial onscreen kiss with co-star William Shatner that was unheard of at the time.

Nichols was the first African American woman on television to play a main cast role in the Sci-Fi series. She was prepared to leave the series but stayed after Martin Luther King convinced her of the importance of the role. She often recalled how the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a fan of the show and praised her role.

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 also served for many years as a NASA recruiter, helping bring minorities and women into the astronaut corps.

NASA shared a photo of her time with them in a tweet. 

More recently, she had a recurring role on television's "Heroes," playing the great-aunt of a young boy with mystical powers. 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged Nichols' passing in a tweet, saying, "Your home state of Illinois will forever treasure your legacy." 

Tyrone Haymore, the executive director of the Robbins Historical Society Museum, released the following statement regarding Nichols' passing: 

The Robbins History Museum and the entire Village of Robbins is sadden and mourning the news today of the passing of our very own beloved and most famous TV/Movie actress Nichelle Nichols. As you know, Nichelle was born here in Robbins, Illinois where father Samuel Nichols once served as the Mayor of Robbins, IL and her grandparents were among the first black settlers who help founded and incorporated the Village of Robbins, IL in 1917.

Nichelle will be greatly missed by all, especially the Village of Robbins, but we have lots of memories of her life, legacy and visits back home in Robbins, IL that will live on in all of us who knew her personally as a neighbor, friend and Icon. 

One of her Star Trek uniforms is on display currently in The Robbins History Museum . 

We send our Love, Sympathy and Condolences to her son Kyle, and the entire Nichols family. 

The mayor of Robbins also released a statement from the Village: 

Today the Village of Robbins mourns with the world the passing of Nichelle Nichols. Mostly known for her legendary role in Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols served as a bright star to the Village of Robbins. Nichelle Nichols will also be remembered as a trailblazer who broke many barriers for both African Americans, and women in the acting industry. We pray for the family, friends, and those closely affected during this difficult time.

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