These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Nichelle Nichols, the actress known for her groundbreaking role as Lt. Nyota Uhura on Star Trek has died at the age of 89. Nichelle Nichols, the woman who brought Uhura to life, died last week at the age of 89. Funeral and burial details, Barbara Everitt Bryant funeral, burial service, pictures, date, time, venue. Thanks for your help! There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. With Uhura on vocals (Nichelle Nichols, who'd previously performed for Duke Ellington!) The family of Nichelle Nichols has launched a fundraiser to support the Star Trek actor and her family in their ongoing legal challenges with an allegedly abusive manager. 1997 Cable News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Johnson began his acting career when he accompanied his mother [when? July 31, 2022. eventAction: 'render' This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Heaven's Gate mass suicide. They were brainwashed into believing they were all about to board an alien spaceship that would transport them to a higher level of existence. Woman in Motion: Directed by Todd Thompson. In addition to the information from the autopsies, CNN reports that a document found in the compound labeled the routine clearly outlined how the suicides were conducted. She had been treated for dementia in her 80s, and in an Instagram post on Sunday, her son, Kyle Johnson, wrote that she died of natural causes. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. She is survived by Kyle, the son from her first marriage, who became an actor. In promotional materials, Nichelle's brother regularly represented himself as her brother. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. According to ABC, the anonymous caller was Rio DiAngelo, a surviving member who left the group after three years and was to stay behind and tell the world about the group's story. I loved these people. Nichelle Nichols (/ n . Her death was confirmed on Instagram by the actress' son Kyle Johnson, who mentioned she died of natural cause. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. All Rights Reserved. } Voice of Diane Maza, "Her Brother's . No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). . Nichols' portrayal of Uhura was ground-breaking for African American actresses on . She was been married twice and had a son, Kyle Johnson, from her first marriage to a tap dancer. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Her brother, Thomas was born on March 26, 1997 in San Diego, California. Nichelle was in shock last night after . Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, better known by his stage name Sidhu Moose Wala, was an Indian singer, rapper, actor, and politician associated with Punjabi music and Punjabi cinema. Tippie was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa on the 5th of, Read More Henry B. Tippie Cause Of Death, Obituary, Burial, Funeral, Memorial ServiceContinue, An American idol runner-up who competed in season 19 and came in second to winner Chayce Beckham in the finale, Willie Spence is dead. She was shocked and under sedation at the news that her brother, Thomas Nichols was among the dead, said her manager, Jim Meecham. When will Darius Campbell Danesh be buried? ga('ads.send', { Please try again later. Her mother, Lishia Mae (Parks) Nichols, was a homemaker. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. She was also involved in the USs first small-screen kiss between a black woman and a white man, Uhura and Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner), in 1968. The group committed suicide so that they could ascend to The Evolutionary Level Above Human," as per RollingStone report. Her contribution to the collective imagination of America whether on the television screen or in her . "I'm not too sure that we will ever have satisfactory answers to that question as to why 39 people would do something like this.". Source: Vimbuzz.com. They all had matching track suits, lined up in bunk beds and wearing Nike (Nike in ancient Greek religion the goddess of victory) tennis shoes and plastic bags over their heads. Please reset your password. 1 mo. Marshall was the son of a Presbyterian preacher and became a stage actor and singer. His parents divorced the year he was born. She was 89 years old. Who had the first Star Trek interracial kiss on November 22, 1968, episode Plato's Children. Star Treks creator, Gene Roddenberry, championed sexual and racial equality, and presented a hopeful vision of the future in the series. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Actress: Star Trek. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Please join the Nichols Family and Me in supporting Nichelle. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. It was one of the first major roles for a Black woman in a US television series. Failed to report flower. That loss is offset somewhat by an interview with Resnick's brother, who spoke . She later played Nana Dawson, the matriarch of a New Orleans family devastated by Hurricane Katrina, in the second series (2007) of the TV sci-fi drama Heroes. Actor Johnson, 70, who is 88-year-old Nichols . He was a member of 39 Heavens Gate. Among the dead was Thomas Nichols, brother of Nichelle Nichols, an actress who played Lt. Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Star Trek Nichelle Nichols Sexy Pics :: diluceinluce.eu. Among the dead was the brother of Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. But did you know the actress brother Thomas Nichols was one of the space cult disciples who died in the mass suicide horror in California in 1997? They were inducted into the Country Music, Read More Naomi Judd Funeral Service 2022Continue, Henry B. Tippie Cause Of Death, Obituary, Burial, Funeral, Memorial Service: Henry B. Tippie was an American businessman. Resend Activation Email. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Her son Kyle Johnson . 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Alex Murdaugh's son Buster 'collapsed' outside court after dad was convicted of double murder. Try again later. Published on July 31, 2022 03:39 PM. A member for 20 years, he frequently identified himself as Nichelle's brother in promotional materials released by the cult. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. },false) Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura on the original STAR TREK series-and broke new ground-has passed away at 89. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood as communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original "Star Trek" television series, has died at the age of 89. You can always change this later in your Account settings. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Responders discovered the dead bodies of 39 Heaven's Gate members, including Marshall Applewhite (via History). Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Nichelle Nichols [1] 1933 Actress, singer, space travel [2] advocate At a Glance [3] Started as a Dancer [4] Dancing Leads to Show Business [5] A Pioneer on Star Trek [6] Celebrity Activist for Space Travel [7] Selected writings [8] Sources [9] As a starring member of the original Star Trek [10] . Marian Nichols Smothers is organizing this fundraiser. Vicky White was an Alabama jail official who gained international infamy after disappearing with a violent murder suspect. hitType: 'event', Martin Luther King Jr. was key . July 31, 2022 12:43pm. She was a singer and dancer before turning to acting and finding fame in her groundbreaking role of Lt. Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek (1966) series.As long as she could remember, she wanted to do nothing but sing, dance, act and write despite no one else in her family following any of those tracks; although her father could tap dance. He died on March 26, 1997, in the cult's mass suicide that purposely coincided with the passing of Comet Hale-Bopp "They talked about the great comet that would come some day.". Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. She lived there for five years, and is now talking to ABCs Diane Sawyer. Help Legendary Nichelle Nichols Recover from Tragic Elder Abuse Perpetrated by Gilbert Bell. A system error has occurred. "(They) asked me what I thought would be the best way to let the world know what they were about," she said. Brother of Nichelle Nichols, the Star Trek actress. In the 1974 blaxploitation film Truck Turner, she was Dorinda, a foul-mouthed madam hiring a gangster to carry out revenge on the bounty hunters (played by Isaac Hayes and Alan Weeks) who killed her pimp boyfriend. It was "almost like it wasn't real," Brunk said. Heavens Gate was led by two native Texans, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, their group was comprised of very devout believers which took some aspects of Christianity and married them to themes from Sci-Fi movies, namely belief in aliens, UFOs, and an ability to transcend their life in earth by evolving into a more advanced state of being. Willie Spence Wife or Girlfriend: Was He Married or Dating? Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. ', "17 Oct 2008, Page 3-5 Chicago Tribune at", "28 Oct 2018, C9 Democrat and Chronicle at", "Nichelle Nichols, turning 85 today and still busy acting, talks about life after 'Star Trek', "Nichelle Nichols, Who Played Uhura on Star Trek, Dead at 89", "Nichelle Nichols On 'The Young And The Restless' 11,000th Episode", "Star Trek: Prodigy Just Went All In On Franchise Easter Eggs", "Lt. Uhura Star Trek: 25th Anniversary", "The Week's Best Photos: Drummer's Delight", The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nichelle_Nichols&oldid=1136914266, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Turner Classic Movies person ID different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episode: "What Is and What Never Should Be", Amusement park feature; appeared in several revisions, This page was last edited on 1 February 2023, at 20:54. This androgynous appearance led investigators to at first mistakenly identify all of the bodies as young men. And a truly lovely person. His further details is not available. Nichelle's brother Thomas Nichols was a follower of the Heaven's Gate sect. Today, the cult is no longer active but its official website from the '90s is still maintained. ). ect.kz Mimi faust sex tape Mimi Faust's Sex Tape News Told Entire. Nichelle Nichols' friend, producer Angelique Fawcette, is devastated over the sale of the star's longtime home amid a conservatorship battle involving her son, Kyle Johnson The members left video diaries explaining their reasons for the mass suicide. Nichelle Nichols, best known for playing Lt. Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, has died. After a quarter-century, one survivor who got out before it was too late is speaking out for the first time in an upcoming interview. This mass suicide was orchestrated by a cult called heavens cult. The brother of "Star Trek" star Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura, joined too, immersing himself in a mystical theology that offered believers the chance to cast off their clunky earth . }); Rio first spoke to ABC News' Diane Sawyer in 1997. Nichols broke barriers in her role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the series . Returning to the part that she had seen simply as a stepping stone to Broadway, Nichols took it more seriously and reprised it in the original Star Treks spin-off films. $5. Many of the notifications were made as a result of those calls, he said. In an interview with Larry King shortly after the Heaven's Gate suicides, Nichelle Nichols talked about her brother, Thomas, as reported by The Seattle Times. Who had the first Star Trek interracial kiss on November 22, 1968, episode Platos Children. Finally, she was permitted to find work as a waitress. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. It wasn't evident that the people were dead; they were positioned on their beds all wearing the same clothing with purple cloths over their bodies, seemingly sleeping. Giddy farewell videos were recorded by the cultists, knowing they were about to commit mass suicide. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. We are one of the worlds fastest growing Then a second group of 15 would die, also assisted by eight people. hitType: 'event', In a complete changearound soon after the Star Trek television series came to an end, she played a blousey madam, then co-starred with Lynn Redgrave n Antony and Cleopatra. Nichols' younger brother, Thomas, was a member of the Heaven's Gate cult. Nichelle Nichols talked about his brother. Oops, something didn't work. He said the family members of some of those who died had been "somewhat upset" that the media obtained and broadcast excerpts from the "good-bye" tape, which was mailed to a former cult member. Marshall Applewhite had convinced them that in order to reach heaven they must abandon their human forms and board an alien spacecraft that would trail behind the tail of the Hale-Bopp comet. They were banned from using drugs, having sex, and eating fast food, among other things. Cult document outlines three-stage suicide, List of the deceased Heaven's Gate members, Deputies' news conference on mass suicide, Extended coverage of recent mass suicides. The campaign has raised about $146,000. She was 89. 1 mo. This mass suicide was orchestrated by . Her paternal grandfather, a white southerner, had alienated his parents by marrying a black woman. Thomas passed away on March 26, 1997. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. This is a carousel with slides. 1. The Cult Next Door: The Mystery and Madness of Heaven's Gate airs tonight on ABC's "20/20" at 9:00 p.m.and beings streaming Saturday on Hulu. Press Esc to cancel. This account has been disabled. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In 1996, photos of the Hale-Bopp comet were taken, and behind it was a Saturn-Like Object (SLO). It was like a little spaceship, Gibbons said. Actress Nichelle Nichols attends the 18th annual official Star Trek convention at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 31, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nichols' younger brother, Thomas, was a member of the Heaven's Gate cult. READ ALSO: Who is Wu Yibing coach Gerardo Azcurra? She is best known for her portrayal of Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, and its film sequels. Trailblazer Nichelle Nichols, who played "Star Trek" communications officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the 1960s TV show and shared one of television's first interracial kisses with William Shatner . The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Actress and singer Nichelle Nichols, best known for her groundbreaking portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura in "Star Trek: The Original Series," has died at age 89, according to a statement from her . Thomas Nichols was the famed brother of Nichelle Nichols. (LogOut/ READ ALSO: Did Nichelle Nichols Die From Stroke, Read More Willie Spence Wife or Girlfriend: Was He Married or Dating?Continue, Vicky White Recent Photos: Vicky White Death Photos, the Alabama jail official who gave her life helping Casey White escape from prison. Her death was confirmed on Instagram by the actress' son Kyle Johnson, who mentioned she died of natural cause. and Spock on Vulcan Harp, this song begins as a gentle teasing of Spock's devilish but attractive features then shifts its attention to Charlie, the aforementioned young man. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Add to your scrapbook. Luckily we did start restaurant jobs at the very end, because I hadnt spoken probably in four years, Gibbons said. Thomas was a member of the Heaven's Gate cult. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Problem is, Charlie is a sensitive "teen" who uses his power to mute Uhura . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. }); Next week, with the help of the FBI, they will go through the large number of computers on the property looking for additional information. Nettles died in 1985, and Applewhite continued to lead the cult's members, making them believe that the end of times was coming. There was a problem getting your location. -Marian Nichols Smothers, Sister of Nichelle Nichols. Nichelle Nichols said on Larry King live that her brother had been talking about the comet that would come some day as early as 1994. hitType: 'event', Nichelle was a veteran singer, actress, and dancer who was best known for her role in Star Trek: The Original Series and its sequels, where she starred as Nyota Uhura. At the University of Cincinnati, he, Read More Brig Owens Wife: Was Brig Owens Married?Continue. The famous Nichelle Nichols was an American actress, singer, and dancer. He died on March 26, 1997, in a cult-led mass suicide timed to coincide with the Hale-Bopp comet's passage. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ }) Three parties fight to control her fate. Sun, Jan 29, 2023 LOGIN . Thomas is said to have died on March 26, 1997. }); March 28, 1997 Web posted at: 9:00 p.m. EST. . The entire process took about three days. Given that 39 victims were found, that would have left a final group of nine. Provided The cult borrowed teachings from the Christian religion, but it was mixed with beliefs of extraterrestrials as well, which was an odd combination but somehow piqued the interest of many. Sorry! Fawcette has filed several petitions with the court seeking to end Nichols' conservatorship, though . Bernard Ghartey is a content writer at Ghanafuo.com. Nichelle also has a sister Marian Michaels and three other siblings who are not well known to the media. All registered. (LogOut/ In his writings, Applewhite preached that when they left their containers and entered heaven aboard a UFO. "Nichelle Nichols was a trailblazing actress, advocate and dear friend to NASA. Actress and singer Nichelle Nichols, best known as Star Trek 's communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, died Saturday night in Silver City, New Mexico. Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 31, 2022. "There's some t's to cross and i's to dot, but at this point, we feel that this is what it appears to be," said Lt. Jerry Lipscomb, a homicide investigator for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. As noted by ATI, Heaven's Gate members were required to let go of material things. She is survived by Kyle, the son from her first marriage, who became . Her brother had cut off all communication with the family for 20 years in keeping with his religious beliefs, Miss Nichols said on ``Larry King Live.'' . Nichelle said that his brother had been discussing a UFO that would fetch Heaven's Gate members about three years before the suicides occurred. Enterprise, has died at the age of 90, according to her official website. After Nichols and her family moved to Chicago, she studied dance at the Chicago Ballet Academy from the age of 12. Despite knowing that Thomas was part of Heaven's Gate, Nichelle was extremely shocked to learn that he was one of the people who died by suicide. The sister of Thomas Nichols the actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt Uhura on the original Star Trek and has been promoting a line of telephone psychics. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Nichelle is the daughter of Samuel Earl Nichols and Salish Parks Nichols. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Her family confirmed Nichols' death from natural causes. "For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes . Thomas Nichols was the famed brother of Nichelle Nichols. Brother of Nichelle Nichols, the Star Trek actress. Try again later. Applewhite told his followers that they would be able to ascend to the Next Level or TELAH (The Evolutionary Level Above Human) when a spaceship comes for them before the apocalypse happens. This is an important role. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. }); Moving to Los Angeles, Nichols was a principal dancer in the film version of Porgy and Bess (1959), which led to her being cast as the campus queen Hazel Sharpe in the original production of Kicks & Co at the Arie Crown theatre in Chicago (1961). . Cult members had told acquaintances that Applewhite preached celibacy. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { Nichelle Nichols to grace one final voyage into the cosmos. Nichols' younger brother, Thomas, was a member of the Heaven's Gate cult. Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood as communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original "Star Trek" television series, has died at the age of 89. That taste of freedom convinced Gibbons it was time to escape. Her elegance and dignity that was rarely matched in any era of television, gave the show instant credibility. Her natural elegance and dignity, her beauty and intelligence radiated on camera and in person. Nichelle Nichols (Grace Dell Nichols), actor and singer, born 28 December 1932; died 30 July 2022, Actor who blazed a trail for black women on American TV in the 1960s in the role of Lt Uhura in Star Trek, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. pg.acq.push(function() { This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed communications officer Uhura on the original "Star Trek" series, died Saturday night in Silver City, N.M. She was 89 years old. With Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Michael Dorn. . "There's nothing in this investigation that would suggest anything but.". As a singer, Nichols released three albums, Down to Earth (1967), Uhura Sings (1986) and Out of this World (1991). We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "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," George Takei wrote on Twitter. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Her father, Samuel Earl Nichols, was a factory worker who also served as the mayor of Robbins and as its chief magistrate. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Autopsies will continue through the weekend, and the medical examiner's office may begin releasing bodies to families late this weekend or on Monday, Blackbourne said. based on information from your browser. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Uhura became an iconic presence despite her role as, essentially, a background character. Nichelle Nichols and William Shatner in Los Angeles in 2006. Who was Thomas Nichols? Blackbourne said none of the castrations on the male victims appeared to be recent. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Nichols' son, Kyle Johnson, announced the news in a statement . Actress Nichelle Nichols' role as a NASA ambassador to bring diversity to the space program is the subject of the . Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. }); He said, "I was always looking for answers, looking for purpose in my life. This browser does not support getting your location. Nichelle shot to fame when she made her way to the 1966 space adventure series 'Star Trek' as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, the ships communications officer. Nichols portrayal of Uhura was ground-breaking for African American actresses on American television. Nichelle Nichols, the 88-year-old actress who played Lt. Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series, is spending her sunset years trapped in an ugly conservatorship battle. We were supposed to be in bed, but my mom worked during . hitType: 'event', Nichelle Nichols, who broke down barriers with her portrayal of translator and communications officer Lt. Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek TV series and . I thought you might like to see a memorial for Thomas Alva Nichols I found on Findagrave.com. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The deputies proceeded from room to room, finding 10 bodies. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. follow my Twitter @bernard_ghartey. "Star Trek" actress Nichelle Nichols in 2016 Getty Images. Updated. Nichols' death was confirmed by her . Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. She was also a regular at Trekkies fan conventions. Although the play closed after a short run in Chicago, Nichols attracted the attention of Hugh Hefner, the publisher of Playboy, who booked her for his Chicago Playboy Club. Kyle Johnson (born August 14, 1951) is an American actor, most notable for his performance in the 1969 film The Learning Tree.. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), In 1964, she acted in an episode of Roddenberrys first series, The Lieutenant, a drama about a marine corps. Nichelle Nichols was one of 10 children born to parents Lishia and Samuel Nichols in Robbins, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. Try again. Nichols attended Englewood High School, from where she graduated in 1951. White, who was a prison guard from Alabama helped a 38-year-old inmate Casey White escape, Read More Vicky White Recent Photos: Vicky White Death PhotosContinue, Brigman Owens was born on 16 February 1943 in Linden, Texas. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Unfortunately, Nichelle's brother, a member of the Heaven's Gate sect, died in a mass . let gads_event; The 87-year-old . She is best known for her portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura on the . Related Posts. Thomas Nichols died in a mass suicide in March 1997. Year should not be greater than current year. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Investigations revealed that the suicides occurred in a three-day period, and they consumed a mixture of barbiturates and alcohol to take their own lives in order for them to leave their physical bodies and enter the Next Level. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Nicholss two marriages, to the dancer Foster Johnson in 1951 and the songwriter Duke Mondy in 1968, both ended in divorce. The actor and singer Nichelle Nichols, who has died aged 89, was one of the first black women to be featured on American television in a non-subservient role when she played the communications officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series (1966-69).