Nichelle Nichols died of natural causes at age 89 on Saturday (July 30), according to a Facebook message posted by her son, Kyle Johnson. “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,” he wrote. “Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.” Soon after word of her passing spread, members of the Star Trek community publicly mourned the dynamic woman behind the trailblazing character of communications officer Lieutenant Uhura.
George Takei
George Takei was one of the first to share an emotional tribute for his friend and former Star Trek cast member. George, 85, shared a sweet selfie of the two giving the iconic Vulcan hand greeting at a past fan convention. “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,” he wrote in a tweet on Sunday, July 31.
We lived long and prospered together. pic.twitter.com/MgLjOeZ98X
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 31, 2022
“For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend,” he also wrote. “We lived long and prospered together,” he added in a second tweet.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg, who portrayed Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation, reflected on Nichelle’s passing on the Aug. 1 episode of The View, per PEOPLE. “Nichele Nichols was a trailblazer, a heroine, and an extraordinary woman — somebody who inspired millions and millions of people, but who inspired me because I explained when I went to get my gig at Star Trek that Nichelle was the first Black person I’d ever seen who made it to the future.”
“She was head of communications,” continued Goldberg. “And this show and this woman was the one beacon that said, ‘Yes, we’ll be there.’ And it just made me feel like that was an amazing thing. She helped propel other women to go into space. She was extraordinary and I was lucky enough to spend time with her over the years.”
William Shatner
William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk to Nichelle’s Uhura, shared a message following her death. “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle,” he posted to Twitter. “She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social iU.S.ues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family.”
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. 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. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family. Bill
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 31, 2022
Shatner and Nichols are noted for a scene in “Plato’s Stepchildren,” the tenth episode of Star Trek’s third season. In the episode, Kirk and Uhura – under telekinetic control – are forced to kiss. Though it’s often erroneously credited with being the first interracial kiss on television, it’s considered a watershed moment for Black-White on-screen relationships. The kiss is also regarded as one of the most significant moments in Star Trek lore.
LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton famously portrayed Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent movies. Following the news of Nichelle’s death, he posted a photo of him and Nichols together. “Heartbroken at the news of her passing,” he wrote. “However, I am comforted in the knowledge that she illuminated the way for so of us many with her grace, beauty, talent, intelligence, and her commitment to humanity going boldly to the stars!”
Y’all, @nichelleisuhuru.
Heartbroken at the news of her passing, however, I am comforted in the knowledge that she illuminated the way for so of us many with her grace, beauty, talent, intelligence and her commitment to humanity going boldly to the stars! #godess #queen
🙏🏾♥️🌹🖖🏾 pic.twitter.com/ye08mXzs3B— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) July 31, 2022
Celia Rose Gooding
“She made room for so many of us,” tweeted Ceila Rose Gooding, the actress who portrays a young Lt. Uhura on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. “She was the reminder that not only can we reach the stars, but our influence is essential to their survival. Forget shaking the table, she built it!”
She made room for so many of us. She was the reminder that not only can we reach the stars, but our influence is essential to their survival. Forget shaking the table, she built it! #RIPNichelleNichols 🕊✨🖖🏾 pic.twitter.com/k1aVw15w3d
— ALIEN SUPERSTAR CRG (@celiargooding) July 31, 2022
Kate Mulgrew
“Nichelle Nichols was The First,” wrote Kate Mulgrew, who portrayed Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager. “She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again. May she Rest In Peace.”
Nichelle Nichols was The First. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again.
May she Rest In Peace. #NichelleNichols pic.twitter.com/DONSz6IV2b
— Kate Mulgrew (@TheKateMulgrew) July 31, 2022
Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Frakes, who charmed audiences as Commander William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation, wrote that Nichelle was “So kind and so important and so stunning R.I P. ”
So kind and so important and so stunning R.I P. @NichellelsUhura pic.twitter.com/LgUxFjIXo1
— Jonathan Frakes (@jonathansfrakes) August 1, 2022
Marina Sirtis
Jonathan’s TNG co-star, Marina Sirtis (best known as Counselor Deanna Troi), wrote that Nichelle “led the way and opened the door for the rest of us who followed in your wake. We will be forever grateful. My heart is broken.”
RIP @NichelleIsUhura. You led the way and opened the door for the rest of us who followed in your wake. We will be forever grateful. My heart is broken💔😢
— Marina Sirtis (@Marina_Sirtis) July 31, 2022
Jeri Ryan
Jeri Ryan, best known for her role as Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager and Picard, mourned Nicole. “RIP to a true legend,” she tweeted. “Her Legacy will live forever.”
RIP to a true legend. Her legacy will live forever.#NichelleNichols
— Jeri Ryan (@JeriLRyan) July 31, 2022
Melissa Navia
Melissa Navia is a new member of the Star Trek family, portraying Erica Ortegas on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. “Her light will keep shining. Brighter & stronger than ever. All the rest to her now and peace to her family. Cannot wait for the celebration of her life that is to come and all the stories that those who knew her best will share,” she tweeted.”
✨Nichelle Nichols✨ Her light will keep shining. Brighter & stronger than ever. All the rest to her now and peace to her family. Cannot wait for the celebration of her life that is to come and all the stories that those who knew her best will share. https://t.co/lK07CTahJx
— Melissa Navia (@melissaCnavia) July 31, 2022
JJ Abrams
A remarkable woman in a remarkable role. Nichelle, you will be deeply missed. Sending much love and respect. pic.twitter.com/ZRnMblXx0Z
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) July 31, 2022
“A remarkable woman in a remarkable role,” tweeted JJ Abrams, director of the 2009 Star Trek movie and its 2013 sequel, Into Darkness. “Nichelle, you will be deeply missed. Sending much love and respect.”
Nichols, born Grace Dell Nichols, was widely regarded as a trailblazer in the television industry for her portrayal of Black lead Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, debuting in 1966. The role was so monumental that Martin Luther King Jr. called it “the first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history.”
Nichols made her final public appearance at Comic-Con in Los Angeles last December, where she greeted fans alongside members of her family, including son Kyle Johnson and sister Marian Michaels.
Her death was confirmed by Gilbert Bell, who worked as both her business partner and talent manager. Nichols passed away in Silver City, New Mexico.