Nichelle Nichols who famously portrayed communications officer Uhura on the original Star Trek series passed away on Saturday night in Silver City, N.M. She was 89 years old.
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Nichols' death was confirmed by Gilbert Bell, her talent manager and business partner of 15 years. Tributes poured in for Nichols on social media.
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Nichelle Nichols was a trailblazer and an icon whose role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the series made her one of the first black actresses in the US to play a figure in authority.
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Nichols also shared one of the first interracial kisses in television history on Star. Nichols' passing left several Hollywood stars who knew and worked with her heartbroken.
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In a statement posted on Facebook, her son Kyle Johnson wrote, "I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years"
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Director J. J. Abrams wrote on Twitter, "A remarkable woman in a remarkable role. Nichelle, you will be deeply missed. Sending much love and respect."
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William Shatner wrote, "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."
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Nichols, who had trained in ballet and musical theatre, at one point, told "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry that she wanted to quit the show to return to the theatre.
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