The actor was 89 years old.
The artist’s son confirmed the death on Facebook.
Nichols is best known for her role as Lieutenant Nyuta Oora on “Star Trek”. She was the first African-American woman to star in television, and shared the first televised kiss between a black woman and a white man.
Her light, like ancient galaxies now seen for the first time, will remain with us and with future generations, for joy, learning and inspiration, her son Kyle Nichols writes on Facebook.
Nichols earned a lot of recognition for his role in “Star Trek”. When at some point I thought about leaving the series, it was Martin Luther King Jr. He asked her to continue.
George Takei (85), who played Helmsman Hikaru Solo alongside Nichols on the original “Star Trek” series, paid tribute to him on Twitter:
– I want to say more about superstar and innovator Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lieutenant Uhura on “USS Enterprise,” Takei.
But today my heart is heavy, and my eyes shine like the stars that are now resting between you, my dear friend Takei.
Nichols lived to be 89 years old.
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