Nichelle Nichols has passed away. The Star Trek: The Original Series actress who played Lt. Nyota Uhura was 89 years old.
The devastating news was shared by Nichelle Nichols' son Kyle Johnson. He confirmed this on his mother's official Instagram account in a lengthy post featuring Nichols' star on the Walk of Fame.
"I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years," Johnson wrote.
"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," he continued.
"Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all," Johnson added.
Nichelle Nichols was best known for her role as Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series and is popularly cited as having the first interracial kiss on American television when she kissed William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk in a groundbreaking episode.
In addition to that, she is noted as one of the first Black women to play a major role on primetime television. Martin Luther King Jr. also stated that Nichols' role in Star Trek is "the first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history." Needless to say, we are losing a truly remarkable woman.
We are deeply saddened to hear about Nichelle Nichols' passing. However, it is also good to know that she passed away from natural causes and was surrounded by her loved ones in her final moments. With that in mind, Nichols will be truly missed by her family, friends, and Trekkies who have supported her throughout the years.
Related: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Will Feature Crossover with Lower Decks
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