According to Variety, actress Nichelle Nichols, known for her role as Uhura in the original Star Trek series, has died at the age of 89.

Nichols’ death was confirmed by Gilbert Bell, his manager and business partner of 15 years.

In 2015, she suffered a stroke, and in 2018, she was diagnosed with dementia.

Born Grace Nichols in Robbins, Illinois on December 28, 1932, the actress began her career at the age of 16 singing with Duke Ellington in a ballet she composed for one of his compositions. She later played with Ellington’s band.

Nichols had one of the first interracial kisses in television history on Star Trek. The moment, along with her co-star William Shatner, was a bold move by her, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and NBC, given the prejudices of the time. This is the remaining point of reference.

Nichols played Lt. Ugura in the original series, lent her voice to Star Trek: The Animated Series, and played Ugura in the first six Star Trek films. Uhura was promoted to lieutenant in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and commander in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Nichols considered leaving Star Trek after the first season to pursue a career on Broadway, but Martin Luther King, who was a fan of the show and understood the importance of her character in opening the door for other African-Americans on television, convinced her to stay on the show.

Nichols also lent his voice in the cartoon series “Gargoyles” and “Spider-Man”. The actress played Cuba Gooding Jr.’s mother in the 2002 film Snow Dogs and Miss Mabel in the comedy Are We There Yet? since 2005.