Nichols' breakout role came when Roddenberry cast the actress as Lt. Nyota Uhura on the originalStar Trekseries.

1974

Isaac Hayesand Nichelle Nichols in the blaxploitation filmTruck Turner.

Nichols had been hired by NASA afterStar Trekwas canceled.

Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Nyota Uhura in the STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES episode, “Arena.” Original air date January 19, 1967.

Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Nyota Uhura in ‘Star Trek.'.CBS via Getty

2006

Nichelle Nichols duringComedy Central’sRoast of William Shatner.

William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols duringComedy Central’s Roast of William Shatner.

2008

Dick Van Dyke and Nichelle Nichols attend the 2008 Backlot Film Festival Tribute to Carl Reiner.

Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock and Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura in the STAR TREK episode, “Charlie X.” Season 1, episode, 2. Original air date September 15, 1966.

CBS via Getty

Nichelle Nichols in the movieTru Loved.

PresidentBarack Obamaposes with Nichelle Nichols giving the Vulcan salute in the Oval Office.

Nichelle Nichols photographed outdoors in Calabasas.

STAR TREK, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, episode: ‘The Trouble With Tribbles’, Season 2, 1966-69

Courtesy Everett Collection

Nichelle Nichols andSonequa Martin-Greenpose at the premiere of CBS’sStar Trek: Discovery.

2021

Nichelle Nichols films her final performance forRenegades: Ominara.

Nichelle Nichols at the Los Angeles Comic Con held at Los Angeles Convention Center.

Nichelle Nichols as Uhura and William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk in the STAR TREK episode, “Plato’s Stepchildren.” Original air date, November 22, 1968. Season 3, episode 10.

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TRUCK TURNER, Isaac Hayes, Nichelle Nichols, 1974

Courtesy Everett Collection

The space shuttle orbiter OV-101, aka ‘Enterprise’, is unveiled at the NASA/Rockwell International Space Division assembly plant at Palmdale, California, in the presence of the cast of hit tv show ‘Star Trek’, 17th September 1976. From left to right, NASA administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher, actors DeForest Kelley, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, series creator Gene Roddenberry and actor Walter Koenig.

Space Frontiers/Getty

Monitored by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) doctor, American actress Nichelle Nichols (born Grace Dell Nichols) uses a treadmill as part of a NASA program aimed at recruiting minority applicants to the space program, 1977. Nichols had been hired by NASA after her television show, ‘Star Trek,’ had been cancelled.

NASA/PhotoQuest/Getty

Jackson, center, poses with left to right: daughter Zoe, wife LaTanya, and mother Michelle Nichols at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame June 16, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA.

Online USA/Getty

Nichelle Nichols during Comedy Central’s Roast of William Shatner - Show at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California, United States.

Jason Merritt/FilmMagic

William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols during Comedy Central’s Roast of William Shatner - Show at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California, United States.

Jason Merritt/FilmMagic

Actor Dick Van Dyke and actress Nichelle Nichols attend the 2008 Backlot Film Festival Tribute to Carl Reiner on April 5, 2008 in Culver City, California.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

TRU LOVED, Nichelle Nichols, 2008.

Here! Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

Brad Altman and actors Nichelle Nichols and George Takei attend Day 4 of the Official Star Trek Convention at the Rio Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on August 14, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

David Livingston/Getty

Leonard Nimoy, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei attend Koenig’s induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 10, 2012 in Hollywood, California.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

U.S. President Barack Obama poses with actress Nichelle Nichols giving the Vulcan salute of Star Trek fame in the Oval Office of the White House February 29, 2012 in Washington, DC. Nichols played the character Nyota Uhura in the long running television series.

White House Photo/Alamy Stock Photo

Actress Nichelle Nichols photographed outdoors in Calabasas

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

Actress/honoree Nichelle Nichols accepts the Mary Pickford Award at the 2016 Heroes Of Hollywood Awards Luncheon held at Taglyan Cultural Complex on May 11, 2016 in Hollywood, California.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Actresses Nichelle Nichols and Whoopi Goldberg on day 2 of Creation Entertainment’s Official Star Trek 50th Anniversary Convention at the Rio Hotel & Casino on August 4, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Comic book writer Stan Lee (L) and actress Nichelle Nichols attend the Stan Lee Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on July 18, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

David Livingston/Getty

Nichelle Nichols and Sonequa Martin-Green pose at the Premiere Of CBS’s “Star Trek: Discovery” held at The Cinerama Dome on September 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Nichelle Nichols (C) accepts an Inkpot Award onstage at the “From The Bridge” Panel during Comic-Con International 2018 at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2018 in San Diego, California.

Mike Coppola/Getty

Actress and Original Star Trek cast member Nichelle Nichols films her final performance for “Renegades: Ominara” at Northrop Grumman on March 5, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Nichelle Nichols and son Kyle Johnson attend Day 3 of the 2021 Los Angeles Comic Con held at Los Angeles Convention Center on December 5, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Nichelle Nichols attends Day Three of the 2021 Los Angeles Comic Con held at Los Angeles Convention Center on December 5, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Star Trek Day paid tribute to Uhura actress Nichelle Nichols, who died at the age of 89.Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images