# RIP, Nichelle Nichols; Lt. Uhura **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [July 31, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884 "2022-07-31T19:19:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2022, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/21 "2022-07-31T23:03:47Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > It’s a bit amazing to me that all the principal actors from Star Trek have lived, and are still living, very long lives. Yes, well, it’s all that waving arcane gestures around saying “live long and prosper”, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/22 "2022-07-31T23:24:08Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Ms. Nichols stayed on the show at the behest of Martin Luther King Jr. himself. She said that she was at some dinner event and someone said, “There’s a big fan who wants to meet you.” She didn’t think anything of that intro; she’d been honoured to meet lots of fans. And then she sees Dr King walking towards her with a big grin on his face and was overwhelmed. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/23 "2022-08-01T00:18:35Z")
Wow, massive loss. We now have Shatner, Takei, and Koenig. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/24 "2022-08-01T00:20:21Z")
I’m sad although, from the little I’ve read, this was a blessing. She lived a long and meaningful life. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/25 "2022-08-01T01:48:10Z")
I was sort of dreading this news was coming shortly, having read about her deteriorating health. She and her performances were a part of my referents for most of my life. At the start she was this cool lady who was part of an exciting team (and would ocassionally sing)… then as time went on learning of all else she was about and did… a fine career and a full life for a fine human being. Another of many icons of our popular culture who in a specific time did their part for a much greater cause. _“…and Uhura, whose name means Freedom…”_ **That** mission continues. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/26 "2022-08-01T05:54:04Z")
89 was not a bad run. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/27 "2022-08-01T06:02:59Z")
🖖🏾 RIP To Discourse: yes this is all I need to say. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/28 "2022-08-01T08:22:54Z")
I had hoped that Uhura would appear in DS9. Perhaps as a communication specialist supervising a Federation upgrade to the station. It would have been a special episode. Thanks for the many great memories. RIP ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/29 "2022-08-01T13:21:51Z")
For more: [Nichelle Nichols, trailblazing 'Star Trek' actress, dies at 89 | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/31/entertainment/nichelle-nichols-star-trek-dies/index.html) I loved her as a kid and always wished she’d had a turn in the big chair in the original series. Whoopi Goldberg and astronaut Mae Jemison (both of whom would go on to appear in _ST:TNG_) said she was an inspiration. Rest in peace, Nichelle, and thank you for all the good you did. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/30 "2022-08-01T13:37:36Z")
Another childhood crush is gone. 😪 😘 She was highly intelligent and looked great it that 60’s mini shirt outfit. She wore it with dignity and always had something super intelligent to add to the story. Like the ending of the episode where the people were being persecuted for their religious beliefs by the alternate universe Romans, she explained to Kirk and Spock that “They weren’t worshipping the sun, it was the son of god”. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/31 "2022-08-01T13:48:39Z")
They weren’t big movie stars, except for a period when the films were coming out and by that time they were all older. Which meant the avoided the hard partying, booze and drug filled lifestyles many of their contemporaries indulged in, which took a major toll on their health. Then again the first two Bonds lived into their nineties. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/32 "2022-08-01T14:00:24Z")
You don’t have to be a big star to party hard, booze, and drug yourself - I have poor and obscure co-workers who demonstrate that. It does limit the quality of your chosen poisons, and you have fewer “handlers” to provide CPR in the event that becomes needed so if anything big hard party/drugging stars probably live longer than their poor counterparts. But because the Star Trek cast weren’t big stars they did have to work in a steady manner in order to support themselves, which usually requires a certain level of sobriety (at least part of the week) and being able to function. Which most of them did for decades at a time (Doohan did struggle with alcohol for some years). It would be interesting if someone compared the longevity of “character actors” and “B-listers” to the A-list big stars. But some of it is just down to the fact some people live longer than others. Every so often you’ll get a clump of them together because that’s how randomness actually works, it’s “clumpy” rather than completely evenly distributed. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/33 "2022-08-01T14:08:33Z")
Also the subject of a great ep of Drunk History: [Drunk History - Nichelle Nichols Lives Boldly - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o-uJOzkrJV4&t=329s) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/34 "2022-08-01T14:16:14Z")
Nichols wrote candidly about Gene in her book. They apparently remained friends untill his death. Cite: [Nichelle Nichols Dead: Uhura in Original 'Star Trek' Series Was 89](https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/nichelle-nichols-dead-star-trek-the-original-series-1235330159/) > [@](#): > > While working in Chicago, Nichols was twice nominated for that city’s theatrical Sarah Siddons Award for best actress. The first came for “Kicks and Co.,” while the second was for her performance in Jean Genet’s “The Blacks.” > > She had small roles in the films “Made in Paris,” “Mr. Buddwing” and the Sandra Dee vehicle “Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding!” before she was cast on “Star Trek.” > > During the early ’60s, before “Star Trek,” Nichols had an affair with Gene Roddenberry that lasted several years, according to her autobiography. The affair ended when Roddenberry realized he was in love with Majel Hudec, whom he married. When Roddenberry’s health was failing decades later, Nichols co-wrote a song for him, entitled “Gene,” that she sang at his funeral. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/35 "2022-08-01T14:28:58Z")
I loved her. She’s off to the Final Frontier, with Gene, Majel, James Doohan, Leonard, and DeForest. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/36 "2022-08-01T15:30:52Z")
I remember a story from one of the Star Trek books - don’t remember if it was Whitfield’s or Gerrold’s, and I don’t remember the exact quote. But the story was that while filming an episode of TOS, the director was having a hard time getting the lighting guys to get Nichols lit properly. And I guess the on-set jargon for something not being adequately lit is “black”. So the director kept yelling to the lighting guys “She’s black! She’s black!” Which was kind of cringe inducing to the rest of the cast and crew. And finally Nichols piped up and said something like " And I’m beautiful, baby." RIP Nichelle. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/37 "2022-08-01T15:54:15Z")
But comely. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/38 "2022-08-01T16:05:09Z")
I always wished she could have assumed control of the Enterprise, just once, while Scotty, Kirk, and Spock were dorking around down on some planet. I suppose there was an endless long line of men to fill in, and in case of emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/39 "2022-08-01T16:23:15Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > I always wished she could have assumed control of the Enterprise, just once [She did in the animated series.](https://screenrant.com/star-trek-uhura-facts-trivia/) > In the episode “The Lorelei Signal”, the male crew members of the Enterprise are incapacitated by a “siren song” sent out by the all-female inhabitants of the Taurean system. Uhura is forced to take command and lead an all-female rescue party to find Kirk, Spock and Bones. > > In another episode called “Bem”, Uhura is left in command of the Enterprise when Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and Sulu are all exploring the surface of Delta Theta III. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884/40 "2022-08-01T16:28:32Z")
Actually she was #4 in the Chain of Command. Kirk, Spock, Scotty then Uhura. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-nichelle-nichols-lt-uhura/968884.md?page=3)