MLK Jr. persuaded Nichelle Nichols not to quit Star Trek, telling her that, thanks to her portrayal of Lt. Uhura, “the world sees us as we should be seen, as equals.'
’s heroic bridge officers was groundbreaking in 1966. As an 11-year-oldto her mother, “There’s a Black lady on TV and she ain’t no maid!” After completing the original show’s three seasons, Nichols continued her portrayal in a short-lived animated show in the early 1970s, and in a succession of six films from 1979 to 1991. She was 89 years old at the time of her death.
Born in 1932 in a suburb of Chicago, Nichols began her career as a singer and dancer, touring with both Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton’s bands. She appeared at the legendary Blue Angel club in New York, as well as the Playboy Club, and was in a production ofin Chicago. She also had an uncredited role as a dancer in Otto Preminger’s 1959 film version ofIn 1964 she caught her big break, even if it didn’t seem like it at the time.
In a season two episode, when time was of the essence, Lt. Uhura was seen swiftly soldering clutch communications equipment. As others on the ship look on anxiously, she reminded them that “If it isn't done just right, I could blow the entire communications system. It's very delicate work.” The always logical Mr. Spock responded encouragingly, “I can think no one better equipped to handle it, Miss Uhura. Please proceed.
But she was far from all business. She demonstrated her singing abilities on the show, often accompanying herself on the Vulcan lyre.After the first season of the show, Nichols considered leaving the program and heading back to musical theater. Dr. Martin Luther King, hardly known for his commentary on television programming,her to stay.
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