Nichelle Nichols

Actress Nichelle Nichols made history as Lt. Uhura in "Star Trek," breaking barriers and inspiring generations with her portrayal of a strong, intelligent Black woman in a prominent role.

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Birth Name :

Grace Nichols

Profession :

TV Actress

Birthday :

December 28, 1932

Star Sign :

Capricorn

Age :

92

Birthplace :

Robbins, Illinois

Nichelle Nichols, born Grace Dell Nichols on December 28, made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and beyond. She rose to fame for her iconic role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original “Star Trek” series (1966-1969), becoming one of the first prominent African American female characters on American television. Her portrayal of Uhura broke racial barriers and inspired future generations, including Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space.

Nichols’ career spanned several decades, with notable performances in television shows and films such as “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (1974), “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” (1979), and “Heroes” (2006-2010). She received multiple NAACP Image Awards and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992.

Beyond her acting career, Nichols was a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry and STEM fields. She served as a Goodwill Ambassador for NASA, encouraging young people, especially women and minorities, to pursue careers in science and technology. She co-founded Women in Motion, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through STEM education.

In recognition of her contributions, Nichols received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal in 2015 and was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2008.

Nichelle Nichols’ legacy as a trailblazing actress and advocate continues to inspire and empower future generations to break barriers and pursue their dreams.