Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols has passed away, her family announced.
Nichelle Nichols, 89, died of natural causes on Saturday night after adding 69 acting credits to her name throughout her six-decade-long career according to IMDb.
In her noteworthy career, Nichols appeared in six Star Trek movies on top of other popular films such as Truck Turner (1974), Are We There Yet? (2005), Snow Dogs (2002), American Nightmare (2018), and This Bitter Earth (2012).
She also appeared in shows like Futurama and Heroes and made history as she became one of the first Black actresses in the US to get cast in a primetime show after appearing as Nyota Uhura on Star Trek back in 1966.
Now, it was confirmed by Sky Conway, a writer and producer speaking on the behalf of Nichols’ family, that the elderly lady died from heart failure on Saturday.
“I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” Nichelle’s son, Kyle Johnson, said in a tribute to his mom.
On Facebook, he added: “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years.
“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.
“Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all. I, and the rest of our family, would appreciate your patience and forbearance as we grieve her loss until we can recover sufficiently to speak further. Her services will be for family members and the closest of her friends and we request that her and our privacy be respected.”
Our thoughts remain with Nichols’s family and friends during these challenging times.