Nichelle Nichols, trailblazing 'Star Trek' actress, dead at age 89

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According to a statement from her son Kyle Johnson, actress and singer Nichelle Nichols has passed away at the age

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of 89. She was best recognised for her ground-breaking portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura in "Star Trek: The Original Series."

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"My mother, Nichelle Nichols, died away last night due to natural causes. Her brightness, however, will

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remain for us and future generations to appreciate, learn from, and be inspired by, much like the ancient

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galaxies now being seen for the first time "In a statement posted to Nichols' official website on Sunday,

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Johnson stated. She led a good life that should serve as an example for everyone. Nichols passed away naturally, according to him.

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As Lt. Nyota Uhura on the original TV series, Nichols made history as one of the first Black women to

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appear in a major television series. Her name is derived from the Swahili word for "freedom," Uhuru.

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In the "Star Trek" TV series and many of its spinoff films, Nichols played communications officer Lt. Nyota Uhura.

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