Nichelle Nichols cause of death updates – Star Trek actress shared her ‘final performance’ just days before dying at 89

NASA’s memorial

The space organization took to Twitter to post a message about their longtime recruiter, saying: “We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible.”

“She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars.”

Acclaimed actress

As a result of her stellar works, Nichelle was awarded a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to television.

She also received The Life Career Award, from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films, in 2016.

Aside from her vibrant performances in the entertainment industry, she also volunteered her time to promote NASA‘s programs and to astronauts from different gender and ethnic backgrounds.

Nichelle was awarded the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal in 2021 for inspiring and recruiting diverse communities to join their space programs.

Nichelle’s farewell tour

On her website, Nichelle posted a message to her fans ahead of her retirement announcing one final celebration – a “farewell tour” at Los Angeles Comic Con in December of 2021.

In her , addressed to “dear friends,” Nichelle wrote that rather than her life coming full circle, her life had been an “infinite spiral.”

“Today, I want to invite you, my beloved friends and devoted fans; everyone who’s helped to make my dreams come true, to see me on my Farewell Tour later this year. 

“It will be a celebration of my career in entertainment with all its challenges, achievements, and the joy of the journey.  I look forward to seeing all of you there.”

Former costar remembers his ‘dearest friend’

Star Trek actor George Takei took to Twitter to honor his former costar Nichelle Nichols with a .

“I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89,” the actor wrote.

“For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”

He then added another tweet with a picture attached of the two friends doing the show’s famous vulcan sign, writing: “We lived long and prospered together.”

Groundbreaking representation

At the time, Nichelle’s role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: The Original Series from 1966 to 1969 was ground-breaking for African American female characters as they were not often represented on American television.

Nichols then went on to star in other productions including Are We There Yet?, Snow Dogs, and Surge of Dawn.

She also lent her voice to several TV shows including Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, Futurama, and The Simpsons.

Her acting career lasted for over 40 years. She made great strides in the representation of women of color, not only on television but in outer space.

Nichelle was also awarded the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal in 2021 for inspiring and recruiting diverse communities to join their space programs.

Nichelle’s conservatorship

Since 2018, Nichelle Nichols lived under a conservatorship that was once controlled by her former manager, Gilbert Bell, who was accused of abusing her financially, according to court documents obtained by .

Bell’s lawyer later denied the allegations and called them “frivolous and offensive.”

Her son, Kyle Johnson, 70, was then able to successfully gain control of the conservatorship, but Nichols’ friend Angelique Fawcette had alleged in court documents that he may have also been abusing her financially, according to .

“You just can’t come and take people’s home and money and just say, ‘Hey, it’s mine. Sorry, you’re old, you’re almost dead anyway, so I’m taking this,'” Fawcette told BuzzFeed News in January 2022 after a protest.

“Look at all these amazing old people who are out there doing things. They’re living the life ’til their last drop and that’s really what I’m fighting for, for Nichelle.”

Johnson’s lawyers also denied the claims and a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge later overruled her objections, stating that she does not have any standing to lodge her complaints,  notes.

MLK’s daughter pays tribute

Bernice King, Martin Luther King Jr’s daughter, tweeted out a  to the Star Trek star on Sunday evening.

“Representation matters,” Bernice wrote.

“Excellence in representation matters even more.

“Thank you, #NichelleNichols. Rest well, ancestor.”

Nichelle met with former President Obama

The star met with the former president in February, 2012, while he was in office.

She  months later, including that the president confirmed he once had a crush on her.

“Months ago, Obama was quoted as saying that he’d had a crush on me when he was younger,” Nichols wrote.

“I asked about that and he proudly confirmed it! President Obama also confirmed for me that he was definitely a Trekker! How wonderful is that?!”

Nichelle Nichols was married twice

The late actress was married two times.

She first married Foster Johnson in 1951.

The pair had a child together, named Kyle Johnson, and split the same year they got married.

She went on to marry Duke Mondy in 1968, and they divorced in 1972.

Star Trek actress pays tribute

Actress Kate Mulgrew shared a tribute to Nichelle Nichols in a heartfelt .

“Nichelle Nichols was The First,” she wrote.

“She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again.”

“May she Rest In Peace.”

Nichelle’s birth name

Nichelle Nichols was born as Grace Dell Nichols.

The actress was from Robbins, Illinois, and is the third of six children in her family.

She was born on December 28, 1932.

Nichelle’s son is an actor

Kyle Johnson, the son of Nichelle Nichols, followed in his mother’s footsteps and became an actor.

He is most known for his performance in The Learning Tree, a 1969 film.

He also was a musician in the 1980s, and briefly hosted a radio show.

Stacey Abrams pays tribute

The Democratic Nominee for Governor of Georgia shared a tribute to Nichelle Nichols, along with a photo of them together.

“One of my most treasured photos – Godspeed to Nichelle Nichols, champion, warrior and tremendous actor,” she wrote.

“Her kindness and bravery lit the path for many. May she forever dwell among the stars.”

MLK persuaded Nichelle to stay

A fan, Dr. Martin King Jr. said to Nichelle: “You cannot, you cannot. Don’t you understand what this man has achieved?”

“For the first time on television, we will be seen as we should be seen every day – as intelligent, quality, beautiful people who can sing dance and who can go into space,”

“Who can be lawyers, who can be teachers, who can be professors, who we are in this day and yet you don’t see it on television until now.”

“If you leave Nichelle, Gene Roddenberry has opened a door for the world to see us.

“If you leave that door can be closed because you see your role is not a black role and it’s not a female role. He can fill it with anything including an alien.”

Dr. King persuaded her to stay on the show and continue to be a role model.

Nichelle almost quit Star Trek

In an interview with the Archive of American Television, Nichelle recalled a life-changing moment with a fan.

Nichelle was about to quit Star Trek after the first season because she was offered a role in a play and dreamed of being on Broadway.

She even handed in her letter of resignation to the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry which he rejected until she thought about it for a few more days.

‘Live Long and Prosper’

Her son’s statement continued: “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.”

He concluded by saying: “Live Long and Prosper.”

Nichelle Nichols’ son announced death

In an Instagram post on July 31, 2022, Kyle Johnson, Nichelle’s son, announced her death saying: “Friends, Fans, Colleagues, World. 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.”

More about Nichelle Nichols

She was also the voiceover for Diane Maza, Elisa Maza’s mother, in the animated series, Gargoyles.

Nichelle was awarded a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to television.

She also received The Life Career Award, from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films, in 2016.

Aside from her vibrant performances in the entertainment industry, she also volunteered her time to promote NASA‘s programs and to astronauts from different gender and ethnic backgrounds.

Who was Nichelle Nichols?

Nichelle Nichols was born on December 28, 1932, in Robbins, Illinois.

She was a veteran singer, actress, and dancer who was best known for her role in Star Trek: The Original Series and its sequels, where she starred as Nyota Uhura.

Nichelle also appeared in animated form as one of Al Gore’s Vice Presidential Action Rangers in the Anthology of Interest I episode of Futurama.

Nichelle about her Star Trek role

The actress was grateful for the opportunity to play such a pivotal role on television.

“I think it’s been one of the most remarkable things in my career," she told PBS.

"That this one character that was a gift to me.

"[The character] became this iconic image and inspired and impacted so many people’s lives in positive ways."

What did MLK say to Nichelle?

When Nichelle thought of quitting Star Trek to move to Broadway, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr had some words for the actress.

According to , Nichelle remembers MLK saying to her: "I am the biggest Trekkie on the planet, and I am lieutenant Uhura’s most ardent fan."

He then asked her: “Do you not understand what God has given you?

"You have the first important non-traditional role, non-stereotypical role.

"You cannot abdicate your position. You are changing the minds of people across the world, because for the first time, through you, we see ourselves and what can be."

Music career

At the start of her career, Nichelle went on an international tour as a jazz vocalist with the Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton bands.

She later released two albums: Down to Earth and Out of This World, which is a rock album that's based on space exploration.

On Star Trek, the actress sang songs in various episodes.

Got her start in theater

Nichelle Nichols' big break came in a 1961 musical by Oscar Brown in Chicago called Kicks and Co.

After being discovered in the play by Hugh Hefner, Nichelle booked gigs as an actress, singer, and model until she toured as a musician.

Nichelle gave a sign

When the sci-fi legend, 88, was in California last year to film Renegades: Ominara, she took a picture with the actress that plays her younger self, Loren Lott.

In the picture, Nichelle gave the famous vulcan hand sign.

Final convention appearance

Comic Con Los Angeles posted a message memorializing the iconic actress as she celebrated her retirement at their gathering last December.

"Our hearts are with the family, friends, and fans of Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols who has passed away at the age of 89," the convention's Instagram story reads.

"Her impact on the world and pop culture was legendary.

"We are so grateful to have hosted her final convention appearance and for her contribution to society. Rest in peace."

The message concludes with an emoji of the vulcan hand sign.