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entertainment">“She was a beautiful woman and played an admirable character who has done so much to highlight social issues both here in the US and around the world. I will definitely miss her, my condolences to her family and send them lots of love,” Shatner wrote on Twitter on Sunday evening about the actress with whom he made history in series Star Trek. Shatner and Nichols shared the first interracial kiss on American television in 1968.
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Nichelle Nichols as Uhura and William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek series in the third season in 1968
Ⓒ Getty Images
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entertainment">Also Star Trekcolleague George Takei reflected on the death of Nichols, who turned 89. “I have more to say about the groundbreaking, inimitable Nichelle Nichols. But today my heart is broken and my eyes shine like the stars between which you rest now, my dear friend.”
entertainment">Adam Nimoy shared a photo of his father Leroy, who played Spock in the original Star Trek series, with Nichols. “The importance of Nichelle’s legacy cannot be overemphasized. She was dearly loved and will be missed,” he wrote. JJ Abrams, who directed the Star Trek reboot movie in 2009, tweeted a photo of Nichols in her role as Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, writing: “A memorable woman in a memorable role. Nichelle, you will be sorely missed. Much love and respect.”
entertainment">Activist Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., shared a photo of Nichols, writing: “Representation matters. Excelling in representation matters even more. Thank you, Nichelle Nichols. Rest in peace, ancestor.”
entertainment">NASA previously responded to Nichols’ death. “We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actress, pioneer and role model, who showed so many people what was possible,” the American aviation organization said on Sunday. “She worked with us to attract some of the first women and minorities as astronauts, and has inspired generations.”
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