Stars we lost in 2022: Nichelle Nichols, Lieutenant Uhura from Star Trek

2022 saw the death of a legend in television history. Fans of 'Star Trek' and science fiction, in general, mourned the passing of Nichelle Nichols. The unforgettable Nyota Uhura from Star Trek passed away on July 30 at the age of 89.

Her son, Kyle Johnson, broke the fateful news via the actress's website and social media. The fond message was accompanied by a photo of a bouquet of flowers on Nichelle Nichols' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Photo: Instagram - @nichellenicholsofficial

"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," the message began.

"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." Kyle's message continued.

"Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all."

Nichelle Nichols is television history in every sense of the word.

Photo: Instagram - @nichellenicholsofficial

As Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, the communications officer of the starship Enterprise, she really pushed a lot of barriers and broke down taboos in 1960s television, being one of the first black actresses to have a leading role in a prime-time series.

Photo: NBC - Star Trek

Before she landed the role, African-American women's roles in film and television had been limited to domestic worker roles or minor appearances. Nyota Uhura, however, was a full-fledged leading lady and no stereotype.

According to the 2010 documentary 'Trek Nation', Nichols had said to creator Gene Roddenberry that she was going to quit the show. At a meeting, Martin Luther King Jr said to her: "You cannot do that … Don’t you understand what this man (Roddenberry) has achieved? For the first time, we are being seen the world over as we should be seen... We don’t need you on … to march. You are marching. You are reflecting what we are fighting for."

In the photo, with Pam Grier.

And that was not all: Nyota Uhura and Captain Kirk would star in the 'first kiss between people of different races'. Absolute television history - although there have been reports of previous interracial kisses, this was the moment most will remember.

In the photo, with William Shatner, Captain James Kirk in the series.

The kiss "changed television forever, and it also changed the way people looked at one another," the actress told CNN in 2014.

And yet, contrary to what it may seem, 'Star Trek,' the original series only ran for three seasons (1966-1969).

Nichelle Nichols was part of the most legendary crew the starship Enterprise has ever seen.

William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), DeForest Kelley (Leonard McCoy), James Doohan (Montgomery Scott), and George Takei (Hikaru Sulu) are just some of the famous names who became members of the crew.

Photo: Instagram - @nichellenicholsofficial

What not everyone knows is that, after the end of the series, Nichelle Nichols joined NASA to help them with diversity. Appearing in a promotional film aimed at recruiting women and people of color to apply to be astronauts, she brought astronauts on board such as Sally Ride and Judith Resnik.

Photo: NASA

The US Space Agency also said goodbye to the actress on social media. "She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts and inspired generations to reach for the stars." A beautiful farewell.