Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols received a three-day farewell celebration at Comic-Con in Los Angeles the weekend of Dec. 3. Nichols attended the event at the Los Angeles Convention Center to receive her well-deserved honor.
The 88-year-old star was the first Black woman to have a leading role on television on Star Trek. The actress played Communication Officer Lieutenant Uhura. She was also the first Black woman to have an interracial kiss on television when her character kissed Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner.
After leaving her role on Star Trek, Nichols worked for NASA, helping to inspire and recruit young Black women into the space program. The first Black woman astronaut, Sally Ride. Former astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison joined NASA due to Nichols’ recruitment efforts and was at Comic-Con to honor her role model.
Nichols was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, but she was in good spirits at the event. She attended with her son, Kyle Johnson and Marian Michaels, her sister. Also with Nichols were her friends, actresses Beverly Todd and Judy Pace. Nichols blew kisses to her fans as she waved and smiled. She also threw the Vulcan salute a few times.
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Johnson spoke about his mother at the celebration and praised her skills as a mother and human being.
“I’ll just say very succinctly that I am the child that my mother raised, and I’ll be eternally grateful to her for how she executed that role as a mother,” said Johnson. “I can’t imagine that anyone could have done a better job of it… It’s because of my deep appreciation for her sensitivity, support, encouragement and example as a mother.”
NASA Astronaut Appearance Specialist Denise Young was also inspired by Nichols’and presented the actress with NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal to diversify the space program. Nichols rose from her wheelchair to accept the award and received a standing ovation. Star Trek: Discovery actress Sonequa Martin-Green also paid tribute to the icon.
The veteran actress’ son is currently in a conservatorship battle with Nichols’ manager, Gilbert Bell. Bell allegedly tried to have Johnson removed from Nichols’ guest house in 2019. Bell also reportedly tried to marry Nichols and accused Johnson of misappropriating funds. The legal battle is ongoing.
