Star Trek legend, Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura in the original TV series will appear at the NY Winter Con this weekend.
Before being cast in Star Trek, Nichols had a guest appearance in Gene Roddenberry’s first series, The Lieutenant, in 1964.
Born in Robbins, Illinois, near Chicago, Nichols studied dance at the Chicago Ballet Academy and began her career early as a vocalist and dancer for live jazz orchestras. In her early career, Nichols sang with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. She made her film debut in 1959, as an uncredited dancer in a film adaptation of the opera Porgy and Bess starring Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis Jr.
Nichols was twice nominated for the Sara Siddon Award for best actress. Her first Siddon nomination was for her portrayal of Hazel Sharp in “Kicks and Co She studied in Chicago as well as New York and Los Angeles, and while in New York she appeared at the famous Blue Angel and Playboy Clubs as a singer. She also appeared in the title role for a Chicago stock company production of “Carmen Jones.”
Nichols would later be invited to audition for the groundbreaking role that would change her life forever. In 1966, she was cast as the now memorable and legendary Lieutenant Uhura in the television series, Star Trek. Her role as a commanding African-American woman garnered her notice and praise from audiences of many different cultures and later opened doors for other women of color to portray leading roles in television series, such as actress Diahann Carroll’s role as a working nurse in the1968 television series Julia.
Nichols will be appearing at the Wintercon event throughout the weekend.
The New York City Winter Con Comic Book & Sci Fi expo is being held at the Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, Queens.
