Nichelle Nichols, one of the ten children born to Lishia and Samuel Nichols, was a Chicago suburb native, specifically from Robbins, Illinois. Prior to pursuing an acting career, she showcased her talents as a singer and dancer. This journey ultimately led her to iconic fame as Lt. Nyota Uhura in the groundbreaking Star Trek series that premiered in 1966.
From a young age, Nichelle had a strong desire to excel in multiple creative fields, including singing, dancing, acting, and writing. In contrast, her family did not follow a similar path, with the exception of her father, who possessed impressive tap dancing skills. Notably, Samuel Nichols went on to become the mayor of Robbins, Illinois, as well as a magistrate. Nichelle's impressive stage presence earned her two Sarah Siddons Award nominations for Best Actress of the Year.
Throughout her film career, Nichelle had the opportunity to collaborate with notable stars, including Sammy Davis, Jr. in Porgy and Bess, and James Garner in Mister Budwing, which was released in 1965. Following the conclusion of the Star Trek television series, Nichelle made a significant career shift, taking on the role of a madam and co-starring alongside Lynn Redgrave in Antony and Cleopatra.
In her personal life, Nichelle has been married twice and has a son, Kyle Johnson, from her first marriage to a tap dancer.
