American singer, actress and executive producer Nichelle Nichols was born on December 28, 1932 in Robbins, Illinois. As she studied in New York and Los Angeles, she sang at the Blue Angel and Playboy Clubs, as well as appearing onstage in the title role of the musical Carmen Jones. She also toured Europe, Canada and the United States with the Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington bands, continuing to perform as a singer. She would later to go on to her most famous role, communications officer Uhura in the original Star Trek sci-fi series, as well as continuing to work on television in shows such as The D.A., Ironside, Gargoyles, and Batman: The Animated Series.

Uhura is portrayed by Nichelle Nichols in the science fiction cult classic television series Star Trek. A native of Africa and fluent in Swahili, she joins the crew of the USS Enterprise in 2266, serving as a lieutenant and as chief communications officer under the command of Captain James T. Kirk. Uhura constantly proves herself a proficient bridge officer and technician, capable of manning the starship’s helm when the need arises. She is later promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander, and then commander, and becomes an instructor at Starfleet Academy.



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