Nichelle Nichols is an American actress. She is known not only in this role. Nichel is a dubbing specialist, model and a great singer. Before the beginning of the career of an actress, she performed with D. Ellington and L. Hampton. One of her most famous roles is in the series Star Trek. His character "rose" to the rank of commander. Nichel tried herself as a producer, as well as in the modeling business.
Childhood
Nichelle Nichols, whose photo is in this article, was born on December 28, 1932 in the US state of Illinois, in Robbins, not far from Chicago. Her father, Samuel Earle, at first was just a local worker. But over time, he became the mayor of the city and the head of the local magistrate.
When his career went up, he moved his family to a small but cozy Chicago apartment. It was left by its former owners when the Black families settled in the neighborhood. She first studied in Chicago. Then in New York, then in Los Angeles.
Nichel had a sibling. But it so happened that he fell under the influence of one of the cults. And committed suicide. There was a tragedy near San Diego, on the Santa Fe Ranch.
Singer career
Nichelle Nichols decided to try herself as a dancer and singer first in Chicago. It was in this city that she first appeared on stage in a small local club. Then, having left for New York, Nichel again got a job in clubs in the same position.
She released her album, which was recorded in the studio "20th Century". At conventions, she often signed autographs. Another released album is called The Dark Side of the Moon. It included a song that Nichel herself wrote for D. Roddenberry. She called her "Genie." Nichel performed this composition at the memorial service for D. Roddenberry.
Model business
In addition to the dancer, singer and actress, Nichel decided to try herself as a model. And quite successfully. Once, when he saw Nichelle in the failed musical of O. Brown Jr., the publisher of Playboy magazine was simply subdued by her appearance and invited him to become a model of his magazine.
Nichel agreed and starred for him between touring and filming. In 1967, she was invited to the cover of Ebony. For five years, Nichelle Nichols in the magazine constantly devoted two thematic articles.
Movie career
It can be said that her career in cinema began, oddly enough, with the failed musical of O. Brown Jr. The creative creation was well advertised. But the musical was closed immediately after the first test production, which took place in Chicago. The production was created as a veiled satire on Playboy.
The actress played in this production of Hazel Sharp, who was the queen of the passion of the campus, subjected to many temptations, including from the devil. And all in order for her to become the Orgy Girl.
Tour
Nichelle Nichols in his youth managed to see many countries. She toured in Canada, the USA and Europe with the bands of D. Ellington and L. Hampton. In the West, Nichel successfully played in several productions. Somewhat later fell into the play of D. Baldwin's "Blues for Metro Charlie." Prior to receiving the role of Uhura, who played an important role in her life, she participated in an episode in the first series of D. Roddenberry “Lieutenant”.
Popularity
The fame and popularity of Nichelle brought precisely the role of Uhura. Interestingly, this surname comes from the Swahili tribes and translates as “freedom”. It is believed that D. Roddenberry named his character in the film in honor of the African social movement, which was founded by Julius Nyerere, the Tanzanian leader.
Nichols became the very first African American woman to play not just a servant, but a communications officer in the big series. It doesn’t even matter that this role was secondary. She, however, became unprecedented.
In the first year of filming the series, Nichelle Nichols repeatedly tried to leave the project, as she did not like that her role, as it seemed to her, was insignificant. But the conversation with M. L. King helped, and she stayed. The details of the conversation remained unknown, but Nichols said that King became her inspirer, admitting that he was her big fan and she shouldn’t give up so easily.
King convinced Nichel that her role was very important for many African-American children and women throughout the country. They must see and know that African Americans can be on a par with whites. And between them there should be no racial hostility. Nichel became an example to follow.
Interracial Kiss
In the career of the actress, there were many episodes that remained in the memory of the audience. One of the most famous is a kiss with W. Shattner, who played the role of captain Kirk. This seemingly ordinary kiss interested many, they began to call him “the first interracial” on American television.
This is somewhat false, since S. Davis and N. Sinatra had a similar episode. There were others. But it was the kiss that Nichel left a long response in the hearts of many viewers. The stream of letters that followed the film was 99% positive.
Out of acting career
When Nichols Nichelle finished working on the series, she volunteered to join the NASA special team. She began to recruit various minorities and women to work in the agency. And Nichel succeeded in this matter. She was able to recruit M. Jamison, the first American astronaut and Colonel G. Bluford, the first African-American astronaut.
Nichols has always loved space programs and films. Since the mid-80s, she worked at SPNKO (Council of Trustees of the National Space Society). This is a non-profit educational organization, which was founded by W. von Brown. She took part in many scientific experiments. Nichel was always interested in space travel.
She was able to visit the astronomical observatory on the ship S-141. It was engaged in the study of the atmosphere of Saturn and Mars. In 1976, Nichel visited Pasadena, in a pulsed reactive laboratory, as an honored guest. During the visit, she was interested in exploring the soil on Mars.
Acting
Nichel did not stop on the role of Uhura. She voiced “herself” twice in Futurama. She gave her voice for a number of animated series (The Simpsons, Gargoyles). She played many roles in films (“Snow Dogs”, “Escape from Paradise”, “Anthony and Cleopatra” and many others). But still she could not repeat her success, which brought her such popularity.
Nichelle Nichols is a singer who released two albums. One of them is considered standard, the other is made in rocker style. Nevertheless, astronautics and remained in the life of the actress in the first place.
Personal life
In early 1951, Nichelle Nichols, whose films were subsequently remembered throughout the world, found her soul mate. She was then only eighteen years old. The heart of Nichel won the dancer. And the fact that he was fifteen years older than her, Nichols did not stop. She married him. This was her first marriage. Unfortunately, he was not strong. And after four months, the couple divorced.
A few months later, in August, Nichel gave birth to a son from her first husband. For a long time, she remained in splendid isolation, not finding her "half." Nevertheless, fate again put her to the test. Nichel got married again. This time for the songwriter. But this marriage did not last long. The couple divorced after several years of marriage.
