Origins & Early Life

Grace Dell "Nichelle" Nichols ( nish-EL; December 28, 1932 – July 30, 2022) was an American actress, singer and dancer whose portrayal of Uhura in Star Trek and its film sequels was groundbreaking for African American actresses on American television. From 1977 to 2015, she volunteered her time to promote NASA's programs and recruit diverse astronauts, including some of the first female and ethnic minority astronauts. Born in the Chicago suburb of Robbins, she trained in dance, and began her career as a dancer, singer and model in Chicago. As an actor, she appeared on stage, in television and in film.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Grace Dell "Nichelle" Nichols was born the third of six children on December 28, 1932, in Robbins, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, to Samuel Earl Nichols, a factory worker who was elected both town mayor of Robbins in 1929 and its chief magistrate, and his wife, Lishia (Parks) Nichols, a homemaker. Disliking her name, Nichols asked her parents for a new one; they suggested Nichelle, which they said meant "victorious maiden" (from Nike and the suffix -elle). The family later moved into an apartment in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, where Nichols attended Englewood...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alvin Plantinga — Contemporary (Born in 1932) (1932): Leading American philosopher and theologian known for Reformed epistemology.
• Andrei Tarkovsky — Contemporary (Born in 1932) (1932): Master of metaphysical cinema, known for slow pacing and spiritual depth.
• Anouk Aimée — Contemporary (Born in 1932) (1932): Iconic French actress known for her captivating roles from the 1940s to 2010s.
• Aaron Carter — Contemporary (Died in 2022) (2022): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Angela Lansbury — Contemporary (Died in 2022) (2022): Iconic British-American actress and singer with an 80-year career.
• Antonio Inoki — Contemporary (Died in 2022) (2022): Pioneering Japanese wrestler, martial artist, and political figure.
• Ante Pavelić — Shared historical date (12-28 · Died) (1959): Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• Armando Manzanero — Shared historical date (12-28 · Died) (2020): Mexican composer and singer, celebrated for defining the romantic sound of postwar Latin America.
• Andrew Strominger — Shared historical date (07-30 · Born) (1955): American theoretical physicist specializing in quantum gravity and string theory.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger — Shared historical date (07-30 · Born) (1947): Iconic Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician.
• 1932 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1932
• December 28 (12-28) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 28
• 2022 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2022
• July 30 (07-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 30