Grace Dell Nichols was born on 28 December 1932, in Robbins, Illinois, USA. She is an actress and singer, best known for performing with the bands of Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington. She was also part of the “Star Trek” television series and films, playing the character Lieutenant Uhura. All of her efforts helped put her net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Nichelle Nichols? As of mid-2016, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $8 million, mostly earned through a successful career in music and acting. She is considered one of the first African American actors not to portray a role as a servant. She has also worked with NASA, and all of these have ensured the position of her wealth.
Nichelle Nichols Net Worth $8 million
After studies, Nichols’ big break came from her appearance in the musical “Kicks and Co.” which was a satire of Playboy magazine. After the play closed, she drew the attention of Hugh Hefner who booked her to become part of the Chicago Playboy Club. She continued to appear in productions such as “Carmen Jones” and “Porgy and Bess”, and while acting, she also performed as a singer and did some modelling work.
In 1967, she was featured on the January cover of Ebony magazine, and then toured around several countries. She performed with Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington before appearing in more plays such as “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd” and “Blues for Mister Charlie”. She was earning great reviews and her popularity was increasing, and then she was cast to become a part of “Star Trek”. Nichelle became one of the first black women to be featured on major television, portraying a supporting role in the spaceship the USS Enterprise. She originally intended to leave after the first season to pursue a Broadway career, but a conversation with Martin Luther King, Jr. convinced her to stay in the show. Her net worth would start to rise dramatically as she continued with “Star Trek”, and she even had an on-screen kiss with actor William Shatner, which is now referenced as one of the first inter-racial kisses on major television. After the “Star Trek” series was cancelled, she continued to be a part of other “Star Trek” projects. She voiced Uhura in “Star Trek: The Animated Series”, and then would become part of six “Star Trek” films.
After “Star Trek”, Nichols would start to do other television and film roles including “Truck Turner” and “Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding!” She then did a lot of voice work, lending her voice in “Batman: The Animated Series”, “The Simpsons”, and “Futurama”. She also became a part of the films “Snow Dogs”, and “Lady Magdalene’s”. Nichelle had a recurring role in the NBC series “Heroes”, and one of her latest projects is “The Cabonauts”.
Aside from acting, Nichelle regularly volunteered at NASA to help recruit female personnel. It was successful, as she helped influence a lot of women to become part of NASA. Nichols remains an advocate of space exploration, and continues to be active in events that involve space travel.
For her personal life, it is known that Nichols was romantically involved with Gene Roddenberry who created “Star Trek”. She has been married twice, firstly to Foster Johnson in 1951,but it only lasted a year; they had one child. In 1968, she married Duke Mondy but they would divorce four years later. In 2015, Nichols suffered a mild stroke just a few months after the death of “Star Trek” co-star Leonard Nimoy. Fortunately, she has recovered.
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, TV Land Most Memorable Kiss Award, TV Land TV Moment That Became Headline News Award
Movies
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Truck Turner, Snow Dogs, Are We There Yet?, The Supernaturals, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, Lady...
TV Shows
Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Original Series
#
Trademark
1
Seductive deep voice
2
Voluptuous figure
3
Natural black hair
4
Spectacular vocal range spanning five octaves
5
Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on Star Trek (1966) and six of the Star Trek films
Mahalia Jackson, I grew up around the corner from in Chicago.
3
It's just coincidental that the acting took off first over everything else.
4
I've agreed to do several Star Trek conventions this coming year.
5
I think anybody with any intelligence sits down and sees Star Trek (1966) not as a kids' show.
6
All the people in Star Trek (1966) will always be known as those characters. And what characters to have attached to your name in life! The show is such a phenomenon all over the world.
7
I was very blessed in always knowing what I wanted to do, and by the grace of God, I've been able to succeed in my chosen career.
8
[on the Star Trek (1966) fans] I'm a fan of the fans. I love them. They're fabulous. I love being around them. I love their madness and their caring. I love watching them take off for a weekend, don the costumes, and become characters from the 23rd century and beyond. I thank the fans for giving us--me--so much support and love. I want them to know I love them. They'll always be my friends. I'll see the fans, always. They can rest assured of that.
Ranked #17 on Wizard magazine's Sexiest Women of TV for her role on Star Trek (1966). [March 2008]
12
Frustrated with the racist harassment, culminating with her learning that the studio was withholding her fan mail, she submitted her resignation from Star Trek (1966) after consulting with series creator Gene Roddenberry. She stated in several interviews that the harassment made her go back to work in theater until attending an NAACP fundraiser. The fundraiser was where a Star Trek fan was about to meet her for the first time and, to her astonishment, the fan turned out to be Dr. Martin Luther King. King stated that his wife and children had seen Star Trek on TV and it was the only television series that he had approved of. He said that her role as the fourth in command of the USS Enterprise became a positive role model for African-Americans. She withdrew her resignation from the series when King personally convinced her that her role was too important as a breakthrough to leave.
13
Former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae C. Jemison was inspired by Nichelle when she decided to become the first African-American female astronaut. Jemison was a huge fan of the original Star Trek (1966) series.
14
From the late 1970s until 1987, she was employed by NASA and in charge of astronaut recruits and hopefuls. Most of the recruits she launched were minority candidates of different races and/or ethnicities, as well as gender, like Guion Bluford (the first African-American male astronaut), Sally Ride (the first American female astronaut), Judith A. Resnik (one of the original female astronauts recruited by NASA, who perished during the launch of the Challenger on January 28, 1986), and Ron McNair (another victim of the Challenger disaster). She lived in Houston, Texas during her years as a Johnson Space Center employee.
15
Discovered by Duke Ellington in her mid-teens, she toured with both Ellington and Lionel Hampton as a lead singer and dancer. Decades later, in 1992, she went back to her singing "roots", starring in a dramatic one-woman musical show called "Reflections", in which she became 12 separate song legends. She was also able to use her singing skills several times on Star Trek (1966).
16
In her autobiography "Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories", she confessed that she once had a close, personal relationship with Star Trek (1966) creator Gene Roddenberry.
In early 1951, at age 18, she married a dancer who was 15 years her senior. Within four months they split, and in August 1951, she bore his son. She remarried in 1968, this time to a songwriter, but that marriage also ended in divorce four years later.
22
Became the first African-American to place her handprints in front of Hollywood's Chinese Theatre, along with the rest of the original Star Trek (1966) series cast.
23
With Star Trek (1966) co-star William Shatner, she shared the first on-screen kiss between a black female and white male on American television. This resulted in a deluge of mail - 99% of which was positive.
24
Although ignored in the "famous actors/actresses" in African-American cinema, including "famous celebrities" during Black History Month, Nichols was one of the first black actresses to portray a character on a television series and science-fiction series who was treated the same as characters of other races, and to all Star Trek (1966) fans, the television series and films that followed set the standard for multiculturalism (where people of different races, ethnicities and genders are integrated and a sense of equality coexists).
25
Her role as Uhura on Star Trek (1966) was one of the first times that an African-American actress was portrayed in a non-stereotypical role. Previously, African-American actresses were depicted as maids or housekeepers, and Nichols' role broke the stereotype barrier among African-American actresses. Like Sidney Poitier, whose characters were three-dimensional (e.g., Detective Virgil Tibbs), Nichols portrayed a character that was non-stereotypical.
26
On March 26, 1997, her younger brother Thomas Alva Nichols committed suicide with the other members of the notorious Heaven's Gate cult in Rancho Santa Fe, near San Diego, California.
Billy Blackburn's Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories
2011
Video short
Uhura
Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster
2010
TV Movie
Senator
The Cabonauts
2009
TV Series
CJ
The Torturer
2008
Doc
Tru Loved
2008
Grandmother
Lady Magdalene's
2008
Lady Magdalene / Maggie, Singer
Mirror Universe: Part 1
2008
Short
Star Trek: Of Gods and Men
2007
Video
Captain Nyota Uhura
Heroes
2007
TV Series
Nana Dawson
Are We There Yet?
2005
Miss Mable
Surge of Power
2004
Oman
Birth of a Timeless Legacy
2004
Video short
Uhura
Reflections on Spock
2004
Video short
Uhura
Sci Fi Visionaries
2004
Video short
Uhura
Roddenberry on Patrol
2003
Video short
Grace
Futurama
2002
TV Series
Nichelle Nichols
Snow Dogs
2002
Amelia
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000
TV Series
Chief
Good vs Evil
2000
TV Series
Henry's Mother
A Stitch in Time
1999
Video short
Harvie
Spider-Man
1997
TV Series
Miriam
Gargoyles
1994-1996
TV Series
Diane Maza
The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space
1995
TV Movie
Sagan, High Priestess of Pangea
Batman: The Animated Series
1994
TV Series
Thoth Khepera
ABC Weekend Specials
1993
TV Series
SS Stella
Star Trek: Judgment Rites
1993
Video Game
Lt. Nyota Uhura (voice)
Inside Space
1992
TV Series
Host
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Enhanced
1992
Video Game
Lt. Nyota Uhura (voice)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
1991
Uhuru
Star Trek Adventure
1991
Short
Lt. Nyota Uhura
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
1989
Uhura
Head of the Class
1988
TV Series
Nichelle Nichols
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
1986
Uhura
The Supernaturals
1986
Sgt. Leona Hawkins
Antony and Cleopatra
1984
TV Movie
Charmain
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
1984
Uhura
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
1982
Uhura
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
1979
Uhura
Star Trek: The Animated Series
1973-1974
TV Series
Uhura Dr. Sarah April Karla Five ...
Truck Turner
1974
Dorinda
The D.A.
1971
TV Series
Insight
1970
TV Series
Ellie
Star Trek
1966-1969
TV Series
Uhura
Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding!
1967
Jenny Ribbock
Tarzan
1966
TV Series
Ruana
Mister Buddwing
1966
Dice Player
Peyton Place
1966
TV Series
Nurse
Made in Paris
1966
Eleanor (uncredited)
CBS Repertoire Workshop
1964
TV Series
The Lieutenant
1964
TV Series
Norma Bartlett
Great Gettin' Up Mornin'
1964
TV Movie
Joanne Logan
Porgy and Bess
1959
Dancer (uncredited)
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Woman in Motion
Documentary co-producer filming
Unbelievable!!!!!
2016
co-producer
Lady Magdalene's
2008
executive producer
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lady Magdalene's
2008
performer: "Rahab the Harlot", "At Lady Magdalene's", "A Woman's Gotta Be Ready For Anything" "Maggie's Song" / writer: "At Lady Magdalene's", "A Woman's Gotta Be Ready For Anything" "Maggie's Song"
Star Trek
1966
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lady Magdalene's
2008
choreographer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Captains
2011
Documentary special thanks
Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier
2007
TV Movie documentary special thanks
Road Trippin': The Making of 'Are We There Yet?'
2005
Video documentary short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Con of Wrath
Documentary post-production
Herself
Woman in Motion
Documentary filming
Herself
From the Bridge
2017
Documentary
Herself
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
2016
Documentary
Herself
Building Star Trek
2016
TV Movie documentary
Herself
50 Years of Star Trek
2016
TV Movie
Herself
NASA: On the Edge of Forever
2016
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself
For the Love of Spock
2016
Documentary
Herself
Sidewalks Entertainment
2016
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Oprah: Where Are They Now?
2016
TV Series
Herself
The Adventures of Ravi
2015
TV Series
Herself
Pioneers of Television
2011-2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself / Lt. Nyota Uhura in 'Star Trek'
The Real History of Science Fiction
2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself
Comic Book Men
2014
TV Series
Herself
To Be Takei
2014
Documentary
Herself
The Culture Show
2013
TV Series documentary
Herself
Get a Life!
2012
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Mo'Nique Show
2011
TV Series
Herself
Iron Core Talk
2011
TV Series
Herself
Tavis Smiley
2011
TV Series
Herself
Trek Nation
2010
Documentary
Herself
FedCon XVIII: The Golden Future
2009
Documentary
Herself
BET Awards 2009
2009
TV Special
Herself
Bring Back... Star Trek
2009
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Entertainment Tonight
2008
TV Series
Herself
Heroes Unmasked
2008
TV Series documentary
Herself
11th Annual Ribbon of Hope Celebration
2008
TV Movie
Herself
NRJ 12: Scream Awards
2007
TV Special
Herself
Scream Awards 2007
2007
TV Special
Herself
Space Top 10 Countdown
2007
TV Series
Herself
Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier
2007
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Interviewee
Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner
2006
TV Movie
Herself - Roaster
How William Shatner Changed the World
2005
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The 50 Greatest Kisses
2005
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Road Trippin': The Making of 'Are We There Yet?'
2005
Video documentary short
Herself ' Miss Mable'
The 100 Most Memorable TV Moments
2004
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself
The Simpsons
2004
TV Series
Herself
Kiss 'N' Tell: Romance in the 23rd Century
2004
Video short
Herself
After They Were Famous
2003
TV Series documentary
Herself
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV
2003
TV Special documentary
Herself
Weakest Link
2002
TV Series
Herself
Inside TV Land: African Americans in Television
2002
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Futurama
2000
TV Series
Herself
The Stars of 'Star Wars': Interviews from the Cast
1999
Video documentary
Herself
Biography
1999
TV Series documentary
Herself
Moonshot - the Spirit of 69
1999
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Die goldene Kamera 1999
1999
TV Movie
Herself
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
1998
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Trekkies
1997
Documentary
Herself
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
1996
TV Special documentary
Herself
The Last Angel of History
1996
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Die Harald Schmidt Show
1996
TV Series
Herself
William Shatner's Star Trek Memories
1995
Video documentary
Herself
Baadasss TV
1994
TV Series documentary
Herself
Star Trek: A Captain's Log
1994
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Joan Rivers Show
1993
TV Series
Herself
The 14th Annual American Black Achievement Awards
1993
TV Special
Herself
Star Trek 25th Anniversary Special
1991
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Chuck Woolery Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
Star Trek Logs: An MTV Big Picture Special Edition
1991
TV Special documentary
Herself
The 11th Annual Black Achievement Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself
Super Password
1987
TV Series
Herself - Celebrity Contestant
Allen Ludden's Gallery
1969
TV Series
Herself
It Takes Two
1969
TV Series
Herself
Dream Girl of '67
1967
TV Series
Herself - Fashion Hostess
The Gypsy Rose Lee Show
1967
TV Series
Herself - Singer
Dateline: Hollywood
1967
TV Series
Herself
Invisible Universe
2016
Documentary post-production
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Entertainment Tonight
2015-2016
TV Series
Herself
Inside Edition
2015
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Sixties
2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Herself / Lt. Uhura - Star Trek
The True Story
2013
TV Series documentary
Herself
Road Trek 2011
2012
Short
Lt. Nyota Uhura
Give It Up for Greg Giraldo
2011
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Spacelift: Transporting Trek Into the 21st Century
2011
Video short
Uhura
Watchman Video Broadcast
2010
TV Series
Lt. Nyota Uhura
Heroes Unmasked
2008
TV Series documentary
Nana Dawson
Timeshift
2006
TV Series documentary
Lt. Nyota Uhura
Inside Star Trek: The Real Story
1998
Video documentary
Lt. Nyota Uhura
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1996
TV Series
Uhura
Showbiz Today
1991
TV Series
Lt. Nyota Uhura
Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek Memories
1983
TV Movie documentary
Lt. Uhura
Tarzan's Deadly Silence
1970
Ruana
Star Trek
1968
TV Series
Uhura
Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion
1967
Ruana
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Lifetime Achievement Award
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Nichelle Nichols starred as Communications Officer Lt. Uhura in the classic television series, Star... More
1999
Golden Camera
Golden Camera, Germany
Millennium Award
Star Trek (1966)
1992
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Television
On 9 January 1992. At 6633 Hollywood Blvd.
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2007
TV Land Award
TV Land Awards
TV Moment That Became Headline News
Star Trek (1966)
2006
TV Land Award
TV Land Awards
Most Memorable Kiss
Star Trek (1966)
1980
Saturn Award
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Best Supporting Actress
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Known for movies
Star Trek (1966-1969) as Uhura
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) as Uhura
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) as Uhura
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) as Uhuru