who played uhura in the original star trek
Nichelle Nichols She played communications officer Lieutenant (later, Commander) Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek television series (1966â€“1969), as well as the succeeding motion pictures. Nichols' role was groundbreaking as one of the first African American female characters on American television not portrayed as a servant.[1] She also worked to recruit diverse astronauts to NASA, including women and ethnic minorities.