Nichel Nichols: biography and photos

Nichelle Nichols is an American actress. She is known not only in this role. Nishel is an expert in scoring, a model and a great singer. Before the career of the 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. Nishel tried herself in the role of producer, as well as in the modeling business.

Childhood

Nichel Nichols, photo of which is in this article, was born on December 28, 1932 in the US state of Illinois, in Robbins, near Chicago. Her father, Samuel Earl, was at first simply a local worker. But eventually 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 families of the "blacks" settled nearby. Nichel studied first in Chicago. Then in New York, then in Los Angeles.

Nishel had a brother. 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 ranch of Santa Fe.

Career of the singer

Nichelle Nichols decided to try herself as a dancer and singer at first in Chicago. It was in this city that she first performed on stage at a small local club. Then, having left for New York, Nichelle again got a job in clubs in the same position.

She released her album, which was recorded in the studio "20th Century". The conventions often signed autographs. Another released album is called "The Dark Side of the Moon". It included a song that Nishel wrote herself for D. Roddenberry. She called her "Genie." Nichelle 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 Nishel in the unfortunate musical of O. Brown, Jr., the publisher of Playboy magazine was simply captivated by her appearance and invited to become a model of his magazine.

Nichelle agreed and was shot for him between tours and filming. In 1967, she was invited to the cover of Ebony. For five years, Nichlel Nichols in the magazine constantly devoted two thematic articles.

Career in cinema

We can say that her career in cinema began, oddly enough, with the failed musical O. Brown, Jr.. Creative creation was well advertised. But the musical was closed immediately after the first trial production, which was held in Chicago. The production was created in the form of 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 a lot of temptations, including the devil. And all for her to become the Girl of Orgy.

Tour

Nichel Nichols in his youth managed to see many countries. She toured in Canada, the US and Europe with the bands of D. Ellington and L. Hampton. In the West, Nichelle successfully played in several productions. Somewhat later, I got into D. Baldwin's play "The Blues for M. Charlie". Until the role of Uhura, who played an important role in her life, participated in the episode in the 1st series of D. Roddenberry "Lieutenant."

Popularity

Fame and popularity Nishel brought exactly the role of Uhura. It is curious that this name comes from the Swahili tribes and translates as "freedom." It is believed that D. Roddenberry called his character in the film in honor of the African social movement, which was founded by Julius Nyerere, Tanzan leader.

Nicholls became the very first African-American woman who played in the big series not just a servant, but a signal officer. It's not even important that this role was secondary. It, however, has become unprecedented.

In the first year of the filming of the series, Nichhel Nichols had repeatedly tried to leave the project, since she did not like that her role seemed to be insignificant. But the conversation with ML King helped, and she stayed. The details of the conversation were unknown, but Nicholls said that King became her inspiration, confessing that he was her big fan and that she could not just give up.

King convinced Nichelle that her role is very important for many African American children and women throughout the country. They need to see and know that African Americans can be on par with whites. And between them there should be no racial dislike. 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 - a kiss with W. Schettner, who played the role of Captain Kirk. This seemingly ordinary kiss, interested in many, it began to be called "the first interracial" on television in America.

This is somewhat incorrect, since a similar episode was from S. Davis and N. Sinatra. There were others. But it was the kiss Nishael left a long response in the hearts of many spectators. The flow of letters that followed the film was 99% positive.

Activities outside the acting career

When Nichols Nichel graduated from the series, she volunteered to join the NASA special team. She began recruiting various minorities and women to work in the agency. And Nichelle succeeded in this matter. She was able to recruit M. Jamison, the first American astronaut and Colonel G. Blaubord, the first African American astronaut.

Nicholls has always loved space programs and films. Since the mid-80's, she worked for SPNKO (Board of Trustees of the National Socialist Society). It is a non-profit educational organization that was founded by V. von Braun. I took part in many scientific experiments. Nishel was always interested in space travel.

She was able to visit the astronomical observatory on board the S-141. It was engaged in the study of the atmosphere of Saturn and Mars. In 1976, Nishel visited Pasadena, in a pulsed reactive laboratory, as an honored guest. During the visit she was interested in studying the soil on Mars.

Acting

Nishel did not stop at the role of Uhura. She twice voiced "himself" in "Futurama". She gave her voice for a number of animated series (The Simpsons, The Gargoyles). She played many roles in films ("Snow Dogs", "Escape from Paradise", "Antony and Cleopatra" and many others). But still her success, which brought her such popularity, could not repeat.

Nichel Nichols is a singer who has released two albums. One of them is considered standard, the other is made in rocker style. But nevertheless astronautics remained in the life of the actress in the first place.

Personal life

In early 1951, Nichel Nichols, whose films were later remembered all over the world, found her "half" in her personal life. She was only eighteen then. Heart Nichelle conquered the dancer. And the fact that he was older than her for fifteen years, Nicholls did not stop. She married him. It was her first marriage. Unfortunately, he was not strong. And after four months the couple divorced.

A few months later, in August, Nichelle gave birth to her son from the first husband. For a long time she remained in proud solitude, not finding her "half." But still fate put her to the test again. Nichelle got married again. This time for the songwriter. But this marriage did not last long. The couple divorced after several years of living together.

Awards and achievements

Nichelle is not only a beautiful dancer and singer. She demonstrated her acting talent to the whole world, for which she was twice nominated for the award by S. Siddons - as the best actress of the year. The first time Nichelle received the award for her role in the movie "Kicks and Company", in which she played Hazel Sharp.

The second time - for the film "Black". In 1992, on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood , a star appeared dedicated to Nichel Nichols. She devotes her free time to her favorite hobbies - modeling her own clothes and drawing oil.

Nichelle is very fond of sports cars. And he is fond of sculpture. Even takes special lessons from the masters. At the moment, Nishel resides in Los Angeles. Her loneliness is brightened up by two charming Siamese cats.