Trailblazer was a word used by many to mourn the passing of actor Nichelle Nichols, who died Saturday at age 89.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nichols broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood when she played communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original \u201cStar Trek\u201d television series, and paved the way not just for future television actors of colour but astronauts as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tributes from fellow actors poured in on social media Sunday. Her \u201cStar Trek\u201d co-star George Takei said he would have more to say soon but that his heart is heavy. Celia Rose Gooding, who plays Uhura on the current \u201cStar Trek\u201d wrote that, \u201cShe made room for so many of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family,\u201d\u00a0William Shatner<\/a>, \u201cStar Trek\u201d co-star, via Twitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n