What is Nichelle Nichols Net Worth?
| Net Worth: | $8 million |
|---|---|
| Source of Wealth: | Actress, Singer, and Advocate |
| Date of Birth: | December 28th, 1932 |
| Country of Origin: | United States |
| Last Updated: | 2024 |
Nichelle Nichols Net Worth: Nichelle Nichols was an American actress, singer, and advocate with an estimated net worth of $8 million. She was popularly known for her role as Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek movie enterprise. According to Celebrity Net Worth.
She received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for her performance on Star Trek. Nichelle was among the first black actresses to make it to the big screen. She was listed on the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame in 2015.
Nichelle created an impact on the world through the awareness she made of space travel. She worked on special projects with NASA to raise awareness of space travel. She was a source of inspiration, especially to the black community. The Nichelle Nichols Foundation’s foundation aims to uphold her legacy of assisting black, indigenous people of color in science, technology, engineering, art, and math fields.
Early Life
Nichelle Nichols, fully known as Grace Dell Nichols, was born in Robbins, Illinois, Chicago, on December 28th, 1932. Her small, close-knit family consisted of her father, Samuel; mother, Lisa; and brother, Thomas. Nichelle’s father was a factory worker, mayor, and chief magistrate of Robbins. In March 1997, her brother, who was a Heaven’s Gate cult member, killed himself just as every other member of the cult.
When Nichelle was 16, she performed as a dancer in Duke Ellington’s band but was later made the leader of the band by Ellington after he watched her sing and perform. This was her ticket to the world of show business.
Career
Nichelle Nichols appeared at the Playboy Club in Chicago after she featured in Kicks and Co., an Oscar Brown musical, in 1961. Playboy owner Hugh Hefner was impressed by her performance and offered her a chance to appear at the Playboy Club.
Nichols’s first appearance in a film was in Porgy and Bess in 1959. She played the role of a dancer but was uncredited for her role. She acted alongside Dorothy Dandridge and Sidney Poitier. She starred as a guest in The Lieutenant, a Gene Roddenberry series. In 1966, she appeared in Tarzan’s Deadly Silence, Made in Paris, and Mister Buddwing.
In the same year, Nichelle was cast in a series that would remain a significant part of her life. Gene Roddenberry cast her as Lieutenant Uhura on the Star Trek science-fiction series, which premiered on September 8th, 1966. She appeared in all 79 episodes of the NBC series before its cancellation in 1969. After the cancellation of the series, she made plans to leave the series for a Broadway career but was advised by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to remain on the show. In his words: “You simply cannot abdicate; this is an important role. This is why we are marching. We never thought we’d see this on TV.” In 1967, she was featured in Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding. She also appeared in Carmen Jones and was featured in the 1967 issue of Ebony magazine.
Other movies Nichelle appeared in are; Snow Dogs, a 2002 film that made $115 million at the box office; Are We There Yet, a 2005 film that made $97.9 million; Heroes, a 2007 NBC series; Tru Loved, a 2008 film; The Torturer, a 2008 film; This Bitter Earth, a 2012 film; Renegades, a 2016 film; American Nightmare, a 2018 film; Surge of Down, a 2019 film. In 2016, she appeared in The Young and the Restless as Lucinda Winters. She also starred in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.
Nichelle retired in 2019 and planned a farewell tour for 2020. Her last tour at the Nichelle Nichols Farewell Convention, scheduled to hold in May in Burbank, California, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nichelle Nichols net worth is estimated to be $8 million as of 2024.
Career Highlights
- 1961 – Kicks and Co (Musical)
- 1967 – Appeared on the cover of Ebony magazine
- 1967 – Down to Earth (Album)
Nichelle Nichols’s career began in Chicago. She worked as a singer and dancer. She featured in Star Trek, making her one of the first black women to feature in a major TV series. She went on to work on a special project with NASA after Star Trek was canceled. She also made appearances in the Anthology of Interest episode of Futurama.
Personal Life
Nichelle has been married twice. She was first married to Foster John, a dancer. The couple had Kyle Johnson before they divorced. She got married to Duke Mondy and divorced in 1972.
Nichelle was born to parents Samuel Earl Nichols and Lisa Nichols in the suburb of Illinois, USA, on December 23rd, 1932. She suffered heart failure and passed on July 30th, 2022, in Silver City, New Mexico. She was aged 89.
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Awards & Achievements
In 1987, Nichelle received an NAACP Image Award nomination for her Star Trek IV: The Voyage performance. The award was in the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture category. She received an honorary award at the 1999 Millennium by Germany’s Golden Camera Award for her work in Star Trek.
In 2015, she was listed on the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame. She was awarded a lifetime achievement award by The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in 2016 for Star Trek. In 2017, she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series for The Young and the Restless.
Nichelle Nichols Net Worth
Nichelle Nichols net worth is estimated to be $8 million. Nichelle’s net worth has been a subject of debate since her passing. Until her demise, she had a net worth estimated at $500,000 (according to Celebrity Net Worth). However, other media reports say otherwise. For example, Exact Net Worth estimates her net worth at $8 million.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Nichelle amassed much wealth from the Star Trek enterprise through fan events and conventions.
Charity
Until Nichelle’s demise, she was an inspiration through her impact on the future of space travel. The Nichelle Nichols Foundation aims to carry on her legacy and assist women and communities of black, indigenous people of color in science, technology, engineering, math, and art fields.
Real Estate
In 1983, the singer purchased a home in Woodland Hills, California, for $110,000.
The house was later sold off for $2.2 million to Baron Construction & Remodelling in August 2021; by her son. This sale increased her net worth.
Nichelle Nichols net worth is estimated to be about $8 million. this is inclusive of her wealth in real estate
Notable Nichelle Nichols Quotes
Life Lessons to Learn From Nichelle Nichols Success
Here are some notable lessons to learn from Nicelle Nichols’ life;
1. Make an Impact
Nichelle Nichols will be remembered for being an influence and inspiration through her contributions to space science and travels.
2. Live a Reputable Life
Nichelle was a respected personality. She was known for her legacy and values. She would be remembered for the honorable life she lived.
3. Support the Good Cause
As one of the first black women to appear on the big screen, Nichelle worked on projects with NASA after the cancellation of Star Trek to create awareness. The Nichelle Nichols Foundation was established to assist black, indigenous people of color in science, technology, engineering, art, and math fields.
Frequently Asked Questions – Nichelle Nichols Net Worth
What Happened to Nichelle Nichol’s Wig on Star Trek?
During her time with Star Trek, Nichelle wore a wig that she borrowed and claimed to return soon after. No one seems to recall seeing it returned, as it seemed to have gone missing.
Who was Nichelle Nichols Conservator?
In 2018, Nichelle was put under conservatorship. Her former manager, Gilbert Bell, was removed from being her conservator after accusations of financial abuse were raised by her son. Her son, Kyle Johnson, took over his mother’s finances immediately.
Did Nichelle Nichols Appear in Doomsday Machine?
Nichelle played the role of Lieutenant Uhura on TOS episodes but could not perform in the Doomsday Machine due to a singing appointment in New York. Roger replaced her as an Enterprise Bridge Officer.
Did Nichelle Nichols Make an Impact on the World?
Bill Nelson described Nichelle as a trailblazing actress, advocate, and friend to NASA who made it to the big screen at a time when black actresses rarely made it to the screen. She did justice to her Nyota Uhura character on Star Trek. Her performance is said to have strengthened America’s civil rights.
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Final Thoughts
Nichelle Nichols was an exceptional actress and legend who shaped the world through her legacy. She would be remembered for impacting society, especially the black community. Nichelle was a role model and source of inspiration to blacks who had nurtured dreams of space travel. Through her role in Star Trek, she has influenced the minds of black astronauts.
Her project with NASA will always be remembered as it shaped the minds of aspiring astronauts. She promoted space travel in various ways, one being a public service announcement for the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
As of 2024, Nichelle Nichols net worth is estimated to be $8 million.