Groundbreaking Actress Returns to Her Hometown with Wizard World Chicago
Nichelle Nichols smiles when she thinks back to the beginning of her professional career as a teenager in Chicago. She was recruited by Duke Ellington to dance and choreograph for his upcoming national tour. By the time the tour ended, Nichols was Duke’s lead singer. “It was unbelievable,” says Nichols. “It was like a dream come true and that’s the type of opportunities Chicago offers young folks in the arts.” Nichols is excited to return to her hometown as part of 2018 Wizard World Chicago. “It feels fantastic. I still have a lot of family in Chicago. It’s great to come home with people I love.” Nichelle Nichols A talented singer/dancer/actress, Nichols is probably best known for her groundbreaking role as Communications Officer (later Commander) Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise in the original Star Trek television series (1966-69) as well as the succeeding motion pictures. As a bridge officer, she became th...