3. King Managed To Convince Nichelle Nichols To Continue Playing "Uhura" In Star Trek Past The First Series... And That's Why Whoopi Goldberg Became A Trekkie
One of the most-unlikely friendships in history existed between Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr and Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols. Nichols had played the character of "Uhura" in the first series of the sci-fi show, but she was convinced to stay for longer by King because she was not only a black actress playing a lead character in a TV programme - she was also not portraying a stereotypical African-American, so she was breaking barriers. In fact, future Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg was even inspired by Nichols' portrayal of Uhura and became a huge Trekkie. After first seeing Nichols in the show playing an intelligent character, Goldberg declared: "Momma! There's a black lady on TV, and she ain't no maid!"