Nichelle Nichols was an American actress and singer. She played Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek series after being enlisted by Gene Roddenberry to join the cast. Nichols subsequently appeared in the broader Star Trek franchise. She was discovered by Duke Ellington at the age of 15 and toured extensively with Duke Ellington and the Lionel Hampton Band as a singer and dancer. Nichols released the single Fly Me to the Moon which became one of her most popular songs. She also appeared in the film Are We There Yet? with Ice Cube.