Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty
George Takeiis reflecting on his close relationship with his lateStar Trekcostar,Nichelle Nichols.
While mourning the death of Nichols — whodied of natural causes at age 89on Sunday — Takei shared a heartfelt tribute onFacebookin honor of the actress, reminiscing about the time he and husband Brad Altman asked Nichols to stand in their 2008 wedding.
“When my husband Brad and I got married, we asked Walter Koenig, who played ensign Chekov on the show, to be our best man at the wedding,” he recalled. “We asked Nichelle to be our matron of honor.”
“In her characteristic fashion, Nichelle declared, ‘I am not a matron! If Walter can be best man, why can’t I be best lady?’ " he continued. “Noting that Walter’s ‘best man’ title implied the awkward title of ‘best woman,’ she was determined to be known as the ‘best lady’ to the guests.”
“I told her, ‘Of course you are.’ I’m sharing a picture here of Nichelle, with us, as ‘best lady’ on our happy day,” Takei added alongside a collection of photos of Nichols.
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“Nichelle had never heard of the Japanese tradition called koden,” he continued. “A few days later, an envelope arrived in the mail from her. Inside was a check for $500, a very generous koden.”
Additionally, Takei said when he pursued a career in politics in the 1970s after theirStar Trekseries ended in 1969, Nichols always “donated her talent” during his fundraising dinners and political campaigning, noting that she made “every event feel special and glamorous.”
“Indeed, Nichelle made a point of being at every important milestone of mine that she could, including the opening of Allegiance just a few years ago on Broadway and later in Los Ángeles,” he shared. “As a trained stage actress, Nichelle knew how special such occasions were to us.”
Concluding his sweet note, Takei said, “While fans will miss and honor the famous actress who opened so many paths with her presence on the screen, I will also miss the dear friend who always let you know she was there to support you, to love you, and to go through this strange and wonderful life alongside you. Nichelle Nichols, you were one in a million in so many, many ways.”
source: people.com
