While Nichelle Nichols is best known for her iconic run as Lieutenant Uhura on the original Star Trek series (and the multiple movies that followed), daytime fans know that she also had an important and memorable role as Neil’s (Kristoff St. John) long-lost mother on The Young and the Restless in 2016.
We even saw Nichols make her appearance as Neil’s mom in the last classic episode the soap aired less than two weeks ago.
Helping Nichelle Nichols
Now family members of the popular actress – who is 87 years old – are asking fans for help.
Marian Smothers, Nichols’ younger sister, has started a GoFundMe page along with fellow siblings Diane Robinson and Samuel Nichols, looking to raise money to fight a man they claim tricked the actress into signing over her estate.
They describe the alleged scandalous actions that a man named Gilbert Bell took. Bell, knowing that Nichols was in a very weakened state following a hospitalization, managed to gain her Powers of Attorney.
“These funds are necessary for defending Nichelle from Gilbert Bell’s baseless but damaging suit, our counter-suit and associated expenses of discovery, trial, etc, and to recover all or some of what he has stolen and mitigate the damage he has inflicted upon her,” Smothers explained. “We appeal to your generosity and appreciate your support in any amount. Please share this on your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts. If you would consider more active participation, please contact us.”
Walter Koenig, who starred alongside Nichols as Ensign Pavel Chekov on Star Trek, weighed in on the GoFundMe page.
“Nichelle Nichols has been a true and loyal friend for over fifty years,” he said. “She has been financially abused by a person pretending to protect her interests. I urge everyone who knows what a beautiful person she is to support the GoFundMe established in her name. It is a cause very much worth contributing to. She is one of the really great people out there.”
The family hopes to raise $100,000, and they are on their way, with pledges of approximately $30,000 so far. The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.
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