See Uhura Do Ballet in Rare Behind-the-Scenes Star Trek Photos

(Photo: unknown)

Nichelle Nichols is the actress who played Lt. Nyota Uhura on the original Star Trek. Prior to running the communications systems on the Enterprise, she attended the Chicago Ballet Academy. She sometimes found work as a dancer, including as a background performer in the 1959 film version of Porgy and Bess.

Nichols kept up with her dancing skills. The Geek Twins has a collection of behind-the-scenes photos of uncertain provenance showing Nichols in costume on the bridge set demonstrating how flexible she is.