Actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura on “Star Trek,” is in the middle of been a long conservatorship battle. Her son, her former manager and a good friend appear to be waging a fight to oversee the finances of the aging actress.
Nichols is suffering from dementia.
Wealth Advisor’s recent article entitled “Star Trek Actress In Conservatorship Battle” says that the actress’ only child, Kyle Johnson, won a petition for conservatorship in 2018. Johnson alleged that her former manager, Gilbert Bell, had been living in Nichols’ guest home taking advantage of her finances and personal affairs.
A third party is involved in the case, a close friend whom Nichols named as her successor, Angelique Fawcette, says that Nichols doesn’t need the conservatorship and that she can manage her affairs.
The 88-year-old no longer lives in Los Angeles, where the case is being heard and where the actual home in question is located. Nichols moved to New Mexico with her son and his wife during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nichols was one of the first Black women on TV to play a non-stereotypical role. Lt. Uhura was beautiful, well-spoken and a knowledgeable communications officer on “Star Trek.”
Nichols appeared in a number of feature films and voiced an animated show.
Her character was beloved by Star Trek fans. For many years, she attended conventions greeting admirers. She booked these events with the support of Bell, who helped grow her income.
However, in 2013, after a pancreatitis diagnosis due to heavy alcohol use, she was admitted to a hospital.
Nichols subsequently moved to a nursing facility, where she signed an advance health care directive and a general power of attorney naming Bell as her primary agent and Fawcette as her successor.
Fawcette said that Johnson and Nichols’ other family members rarely visit her.
Johnson, Bell and Fawcette may ultimately be in court to determine Nichol’s fate. However, for now, the pioneering actress remains in New Mexico with her family, where her son says she lives in a rental home. He is her primary caregiver.
Reference: Wealth Advisor (Aug. 17, 2021) “Star Trek Actress In Conservatorship Battle”
