Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura) Suffers Mild Stroke

Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Nyota Uhura in the original ``Star Trek'' TV series and in subsequent films, is recovering from a stroke suffered Wednesday at her Los Angeles home.

Tests indicate the stroke was mild, her booking manager, Zachery McGinnis, said Friday. He said the 82-year-old actress began therapy Friday.

``She is awake, eating, in good spirits and able to have full conversations,'' McGinnis said.

Nichols' role on ``Star Trek'' earned her accolades for breaking stereotypes for black actresses. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. personally encouraged her to stay with the series. She also appeared in six big-screen spinoffs starting in 1979 with ``Star Trek: The Motion Picture.''

Her acting career has continued with roles in two upcoming films.

Fellow ``Star Trek'' cast member Leonard Nimoy died in February. (Associated Press)