Whoopi Goldberg paid tribute on The View to the late Star Trek pioneer and fellow Trekkie, Nichelle Nichols, who died on July 31. Nichols was a groundbreaking actor within the science fiction style who impressed the ABC discuss present host in her personal journey to area.

“A trailblazer, a heroine, and a rare girl—somebody who impressed thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of individuals however impressed me,” Goldberg stated of Nichols on Monday. “Nichelle was the primary Black individual I’d ever seen who made it to the longer term.”

Goldberg went on to say that Nichols was “the one beacon that stated, ‘Sure, we’ll be there.’”

She continued, “It simply made me really feel like that was an incredible factor and she or he helped propel different ladies to enter area. She was extraordinary and I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend time along with her over time. She was my buddy and she or he might be missed.”

Nichols broke down limitations on the small display screen along with her portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura within the authentic Star Trek tv collection the place she was a communications officer. The star shared with William Shatner one of many first interracial kisses on TV. Nichols went on to voice Lt. Uhura on Star Trek: The Animated Sequence and likewise appeared within the first 6 Star Trek movies.

Goldberg performed the position of Guinan in Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology and not too long ago reprised the character within the revival collection Star Trek: Picard. The daytime TV host has all the time credited Nichols as her inspiration for entering into appearing.

Watch Golberg’s emotional tribute on The View under.