1968

In one Star Trek episode my character Captain Kirk had what’s referred to as US TV’S first interracial kiss, with Nichelle Nichols as Lt Nyota Uhura [both above]. The plan was for her to kiss Leonard Nimoy as the half-vulcan Mr Spock – which would’ve made it the first interspecies kiss – but I said Captain Kirk should have the honour. I insisted on lots of takes and reapplied Nichelle’s lipstick myself – it was a joy to play. It took me years to realise I was quite good-looking back then.