Young and the Restless death 2022

Jossara Jinaro, ER and The Young and the Restless actress, dies of cancer at 48

"Jossara was an amazing wife, mother, artist, and friend," her husband wrote on Facebook.

Jossara Jinaro, an actress who appeared on such TV shows as ER, The Young and the Restless, and Judging Amy, died Wednesday following a battle with cancer. She was 48.

Jinaro's husband announced her death on her Facebook page, writing, "With great sorrow, I announce the passing of my wife, Jossara Jinaro, on this date, April 27, 2022. Jossara bravely fought cancer and came home to be surrounded by family.

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Actress Jossara Jinaro attends Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles Lawson Launch at the WACO Theater Grand Opening at WACO Theater Center on November 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

'ER' actress Jossara Jinaro died of cancer in April 2022 at age 48.

| Credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images

"Jossara was an amazing wife, mother, artist, and friend," he continued. "She had the most beautiful, kind soul and wouldn't take no for an answer. Even in her last moments, she was still fighting. She is now resting in peace and will be remembered forever. Myself, Liam, and Emrys will miss her so deeply, although we know she is in our hearts and guiding us every step of the way."

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1973 to two "Maoist" parents, Jinaro was raised in Colombia after her mother married a diplomat, according to a biography on her IMDb page. Her family later relocated to the U.S. after her stepfather was held hostage by guerrillas.

When she was 16, Jinaro moved out on her own to pursue acting, eventually appearing in various stage productions before landing in Los Angeles. She made her network TV debut on CBS's Judging Amy, playing the daughter of Cheech Marin's character, and also appeared in episodes of ER, The Young and the Restless, Passions, and The Closer, as well as films including World Trade Center and The Devil's Rejects.

Jinaro was diagnosed with Cancer of Unknown Primary in 2021, a rare diagnosis in which the primary tumor site cannot be identified, according to a GoFundMe page. In her final Facebook post, on New Year's Eve that year, she wrote, "I feel loved and cared for by all my friends and family."

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• Stars we've lost in 2022

Iconic. Groundbreaking. Trailblazer. There are many words that can be used to describe actress Nichelle Nichols, yet none seems adequate. It's perhaps most accurate to say that Nichols chose to boldly go where no one had gone before.

Nichols, best known for her portrayal of Lt. Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series, has died at age 89, according to a statement from her son, Kyle Johnson.

"Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration," Johnson said in a statement shared to Nichols' official site on Sunday. "Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all."

Nichols was born Grace Dell Nichols near Chicago in 1932. Unhappy with the name "Grace," Nichols took the name Nichelle when she was a teenager.

Blessed with a four-octave vocal range, Nichols was performing in local clubs by the time she was 14. Among the performers she met was Duke Ellington, who later took her on tour. She also worked extensively in Chicago clubs and in theater.

In the early 1960s, Nichols moved to Los Angeles and landed a role in a Gene Roddenberry series, The Lieutenant, where she worked along Leonard Nimoy, Walter Koenig, and Majel Barrett, who would also go on to appear in Star Trek roles.

When Star Trek launched in 1966, Nichols broke ground in more than one way. The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., called Nichols' role "the first non-stereotypical role by a Black woman in television history." An on-screen kiss between Nichols' Uhura and William Shatner's James T. Kirk is widely known as one of the first interracial kisses on American television.

George Takei, who portrayed Hikaru Sulu on the original Star Trek series, posted a touching tribute to his co-star. "I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89," wrote Takei on Twitter. "For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend."

While Star Trek was a fictional program about outer space, Nichols helped the very real NASA become more diverse. She helped recruit astronauts Sally Ride, Judith Resnick, and Guion Bluford.

While Nichols' legendary career transcends genres, the daytime world was lucky enough to welcome her into the family during a brief stint on The Young and the Restless in September 2016. Nichols played Lucinda Winters, the mother of Kristoff St. John's Neil Winters.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be a member of the cast of this historic moment in daytime television," Nichols said of her new role. "I've been a huge fan of The Young and the Restless for decades. I'm equally honored to be from Chicago like the Bell Family who created this incredible TV show."

Nichols earned a Daytime Emmy nomination as Outstanding Guest Performer.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the legendary Nichelle Nichols," The Young and the Restless said in a statement. "We are honored she blessed Y&R with her extraordinary talents."

Our thoughts are with the family of the legendary Nichelle Nichols. ❤️ We are honored she blessed Y&R with her extraordinary talents. https://t.co/PVXO7KfFsQ

- Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) July 31, 2022

Other honors Nichols has received include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Life Career Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, and having Asteroid 68410 Nichols named in her honor.

Nichols is survived by her son, Kyle Johnson.

What are some of your favorite memories from Nichelle Nichols' career? Would you like to leave a message of condolence? We want to hear from you -- and there are many ways you can share your thoughts.

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