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RIP Leonard Nimoy, the REAL Mr. Spock
Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock from ‘Star Trek,’ dead at 83
02/27/15 12:24 PM—Updated 02/27/15 12:47 PM
By Adam Howard
Leonard Nimoy, the actor beloved by generations of “Star Trek” fans for his portrayal of the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock on the TV series “Star Trek” and its subsequent film spin-offs died Friday at age 83, the New York Times reported.
Nimoy was hospitalized just two days ago reportedly due to chest pains. He had announced last year that he was battling lung cancer. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In his last tweet, he wrote: “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP.”
The last letters were an acronym for Spock’s signature catchphrase, “Live long and prosper.”
Nimoy’s death brought an outpouring of grief and love on social media from fans and former co-stars. Actor George Takei, who starred alongside Nimoy as Captain Sulu for years on “Star Trek,” told msnbc’s Kristen Welker, “ You know, the word ‘extraordinary’ is often overused, but I think it’s really appropriate for Leonard. He was an extraordinarily talented man, but also a very decent human being. His talent embraced directing as well as acting, and photography. He was a very sensitive man and we feel his passing very much. He’d been ill for a long, long time and we miss him very much.”
“Star Trek,” which debuted on NBC in 1966 was famous for tackling social issues under the guise of science fiction. Fans considered the logical and intellectual Spock character the show’s “conscience.”
“In Spock, I finally found the best of both worlds: to be widely accepted in public approval and yet be able to continue to play the insulated alien through the Vulcan character,” Nimoy once wrote.
However, despite a devoted cult following the show was canceled after just three seasons due to low ratings. Yet a steady and dedicated fan campaign brought the series to the big screen in 1979. Thirty-six years, twelve films and over a $1 billion at the box office later – the rest is history.
Although Nimoy enjoyed prolific career as both a director (“Three Men and a Baby”) and as a film actor (“Invasion of the Body Snatchers”), he will always be best known for this many appearances as Spock over six decades – a fact that he was not quite comfortable with at first.
In 1977 he infamously penned a memoir called “I Am Not Spock.” But in later years he embraced his legendary character and wrote a follow-up memoir entitled, “I Am Spock,” in 1995. Nimoy also directed two of the most popular installments of the big screen “Star Trek” franchise: “The Search for Spock” and “The Voyage Home.” And Nimoy was the only original cast member to appear in the J.J. Abrams reboot of the series, making cameo appearances in 2009’s “Star Trek” and 2012’s “Star Trek: Into Darkness.”
When those new films were released there was widespread pundit discussion about similarities between the cold, cerebral Spock character and President Barack Obama. The president himself was very aware of the comparison, which extended to each having pronounced ears.
In a 2011 interview with Barbara Walters, Obama said the biggest misconception about him is, “Me being detached, or Spock-like, or very analytical.”
Even if Obama doesn’t see himself that way, Takei says Nimoy did.
“He was one of the most thoughtful, analytical actors. He understood what the scene needed immediately and he was able to give guidance to us. And that is why he was such a gifted director as well. “
02/27/15 12:24 PM—Updated 02/27/15 12:47 PM
By Adam Howard
Leonard Nimoy, the actor beloved by generations of “Star Trek” fans for his portrayal of the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock on the TV series “Star Trek” and its subsequent film spin-offs died Friday at age 83, the New York Times reported.
Nimoy was hospitalized just two days ago reportedly due to chest pains. He had announced last year that he was battling lung cancer. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In his last tweet, he wrote: “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP.”
The last letters were an acronym for Spock’s signature catchphrase, “Live long and prosper.”
Nimoy’s death brought an outpouring of grief and love on social media from fans and former co-stars. Actor George Takei, who starred alongside Nimoy as Captain Sulu for years on “Star Trek,” told msnbc’s Kristen Welker, “ You know, the word ‘extraordinary’ is often overused, but I think it’s really appropriate for Leonard. He was an extraordinarily talented man, but also a very decent human being. His talent embraced directing as well as acting, and photography. He was a very sensitive man and we feel his passing very much. He’d been ill for a long, long time and we miss him very much.”
“Star Trek,” which debuted on NBC in 1966 was famous for tackling social issues under the guise of science fiction. Fans considered the logical and intellectual Spock character the show’s “conscience.”
“In Spock, I finally found the best of both worlds: to be widely accepted in public approval and yet be able to continue to play the insulated alien through the Vulcan character,” Nimoy once wrote.
However, despite a devoted cult following the show was canceled after just three seasons due to low ratings. Yet a steady and dedicated fan campaign brought the series to the big screen in 1979. Thirty-six years, twelve films and over a $1 billion at the box office later – the rest is history.
Although Nimoy enjoyed prolific career as both a director (“Three Men and a Baby”) and as a film actor (“Invasion of the Body Snatchers”), he will always be best known for this many appearances as Spock over six decades – a fact that he was not quite comfortable with at first.
In 1977 he infamously penned a memoir called “I Am Not Spock.” But in later years he embraced his legendary character and wrote a follow-up memoir entitled, “I Am Spock,” in 1995. Nimoy also directed two of the most popular installments of the big screen “Star Trek” franchise: “The Search for Spock” and “The Voyage Home.” And Nimoy was the only original cast member to appear in the J.J. Abrams reboot of the series, making cameo appearances in 2009’s “Star Trek” and 2012’s “Star Trek: Into Darkness.”
When those new films were released there was widespread pundit discussion about similarities between the cold, cerebral Spock character and President Barack Obama. The president himself was very aware of the comparison, which extended to each having pronounced ears.
In a 2011 interview with Barbara Walters, Obama said the biggest misconception about him is, “Me being detached, or Spock-like, or very analytical.”
Even if Obama doesn’t see himself that way, Takei says Nimoy did.
“He was one of the most thoughtful, analytical actors. He understood what the scene needed immediately and he was able to give guidance to us. And that is why he was such a gifted director as well. “
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