Leonard Nimoy, the eloquent, baritone-voiced actor and director who will forever be remembered as the Starship Enterprise's supremely logical half-human, half-Vulcan science officer Spock, died on Friday in Los Angeles. He was 83 years old.
Although his most recent major television role was on Fox's "Fringe," Nimoy's work on the television series "Star Trek" led to Spock becoming one of the most beloved sci-fi characters in the history of the genre. It also earned him three Emmy nominations for the role. Today Spock's V-shaped Vulcan hand salute, accompanied by the gentle benediction, "Live long and prosper," is recognized around the world. The "Star Trek" franchise may have defined the better part of Nimoy's career and made him a pop culture icon, but the man was as versatile as he was famous. He authored a number of books, recorded several albums, directed television episodes and theatrical releases (including the 1987 comedy blockbuster 3 Men and a Baby) and won critical notice as a respected photographer over the course of his lifetime.
Born in Boston on March 26, 1931, to Yiddish-speaking Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, Nimoy began acting in community theater at the age of eight. His first major role came at age 17, when he played Ralphie in an amateur production of Clifford Odets's "Awake and Sing." After receiving career advice from an actor in another Odets play making its pre-Broadway debut in Boston, he submitted an application to California's Pasadena Playhouse. Nimoy would then relocate to the West Coast using his earnings from selling vacuum cleaners.
Nimoy made his film debut at age 20 in the 1951 film Queen for a Day, and won a small role as a ballplayer in the film Rhubarb, which was released in the same year. His first movie lead was the title role in the 1952 film Kid Monk Baroni. Nimoy then took drama classes at Boston College in 1953.
Following a stint in the Army between 1953 and 1955, Nimoy had guest starring roles in a number of television series. Starting in 1958, he appeared in "Sea Hunt," "Highway Patrol," "Bonanza," "The Untouchables," "Get Smart" and "The Virginian." He also guest starred in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" titled "A Quality of Mercy," and would work with his future co-star and friend William Shatner in the "The Project Strigas Affair" episode of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
But it was Nimoy's role in a 1964 episode of "The Lieutenant" that caught the eye of a producer and writer named Gene Roddenberry, who cast Nimoy in his new series "Star Trek." Nimoy is the only member of "Star Trek's" main cast to appear in every episode of the series, including the original unaired pilot. Of the famous Vulcan salute, Nimoy once explained that he based it on the way the rabbis in his childhood held their hands while giving blessings. (He also invented the Vulcan nerve pinch when he and the "Trek" writers needed a non-violent means for Spock to overpower an enemy.) The series only ran until 1969, but went on to inspire a movie franchise and four spinoffs. Nimoy co-starred with the rest of the original cast in the first six installments of the theatrical series, starting with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" in 1979. He also directed the third and fourth "Trek" films, 1984's Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and 1986's Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Nimoy returned to play Spock Prime for J.J. Abrams' 2009 resurrection of the theatrical franchise and its sequel, Star Trek: Into Darkness.
After the original "Star Trek's" cancellation, Nimoy joined the cast of "Mission: Impossible" playing The Great Paris, a master of impersonation. The actor stayed with that series until 1971. He enjoyed roles in a number of television movies, eventually earning a best supporting actor Emmy nomination for "A Woman Called Golda" in 1982.
Nimoy did not limit his artistic exploration to stage and screen, however. He authored several books of poetry and two autobiographies, the first being the somewhat-controversial 1977 tome "I Am Not Spock," which examined his self-declared identity crisis brought on by being associated with the character. His second, 1995's "I Am Spock," revealed that he had reached a certain peace with the influence the role had on his life. He also recorded several albums, most of which are considered to be masterpieces of unintentional camp.
Nimoy was an avid photographer, having studied photography at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the 1970s. In 2002 he released a provocative collection of photographs titled "The Shekhina Project," which drew controversy for its depiction of Jewish female nudes. Five years after its publication, Nimoy examined the beauty in plus-sized women for 2007's "The Full Body Project."
Nimoy's final TV role was in "Fringe," in which he played genius scientist and Massive Dynamic CEO William Bell, and his final voice-acting role was for the animated film Zambezia.
The actor also was very active on social media, sharing affirmations and words of wisdom on Twitter accompanied by his sign-off, "LLAP," or "Live Long and Prosper." His final tweet, dated February 22, told his 1.13 million followers, "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. "
Nimoy is survived by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, his two children, director Adam Nimoy and Julie Nimoy, from his previous marriage to Sandra Zober, as well as a stepson and several grandchildren.
Although his most recent major television role was on Fox's "Fringe," Nimoy's work on the television series "Star Trek" led to Spock becoming one of the most beloved sci-fi characters in the history of the genre. It also earned him three Emmy nominations for the role. Today Spock's V-shaped Vulcan hand salute, accompanied by the gentle benediction, "Live long and prosper," is recognized around the world. The "Star Trek" franchise may have defined the better part of Nimoy's career and made him a pop culture icon, but the man was as versatile as he was famous. He authored a number of books, recorded several albums, directed television episodes and theatrical releases (including the 1987 comedy blockbuster 3 Men and a Baby) and won critical notice as a respected photographer over the course of his lifetime.
Born in Boston on March 26, 1931, to Yiddish-speaking Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, Nimoy began acting in community theater at the age of eight. His first major role came at age 17, when he played Ralphie in an amateur production of Clifford Odets's "Awake and Sing." After receiving career advice from an actor in another Odets play making its pre-Broadway debut in Boston, he submitted an application to California's Pasadena Playhouse. Nimoy would then relocate to the West Coast using his earnings from selling vacuum cleaners.
Nimoy made his film debut at age 20 in the 1951 film Queen for a Day, and won a small role as a ballplayer in the film Rhubarb, which was released in the same year. His first movie lead was the title role in the 1952 film Kid Monk Baroni. Nimoy then took drama classes at Boston College in 1953.
Following a stint in the Army between 1953 and 1955, Nimoy had guest starring roles in a number of television series. Starting in 1958, he appeared in "Sea Hunt," "Highway Patrol," "Bonanza," "The Untouchables," "Get Smart" and "The Virginian." He also guest starred in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" titled "A Quality of Mercy," and would work with his future co-star and friend William Shatner in the "The Project Strigas Affair" episode of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
But it was Nimoy's role in a 1964 episode of "The Lieutenant" that caught the eye of a producer and writer named Gene Roddenberry, who cast Nimoy in his new series "Star Trek." Nimoy is the only member of "Star Trek's" main cast to appear in every episode of the series, including the original unaired pilot. Of the famous Vulcan salute, Nimoy once explained that he based it on the way the rabbis in his childhood held their hands while giving blessings. (He also invented the Vulcan nerve pinch when he and the "Trek" writers needed a non-violent means for Spock to overpower an enemy.) The series only ran until 1969, but went on to inspire a movie franchise and four spinoffs. Nimoy co-starred with the rest of the original cast in the first six installments of the theatrical series, starting with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" in 1979. He also directed the third and fourth "Trek" films, 1984's Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and 1986's Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Nimoy returned to play Spock Prime for J.J. Abrams' 2009 resurrection of the theatrical franchise and its sequel, Star Trek: Into Darkness.
After the original "Star Trek's" cancellation, Nimoy joined the cast of "Mission: Impossible" playing The Great Paris, a master of impersonation. The actor stayed with that series until 1971. He enjoyed roles in a number of television movies, eventually earning a best supporting actor Emmy nomination for "A Woman Called Golda" in 1982.
Nimoy did not limit his artistic exploration to stage and screen, however. He authored several books of poetry and two autobiographies, the first being the somewhat-controversial 1977 tome "I Am Not Spock," which examined his self-declared identity crisis brought on by being associated with the character. His second, 1995's "I Am Spock," revealed that he had reached a certain peace with the influence the role had on his life. He also recorded several albums, most of which are considered to be masterpieces of unintentional camp.
Nimoy was an avid photographer, having studied photography at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the 1970s. In 2002 he released a provocative collection of photographs titled "The Shekhina Project," which drew controversy for its depiction of Jewish female nudes. Five years after its publication, Nimoy examined the beauty in plus-sized women for 2007's "The Full Body Project."
Nimoy's final TV role was in "Fringe," in which he played genius scientist and Massive Dynamic CEO William Bell, and his final voice-acting role was for the animated film Zambezia.
The actor also was very active on social media, sharing affirmations and words of wisdom on Twitter accompanied by his sign-off, "LLAP," or "Live Long and Prosper." His final tweet, dated February 22, told his 1.13 million followers, "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. "
Nimoy is survived by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, his two children, director Adam Nimoy and Julie Nimoy, from his previous marriage to Sandra Zober, as well as a stepson and several grandchildren.
- 2/27/2015
- by Melanie McFarland
- IMDb News
Leonard Simon Nimoy (March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor, film director, poet, singer and photographer. Nimoy was best known for his role as Spock in the original Star Trek series (1966–69), and in multiple film, television and video game sequels. Note: Leonard Nimoy quit smoking 30 years prior to being diagnosed with Copd. If you smoke, don’t. Just quit. Today! Nimoy began his career in his early twenties, teaching acting classes in Hollywood and making minor film and television appearances through the 1950s, as well as playing the title role in Kid Monk Baroni. Foreshadowing his fame as a semi-alien, he played Narab, one of three Martian invaders in the 1952 movie serial Zombies of the Stratosphere. In 1953, he served in the United States Army. In 1965, he made his first appearance in the rejected Star Trek pilot, The Cage, and went on to play the character of Mr Spock until 1969, followed by...
- 2/27/2015
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Leonard Nimoy, the iconic Spock of the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek, has died. He was 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death to the New York Times, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nimoy’s decades-long career began in his early 20s, with film and TV appearances through the 1950s, including the title role in Kid Monk Baroni. A harbinger of things to come, he played Narab, one of three Martian invaders in 1952’s Zombies Of…...
- 2/27/2015
- Deadline TV
Leonard Nimoy, the iconic Spock of the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek, has died. He was 83. His wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed his death to the New York Times, saying the cause was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nimoy’s decades-long career began in his early 20s, with film and TV appearances through the 1950s, including the title role in Kid Monk Baroni. A harbinger of things to come, he played Narab, one of three Martian invaders in 1952’s Zombies Of…...
- 2/27/2015
- Deadline
Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83.
The actor and filmmaker, who rose to fame as Mr Spock in the Star Trek TV series and movies, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife confirmed to The New York Times.
Nimoy revealed last year that he was suffering from the disease, caused by smoking in his younger years. He had been treated in hospital earlier this week.
Nimoy began his career in the early '50s teaching acting and appearing in B movies, such as 1952's Kid Monk Baroni, and TV roles. He also served in the United States Army in 1953.
In 1965, Nimoy played Mr Spock for the first time in the rejected Star Trek pilot 'The Cage'. He retained the role when the show was taken to series and portrayed the character on the small screen until 1969.
After success as Spock, Nimoy played Paris for two seasons...
The actor and filmmaker, who rose to fame as Mr Spock in the Star Trek TV series and movies, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife confirmed to The New York Times.
Nimoy revealed last year that he was suffering from the disease, caused by smoking in his younger years. He had been treated in hospital earlier this week.
Nimoy began his career in the early '50s teaching acting and appearing in B movies, such as 1952's Kid Monk Baroni, and TV roles. He also served in the United States Army in 1953.
In 1965, Nimoy played Mr Spock for the first time in the rejected Star Trek pilot 'The Cage'. He retained the role when the show was taken to series and portrayed the character on the small screen until 1969.
After success as Spock, Nimoy played Paris for two seasons...
- 2/27/2015
- Digital Spy
Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83.
The actor and filmmaker, who rose to fame as Mr Spock in the Star Trek TV series and movies, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife confirmed to The New York Times.
Nimoy revealed last year that he was suffering from the disease, caused by smoking in his younger years. He had been treated in hospital earlier this week.
Nimoy began his career in the early '50s teaching acting and appearing in B movies, such as 1952's Kid Monk Baroni, and TV roles. He also served in the United States Army in 1953.
In 1965, Nimoy played Mr Spock for the first time in the rejected Star Trek pilot 'The Cage'. He retained the role when the show was taken to series and portrayed the character on the small screen until 1969.
After success as Spock, Nimoy played Paris for two seasons...
The actor and filmmaker, who rose to fame as Mr Spock in the Star Trek TV series and movies, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife confirmed to The New York Times.
Nimoy revealed last year that he was suffering from the disease, caused by smoking in his younger years. He had been treated in hospital earlier this week.
Nimoy began his career in the early '50s teaching acting and appearing in B movies, such as 1952's Kid Monk Baroni, and TV roles. He also served in the United States Army in 1953.
In 1965, Nimoy played Mr Spock for the first time in the rejected Star Trek pilot 'The Cage'. He retained the role when the show was taken to series and portrayed the character on the small screen until 1969.
After success as Spock, Nimoy played Paris for two seasons...
- 2/27/2015
- Digital Spy
Leonard Nimoy, the much-loved actor and long-time Star Trek lead, has died in Los Angeles. He was 83. According to The New York Times, his wife Susan Bay Nimoy, who confirmed his death, attributed the cause to chronic pulmonary disease. Nimoy himself had attributed his ill-health to a long-ceased smoking habit.As the internet will be swift to note, Leonard Nimoy lived long and prospered. Born in Boston to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Nimoy acted in neighbourhood theatre from the age of eight, later scoring his first major role in an amateur production of a Clifford Odets play aged 17. Fuelled by his experiences on the stage and encouraged by his grandfather, Nimoy revisited the craft in his twenties after a three-year stint in the Us Army and a short spell at college. Moving to La, he was soon teaching the craft in Hollywood and paying the rent with small roles TV shows and movies,...
- 2/27/2015
- EmpireOnline
Leonard Nimoy has had one of the more distinguished and iconic television careers. He'll always be known first and foremost as 'Star Trek's' Mr. Spock, but in a six-decade long run that began with movies like 'Them' and 'Kid Monk Baroni,' Nimoy has proved that he's much more than just Spock. He's a man who's made his mark as an actor, writer, director, musician and artist. And he has decided now, at the age of 79, to call it day.
In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Nimoy responded specifically to the question of whether he would play Spock again in the next J.J. Abrams' 'Star Trek' movie. He said, "I want to get off the stage. Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto. He's a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it's time to give him some space.
In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Nimoy responded specifically to the question of whether he would play Spock again in the next J.J. Abrams' 'Star Trek' movie. He said, "I want to get off the stage. Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto. He's a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it's time to give him some space.
- 4/21/2010
- by Allison Waldman
- Aol TV.
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