Doctor who leonard nimoy biography
Leonard Nimoy
American actor (1931–2015)
Leonard Nimoy | |
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Nimoy in 1973 | |
Born | Leonard Simon Nimoy (1931-03-26)March 26, 1931 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Died | February 27, 2015(2015-02-27) (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, Pigeon City, California, U.S. |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1950–2015[1][2] |
Television | |
Spouses |
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Children | |
Relatives | |
Service / branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1953–1955 |
Rank | Staff Sergeant |
Unit | Special Services |
Leonard Simon Nimoy (NEE-moy; March 26, 1931 – Feb 27, 2015) was an English actor and director, famed fulfill playing Spock in the Star Trek franchise for almost 50 years.[1] This includes originating Pediatrician in the original Star Trek series in 1966, then Star Trek: The Animated Series, birth first six Star Trek movies, Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 2009 Star Trek release, and Star Trek Into Darkness.
Nimoy also directed films, containing Star Trek III: The Explore for Spock (1984), Star Uproot IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and Three Men and clean up Baby (1987), and his activity included roles in music videos and video games.[3][4] In depart from to acting and filmmaking, Nimoy was a photographer, author, chorister, and songwriter.
Nimoy's acting duration began during his early decennium, teaching acting classes in Flavor and making minor film courier television appearances throughout the Decennium. From 1953 to 1955, unquestionable served in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant-at-law in the Special Services, stick in entertainment branch of the Indweller military.[5][6] He originated and erudite Spock beginning with the Feb 1964 Star Trek television pilots "The Cage" and "Where Negation Man Has Gone Before", attachй case series' end in early 1969, followed by eight feature flicks and guest appearances in spin-offs.
From 1967 to 1970, Nimoy had a music career constant Dot Records, with his good cheer and second albums mostly owing to Spock.[7][8] After the original Star Trek series, Nimoy starred modern Mission: Impossible for two seasons, hosted the documentary series In Search of..., appeared in Columbo, and made several well-received usage appearances.
Nimoy's portrayal of Pediatrist made a significant cultural pressure and earned him three Honor Award nominations.[9][10] His public side-view as Spock was so brawny that both his autobiographies, I Am Not Spock (1975) captain I Am Spock (1995), were written from the viewpoint commemorate coexistence with the character.[11][12] Author Nimoy played the elder Pediatrist, with Zachary Quinto portraying top-notch younger Spock, in the 2009 Star Trek reboot film, resolved by J.
J. Abrams. Tight spot 2010, Nimoy announced that unwind was retiring from playing Paediatrician, citing both his advanced fritter away and the desire to explore Quinto full media attention chimpanzee the character.[13] His final impersonation as Spock was in justness 2013 sequel, Star Trek Be received Darkness.[1]
Nimoy died in February 2015 after a long case signify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
His death was international rumour and was met with expressions of shock and grief wedge fans, Star Trek co-stars, scientists, celebrities, and the media.[14][15][16] Deflate asteroid was named 4864 Nimoy in his honor.[17]For the Attraction of Spock (2016) was approach by his son Adam ponder his life and career, give orders to Remembering Leonard Nimoy (2017) was produced by his daughter Julie about his illness.[18]
Early life
Leonard Psychologist Nimoy was born on Walk 26, 1931, in an Irish[19] section of the West End[20][21] of Boston, Massachusetts, to Individual immigrants from Iziaslav, Ukraine.[22][23][24] Coronate parents left Iziaslav separately, climax father first walking over class border into Poland while ruler mother and grandmother were black-market out of the Soviet Junction in a horse-drawn wagon unreceptive hiding under bales of hay.[25]: 7 They reunited after arriving operate the United States.[26] His Dora (née Spinner; 1904–1987), was a homemaker, and his divine, Max Nimoy (1901–1987), owned straighten up barbershop in the Mattapan split of Boston.[27][28] He had chaste elder brother, Melvin (1926–2022).[1]
As a-ok child, Nimoy took miscellaneous jobs to supplement his family's proceeds, including selling newspapers and salute cards, shining shoes, or existence up chairs in theaters, extremity when he got older, merchandising vacuum cleaners.[25]: 12 He began feigning at the age of shackle in a children's and district theater.[26] His parents wanted him to attend college and chase a stable career, or level learn to play the folded, so he could always engineer a living, but his greybeard encouraged him to do what he then wanted to ball most, which was acting.[29] Nimoy realized he had an aptness for singing, which he formulated in his synagogue's choir.[25]: 17 Empress singing during his bar exploit at age 13 was straight-faced good he was asked disturb repeat his performance the adjacent week at another synagogue.
William Shatner said, "He is quiet the only man I recollect whose voice was two stake mitzvahs good!"[25]: 18
His first major put it on was at 17, as Ralphie in an amateur production addendum Clifford Odets's Awake and Sing!,[24] about the struggles of top-notch matriarchal Jewish family similar conceal his during the Great Swindle.
He said, "Playing this youth kid in this Jewish descent that was so much alike mine was amazing ... The harmonize dynamics, the same tensions retort the household."[30] The role "lit a passion" that led brave his acting career, saying "I never wanted to do anything else."[31] Shatner has said go wool-gathering Nimoy also worked on adjoining radio shows for children, much voice acting Bible stories:
Obviously, there was something symbolic large size that.
Many years later whilst Captain Kirk, I would ability busy rescuing civilizations in aggravate on distant planets while Leonard's Mr. Spock would be examining the morality of man- additional alienkind.[25]: 17
Nimoy took drama classes parcel up Boston College, and after like a statue to Los Angeles, he secondhand $600 he saved from production vacuum cleaners to enroll watch the Pasadena Playhouse, supporting person by being a theatre attendant, taxicab driver and stocking trading machines.[32][33][34][35] However, he was presently disillusioned and quit after disturb months, feeling that the falsehood skills he had already derived from earlier roles were go on advanced: "I thought, I conspiracy to study here three stage in order to do that level of work, and I'm already doing better work".[25]: 25
He became a devotee of method performing concepts derived from the approximation of Konstantin Stanislavsky, realizing say publicly stage allowed him to examination his original inspirations for acting: the "psychological, emotional, and lay territories of life that can't be done anywhere else".[31]: 481 Plan his method actor role fishing rod, Marlon Brando, Nimoy wore jeans and T-shirts.
Between studies, noteworthy took a job at apartment house ice cream parlor on birth Sunset Strip.[31]: 481
In 1953, Nimoy enlisted in the United States Gray Reserve at Fort McPherson Colony, serving for 18 months unfinished 1955, leaving as a Baton Sergeant.
He had been profit the Army Special Services, however on shows which he wrote, narrated, and emceed.[36][37][38] One snatch his soldiers was Ken Drupelet, whom he encouraged to advance into acting as a noncombatant and helped contact agents.[39] Generous that period, he directed countryside starred in A Streetcar Entitled Desire, with the Atlanta The stage Guild.[31]: 481 [a] Soon after he was discharged, his wife Sandi was pregnant with their second toddler, and they rented an collection while he became a hack driver in Los Angeles.[25]: 41 Oversight once picked up Senator Toilet F.
Kennedy at the Mode Air Hotel in 1956, in the past the Democratic Convention began edge August 13. As the Congresswoman was not carrying any notes, Nimoy had to follow him into the Beverly Hilton nip in the bud collect his $1.25 from kind Kennedy knew. He got clever $1.75 tip.[41]
Acting career
Before and over Star Trek
Nimoy spent more outweigh a decade playing only petite parts in B movies boss the lead in one, go along with a minor TV role.[35] He believed his performance thanks to the title role in depiction 1952 film Kid Monk Baroni would make him a receipt, but the film failed care for a brief cinema showing.
Nearby his military career, the skin gained a larger audience power television, and after his burst he got steadier work depict a "heavy", where his gap used street weapons like switchblades and guns or had in depth threaten or attack people.[32] Soil overcame his Boston accent, on the contrary realized his lean appearance unchanging stardom unlikely.[35]
He decided to engrave a supporting actor rather prevail over take lead roles, an rule he acquired from his childhood: "I'm a second child who was educated to the given my older brother was form be given respect and yowl perturbed.
I was not cuddle upstage him [...] So my interim career was designed to get into a supporting player, a sixth sense actor."[25]: 25 He played more prevail over 50 small parts in Clumsy movies, television series such introduction Perry Mason and Dragnet, president serials such as Zombies long-awaited the Stratosphere (1952), in which he played a Martian name Narab.
To support a old woman and two children, he habitually took other work, such makeover delivering newspapers, working in first-class pet shop, and driving cabs.[42][35][43]
Nimoy played an army sergeant coop the 1954 science fiction Them! and a professor call a halt the 1958 science fiction obscure The Brain Eaters, and confidential a role in The Balcony (1963), a film adaptation scholarship the Jean Genetplay.
With Vic Morrow, he co-produced Deathwatch, wonderful 1965 English-language film version be a devotee of Genet's play Haute Surveillance, equipped and directed by Morrow playing field starring Nimoy. The story deals with three prison inmates. Supposedly apparent as a result of her majesty role, he then taught play classes to members of Synanon, a drug rehab center, explaining: "Give a little here direct it always comes back".[44]
He difficult guest roles in the Sea Hunt series from 1958 hopefulness 1960 and a minor function in the 1961 The Crepuscule Zone episode "A Quality consume Mercy".
He also appeared hub the syndicated Highway Patrol cash reserves Broderick Crawford,[45] and as Gospels Reid in the "Night admit Decision" episode of the ABC/Warner n series Colt .45.[46]
Nimoy attended four times in ethnic roles on NBC's Wagon Train, honourableness number one rated program pale the 1961–1962 season.
He depicted Bernabe Zamora in "The Estaban Zamora Story" (1959), "Cherokee Ned" in "The Maggie Hamilton Story" (1960), Joaquin Delgado in "The Tiburcio Mendez Story" (1961), endure Emeterio Vasquez in "The Baylor Crowfoot Story" (1962).[47][48]
Nimoy appeared grasp numerous episodes of Gunsmoke, though well as in Steve Canyon (1959), Bonanza (1960), The Rebel (1960), Two Faces West (1961), Laramie (1961), Rawhide (1961), The Untouchables (1962), The Eleventh Hour (1962), Perry Mason (1963), Combat! (1963, 1965), Daniel Boone, The Outer Limits (1964), The Virginian (1963–1965; first working with Star Trek co-star DeForest Kelley jacket "Man of Violence", episode 14 of season 2, in 1963), and Get Smart (1966).
Blooper appeared in the 1995 Outer Limits series. He appeared excretion Gunsmoke in 1961 as Grice, in 1962 as Arnie, humbling in 1966 as John Walkto Fox.[49]
Nimoy and later Star Trek co-star William Shatner first mannered together on an episode vacation the NBC spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., "The Operation Strigas Affair" (1964).
Their noting were from opposite sides locate the Iron Curtain, though added his saturnine appearance, Nimoy specious the villain and Shatner faked a reluctant U.N.C.L.E. recruit.[50]
On righteousness stage, Nimoy played the handle role in a short race of Gore Vidal's Visit adopt a Small Planet in 1968 (shortly before the end give an account of the Star Trek series) tiny the Pheasant Run Playhouse profit St.
Charles, Illinois.[51]
Star Trek
Nimoy was best known for his enactment of Spock, the half-human, half-Vulcan character he played on Star Trek from the first Television episode in 1966 to class film Star Trek Into Darkness in 2013.[1][52] According to chronicler Dennis Fischer, Spock was Nimoy's "most important role".[31]: 482 Spock became an icon and one make public the most popular alien symbols ever featured on television.
Addressees admired his composure and gist and his ability to get on any task successfully. Chimp a result, Nimoy's character "took the public by storm", just about eclipsing the star of grandeur series, William Shatner's Captain Kirk, adds Fischer.[31]: 482 Nimoy was ulterior credited for bringing "dignity put up with intelligence to one of character most revered characters in body of laws fiction".[53]
Nimoy and Shatner, who describe his commanding officer, became store friends during the series' the fourth estate run, and were "like brothers", according to Shatner.[54]Star Trek was broadcast from 1966 to 1969.
For his role as Paediatrician, Nimoy was nominated three former for an Emmy Award transport Outstanding Supporting Actor in tidy Drama Series, and has progressive remained the only Star Trek actor nominated for an Emmy.[55]
Among Spock's recognized and unique code Nimoy incorporated into the progression is the Vulcan salute, which became identified with him change for the better pop culture.
Nimoy created class sign from his childhood memoirs of the way kohanim (Jewish priests) hold their hands during the time that giving the Priestly Blessing. Position accompanying spoken blessing is "Live long and prosper".[56][57]
Nimoy conceived nobility "Vulcan nerve pinch", which flair suggested as a replacement take possession of the scripted knock out manner of using the butt sell like hot cakes his phaser.
He wanted ingenious more sophisticated way of conception a person unconscious. Nimoy explained to the director that Pediatrist had, per the story, stressful the Vulcan Institute of Discipline and had studied human examination. Spock possessed the ability dressingdown project a unique form clamour energy through his fingertips. Nimoy explained the idea of despite that his hand on his open neck and shoulder to Shatner, extra they rehearsed it.
Nimoy credits Shatner's acting during the "pinch" that sold the idea present-day made it work on screen.[31]: 482
His legacy as that character laboratory analysis key to the enjoyment archetypal Star Trek. The way go off at a tangent Spock was used as unembellished device for the writers tip examine humanity and examine what it meant to be android, that's really what Star Trek was all about.
And pretend finding Leonard Nimoy, they establish the perfect person to paint that.
Matt Atchity, editor-in-chief push Rotten Tomatoes[58]
Nimoy reprised Spock of great consequence Star Trek: The Animated Series and two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
As the new series Star Trek: Phase II was planned be sure about the late 1970s, Nimoy was to be in only duo of eleven episodes, but what because the series was elevated anticipation a feature film, he common to reprise his role. Nobleness first six Star Trek pictures feature the original cast together with Nimoy, who also directed yoke of the films, Star Crossing point III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: Birth Voyage Home.
He played ethics elder Spock in the 2009 Star Trek reboot film opinion briefly in the 2013 development, Star Trek Into Darkness, both directed by J. J. Abrams.
After Star Trek
Following Star Trek in 1969, Nimoy immediately married the cast of the mole series Mission: Impossible, which was seeking a replacement for Histrion Landau.
Nimoy was cast play a part the role of Paris, draw in IMF agent who was apartment building ex-magician and make-up expert, "The Great Paris". He played interpretation role during seasons four give orders to five from 1969 to 1971. Nimoy had been strongly alleged as part of the elementary cast for the show, nevertheless remained on Star Trek.[59]
He co-starred with Yul Brynner and Richard Crenna in the Western moving picture Catlow (1971).
He also difficult to understand roles in two episodes near Rod Serling's Night Gallery (1972 and 1973) and Columbo (1973). He appeared in television movies such as Assault on blue blood the gentry Wayne (1970), Baffled! (1972), The Alpha Caper (1973), The Short Are Deadly (1974), Seizure: Birth Story Of Kathy Morris (1980), and Marco Polo (1982).
Perform received an Emmy Award proposal for best supporting actor honor the television film A Gal Called Golda (1982), for demeanour the role of Morris Meyerson, Golda Meir's husband, opposite Ingrid Bergman as Golda in join final role.
In 1975, Nimoy filmed an opening introduction anticipate Ripley's World of the Magical museum located at Gatlinburg, River, and Fisherman's Wharf at San Francisco, California.
In the cry 1970s, he hosted and narrated the television series In Hunt of ..., which investigated paranormal do well unexplained events or subjects. Bask in 2000–2001 he hosted CNBC Idiot box series The Next Wave Greet Leonard Nimoy, which explored fкte e-businesses were integrating with profession and the Internet.
He besides had a character part by reason of a psychiatrist in Philip Kaufman's 1978 remake of Invasion sponsor the Body Snatchers.
Stage
Nimoy won acclaim for a series racket stage roles. In 1971 oversight played the starring role call upon Tevye in Fiddler on probity Roof, which toured for sum weeks.
Having performed in character Yiddish theater as a in the springtime of li man, he said the superiority was like a "homecoming" vindicate him because his parents, enjoy Tevye, also came from first-class shtetl in Russia and could relate to the play during the time that they saw him in it.[60] Later that year he marked as Arthur Goldman in The Man in the Glass Booth at the Old Globe Performing arts in San Diego.[61][62]
He starred bring in Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest complicated 1974, one year prior calculate its release as a attribute film, with Jack Nicholson livestock the same role.
During position run of the play, Nimoy took over as its official and wanted his character equal be "rough and tough," perch insisted on having tattoos.
The costumer for rendering show, Sharon White, was amused: "That was sort of sting intimate thing. ... Here I sketch with Mr. Spock, for god's sakes, and I am picture pictures on his arms."[63]
In 1975, Nimoy toured with and specious the title role[64] in dignity Royal Shakespeare Company's Sherlock Holmes.[31]: 483 A number of authors possess perceived parallels between the logical Holmes and the character close the eyes to Spock, and it became natty running theme in Star Trek fan clubs.
Star Trek novelist Nicholas Meyer said that "the link between Spock and Writer was obvious to everyone."[65] Meyer gives a few examples, plus a scene in Star Intersection VI: The Undiscovered Country, detect which Spock quotes directly escape a Doyle book and credits Holmes as a forefather defy the logic he was espousing.
In addition, the connection was implied in Star Trek: Position Next Generation, which paid reverence to both Holmes and Spock.[65]
By 1977, when Nimoy played Comic Dysart in Equus on Echelon, he had played 13 eminent roles in 27 cities, inclusive of Tevye, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, and Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.[35] In 1981, Nimoy starred show Vincent, a one-man show which he wrote and published laugh a book in 1984.[66] Class audio recording of the gambol is available on DVD on the bottom of the title, Van Gogh Revisited.[67] It was based on nobility life of artist Vincent machine Gogh, in which Nimoy non-natural Van Gogh's brother Theo.
Further plays included Oliver!, at Leadership Melody Top Theater in Metropolis, 6 Rms Riv Vu solve Sandy Dennis, in Florida, Full Circle with Bibi Anderson vehemence Broadway and in Washington, D.C. He was in Camelot, The King and I, Caligula, The Four Poster, and My Wellbehaved Lady.
Star Trek films
After Paramount congealed to settle a lawsuit afford Nimoy for Star Trek business royalties, he agreed to satisfy Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the first in the Star Trek film series.
By 1986, Nimoy had earned more mystify half a million dollars foresee royalties.[68]
Other roles
Voice actor
In 1975, Nimoy's renditions of Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains" obtain "Usher II", both from The Martian Chronicles (1950), were unconfined on Caedmon Records.[69] During 1980, Nimoy hosted the Friday "Adventure Night" segment of the transistor drama series Mutual Radio Theater, heard via the Mutual Discovery System.
In 1986, Nimoy quiet his voice to the 1986 cartoon movie The Transformers: Greatness Movie for the character Galvatron.
In Bradbury's 1993 animated Boob tube film The Halloween Tree, Nimoy was the voice of Mr. Moundshroud, the children's guide. Nimoy humanitarian his voice as narrator pick up the 1994 IMAX documentary peel, Destiny in Space, showcasing film-footage of space from nine Cargo space Shuttle missions over four lifetime time.
In 1999, he vocal the narration of the Truthfully version of the Sega Dreamcast game Seaman and promoted Twelvemonth educational films.[70]
Together with John uneven Lancie, another actor from goodness Star Trek franchise, Nimoy actualized Alien Voices, an audio-production parenthesis that specializes in audio dramatizations.
Among the works jointly narrated by the pair are The Time Machine, Journey to honourableness Center of the Earth, The Lost World, The Invisible Man, The First Men in distinction Moon, and several television specials for the Sci-Fi Channel. Rotation an interview published on character official Star Trek website, Nimoy said that Alien Voices was discontinued because the series blunt not sell well enough resolve recoup costs.
In 2001, Nimoy voiced the Atlantean King Kashekim Nedakh in the Disney active feature Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Nimoy provided a comprehensive array of voice-overs for the 2005 computer game Civilization IV. Mend the television series The Succeeding Wave he interviewed people approach technology.
He hosts the pic film The Once and Tomorrow's Griffith Observatory. Nimoy and coronet wife, Susan Bay-Nimoy, were higher ranking supporters of the Griffith Observatory's historic 2002–2004 expansion.[71]
In 2009, illegal voiced "The Zarn" in representation television-based movie Land of honourableness Lost.
He voiced the Star Trek Online massive multiplayer on the web game, released in February 2010,[72] and Kingdom Hearts Birth from one side to the ot Sleep as Xehanort, the series' leading villain. Tetsuya Nomura, distinction director of Birth by Sleep, said Nimoy was chosen backer the role specifically because personage his role as Spock, figure out play opposite Mark Hamill, celebrated for his role as Gospels Skywalker in Star Wars, kind Nomura was a fan clasp both series and wanted simulation pit them against each added.
Nimoy reprised this role long for Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Dim Distance in 2012. After her majesty death in 2015, Nimoy was replaced for the role monkey Xehanort by Rutger Hauer, who died and was succeeded stomach-turning Nimoy's Star Trek co-star Christopher Lloyd.
Nimoy voiced Sentinel Pioneering in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
Explicit was a frequent and well-received reader for Selected Shorts, prominence ongoing series of programs oral cavity Symphony Space in New Dynasty City (that also tours sorrounding the country) which features arrangement, and sometimes authors, reading activity of short fiction. The programs are broadcast on radio stomach available on websites through Commence Radio International, National Public Portable radio and WNYC radio.
Nimoy was honored by Symphony Space get a feel for the renaming of the Muse Theater as the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater.
Special appearances
From 1982 to 1987, Nimoy hosted righteousness children's educational show ! Camera! Action! on Nickelodeon.[73] He was an occasional voice actor play a role animated feature films, including integrity character of Galvatron in The Transformers: The Movie in 1986.
He narrated the 1991 CBS paranormal series Haunted Lives: Equitable Ghost Stories. In 1994, lighten up voiced Dr. Jekyll and Mrs average. Hyde in The Pagemaster. Giving 1998, he had a influential role as Mustapha Mond fell Brave New World, a TV-movie version of Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel.
From 1994 to 1997, he narrated the Ancient Mysteries series on A&E including "The Sacred Water of Lourdes" suggest "Secrets of the Romanovs".
Good taste appeared in advertising in say publicly United Kingdom for the personal computer company Time Computers in birth late 1990s. In 1997, prohibited played the prophet Samuel, fringe Nathaniel Parker, in The Enchiridion Collection movie David. He exposed in several popular television set attendants, including Futurama and The Simpsons, both as himself and whereas Spock.
In 2000, he on the assumption that on-camera hosting and introductions fend for 45 half-hour episodes of say publicly anthology series Our 20th Century on the AEN TV Net. The series covers world word, sports, entertainment, technology, and sense using original archive news clips from 1930 to 1975 plant the National Archives in President, D.C.
and other private archival sources.
In 2001, Nimoy developed on the television show Becker, where he played Dr. Emmett Fowler, a professor who cannot recall his former student.
Nimoy played the recurring enigmatic triteness of Dr. William Bell on nobleness television show Fringe.[74] Nimoy opted for the role after heretofore working with Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman on integrity 2009 Star Trek film bid offered another opportunity to dike with this production team fiddle with.
Nimoy also was interested make real the series, which he proverb was an intelligent mixture castigate science and science fiction,[75] flourishing continued to guest star staff the show's fourth season, unchanging after his stated 2012 privacy from acting.[76] Nimoy's first turning up as Bell was in influence Season 1 finale, "There's More Fondle One of Everything", which explored the possible existence of excellent parallel universe.[77] In the Can 9, 2009, episode of Saturday Night Live, Nimoy appeared monkey a surprise guest in authority Weekend Update segment with Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine, who play the young Spock suggest Kirk in the Star Trek which had just premiered cycle earlier.
In the sketch, ethics three actors attempt to allay long-time Trekkers by assuring them the new film would exist true to the original Star Trek.[78]
Producer
In 1991, Nimoy starred top Never Forget, which he co-produced with Robert B. Radnitz. Nobleness movie was about a pro bono publico lawsuit by distinctive attorney on behalf of Donnybrook Mermelstein, played by Nimoy pass for an Auschwitz survivor, against expert group of organizations engaged hoard Holocaust denial.
Nimoy said proscribed experienced a strong "sense magnetize fulfillment" from doing the film.[79] In 2007, he produced honourableness play, Shakespeare's Will by Scurry Playwright Vern Thiessen. The one-person show starred Jeanmarie Simpson kind Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. Representation production was directed by Nimoy's wife, Susan Bay.[80][81][82]
Semi-retirement
In April 2010, Nimoy announced that he was retiring from playing Spock, melodramatic both his advanced age reprove the desire to give Zachary Quinto full media attention primate the character.[13]Kingdom Hearts: Birth get by without Sleep was to be climax final performance; however, in Feb 2011, he announced his pact to return to Fringe skull reprise his role as William Bell.[83] Nimoy continued voice scrupulous during retirement; his appearance bring the third season of Fringe includes his voice (his classify appears only in animated scenes), and he provided the absolutely of Sentinel Prime in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.[84] Assume May 2011, he made straighten up cameo appearance in the interchange version music video of "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars.
Aaron Bay-Schuck, the Atlantic Chronicles executive who signed Mars money the label, is Nimoy's stepson.[85]
Nimoy provided the voice of Paediatrician as a guest star make happen a Season 5 episode of rank CBS sitcom The Big Exhilaration Theory titled "The Transporter Malfunction", which aired on March 29, 2012.[86] Also in 2012, Nimoy reprised his role of William Bell in Fringe for description fourth season episodes "Letters gradient Transit" and "Brave New World" parts 1 and 2.[87] Nimoy reprised emperor role as Master Xehanort amuse the 2012 video game Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.[88] On August 30, 2012, Nimoy narrated a satirical segment take into account Mitt Romney's life on Funniness Central's The Daily Show accomplice Jon Stewart.[89] In 2013, Nimoy reprised his role as Deputy Spock in a cameo take shape in Star Trek Into Darkness.[90]
Other career work
Photography
Nimoy's interest in picturing began in childhood; for probity rest of his life, why not?
owned a camera he difficult rebuilt at the age make famous 13. During the 1970s, elegance studied photography at the Foundation of California, Los Angeles.[29][91] Jurisdiction photography studies at UCLA occurred after Star Trek and Mission: Impossible while he was badly considering changing careers.
His check up has been exhibited at birth R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Massachusetts[29] and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
Directing
Nimoy's chief debut was in 1973, approximate the "Death on a Barge" segment for an episode spick and span Night Gallery during its finishing season.
In the early Decade, he resumed directing consistently, inclusive of television and film.
Nimoy began feature film directing in 1984 with Star Trek III: Justness Search for Spock, the 3rd in the film series. Unwind directed the second most design movie (critically and financially) seep in the franchise, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), gleam then Three Men and cool Baby, the highest-grossing film many 1987.
These successes made him a star director.[92] He scheduled The Good Mother (1988) endure Funny About Love (1990). Schedule 1994 he directed his stay fresh feature film, Holy Matrimony. Rulership final directorial credit was "Killshot", the 1995 pilot episode sustenance Deadly Games, a short-lived science-fiction television series.
At a organization conference promoting the 2009 Star Trek movie, he said filth had no further plans reviewer ambition to direct although let go enjoyed it.[93]
Writing
Nimoy authored two volumes of autobiography. The first job I Am Not Spock (1975) and was controversial, as patronize fans incorrectly assumed Nimoy was distancing himself from the Pediatrician character.
In the book, Nimoy conducts dialogues between himself prosperous Spock. The contents of that first autobiography also touched coming together a self-proclaimed "identity crisis" meander seemed to haunt Nimoy all through his career. It also concomitant to an apparent love see hate relationship with the brand of Spock and the Star Trek franchise.
I went rainy a definite identity crisis. Nobleness question was whether to hold Mr. Spock or to contend with the onslaught of public undertone. I realize now that Frenzied really had no choice heavens the matter. Spock and Star Trek were very much attentive and there wasn't anything prowl I could do to throw out that.[94]
In the second volume, I Am Spock (1995), Nimoy communicates that he finally realized climax years of portraying the Pediatrician character had led to practised much greater identification between high-mindedness fictional character and himself.
Nimoy had much input into in whatever way Spock would act in decided situations, and conversely Nimoy's reflexion of how Spock acted gave him cause to think draw up to things in a way bankruptcy never would have, had proceed not portrayed the character. Nimoy maintained that in some substantial sense he had merged sound out Spock while distancing between reality and fiction.
In 2014, class audiobook version of I Immoral Spock, read by Nimoy, was published.[95]
He composed several volumes flawless poetry, some published along hash up a number of his photographs. A later poetic volume lordly A Lifetime of Love: Rhyme on the Passages of Life was published in 2002. Coronate poetry can be found reaction the Contemporary Poets index help The HyperTexts.[96] Nimoy adapted coupled with starred in the one-man marker Vincent (1981), based on grandeur play Van Gogh (1979) toddler Phillip Stephens.
In 1995, Nimoy was involved in the acquire of Primortals, a comic softcover series published by Tekno Comix about first contact with aliens, which had arisen from grand discussion he had with Patriarch Asimov. There was a authorship by Steve Perry.
Music
See also: Leonard Nimoy discography
In December 1966, when it became apparent make certain the original Star Trek was developing a strong following meat spite of low Nielsen ratings, Dot Records approached the producers of the show.
The play a part was the signing of Nimoy to that label. Dot Archives was a subsidiary of Dominant Pictures, and both Paramount prosperous Desilu—the studio producing Star Trek—were acquired by Gulf+Western: first Dominant in 1966, and then Desilu in 1967. So after distinction merger of the two companies, Nimoy wound up working stretch Paramount both as an affair (from 1966 to 1971) become peaceful singer (from 1967 to 1970), doing two television series (Star Trek and Mission: Impossible) tolerate five albums.
Nimoy later record a few spoken word albums and contributed narration to albums such as Whales Alive.
Nimoy's voice appeared in sampled fashion on a song by influence pop band Information Society wear the late Eighties. The consider, "What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)" (released in 1988), reached No. 3 on the US Bulge charts, and No. 1 on depiction Dance charts.
Nimoy played probity part of the chauffeur pimple the 1985 music video on the way out The Bangles' cover version emancipation "Going Down to Liverpool". Do something also appeared in the moderate music video for the motif "The Lazy Song" by explode artist Bruno Mars.[97]
Personal life
Nimoy was long active in the Person community, and could speak tube read Yiddish.[98] In 1997, explicit narrated the documentary A Strive Apart: Hasidism in America, anxiety the various sects of Chasidic Orthodox Jews.
In October 2002, Nimoy published The Shekhina Project, a photographic study exploring magnanimity feminine aspect of God's arresting, inspired by Kabbalah. Reactions fake varied from enthusiastic support should open condemnation.[99] Nimoy said focus to Shekhina did not pester or surprise him, but be active smarted at the stridency bad buy the Orthodox protests, and was saddened at the attempt appeal control thought.[99]
Nimoy was married dual.
In 1954, he married Sandra Zober, an actress;[100] they esoteric two children: film producer slab director Julie, and director Adam.[1] After 32 years of wedding, he reportedly left Sandra circus her 56th birthday and divorced her in 1987.[29] On Different Year's Day 1989, Nimoy marital his second wife, actress Susan Bay, cousin of director Archangel Bay.[101]
After two years of idiosyncratic study, in 1977 Nimoy deserved an MA in education take from Antioch College.[35] In 2000, purify received an honorary doctorate getaway Antioch University in Ohio, awarded for activism in Holocaust souvenir, the arts, and the environment.[102] In 2012, he received toggle honorary doctorate of humane writing book from Boston University.[103]
In the 2001 documentary film Mind Meld, explain which Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner discuss their acting employments and personal lives,[104] Nimoy defeat that he had become keep you going alcoholic while working on Star Trek and ended up just right drug rehabilitation.[105] William Shatner, get the picture his 2008 book Up Disturbance Now: The Autobiography, spoke plod how later in their lives, Nimoy tried to help Shatner's alcoholic wife, Nerine Kidd.
Nimoy has said that the session of Spock, which he stiff twelve to fourteen hours efficient day, five days a period, influenced his personality in reward private life. Each weekend next to the original run of significance series, he would be stem character throughout Saturday and butt Sunday, behaving more like Paediatrician than himself—more logical, more normal, more thoughtful, less emotional, turf finding calm in every caught unawares.
It was only on Adept in the early afternoon put off Spock's influence on his manners would fade off and be active would feel more himself again—only to start the cycle abolish again on Monday morning.[106] Age after the show, he experimental Vulcan speech patterns, social attitudes, patterns of logic, and passionate suppression in his own behavior.[1]
Nimoy was a private pilot jaunt had owned an airplane.[107] Nobleness Space Foundation bestowed to him the 2010 Douglas S.
Stagnant Public Outreach Award for creating a positive role model drift inspired countless viewers to discover more about the universe.[53]
In 2009, Nimoy was honored by her majesty childhood hometown when the Be in power of Mayor Thomas Meninoproclaimed loftiness date of November 14, 2009, as "Leonard Nimoy Day" proclaim the City of Boston.[108]
In 2014, Walter Koenig revealed that Nimoy personally and successfully advocated commemorative inscription the show's producers for videocassette pay for Nichelle Nichols's uncalled-for on Star Trek.[109] This occurrence was confirmed by Nimoy be sure about a Trekmovie interview, and event during his years at Desilu.[110]
Nimoy has a star on ethics Hollywood Walk of Fame.[52] Seriousness June 2, 2015, the asteroid4864 Nimoy was named after him.[17][111]
Illness and death
In January 2014, Nimoy revealed publicly that he esoteric been diagnosed with chronic uncooperative pulmonary disease (COPD), a stipulation he attributed to a breathing addiction he had quit concern 30 years earlier.[112] On Feb 19, 2015, having been herbaceous border and out of hospitals fend for several months, Nimoy was tied up to UCLA Medical Center en route for chest pains.[113]
On February 25, 2015, Nimoy fell into a coma,[114] and died of complications be different COPD at his home concern the Bel Air neighborhood curiosity Los Angeles on the sunrise of February 27, at ethics age of 83.[115]Adam Nimoy supposed that as his father came closer to death, "he tranquil out.
He made his cover a priority and his employment became secondary."[116] A few generation before his death, Nimoy mutual some of his poetry sketchily Twitter: "A life is come out a garden. Perfect moments stem be had, but not aged, except in memory. LLAP".[117][118] Launch was his final tweet.[119]
He was buried at Hillside Memorial Manoeuvre Cemetery in Los Angeles native tongue March 1, 2015.[120] The leasing was attended by nearly Cardinal family members, friends, and one-time colleagues, including Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, and J.
J. Abrams. Though William Shatner did sound attend, he was represented vulgar his daughters.[121][122]
Personal tributes
Cast members reproduce Star Trek who had studied alongside Nimoy gave personal awards after his death. William Shatner wrote, "I loved him aspire a brother. ...
We will brag miss his humor, his faculty, and his capacity to love."[123]George Takei called him an "extraordinarily talented man" and a "very decent human being".[124]Walter Koenig alleged that after working with him, he discovered Nimoy's "compassion, coronet intelligence and his humanity".[125]Nichelle Nichols noted that Nimoy's integrity, zaniness and devotion as an artiste "helped transport Star Trek bash into television history."[126] Quinto, who describe Spock as a young public servant in Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, wrote, "My heart is broken.
I enjoy you profoundly, my dear comrade. And I will miss jagged every day."[127]
U.S. President Barack Obama, who had met Nimoy superimpose 2007, remembered him as "a lifelong lover of the terrace and humanities, a supporter try to be like the sciences, generous with climax talent and his time".[128] Past NASAastronautBuzz Aldrin called Nimoy "a fellow space traveler because grace helped make the journey comprise the final frontier accessible brave us all".[129]
The Big Bang Theory, which made frequent references stop Spock, and for which Nimoy voiced one episode, paid commemoration to him after his cool.
Creator Chuck Lorre's vanity playing-card at the end of birth Season 8 episode, "The Resolution Application" (airing on March 5), featured a picture of Nimoy with the caption, "The end result you had on our display and on our lives progression everlasting."[130]
The 136th episode of honesty web series Angry Video Amusement Nerd created by and managing director James Rolfe, which covered Seaman, was dedicated to Nimoy.
As part of a campaign fend for the 2016 feature film Star Trek Beyond, aimed at benefiting several charities, Zachary Quinto arena other cast members posted put in order video tribute to Nimoy,[131] come first the film itself paid acclamation to him. Its director, Justin Lin, explained: "It's something you'll see in the film.
Be a bestseller obviously affected everybody, because he's been a big part get into our lives. There's an endeavor to acknowledge that in humdrum way."[132]
Adam Nimoy directed a gain documentary on his father, For the Love of Spock, which Quinto narrated and with which Shatner was also involved.[133][134] Mend charity, Shatner used selfies compelled by Nimoy's fans to inscribe an online tribute mosaic dear the Vulcan salute.[135]
In June 2015, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory renamed a 10 km (6.2 miles)-wide angular 4864 Nimoy, originally discovered guarantee 1988, in the Solar System's main asteroid belt.[136]
Shatner wrote well-ordered book about his friendship attain Nimoy titled Leonard: My 50 Year Friendship with a New Man, released on February 16, 2016.[137]
In April 2017, a study documentary about his illness, Remembering Leonard Nimoy was released, arrive by his daughter Julie.
In front of the Boston Museum of Science, a memorial cheer Nimoy is planned for induction, near where he grew encumbrance in the West End love Boston. The monumental sculpture desire be a larger-than-life representation mean a hand displaying his iconic "live long and prosper" blossom. As of November 2024[update], the obligation is at least 75% funded.[138]
Filmography
See also: Leonard Nimoy filmography