Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy has accomplished the near-superhuman task of portraying an iconic character for three decades while pursuing a diverse career onscreen and off. In both cases he's proven himself a man of integrity, creativity, and passion: a rare combination in TV land.
Born March 26, 1931 and raised in Boston, Nimoy got his start in community theatre. His "big break" in Hollywood came with the lead in 1952's Kid Monk Baroni. A variety of minor roles in science fiction and Western films (as both cowboys and Indians) and similarly-themed TV series followed. A young Nimoy, sometimes credited as Leonard Nemoy, can be spotted in episodes of classics like Dragnet, Wagon Train, Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, and Get Smart. His work in the short-lived cop show The Lieutenant caught the eye of the show's producer, Gene Roddenberry, who cast him in a new pilot.
Since a steady job was no doubt appealing after nearly 15 years of living from one guest spot to the next, Nimoy was eager to read for Gene. But the audition became more of a pitch to Nimoy, who would portray an obviously extraterrestrial character in a futuristic science fiction adventure series. Nimoy saw a wonderful opportunity, and months later in 1965, filming on the first
Nimoy was always ready to contribute to the character's development, and can be credited with nearly all of Spock's "trademark" moves. The nerve pinch was devised as a means of having the pacifist Vulcan avoid violent conflict, while the famous hand salute was adapted from a gesture - the Shin - used by Rabbis during Hebraic benediction. His use of his hands for the Vulcan mind meld and other techniques helped establish Vulcan as a unique culture emphasizing touch. Nimoy's emotional scenes in The Naked Time, This Side of Paradise and Amok Time endeared Spock to viewers, who identifed with his struggles.
In the third and final season of TOS (1968-69) script quality generally took a dive, forcing Nimoy to become protective of his character if Spock was to maintain any credibility. He was able to get most objectionable scenes altered, but not without resentment from the cast and crew. He remained unhappy with the final minutes of Whom Gods Destroy, in which Spock can't solve the familiar "two Kirks" dilemma. Though disappointed that the show had come to an end, he - like most of the cast - preferred not to continue shooting episodes of poor quality.
Slightly relieved to hang up the Spock ears, Nimoy signed aboard Mission: Impossible for two seasons, as Paris, master of disguise. Though the role allowed him to emote and don a variety of costumes, it was restrictive in its own way. Paris lacked the depth of Spock, and didn't have much of a back story or personal life. There was little interaction between characters as they carried out their separate missions. Yet Nimoy did employ this narrative style to an extent in his Star Trek directorial efforts, insisting every character have a defined purpose.
Trek had become a huge phenomenon by the mid-1970s, something no one could have predicted. Nimoy happily attended conventions, voiced Spock in The Animated Series, and wrote a book. The title I Am Not Spock led many to think he didn't like the role, or felt typecast, but it was actually a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between actor and character. A few more films filled the decade, but Nimoy was to become a true creative force in the 1980s.
The TOS cast reunited for the flawed but formidable Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979, and the following film series assured Nimoy of regular roles. But the director's chair beckoned too, and he was asked to helm the follow-up to the blockbuster Wrath of Khan. While Spock is absent for most of The Search for Spock, Nimoy made his mark as director. He was able to go a step further with The Voyage Home, for which he conceived of the story, directed, and starred. It was the most successful Trek film yet, with lively humour and a theme of communication. He also contributed to The Undiscovered Country's plot, a glasnost analogy.
Even while exploring the out reaches of the galaxy, and the inner depths of Spock as never before, Nimoy hasn't forgotten his roots. Always an advocate of Jewish cultural awareness, he was delighted to play Golda Meir's husband in the Israeli prime minister's TV biography A Woman Called Golda. In 1991's Never Forget, based on a true story, he played Holocaust survivor Mel Mermelstein who took on Holocaust deniers in court. Nor were his directorial efforts limited to Trek. He also headed up the hit comedy Three Men and a Baby and the controversial court drama The Good Mother.
In the 1990s Nimoy returned to TV. A guest appearance in the two-part Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Unification gracefully portrayed Spock's twilight years. Nimoy hosted In Search Of . . . and put in guest appearances in The Simpsons and Futurama. He later lent his voice to films like Atlantis: The Lost Empire and games like Civilization IV. He's also found time for personal projects. 1995 saw the release of I Am Spock, a full autobiography, and in 2000 the poetry collection A Lifetime of Love appeared. His photos caused a great stir in 2002, featured in the book Shekhina. This collection explores the female aspects of God and features nude females adorned with sacred Jewish artifacts. Some saw the images as beautiful, powerful, and liberating, while others considered them as blasphemous. Most criticism came from the conservative Jewish community, regarding the improper use of the tallis and tefillin.
In summer 2007, Nimoy announced he would don his Spock ears once more. He also passes the torch to Zachary Quinto in 2009's Star Trek, a prequel film which finds young Spock in his Starfleet Academy years. In a story of time travel and alternate realities directed by J.J. Abrams, Nimoy's Spock imparts wisdom to cadet Kirk and Quinto's Spock, readying them for new destinies and adventures.
Abrams offered Nimoy another role in 2009, that of Dr. William Bell in the TV series Fringe. Bell inhabits an alterate reality, something with which Spock is all to familiar. Appearing only briefly in the Season One finale There's More Than One of Everything, Nimoy will be back in Season Two in Fall 2009.Nimoy's dedication to his alter ego is apparent even now, but he is also memorable as a distinct individual eager to share his thoughts and creations with the world. We can only wonder what possibilities the future holds.