LEONARD NIMOY - dies aged 83 - R.I.P.

Leonard Simon Nimoy passed away on Friday 27th February 2015 at his Los Angeles Bel-Air home. Aged 83 he had suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and had been hospitalised earlier in the week with breathing difficulties. Known for his role as Mr. Spock in the cult television series 'Star Trek' and it's numerous animated series, film franchise, and video game spin-offs he will forever be etched in our subconscious as the intergalactic philosopher spouting logical words of wisdom when his Captain, James T. Kirk, needed it most. 'Live long and prosper' was as much his credo as the Vulcan Spock as it was in his life, and so the tributes have poured in for this accomplished Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, Poet, Photographer, Singer and Tweeter.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on 26th March 1931, he began acting at age eight in a local theatre, but his parents who were of Ukrainian Orthodox Jewish origin, wanted him to attend College so he could get a steady, stable career. It was his grandfather however, who encouraged his acting. His first major role came at age 17 in the stage play 'Awake and Sing'. He took acting classes at Boston College and then Pasadena Playhouse, and in 1953 joined the United States Army Reserve serving for 18 months during which time he wrote, narrated and MC'd several shows. He left as a Sergeant in 1955.

His first film role came in 1951 in the comedy drama 'Queen for a Day' and a year later he took top billing in the 'Kid Monk Baroni' believing it was his ticket to the big time - not so though, and so he picked up bit parts in minor films and television shows for the next ten or so years. 'Zombies of the Stratosphere' in 1952, 'Old Overland Trail' in 1953, 'Them!' in 1954, 'The Brain Eaters' in 1958 and 'Deathwatch' in 1966 were some of the 'memorable' movie outings.





These were interspersed with a continuous stream of television work with the likes of 'West Point', 'Highway Patrol', 'The Silent Service', 'Broken Arrow', '26 Men', 'Dragnet', 'Sea Hunt', 'Wagon Train', 'The Virginian' and 'Gunsmoke'. In between these multiple appearances on these shows, there were one off appearances too on 'Bonanza', 'Rawhide', 'The Twilight Zone', 'Laramie', 'Perry Mason', 'General Hospital', 'Dr. Kildare', 'The Outer Limits' and 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'

1966 however, brought the role that would change his life forever and propel him (perhaps literally) into the stratosphere, and the hearts and minds of Sci-Fi geeks everywhere for the next fifty years. 'Star Trek' and his role has half human half Vulcan Mr. Spock became one of the most popular television series of all time spawning an animated series, a film franchise that began with 'Star Trek : The Motion Picture' in 1979, an updated series 'Star Trek : The Next Generation', numerous video games and a reboot of the film franchise in 2009 with 'Star Trek' and in 2013 'Star Trek : Into Darkness' both Directed by J. J. Abrams and starring Nimoy as Spock Prime to Zachary Quinto's Spock.

In between his numerous outings as Spock on either the big screen, small screen or video screen he appeared in numerous episodes of the television series of 'Mission : Impossible' and other film including 'Catlow' in 1971, 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' in 1978 and numerous television movies. He also lent his instantly recognisable voice talents to many other film projects too including 'The Pagemaster', 'Rashi : A Light after the Dark Ages', 'Sinbad : Beyond the Veil of Mists', 'Atlantis : The Lost Empire', 'Land of the Lost', 'Transformers : Dark of the Moon' and 'Zambezia' most recently in 2012.

Nimoy has 134 acting credits to his name and twelve Directing credits including 'Star Trek III : The Search for Spock' and 'Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home', '3 Men and a Baby', 'The Good Mother' and 'Holy Matrimony'. His took writing credit too for  'Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home' and 'Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country'. Also an accomplished poet, singer and photographer with many published works across these three fields, and two biographies also to his name - 'I Am Not Spock' in 1975 and 'I Am Spock' in 1995.

A legend on screen for his Vulcan Spock persona, and off it too to his legions of fans across the world who will miss the indelible contribution made to film and television science fiction, and other works spanning seven decades - Leonard Nimoy - live long and prosper . . . wherever you now may be!


Leonard Nimoy - Rest In Peace
1931 - 2015

-Steve, at Odeon Online-