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Leonard Nimoy: How the actor became a sci-fi icon to generations

Nimoy directed films and Broadway productions and starred in various other movies and TV shows, but he is remembered by many as the logic-loving Starship Enterprise crew member Mr. Spock.

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Matt Sayles/AP/File
In this 2009 file photo, actor Leonard Nimoy poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“Star Trek” actor Leonard Nimoy has died at the age of 83. 

According to the New York Times, Nimoy died on Feb. 27. The actor was best known for his role as Spock, first officer of the Starship Enterprise, in the TV and movie series. The TV show debuted in 1966 and Nimoy also starred in various “Star Trek” films such as “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan,” a movie which included a memorable ending for Spock.

Nimoy’s character was half-human and half-Vulcan, a species famous for its lack of emotion and love of logic. “Star Trek” is often remembered for the friendship between Spock and the captain of the Starship Enterprise, James T. Kirk (portrayed by actor William Shatner). 

Nimoy starred on “Star Trek” with George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, and Walter Koenig, among others.

In addition to his work in the “Star Trek” TV series and films, the actor appeared on such TV series as “Mission Impossible," “Sea Hunt," and "In Search of ... " He directed 1984’s “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” and the 1986 movie “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” as well as the 1987 movie “3 Men and a Baby,” among other work. He appeared on Broadway in the plays “Full Circle” and “Equus” and directed the play “The Apple Doesn’t Fall…” 

In recent years, he starred on the Fox sci-fi series “Fringe” and returned to his “Star Trek” role. The 2009 movie “Star Trek” centered on younger versions of the original characters, with “Into the Woods” actor Chris Pine playing Kirk and Zachary Quinto of “The Slap” taking on the role of Spock. However, Pine as Kirk encounters an older version of Spock (portrayed by Nimoy) during the film. Nimoy reprised the role in the most recent “Star Trek” movie, 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness.” 

“It's all about trying to make the world and the universe a better place," Nimoy said of the “Star Trek” universe in an interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I'm proud to be connected with it. I think we need that in our lives. We need ethical, heroic people trying to do the right thing to help others and to improve life on this planet and in the universe.”

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