Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015: A Death of A Friend

By Scott Orris

How do I begin writing about the impact that Leonard Nimoy has had on my life?  In reflecting on his death, I thought I would share my own personal journey "into fandom" of someone who I unfortunately never had the opportunity to meet, but still call a friend.  Since I first watched Star Trek as a kid my life was changed forever.  I started watching Star Trek in the early 90s, and immediately took to the Original Series as well as The Next Generation which was currently on the air.  I was amazed by idea of what Star Trek's creator Gene Roddenberry called “a wagon train to the stars” space exploration combined with action, and relevant social commentary, but it was a certain Vulcan science officer who captured my imagination.  I have collected almost everything I could about Spock.  I even bought rubber Vulcan ears which I have to this day which I wore pretending to be him as a kid.  This led to buying the models of the ships, action figures, communicators, phasers and many other different kinds of Star Trek collectibles all of which I treasure.

My most valuable Star Trek collectible, the original Mego Enterprise Bridge Playset from 1974 in its original box.

This is the inside of the playset, complete with the original figures, including Spock.

My Spock ears which I ordered from Starpost Magazine around 1991-1992.

Screen worn Spock Ears at the Smithsonian

 But the highlights of my experiences with Star Trek were fully realized in 1991-1992.  In 1991 Star Trek celebrated its 25th Anniversary and the series was received with renewed popularity.  Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Meyer, 1991) also came out that year, which was the final movie with the original cast.  I saw the film in the theatre with my father, and it was one of the earliest film-going experiences I actually remember.  In honor of the anniversary the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum had an actual Star Trek exhibit.  The exhibit included the actual Enterprise Model itself, along with many of the other models of ships used for the show and movies, such as props, uniforms, costumes, including the actual Captain’s chair which Captain Kirk sat in on the bridge of the Enterprise.  One of the best highlights for me was seeing a pair of Spock’s actual pointed ears which were used during the filming of the show.

This is actual Enterprise model used in filming the Original Series on display at the Smithsonian Star Trek Exhibit.

This is myself sitting in Captain Kirk's actual command chair at the Smithsonian Exhibit.

Born in Boston Massachusetts on March 26th, 1931, Nimoy was the son of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, who originally did not approve of his career choice.  Leonard took to acting after seeing Charles Laughton’s performance as the Hunchback in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Dieterle, 1939) as a kid (Nimoy 18).  In Nimoy’s words, "I carried Quasimodo’s haunting image with me from the theater that day; the seed that would become Spock was planted" (Nimoy 18).  His big break came in 1952, in Kid Monk Baroni  (Shuster, 1952) playing the title character who was a boxer disfigured at birth for being a forceps baby (Nimoy 20).  This required the use of heavy make-up and appliances, where he was cast as an outsider who used physical toughness to hide his emotions, which similar to the Hunchback, possessed a heart which yearned for human compassion (Nimoy 21). Nimoy proved to be a dependable and versatile performer in a number of guest star appearances in television such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and Night Gallery, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Mission Impossible.  In fact, for his role on Mission Impossible he played "Paris the Great" who was a master of disguise meaning Leonard got to play anyone from South American dictators to blind men (Nimoy 132).

Leonard Nimoy as "Paris the Great" on Mission Impossible.

But ultimately his defining role was Spock.  The character’s impact on Nimoy is well documented beginning with years of distancing himself from the role which was noted in his first book I’m Not Spock.  He would later change his mind however, writing a second book appropriately titled I Am Spock which Nimoy realized the positive impact the character had on his life and others.  I think it was the fact that Spock was half Vulcan, and half human which helped emphasize the contrast of Spock’s logical and stoic nature with his unwavering loyalty and human dedication to his friends and fellow shipmates. 

Spock, giving his famous "Live Long and Prosper" sign in the episode "Amok Time."

Leonard shares a laugh with his good friend and co-star William Shatner.

I think this is essentially why Spock has connected with audiences for so long.  Even in the latest J.J. Abrams Star Trek films, Leonard Nimoy in his role as Spock Prime, demonstrates the mature wisdom which gives him almost a human quality.

Spock and Kirk care for the dying Dr. McCoy in "The Empath"

Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime in Star Trek Into Darkness.

In my favorite Original Series episode “The Empath” Spock is willing to give up his life for Kirk and McCoy.  But by far Spock’s greatest display of self sacrifice was in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan   (Bennett, 1982) when he sacrificed himself to save the ship from the detonation of the Genesis device.  Spock’s logical quote from the film, “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one,” is an example of how Spock used logic to noble ends.  Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Bennett, 1982) is my favorite of the movie series and I believe its theme of life and death, is best illustrated as Spock’s dead body is shot onto Genesis, which was a newly created planet.  From directing Star Trek III (1984) and IV (1986), and Three Men and a Baby (1987) to fine art photographer, and poet, Leonard Nimoy was a man of many talents who will greatly be missed.  In saying goodbye to Mr. Nimoy I will leave you with his final tweet, “A life is like a garden.  Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP” (2. 11:36. 22).  Goodbye Mr. Nimoy, and Live Long and Prosper!

Works Cited:

"Kid Monk Baroni." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

Nimoy, Leonard. (TheRealNimoy). "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
22 February 2015, 11:36p.m. Tweet.

Nimoy, Leonard. I Am Spock. New York: Hyperion, 1995. Print.

"Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.