Biography for
Leonard Nimoy More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

26 March 1931, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Birth Name

Leonard Simon Nimoy

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

Raised in a Boston tenement, acting in community theaters since age eight, Leonard Nimoy didn't make his Hollywood debut he was 20, a bit part in Queen for a Day (1951) and another as a ballplayer in the perennial Rhubarb (1951). After two years in army he was still getting small, often uncredited parts - an army telex operator in Them! (1954), for example - but his part as Narab, a Martian finally friendly to Earth, in the closing scene in the corny Republic serial Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952), somewhat foreshadowed the role which would make him a household name--Mr. Spock, the half-human/half-Vulcan science officer of "Star Trek" (1966) one of TV's all-time most successful series. His performance won him three Emmy nominations and launched his career as a writer and director, notably of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), the story of a humpback whale rescue that proved the most successful of the Star Trek movies. Stage credits have included "Fiddler on the Roof," "Oliver," "Camelot," and "Equus." He has hosted the well-known TV series "In Search of..." (1976) and "Ancient Mysteries" (1996), authored several volumes of poetry and guest-starred on two episodes of "The Simpsons" (1989). He recently played Mustafa Mond in NBC's telling of Brave New World (1998) (TV).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ed Stephan

Spouse

Susan Bay	(1 January 1989 - present) 1 child
Sandra Zober	(21 February 1954 - 1987) (divorced) 2 children

Trade Mark

Deep voice

Mr. Spock of the Star Trek TV series

Trivia

Had a pet store in Canoga Park, CA, during the 1960s.

His father had a barbershop in Boston, where one of the more popular haircuts given was the "Spock cut."

Was William Shatner's Best Man at his third wedding to Nerine Kidd.

Also directed the 1984 The Bangles video: "Going Down To Liverpool".

Attended Antioch University, and will receive an honorary doctorate from the school in fall 2000.

Has played two characters whose boss is named 'Jim': Captain James T. 'Jim' Kirk in "Star Trek" (1966) and Jim Phelps in "Mission: Impossible" (1966).

Stated at a 1993 convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that he has contracted out his signature, and can only sign items the company he has a contact with authorizes, and therefore does not sign for fans, otherwise he could be sued for breach of contract.

The "Vulcan nerve pinch" concept on "Star Trek" (1966) was invented by Nimoy when he and the show's writers were trying to figure out how an unarmed Spock could overpower an adversary without resorting to violence.

When Richard Widmark left, Nimoy became the Friday night host for "The Mutual Radio Theater" on Mutual Radio (1980).

Served in the United States Army, under the service number ER 11 229 770, from December 3, 1953 to November 23, 1955. Received an Honorable Discharge in the rank of Sergeant.

Hit #121 on the Billboard Singles Chart in 1967 with "Visit to a Sad Planet" (Dot 17038)

Lent his famous voice to the introduction at the Mugar Omni Theater (The Museum of Science, Boston).

Because of his schedule, part two of the two-part "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) episode "Unification" was filmed before part one.

Is an accomplished photographer (specializing in black and white images), and has given exhibitions of his works.

Has two roles in common with voice actor Frank Welker. Welker provided the screams for the young Spock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Welker also provided the voice of Galvatron in the third and fourth seasons of "Transformers" (1984), a role which Nimoy had voiced in the film The Transformers: The Movie (1986).

Was approached to direct Star Trek: Generations (1994), as well as appear as Spock in the film. He declined because Spock's role in the movie would have been a cameo. Nimoy stated that he did not want to play Spock, or direct any Star Trek movie in which Spock was not an integral part of the plot. Spock's character was consequently edited from the script.

The sign that Spock makes with his hand is half of what is commonly done by the Cohanim, the Jewish Priests, when they bless the congregation.

Is an avid writer of poetry and has written many books.

He and William Shatner are the only actors to appear in every episode of the original "Star Trek" (1966) series.

Along with Majel Barrett, he is one of only two actors to appear in both the first and last episodes of the original "Star Trek" (1966) series.

Made both his first (the first ever "Star Trek" (1966) episode 'The Cage') and last (the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) episode 'Unification Part II') 'Star Trek' appearances with Malachi Throne. Nimoy will again play Mr. Spock in Star Trek (2009).

At 6' 1", he was the tallest member of the cast of the original "Star Trek" (1966) series.

Has appeared in episodes of five different series with William Shatner: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964), "Star Trek" (1966), "Star Trek" (1973), "T.J. Hooker" (1982), and "Futurama" (1999).

Is the only actor to appear in both pilots of the original "Star Trek" (1966) series.

Of the seven original "Star Trek" (1966) cast members, he is the only one to appear in the first pilot, 'The Cage'.

Has appeared in four different productions with Malachi Throne: "Star Trek" (1966), "Mission: Impossible" (1966), Assault on the Wayne (1971) (TV) and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).

Due to their similar deep voices, it was rumoured for years that Nimoy actually recorded the bulk of Orson Welles Unicron dialogue in The Transformers: The Movie (1986). Welles died before the film's release, but voice actress Susan Blu has gone on record saying that Welles recorded all his lines before his death.

Was born only four days after his "Star Trek" (1966) co-star William Shatner.

Appeared in episodes of three different series with James Doohan: "Star Trek" (1966), "Star Trek" (1973) and "Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man" (1994).

Has appeared in episodes of three different series with George Takei and Nichelle Nichols: "Star Trek" (1966), "Star Trek" (1973) and "Futurama" (1999).

When Mark Lenard and Jane Wyatt were cast as his parents in "Star Trek" (1966), they asked him if he had any advice on the Vulcan characters and culture, seeing as how he was the show's main Vulcan character. He replied that he felt the Vulcans were very much a "hand oriented people" and so Lenard and Wyatt came up with a hand gesture in which they touched and held their fingers together to indicate a sense of intimacy.

Suffers from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), along with "Star Trek" (1966) co-star William Shatner. Nimoy's right ear and Shatner's left ear are affected. Their hearing was apparently damaged during the filming of the episode "Arena" when they were both close to a special effects explosion.

Born in Boston to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants.

Sibling: Melvin, five years older.

Parents: Max and Dora Nimoy.

He has one stepson, named Aaron.

Opened exotic pet shop in 1970 after Trek's cancellation.

Often nicknamed "the other Dr. Spock" for his degrees in Biology and Photography.

As a non-commissioned officer in the army, Nimoy was in charge of a platoon that included a Ken Berry. Berry later said in an interview that he confided to Nimoy his ambitions to be a dancer and performer and Nimoy encouraged him to go to California at the end of his enlistment.

Father of Adam Nimoy and Julie Nimoy.

Got his famous role of "Spock" in "Star Trek" (1966) in part because discussions among writers and producers of the show about the character of Spock led them to put out the word that they were looking for "a tall, thin guy" to play the part of an alien crew member. Casting director Joseph D'Agosta remembered Nimoy from his work in an earlier WWII series, "The Lieutenant" (1963) and gave him a call about this role. And so was born his most famous role and start as a pop-cult icon.

The mineral Yominium Sulfide crystals in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), is named him.

In books over the years the "unpronouncable" full name of his Star Trek character is S'chn-T' Gaii Spock, son of S'chn-T' Gaii Sarek (of Skon and Solkar) of Vulcan.

Along with Majel Barrett, he is one of only two actors to have appeared in "Star Trek" in every decade since the 1960s.

His wife, Susan Bay, is a cousin of Michael Bay. Nimoy voiced the re-emerged Megatron, known as Galvatron in The Transformers: The Movie (1986). Bay altogether re-invented Megatron for Transformers (2007).

Mentioned by Will Ferrell's Brennan in Step Brothers (2008).

Fluent in Hebrew and Yiddish.

During an interview with Al Roker on _ "Today" (1952)(TVseries)_, to promote Star Trek (2009), it was revealed that the news anchor, Ann Curry had a major crush on him. They showed several clips of her stating that she was in love with Spock. Roker then called her out on stage. She came on stage, and immediately hugged and kissed Leonard Nimoy, and told him how great she thinks he is. Leonard was very flattered, and told her she had great taste.

Graduated from Boston College in 1953.

Personal Quotes

[Talking about working with William Shatner on the original "Star Trek" (1966) TV series]: "Bill was very passionate about the work. Unfortunately, Bill was passionate about everything".

Spock is definitely one of my best friends. When I put on those ears, it's not like just another day. When I become Spock, that day becomes something special.

Salary

Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952)

$500

Where Are They Now

(September 2002) Announced his retirement from movies.

(January 2008) Has come out of retirement to play Mr. Spock in "Star Trek", directed by J.J. Abrams

(1995) Release of his book, "I Am Spock".

(2008) Release of his book of photographs, "The Full Body Project".

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z