Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015
Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock, the half-Vulcan/half-human science officer of the Starship Enterprise, in the original sci-fi TV series, "Star Trek" (1966-69). The show launched a franchise that extended to animation, feature films, spin-off TV series, and the recently rebooted films, in which Nimoy recreated his immortal character, known for his unerring logic, pointy ears, and the phrase, "Live long and prosper."
Nimoy, an actor, director and photographer, died on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 83.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan
"Star Trek"
Born in Boston to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Leonard Nimoy acted in a local production of Clifford Odets' "Awake and Sing" at age 17. He won a drama scholarship to Boston College and later moved to California, taking acting lessons at the Pasadena Playhouse, and getting small roles in TV series and movies.
Nimoy was hired for the pilot of Gene Roddenberry's "Star Trek," filmed in 1965, as Mr. Spock, the half-alien/half-human science officer of the Starship Enterprise.
"Star Trek"
Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in the original pilot of "Star Trek."
The science fiction adventure, in which an advanced race uses mind control on captured human subjects, was rejected by NBC for being "too cerebral."
Nimoy survived cast changes for the second pilot, shot later that year, which included more violence and phasers - and which NBC bought.
"Star Trek"
William Shatner joined the Enterprise crew as Captain James T. Kirk, with Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock.
"Star Trek" would run for three seasons on NBC (1966-69) to middling ratings, but its popularity would take off into the stratosphere once the show entered syndication.
"Star Trek"
Introduced in the episode "Journey to Babel," were Spock's parents: the Vulcan ambassador, Sarek (Mark Lenard) and a human mother, Amanda (Jane Wyatt).
Spock's relationship with his father illustrated his conflicted feelings about siding with his human or Vulcan sides. And try as he might to project his cool, rational side, it turns out a favorite book read to him by his mother was Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" - as far from rationality as one could get.
"Star Trek"
Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) held out hope that her unrequited desires for the Vulcan would be reciprocated.
"Star Trek"
On expeditions to planets with "primitive" societies (as in the episode "Return of the Archons"), Spock's alien ears must be carefully disguised to allay suspicion.
"Star Trek"
In "The Naked Time," Spock and other members of the Enterprise become infected with a substance that causes them to behave irrationally or emotionally - in the case of the Vulcan, to cry over his mother.
"Star Trek"
In the episode "This Side of Paradise," a mysterious plant's spores cause Spock to reveal emotions, even love, to Jill Ireland.
"Star Trek"
Mr. Spock displays the Vulcan salute.
Leonard Nimoy received three Emmy Award nominations for his performances as Spock.
"Star Trek"
Faced with a budget crunch during the first season, series creator Gene Roddenberry expanded the original, unsold pilot, "The Cage," into a two-part episode, "The Menagerie," in which Mr. Spock accompanies the now-disfigured Christopher Pike back to the planet that was the setting of the original story.
"Star Trek"
Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) plays the Vulcan harp.
"Star Trek"
Futuristic technology in the hands of Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), with DeForest Kelly and George Takei, in "Star Trek."
"Mission: Impossible"
Nimoy joined the cast of the TV series "Mission: Impossible" in seasons 4 and 5, playing Paris, a magician and master of disguises.
"Sherlock"
Among Nimoy's stage appearances was as Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal detective in "Sherlock Holmes." He also starred in the one-man show "Vincent," about Vincent van Gogh; ''Cat on a Hot Tim Roof"; ''Fiddler on the Roof"; and ''The King and I."
His Broadway credits include appearances in Otto Preminger's production of "Full Circle," and as the lead in Peter Shaffer's "Equus," He also directed "The Apple Doesn't Fall" in 1996.
"I Am Not Spock"
In his 1975 autobiography, "I Am Not Spock," Nimoy wrote of his conflicted relationship with his most famous role:
"I like being Spock. But I like myself too. I'd like to be me independent of him. I try - very hard, but it's tough. Sometimes I think I've done it. Sometimes I work very hard at doing my things, thinking my thoughts. To be me, Leonard Nimoy. Sometimes I think I've got it made! Then I'll get on an airplane and somebody'll flash me a Vulcan salute. Or some nice lady will ask for my autograph and I'll proudly sign, "Leonard Nimoy," and then she'll say, "Please sign Mr. Spock. That's the way my son knows you."
"So sometimes I get tired of the struggle and I simply sign, Spock. I tell myself it's faster. It's only five letters instead of twelve. But who am I kidding? No one. I do it because the look in this particular child's eyes says, "I love you, Mr. Spock" and I know that if I signed any other name, two people would be cheated: The child and Spock, and I can't do that. I don't want to hurt that child, and I must be fair to the Vulcan. I think he would do the same for me."
Nimoy's second autobiography, published 20 years later, was perhaps more forgiving of the Vulcan's part in his life. It was titled, "I Am Spock."
Unveiling
Leonard Nimoy and other "Star Trek" cast members attend NASA's rollout of the first space shuttle, the appropriately-named Enterprise, at Palmdale, Cal., Sept. 17, 1976.
From left: NASA Administrator Dr. James D. Fletcher; DeForest Kelley, George Takei, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, Gene Roddenberry; an unnamed NASA official; and Walter Koenig.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
Leonard Nimoy starred in Philip Kaufman's chilling 1978 remake of the science fiction thriller, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," made all the more alienating by its transposition to big-city San Francisco.
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
Leonard Nimoy, Donald Sutherland and Jeff Goldblum in the 1978 remake of the science fiction thriller, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture"
Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner and DeForest Kelley were joined by new crew members Stephen Collins and Persis Khambatta in the 1979 big-screen version odf the series, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture."
"Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"
Despite Nimoy's misgivings about being typecast as Spock, he agreed to return for the sequel, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," on the condition that his character would be killed off.
"Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"
Leonard Nimoy as Spock and Kirstie Alley as Saavik, in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."
Trio
The "Three Musketeers" of science fiction: Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelly), Captain Kirk (William Shatner), and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy).
"Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"
An irradiated Spock's death scene in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."
"A Woman Called Golda"
Leonard Nimoy earned his fourth Emmy Award nomination for his performance as Morris Meyerson, the husband of the young Golda Meir (Judy Davis), in the TV movie, "A Woman Called Golda" (1982). Ingrid Bergman costarred as the older Meir.
"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock"
Science fiction seemingly poses no problems when a character is killed off, if he is to be returned for a sequel. Leonard Nimoy returns as the revived Vulcan in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock."
"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock"
Leonard Nimoy directs William Shatner on the set of "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock."
In addition to "Star Trek III" and "IV," Nimoy's other directing credits include the comedy "Three Men and a Baby," "The Good Mother" (starring Diane Keaton), "Funny About Love" (starring Gene Wilder), the TV movie "Vincent," and episodes of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" and "The Powers of Matthew Star."
"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home"
From alien worlds to an even more alien environment: 20th century San Francisco, the setting for the Enterprise crew's time-travel adventure, "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."
"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home"
Catherine Hicks meets up with some out-of-this-world visitors: Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."
"Star Trek V: The Final Frontier"
In "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is pictured with his half-brother Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill), who seeks the planet that myth paints as the origin of the universe, in "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."
"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"
Spock (Leonard Nimoy) uses a Vulcan mind-meld to get at the bottom of a murder mystery with Lt. Valeris (Kim Cattrall) in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991).
"Fringe"
In the J.J. Abrams TV series "Fringe" (2008-2013), about federal investigators of so-called "fringe science," Leonard Nimoy appeared in the recurring role of Dr. William Bell.
Where No One Has Gone Before, Again
Leonard Nimoy reprised his Spock role in an episode of the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but made a more substantial contribution in J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot, "Star Trek," playing the elder Spock who, thanks to time travel, gets to have a one-on-one with his younger self (played by Zachary Quinto).
Portraitist
In addition to his careers as an actor, director and poet, Leonard Nimoy also found success as a photographer, particularly of black-and-white nude images that were the centerpieces of exhibitions and books dedicated to such themes as body image and self-identity.
"Secret Selves"
A portrait from Leonard Nimoy's series, "Secret Selves," begun in 2008.
For more see Gallery: The photography of Leonard Nimoy.
Portrait
Leonard Nimoy died Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his Los Angeles home, his son, Adam Nimoy, said. He was 83.