Just asking with Leonard Nimoy

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[Kosh GTO]

Just asking with Leonard Nimoy

In a sense, Leonard Nimoy has gone where no man has gone before.

And the journey continues.

Nimoy, an actor/director-turned-photographer, has added lecturer to his galactic list of accomplishments – including numerous movies and TV roles – the most famous of which was Mr. Spock, the Vulcan hybrid science officer of “Star Trek” fame. Nimoy plans to regale the Raue Center audience Friday with personal anecdotes and insights on Star Trek and his role in making it a cultural phenomenon.

Nimoy, 75, and his second wife, Susan, share homes in Los Angeles and Lake Tahoe, as well as an apartment in New York. They are devotees of contemporary art.

Nimoy has recorded 10 narrative albums and authored several volumes of poetry (two of which feature his photographs). In 1975, Nimoy published the autobiography, “I Am Not Spock,” and followed 20 years later with the sequel, “I Am Spock.” Nimoy’s performance of the audio version was nominated for a Grammy Award.

The father to three, two children his own, has focused on photography the last eight years. He has gallery shows – focusing on the female form – ongoing in Northampton, Mass.; New York City and Hollywood, Calif. His latest work focuses on the feminist aspect of God and on large-bodied women. In the later theme, he tries to contrast reality with the idealistic view of women as touted in the fashion industry.

“I’m doing something that is about my photography every day of the week,” Nimoy said, “either shooting, making prints or going somewhere to show some of my work... I’m constantly working on ideas, and that is a challenging process.”

How did you get into acting?

I joined a neighborhood theater when I was 8 years old. … I did children’s theater for several years and loved it … In “Awake and Sing” by Clifford Odet, as part of a group theater in New York, I was cast as a teenager in a production about a teenager. It was the story of a Jewish family in the Bronx, just like my family in Boston. They lived in a tiny apartment, like our two-bedroom apartment.

This 17-year-old kid I was portraying was going through the exact same struggles I was going through: Who was I going to be in the world? Would I find the right career? … I feel blessed that happened to me.

What have you been doing lately?

I walked away from acting and directing some years ago. I had enough. … It was a very interesting career, but I wanted to pursue my passion for photography. I wanted to work on that. I studied it intensively at UCLA in the 1970s and thought about changing careers, but the timing was not right.

Photography is a creative outlet I can do when I want to and where I want to.



What about your transition from actor to director?

I never set out to be a director. I kind of backed into it. I was asked to be in “Star Trek III (The Search for Spock)” after my character died in 2002.

That picture worked, and then there was “Star Trek IV (The Voyage Home)” and that was a big hit, followed by “Three Men and a Baby.” Directing was simultaneously satisfying and demanding. I did six films.

Has the success of Star Trek been a blessing or a curse?

There was no curse to it,

although there are limitations.

I think the question is: ‘Do I think I’m typecast?’ Of course I’m typecast. But getting typecast does not always have a negative connotation. Very often it means people in the industry know how to use you. They find out what in your persona works in your career, and you become identified with a certain type of character.

How much of you is in Spock?

I used a completely different part of me, but I’m not sure if I brought them (traits) to the character or whether I inherited them from the character. My wife refers to me as ‘the Buddha’ because I take in information in a quiet way. I think I’m less volatile than I was as  young actor.

How much latitude did Gene Roddenberry and his team give you in shaping Spock?

Certain aspects of his character were exciting. As part human and part Vulcan, it made the character multi-dimensional that way. … Also the producers and writers would pick up characteristics you may be bringing to the character and begin to write to that.

I had a habit of raising my eyebrow as a way of questioning what people say to me. It became a Spock characteristic. I introduced the Spock neck pinch because I didn’t want to go around punching people. They called it the ‘FSNP’ – the Famous Spock Neck Pinch. And I began the split finger greeting. They were very receptive. If they thought I was crazy when I was introducing this stuff, I would have had to quit.

Do you stay in touch with any of the old Star Trek crew?

Sure. Bill Shatner and I are close friends. It’s a good thing it (Star Trek) is not a disease,

because it doesn’t go away.



Why is that?

There was not a lot of money for special effects and great sets. We’d shoot it fast and cheap. So the emphasis went to the scripts and stories we were going to tell. They had to be tight and meaningful whenever possible. …

There were monsters. For the little kids, there was enough eye candy for them. But as they grew older, they discovered there were elements of the story that they had not been conscious of and the story beared re-watching.

Has that changed?

Today you get a lot of very expensive science fiction movies that are totally forgettable. You are not being touched in a in a deep, visceral and personal way. It’s flashy stuff and entertaining, with the exception of George Lucas’ work and occasionally a (Steven) Spielberg picture.

Do you do a lot of public appearances?

I do about a half dozen appearance a year. I get asked a lot about Spock. That comes with the territory: How did it get started? Stories about various episodes and about other work I’ve done. But I also talk to photography collectors and enthusiasts. I find it stimulating.

What are your future plans?

The next thing I want to do is reach 76. I’m having a great time doing what I’m doing.


Damn these guy's are getting old.

What also liked about this person is that he's not a media wHore like some person we know that always selling some $hit and all.

But the inportant question is what do you think????

[Valkyrie]

I read "I Am Spock".  I enjoyed it very much.  I've always liked everything I've seen that Nimoy has done.  I'd like to see some of his photography too.

I didn't know he's the one who came up with the pinch, Vulcan greeting or the eyebrow thing.  That was really interesting to find out.  :)

Thanks, Kosh hon.