Today, Saturday, is Leonard Nimoy’s 80th Birthday. Like we did with William Shatner’s 80th birthday, we are counting up 80 things about the original Spock – but this time with 80 reasons why Mr. Nimoy is "fascinating".
TrekMovie’s 80 reasons why Leonard Nimoy is fascinating
80. Began acting at the age of 8.
79. Helped raise money for war bonds by acting at 10 years of age
78. His wife Susan Bay is Transformers director Michael Bay’s cousin
77. Was the voice of Galvatron in the 1986 animated Transformers: The Movie
76. Appeared as Mr. Spock on a 1960s Carol Burnett Show episode where she needs famed pediatrician Dr. Spock
75. Rumored to be inspiration for Star Wars aliens "Neimodians"
74. His surname means “A person who can not speak”
73. Even his middle name is cool: Simon
72. Is a vegetarian – just like Spock
71. Wrote seven books of poetry
70. Expresses himself through his photographic art
69. Played Mustafa Mond in the television version of Brave New World
68. Fought to include the supporting cast in the animated television version of Star Trek
67. Strongly defends Star Trek fans against media stereotypes
66. Really is close friends with William Shatner and refused to Roast him – but did phone in
65. Once appeared as Spock in a parade in the 1960’s… introduced as “Leonard Nimsey”
64. First Star Trek actor to direct (Star Trek III) and first to develop story for film script (Star Trek IV)
63. Went on to direct four non-Star Trek feature films plus more on TV
62. Was named director of the year by ShowWest for 1987 comedy hit Three Men and a Baby – which spawned urban myth that a "ghost boy" appeared in one scene
61. Turned down directing Star Trek Generations after being rebuffed for script changes request – also declined to appear as role written for him wasn’t specific to Spock enough
60. Born only four days after William Shatner
59. Showed his humor as guest on 70s variety shows Captain and Tennille and Flip Wilson Show.
58. Served in the US Army, achieving the rank of sergeant
57. Studied photography in UCLA in early 1970s and considered changing careers to photography full time
56. Has voiced himself on two episodes of The Simpsons
55. Played shell-shocked soldier in Korean War Navy Combat Psychiatry film
54. Three words: In Search Of…
53. Worked as a soda jerk and theater usher
52. His son Adam has directed Star Trek episodes
51. Only Star Trek actor to appear in a Superbowl commercial
50. A dance based on his Shekinah photographs was preformed by the Elisa Monte dance company in New York
49. Has supported astronomy at Griffith Park Observatory – and has "Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater" named after him
48. Has a master’s degree in education and an honorary PhD from Antioch University in Ohio
46. Starred with DeForest Kelley, who, yes indeed, played a doctor who treated him in The Virginian in 1963
45. First on screen with William Shatner in the 1964 The Man From U.N.C.L.E.episode “The Project Strigas Affair”
44. Just like James Doohan (Last of the Mohicans), played an Indian for TV Westerns (Gunsmoke and Tate)
43. Was featured in the 1980s song “What’s On Your Mind” by the Information Society
42. Occasionally wears a T-shirt that says “#1 Vulcan” to conventions (which he also sells on Etsy.com)
41. Starred in powerful television film about holocaust deniers, Never Forget
40. Speaks Yiddish and Hebrew
39. Invented Vulcan neck pinch and hand salute (based on Jewish ritual)
38. Was raised in a Boston tenement
37. Ran a drama studio in Los Angeles for 3 years
36. Opened an exotic pet store after Star Trek ended
35. Has done a "Top 10" list on David Letterman Show
34. While a cab driver, he received encouragement to stay an actor from none other than future president John F. Kennedy
33. Starred in the acclaimed The Outer Limits “I, Robot” episode in 1964, and appeared in remake in 1995 (then directed by son Adam)
32. Only actor to appear in every episode of original Star Trek
31. Wrote a comic book series ("Primortals") in the 1990s – inspired by discussions with Isaac Asimov
30. Directed and starred in a Bangles music video
29. Suffers from tinnitus (ringing in the ear) caused by explosion during Star Trek episode "Arena"
28. Got the most fan mail of any actors on original Star Trek
27. Second Star Trek actor to be honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
26.Starred in the best Hallmark Christmas ornament commercial, ever
25. Has built up over 160,000 followers on Twitter in less than a year
24. Joined Mission: Impossible to replace Martin Landau – who was the runner up for the role of Spock
23. Has directed one Broadway play and appeared in two others – in addition to acting and directing in many acclaimed stage productions
22. Most popular haircut in father’s Barbershop: "The Spock Cut"
21. Said "dickheads" on Saturday Night Live
20. Awarded the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award from the Space Foundation
19. While being interviewed on Today Show, Ann Curry she admitted she had a crush on him
18. Sued Gene Roddenberry for showing Star Trek blooper reels at conventions
17. Still has said of Roddenberry "he was a very complicated man and a great visionary"
16. Supported radio dramas through his own endeavor, Alien Voices along with John DeLancie
15. When he met candidate Barack Obama, the future president greeted Nimoy with Vulcan salute
14. Was Best Man at William Shatner’s third wedding (to Nerrine Kidd)
13. During original Star Trek used to ride around Paramount lot on bicycle – which was once stolen by William Shatner
12. Kept the last pair of Spock ears from original Star Trek as a memento
11. First played an alien in 1952 serial Zombies of the Stratosphere
10. Improvised the line "thrusters at full" at the end of 2009 Star Trek
9. In 1971 became first Star Trek actor to inspire naming of an astronomical object: Asteroid 2309 Mr. Spock (technically named after discoverers cat "Mr. Spock")
8. Developed close mentoring relationship with Zachary Quinto, Star Trek’s new Spock – and still has him over to dinner
7. Wrote the autobiography, "I Am Not Spock", then realized "I Am Spock" twenty years later
6. Nominated three times for an Emmy for playing Spock
5. Released five albums of music and poetry, including the awesome “Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” and “Highly Illogical”
4. Came out of retirement again in 2011 to appear at conventions because felt he "owed it" to the fans
3. Honored with a "Life Career Award" and a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (Saturns)
2. Appeared on cover of Newsweek
1. At 80 is active, entertaining, educating, and inspiring
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD FROM TREKMOVIE.COM
Happy Birthday, Mr. Nimoy. May you continue to lead a long, fascinating life!
I loved the fact that he has no egotism about passing the torch to Quinto
He improvised the line, “thrusters at full” in the last movie? Fascinating!
Happy Birthday Leonard Nimoy!
I would LOVE to see video of the appearance on The Carol Burnett Show!
BTW, Items 60 & 57 are the same. May I suggest a substitution?
“Directed by his son Adam in the 1995 remake of Outer Limits “I. Robot”, 31 years after appearing in the original.”
not sure how the duplicate thing showed up, but it is fixed. we had 80 so thanks for suggestion. the I, Robot episode already got a mention, but added thing on Adam thanks for reminder
He is one cool guy!
Very Happy Birthday, Sir.
(more great work compiling this list from Trekmovie. Thanks guys)
“53. Worked as a soda jerk and theater usher”
What’s a “soda jerk”, anyway?
Both he and William Shatner are the epitome of how to live life!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Nimoy!
Perhaps if he writes another book, the title could be “Forever Spock”.
Number 45 should be written The Man From U.N.C.LE.” not “Uncle.”
29. Suffers from tinnitus (ringing in the ear) caused by explosion during Star Trek episode “Arena”
Sorry to be nitpicky, but I am a Trekkie, after all. I believe you mean it was caused during the filming of “Errand of Mercy.” It’s the “a most satisfactory display” boom boom. Shatner says both of them suffer tinnitus.
Anyhoo — HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sir!
Oops. Also see the mention of “Arena” in IMDB. More than one boom boom on the set.
I wonder if TrekMovie will be doing a “45 Reasons We Love Star Trek” list?
The Shatner and Nimoy ones are a lot of fun!
Happy Solar Return, Mr. Nimoy and Many More.
My proofreading fixes:
1 Ann Curry works for NBC not CBS.
2 His appearance on Sea Hunt was overlooked?!
Happy big 80th Mr. Nimoy!
Happy Birthday Mr Nimoy
Many Happy Returns to Mr Nimoy.
Proofreading nitpick – “33. Starred in the acclaimed The Outer Limits “I, Robot” episode in 1964, and reprised role in remake in 1995”
He didn’t actually reprise the same role. He played a different character in the remake.
Happy Birthday fascinating Leonard Nimoy.
I’m 47 years old now, and I will never forget the first time I saw you in Star trek on the black and white tv screen of my parents.
Star Trek changing a lot of things in my life and you are part of that changes.
Thank you 8
Awesome!
Very many happy returns and thank you, Mr. N.!!!
Happy Birthday Mr. Nimoy. You’ve been an inspiration for greatness and a role model on many different levels.
Thank you from the heart.
Happy birthday Mr. Nimoy…and many more
Love you leonard- when are you coming to australia for a con???
Interesting list.
Now I know I share something with both Mr. Shatner and Mr. Nimoy – tinnitus.
Regards.
Happy 80th Birthday to Leonard Nimoy!! What and absolute Star he is and has been throughout his 50+ year career and has been awesome to see him in the new Star Trek movie and Fringe in recent years!!
Leonard Nimoy, what a great career and service.
Happy birthday.
Great list! Once more, Happy Birthday to Leonard Nimoy.
Reason #56: and more importantly, voiced himself twice in Futurama.
Nimoy’s great. Glad he’s still going strong. :)
I wish someone would put up the “The Carol Burnett Show!” appearance on You-tube. Talk about alternate universe!
Plus, I want to know more about his cabby encounter!
Happy birthday!!
As I say often, re: his musical career…..his version of “Sunny” is super. The arrangement alone is gold. Happy Birthday Leonard!l
Happy Birthday, Mr. Nimoy. Live long and prosper!
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mr Nimoy
A most logical listing, if somewhat emotional…. ;-P
Happy Birthday Mr Nimoy!
A very classy, cool guy who will live long and prosper!
Item #32… Really? What about Shatner?
@31. Jonny “Item #32… Really? What about Shatner?”
I believe this statistic is counting “The Cage” as an episode. No Kirk.
Happy Birthday, Leonard Nimoy.
He also appeared in the greatest ever Sci-Fi remake, surpassing the iconic original….
I am of course, referring to INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS.
;) :-)
Happy Birthday to Leonard Nimoy. He also wore a Beard in Star Trek Mirror Mirror. He is such a class act and a great actor. May he live long and prosper.
LLaP! Leonard lives and prospers. :)
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Happy birthday, and shalom out!
\\//_ _\\//
To comment 31-
Shatner was not in “The Cage.”
Happy Birthday Leonard. All the best.
Quite a feat of accomplishments.
Live long and prosper.
Happy 80th Birthday, Leonard Nimoy! You are fascinating!
Yes he is GREAT! … I have tremendous admiration and respect for him! …. then again…. Happy Birthday Mr. Nimoy!
#32 and #33
Also, Captain Kirk was not in “The Slaver Weapon” of the animated television program.
A very happy birthday Mr. Nimoy. Kirk may have been Captain, but someone had to be there to save his arse all the time!
#43 And for a brief while in “Yesteryear”, Spock didn’t exist at all during TOS. Imagine rewriting all the TOS episodes to feature Thelin of Andor, grandson of Shran. >:-)
.
With Shatner in Generations, but Nimoy not, Shatner almost caught up to him. With Trek 2009, Nimoy again has a 2-screenplay lead. (Not counting the two TNG episodes: they had no part during a TOS timeframe.)
“Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” should be the theme music for the new Hobbit movie. :)
¡Feliz Cumpleaños! Mr. Nimoy…siempre he sido y ser su Fan.
Happy Birthday Leonard Nimoy! You are the classiest man in Hollywood!
Watch Leonord Nimoy – Never Forget – excerpts 1…..when Nimoy’s character says “this is interesting” you’ll see the unmistakable Spcok eyebrow…..It made me smile
Happy Birthday, Mr. Nimoy.
Mr. Spock was a role-model for me growing up in the 1970’s, as he was to many, and it all springs from Nimoy, the man, himself, as we have found out in the ensuing years.
Intelligent, mysterious, down to earth, a sheer gentleman, a jokester, and “a certain Vulcan of our acquaintance” to boot, Nimoy has done more to promote logic and peace, in character as Spock, than any actor has ever done. He sealed the deal directing and co-writing STIV.
He’s also still the one that brings in the lion’s share of the girls (sorry, Bill), even at 80.
Just hearing that applause on “Letterman” and hearing Dave say “There he is, everybody,” reaffirms it all.