Sunday marked the end of era. Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy appeared at his last convention at the Chicago Creation Star Trek con. As of now Leonard Nimoy is officially retired (again). See below for a report from the event, with pictures.
Nimoy bids farewell
Leonard Nimoy bid goodbye to the world of conventions on October 2, 2011, at Creation Entertainment’s Official 45th Anniversary Star Trek Convention in Rosemont, Illinois. His final con appearance began with a surprise video assembled by Creation Entertainment featuring all seven of the main stars of Star Trek (2009) and director JJ Abrams sharing memories and good wishes to their costar. Perhaps the best moment was Karl Urban doing his best Dr. McCoy during his tribute. When Leonard Nimoy took to the stage, the audience cheered its own good wishes for the actor who was very much the heart of Star Trek.
Leonard Nimoy bids farewell to conventions at Star Trek Chicago Con 2011
A wonderful presentation followed where Leonard Nimoy shared his life story through words, poetry, and pictures. Especially moving were photos of his days as a young man growing up in Boston. He shared many great experiences, discussing how various people, including Senator John F. Kennedy who was a passenger in his cab, had inspired him with their words and deeds.
When the time arrived for Nimoy to take his leave, he did so with grace and quietly, while the sold out room was filled with fans holding up signs expressing their appreciation for all that Nimoy has done. In a kind gesture, Nimoy asked that a cake be shared with the audience of fans as he signed autographs.
Leonard Nimoy bids farewell to conventions at Star Trek Chicago Con 2011
Leonard Nimoy began attending conventions during their earliest days. He has been Spock for almost 47 years considering the first, unsold pilot. And he has been a consistent and generous convention guest for close to four decades, sharing with fans laughs and tears, jokes and worthy ideas.
He has been, and ever shall be, our friend.
Leonard Nimoy bids farewell to conventions at Star Trek Chicago Con 2011
All photos by John Tenuto/TrekMovie
To bad his final convention apperance had to be with Creation.
This sounds like it was a very nice, yet bittersweet time. Is there any chance we may be able to see that video?
Ah, he’ll be back :)
LLAP Mr. Nimoy, and thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us over the years.
I think he should have departed with, “In the words of an old friend, Get a Life, will you people?”
I think he’ll be back!! But if not,how awesome was that farewell?! :)
I remember one of my first cons, late 70s, at the old Statler-Hilton in NYC. We were watching one of the speakers and all of a sudden a door at the back opened and Leonard rushed up to the stage and started speaking about the problems getting the movie (TMP) together. I’ve long forgotten the details but I’m sure more than a few people have a transcript of what he actually said. He was VERY passionate about it and quite incensed at what was going on with it, and my little friends and I were totally blown away. It was fantastic.
When you’re a kid you don’t ever really think far ahead to the time that your heroes will be as old as your grandparents, to the times when things will be ending. I haven’t been an active Trekker in a very long time but I appreciate that Leonard, et al, have been a constant all through the years while exploring other interests and opportunities. They may not be close family, or A close family, but they are…. family. To themselves and to us. I type this just a couple of miles from Leonard’s birthplace and nod a salute to him from my window. L(much)L(er)AP.
..from an appearance at a mid 70s auto show to a lengthy lecture he gave at university at the time of directing Trek 3, to the numerous cons I’ve seen Nimoy at over the past 3 decades, he has always been a great guest speaker with imaginative presentations, full of intelligence, wit and respect. His presence on the convention circuit will be sorely missed.
Huge thanx for these great descriptions of Con experiences with Leonard.
You’ve allowed me to be there. I never have been to a ST Con just never the op.
I would love to see that video… I wish the best for Mr. Nimoy!…:-) :-)
Creation has control of that video. They’ll probably charge people $10 to view it online.
Anyway, I’ve never gotten the opportunity to see Leonard Nimoy in person. But I can tell he’s a class act and all-around great human being who has accomplished so much. I hope he continues to do guest spots on “Fringe”.
47 years. Nice round number.
I soooo wanted to go to this particular one! Never been to one either :( but so glad to have had an article on this. Thanks John!
Salute to Mr Nimoy—besides brilliant acting of not just a but THE iconic scifi tv character-he also had us looking at photography,poetry and music and writinh as outlets for personal growth,sharing with us fans and always returning to spock–our family member–the best thing about trek 09 was nimoy bridging the gap for us fans–jj et al showed great love n respect for spock/nimoy–what a beautiful send off for his character that we all love–i hope he doesnt retire but if he does he is entitled–andy rooney just said his ladt goodbyes on 60 min-truly is end of an era for tv greats-
I didn’t know were else to post this, and I didn’t see it posted anywhere. Star Trek (2009) is back in IMAX theaters this weeks at most Edwards theaters here in Cali. I just saw it today and it was great! The ticket taker said it will be in most Edwards IMAX until Thursday. Just FYI.
Mr. Nimoy PLEASE go out with a BANG! As in a cameo on The Big Bang Theory!!!!
Don’t worry kids he will be back next year. He’s been retiring from Star Trek since the end of Star Trek II
17. Faolin
I agree. More Nimoy please.
As a child of the 70’s & 80’s, it is strange to see all of my tv & film heroes go on into the sunset. I myself am pushing 40 and it is bittersweet to see many earas coming to an end, especailly in the world of Star Trek. The 90’s were a good time to be a fan. Hard to believe that The Undiscovered Country turns 20 this year.Has it really been 20 years since the final voyage of the original crew?
Some of us are pushing 40,,, and some of us will never see 50 again…
But We’ll always have CGI (or what ever comes next) Spock will never retire…
For everything you’ve done to and for Trek, Thanks Leonard,
I have seen Leonard at many conventions and in many interviews and have appreciated the warmth, intelligence and respect he has conveyed for all these years.
Sorry folks, this is just a ploy for more money. If somebody waves enough money under his nose he’ll “unretire” again.
I’ve had the great fortune of seeing Leonard Nimoy at two conventions. LLAP.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Nimoy when I was a waiter at the McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant in Beverly Hills. He didn’t sit in my section, and I risked getting fired by saying hello, but I did so anyway. (The restaurant’s policy is to not treat celebrities any differently then others in the restaurant as they typically don’t want their meal interrupted.) I politely waited until he and his wife were about to leave when I did take the opportunity to say hello. They were both very kind and gracious. I hope that he enjoys his retirement. He has earned it, but he will definitely be missed at the conventions.
The first time Nimoy left it was in the wake of Genesis, this time it was at Creation.
Live long and prosper LN.
As someone who was there, it was wonderful. A happy and very sad time, but totally magical. :) LLAP _\V/
Met him here in Dallas. Very intelligent man. I was honored to have the chance.
I was there and it was awesome. Creation was a little snarky about not standing along the back wall (fire code??) by after he came on, they found me a seat in the premium area where people were not in attendance.
Bye, Leonard (until next time).
I only wish I had been there to offer my own well-wishes. Mr. Nimoy is truely one of Starfleet’s finest and his compassion and dedication to Trek over the years is greatly appreicated and will be sorely missed. Thank you for you’re service and for giving myself and so many like me someone to look up to.
LLAP Mr. Nimoy and thank you.
I WAS THERE!!! IT WAS EMOTIONAL!!!
My first convention!! Leonards Last :( Had my picture takin with him, it was a weekend I will never forget!!
@11
Creation’s Volunters were very rude!! Their paid staff were really nice. Creation has some work to do with who they let work the conventions.
What? 47 years and you’re bored already?
Seriously… Thanks, sir. You set the standard higher.
Who knows if this is the end or not? There are always possiblities….
Which ever way it goes, I can only wish him well (LLAP) and thank him for all that he has given us fans over the years. I was glad to get a photo Op with him and Shatner together during one Vegas CON, also his autograph. Every day I get dressed, I see his picture and I hear him saying those words to me–LLAP.
Mr. Leonard Nimoy is an icon.
He is also a very generous and gracious man and sets the highest standard as a human being.
It was an honor to have watched him portray Spock all these years and to have met him in person.
Thank you Mr. Nimoy, you will be greatly missed.
Good coverage and well written John. Thanks!
I had a great time at this con, and the buzz and anticipation all weekend was unlike any I’ve ever witnessed at a Trek con this side of the Mississippi. It was an honor to attend this goodbye. Thanks, John, for some pics (I was so far back in the room, none of them turned out), as well as your presentations.
Enjoy your 80’s, Mr. Nimoy.
@37
I was there too up close i have some great picts! If trek movie wants them i can email someone so they can post on the website.
Just so you know:
Nimoy quoted me at the Vegas con some years back when the speculation was rampant about whether Shatner would be in the 2009 flick. Took it from something I posted right here on this very website. Even did a bit of a riff on it with Shatner. Kinda made my day.
Here’s to you, Timmy!
Loved Legend Awesome Person.
live long and prosper too! admiral as well as an ambassador to the federation it is a real honor to know that you are the cornerstone of all the star trek empire that we trekkers love and will keep serving on! good morrow to our loved and inspiring gentleman! and god bless you sir! signed john f.hinson U.S.N.RET.
I was lucky to meet him in Houston a few years ago. He always seems genuine. ;-)
God bless you Mr. Nimoy. You didn’t have to work as long as you did, but you did it because you knew that the nerds needed you. Yes, it’s the truth. You gave your valuable time so that the nerds who can’t get a date had something to look forward to. Mr. Shatner tried to tell them to get a life, but the truth angered the nerds, and they turned on him untill he took it back. Again, bless you Mr. Nimoy, you are a good man.
The first time I saw Leonard Nimoy was in the Coming Attractions issue of TV Guide from September of 1966. I saw at the bottom of the page two men in the kind of outfits that your “hip” uncle wore to sit in the basement and play bongo drums. Slacks and a velour V-neck sweater with a black mock turtleneck underneath. What?
It must be science fiction because the show was called “Star Trek.” But where was their space ship? Where were their space suits? Why were they staring up at us? They didn’t look too friendly!
My eyes immediately went to the Captain, and a very handsome captain he was. Good.
But the guy on the left. What to make of him? He looked like a cross between Peter Pan, the Beatles, and Moe of the Three Stooges. He needed a shave, too. Weird.
Oh well, I tuned into the show (“Charley X”) and there was this strange man again. He looked pretty cool. But when he opened his mouth, this deep, hoarse croak came out. He sounded like he’d been kicked in the throat! This was very distracting. I didn’t want to watch this show because of him! The only reason I stayed was because of Robert Walker, Jr. and the truly amazing Grace Lee Whitney and her impossible hairdo. Very cool.
The weird-looking man was really unfriendly and I didn’t like him at all. That is until he had his legs broken at the end of the show and I shouted at the TV, “Oh, no! Poor Mr. Spock!” Immediate sympathy for this poor, strange alien. And week after week we would be drawn deeper into the strange world of this delightfully complex being.
And so it was with Leonard Nimoy himself. Leonard Nimoy? What kind of actor calls himself that? As I was to find out, a very serious one. Someone who kept his own name, who never denied or tried to hide his Jewish heritage, and who was true to his craft. He gave us a legend. For 45 years no less!
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to see him several times over the years, and my respect and admiration for him has only grown. I can think of no better role model for a kid, and even now for a middle-aged adult. For he continues his creative output. Not just as an actor, writer, director, poet, and musician, but as a photographer. I was wowed by the Secret Selves show and I was honored to spend an evening in a small conference room with a handful of art lovers discussing this project with the man himself. After the photography seminar, we were up ’til midnight discussing Secret Selves. I can’t wait to see what else he has to show us!
Like matter, I guess creativity can neither be created or destroyed, only changed in form.
Leonard Nimoy is a personal hero of mine for several reasons outside of Star Trek and Mr. Spock… I wish him the best. God Bless!
ps: I am not convinced that we have not seen the last of Nimoy as Spock. I say Abrams wraps up his version of ST with a third film in the series that has at least a cameo w/ Nimoy and Shatner.
@7 NoRez. The transcript of that entire speech to the Star Trek America Convention can be found in the 1977 Leonard Nimoy Association of Fans (LNAF) Yearbook. (You might find a copy at Amazon.com or eBay.)
It was transcribed September 3, 1977 by the president of the LNAF, Louise Stange.
Interesting reading, especially in view of comments made about tensions which arose between Mr. Nimoy and the fans in “The Star Trek Interview Book.” That speech really cleared the air and paved the way for the long-lasting relationship he’s had with the fans ever since.
Re: #5. This Is Me – October 3, 2011 and #43. Milf lover – October 4, 2011
I was unaware that Mr. Nimoy had an any familiarity with Mr. Smigel whatsoever?
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47 years.
I have been playing myself for 47 years, come to think of it! Just old enough to (just barely)remember watching Star Trek first run (season 3) with my dad. So, Spock and I go way back.
On a related, nice note, William Shatner was the top Yahoo “trending now”story for awhile today. Whenever I see either Nimoy’s or Shatner’s name in the news, I fear the worst. But then I saw Shatner’s smiling puss, and all was well.
Enjoy them now.
Mr. Nimoy has affected my life now is so many ways. Not only has he inspired me to become an actress but has also helped me forge a life long friendship with my best friend. Although we didn’t have enough money to afford the convention (being the broke teenagers we are) and we are likely never going to get the chance to get autographs or faint before of our idol we still have had wonderful memory involving the man and for that I would like to thank him.
Thankyou Leonard Nimoy for being such an inspiration to my friend and I.
Sincerely Your Fan;
Aaron
I feel fortunate to have seen Mr. Nimoy at the Las Vegas convention this year.
My daughter had a picture with him and got his autograph. She was thrilled. She has the photo framed and on her bedroom wall.
He’s such a nice man.
LLAP!