Leonard Nimoy is an American actor, director, screenwriter, poet, photographer of Jewish origin. For most viewers, this is the legendary Spock from the Star Trek space series. Leonard is now 83 years old, has left behind a huge creative experience, many interesting and memorable roles. Despite his venerable age, Nimoy does not sit idly by, he starred in some projects and is engaged in social activities.
The childhood and youth of the actor
Leonard Nimoy was born March 26, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA), in a family of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. The actor has an older brother, Melvin. His mother Dora was an ordinary housewife, and father Max had his own business - a small hairdresser in the Mattapan area. Leonard first appeared on stage at the age of 8, he played in a local theater, which greatly impressed the boy’s grandfather. Max Nimoy always insisted that his son receive a proper education, which allows him to earn a living. As an alternative, he suggested learning to play the accordion, but Leonard did it his own way.
In 1953, the guy went to take exams at Boston College for drama courses, but failed. In the end, he left for Los Angeles, where he entered the University of California, where he studied the basics of photography. It is worth noting that the actor has a doctorate, he received it after worldwide recognition at the Ohio University of Antioch. At one time, Nimoy served in the army along with architect Frank Gehry and cinematographer Ken Berry.
The beginning of the creative path
For the first time they started talking about the young actor in 1952 after the release of the film “Young Paul Baroni” (Leonard played the main role in the movie). The plot of the action movie is dedicated to the story of street punk, which over time has turned into a professional boxer. Nimoy at that time actively declared his personality, during the interval between filming he participated in some television projects, and since there was a catastrophic lack of money for his life, he also worked as a peddler of newspapers.
In 1954, actor Leonard Nimoy appeared in the fantastic thriller “They!”, Playing the role of a sergeant. He also took part in television projects. Then there were shootings in the films “Caravan of Wagons”, “Silent Service”, “Colt 45” and others. In the early 60s, Leonard was far from world fame, since he played mostly only secondary characters.
Successful Roles
The first success came to the actor in 1966 after the release of the multi-part science fiction film Star Trek. Millions of viewers liked the unemotional telepathist Mr. Spock. Leonard Nimoy was nominated three times for the Emmy Award for his impeccable transformation into a native of the planet Vulcan, a scientist and an officer in the Enterprise spaceship. In the future, the actor repeatedly returned to this project, starred in a remake of "Star Trek" and several parts of the film of the same name.
In the second half of the 60s, Leonard Nimoy began to enjoy great popularity, directors vying to bombard the young man with interesting offers. In 1969, the actor took part in the spy project "Mission Impossible", a year later several Westerns with Leonard came out at once. For his role in the film “A Woman named Golda”, Nimoy was nominated for an Emmy. He also became famous, having reincarnated in the detective "Colombo" as a criminal doctor.
Filmography
On the account of the actor mail two hundred different works. Many of them are secondary and even episodic, but Leonard Nimoy showed his unique talent in all of them. The filmography of the actor was annually replenished with several films, starting in 1952. What films did the audience like the most?
Nimoy first showed his talent in the action movie "Young Paul Baroni" in 1952. Then, from 1953 to 1965, the actor starred mainly in the series. Leonard played characters in television films “Days in the Valley of Death”, “Your Favorite Story”, “Road Patrol”, “Smoke from the Barrel”, “Broken Arrow”, “Caravan of Wagons”, “Colt. 45 ”,“ Sea Hunt ”,“ Imprisonment ”,“ Twilight Zone ”, etc. Worldwide success came to the actor after the first episodes of the space series“ Star Trek ”that aired from 1966 to 1969. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy appeared in the image of the main characters of this legendary film.
Then there were no less successful roles in the TV series Mission Impossible, Colombo, Night Gallery. In 1971, the comedy “Catloe” was released, and in 1978, Nimoy amazed everyone with his talent in the horror film “The Invasion of Body Snatchers”. In 1979, viewers could see on the big screens the fantastic detective Star Trek. In the 80s, the second, third, fourth and fifth parts of the film were released, as well as numerous series and television paintings with the participation of Leonard.
The best works of Nimoy of the 90s include the series Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Lord of the Pages, Beyond the Limits of the Possible, Invasion of America. In the 2000s, Leonard was mainly engaged in dubbing films. In 2008, the actor was persuaded to star in the TV series "Edge", and in 2009 - in the fantastic action movie "Star Trek." In 2013, Nimoy pleased all his fans by starring in the action movie Star Trek: Retribution.
Participation in the series "The Big Bang Theory"
Since the time when Sheldon (Jim Parsons) obsessed with the Star Trek movie in an episode of The Big Bang Theory, the audience eagerly awaited the appearance of Nimoy himself in the series. Then Penny just gave Sheldon the napkin used by the actor, noting that Leonard's DNA particles remained on her. Since then, the napkin was placed in a frame and put in a prominent place.
The producers conceived, no matter what the cost to them, to lure the famous actor into the series The Big Bang Theory. Leonard Nimoy received an invitation in 2010, but then he had to refuse filming due to illness. In 2012, the producers repeated the attempt, and although the actor has recently preferred not to appear in television projects, he made an exception here and agreed to the episodic role. Sheldon still met with his idol, but not in the real world, but in dreams.
Actor's social activities
Since Leonard Nimoy is a photographer by profession, he takes gorgeous photos in his spare time from filming. His first exhibition was held in 1973 in the gallery. Leonard is a diverse and talented person, he is not only a photographer and actor, but also a poet. In the first half of the 70s he published his collection of poems entitled "You and Me." In the fall of 2000, Nimoy received his doctorate in humanities for environmental protection, the development of art and activities in memory of Holocaust victims.
In 2003, Leonard and his wife founded a fund to support aspiring artists. The Nimoy Foundation is financing organizations to promote contemporary painters, providing materials and facilities for work. Recently, the actor is actively engaged in photography.
Personal life
While serving in the army, Nimoy met actress Sandra Sober, the lovers got married in 1954. The couple had two children: daughter Julie and son Adam. In 1987, the couple divorced. In 1988, Leonard married actress Susan Bay, who is directed by Michael Bay's cousin. The woman has a son from her first marriage, Aaron.
Interesting facts from the biography
- The full name of the actor is Leonard Simon Nimoy.
- In 1987, the star of Leonard appeared on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Nimoy is actively involved in photography.
- In 2011, the actor starred in the video of Bruno Mars, The Lazy Song.