Leonard Nimoy in 'no more Spock' shock
He's boldly gone on long enough
Leonard Nimoy has announced his retirement - and this time he means it.
"Countless times, I thought it was done," he told the Toronto Sun, referring to his 60-year career. But now it is. Done, that is.
He can now revive the title of his first autobiography, I Am Not Spock, published in 1977 when he was trying to distance himself from his oh-so-popular role as the Starship Enterprise's first officer (promoted to that rank by Captain James T Kirk when that brash young fellow took command of the Enterprise in 2265).
It was 44 years ago when Nimoy first donned the impressive ears, penciled in the sharply sloping eyebrows, and adopted the air of mildly amused detachment required for his long run as the son of Vulcan ambassador Sarek and earthing teacher Amanda Grayson.
And now he's calling it quits. As he told the Sun: "I want to get off the stage. Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto," meaning the youth who assumed the role in last year's Star Trek prequel.
"He's a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it's time to give him some space," said Nimoy, presumably with characteristically dry Vulcan punnish humor.
Nimoy did appear in that 2009 movie, but not as Spock - that was Quinto's responsibility - but rather as Spock Prime. But he won't appear in the sequel to the prequel, currently set for release on June 29, 2012.
Although Nimoy's 1977 autobiography was his personal retreat from Spockdom, he later embraced the responsibility of being one of the best-loved rocketmen of all time - so much so that he titled his 1995 autobiographical update I Am Spock.
And now he's not. Nimoy told the Sun that he'll also wean himself from the personal appearances circuit. He'll attend this weekend's Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, but that meet-and-greet "could be the last go-round for that too," although he does have a few more appearances on his calendar.
But before he goes to Calgary, he'll make a stop in Vulcan, Alberta, for a visit to that tiny town's Trek museum, where he'll have his renowned Vulan hand sign immortalized in what the Sun calls a "handprint ceremony," and attend the unveiling of a bronze bust of first officer Spock.
At age 79, we can only hope that Nimoy will enjoy the both halves of the Vulcan salute: "Live long and prosper." ®
Bootnote
Although William Shatner of James T Kirk fame didn't get to add his ... oddly ... halting ... verbal ... stylings to the 2009 Star Trek prequel, he did handily best Nimoy in one other long-running performance: in 2000, Nimoy became spokesvulcan for long-forgotten dot-bomb Networds, shortly after Shatner got his still-healthy pitchman gig at Priceline.com.
COMMENTS
For those not living in the US or the UK
Leonard Nimoy stared in a US television show named "Star Trek" which was kinda like "Raumpatrouille – Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion", but with more episodes, in colour, and with far less budget.
He played a science officer who was half alien. They depicted that by, believe it or not, glueing prostetics to his ears.
I think the shoestring budget was one of the reasons why it was so popular in english speaking countries. It kinda looks like "Ijon Tichy: Raumpilot", but with _less_ budget.
There is a German dub of that series availiable. It was first availiable in 1972 on ZDF and then later migrated to Sat1 and Kabel 1.
Bilbo
Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins, only ??? feet tall,
Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins, greatest little hobbit of them all.
I still remember that song. Haven't heard it in forty years. Can I sue for damages?
the hobbits
that's what I'll miss most.
the wonderful music of Mr Nimoy.
oh Bilbo Baggins... etc.
But can I still....
kill people who refer to him as Doctor Spock?
Other work
I remember him promoting and even demoing OS/2 Warp.
I have to say, compared to the Windows offering at the time, it was great (I even shelled out my own money to buy a copy). Alas, it has also gone into retirement.
